ARNIS PHILS.-BAC/NEG SPECIAL MEETING HELD

By: James U. Sy Jr.


Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Coordinator (and soon Commissioner) Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., called for a special meeting for his group last January 27, 2008 at the Apollo Chinese Restaurant, Cuadra St., Bacolod City.

The meeting was first and foremost a celebration of the respected Bago-born leader’s birthday, which falls on January 29. Atty. Col. GM Jalandoon will turn 82 years old this coming Tuesday. The special meeting was the 3rd held this year, the first two being on January 20 and 22 at Apollo and the Tertulia Café, Casino Hotel respectively.

The meeting started off with Attyy. GM Jalandoon following up on other member organizations yet to complete their papers for membership with Arnis Philippines, the National Sport Association for Arnis and the sole governing body for the Filipino Martial Art (FMA)) recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

4 member organizations of Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter had already submitted their requirements and fees for membership for 2008 to Arnis Philippines Headquarters. These groups were the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) of Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, IFFMAS Arnis of Master Elmer V. Montoyo, and Black Mamba Arnis of Master Dominador “Jun-Jun” L. Villaluna.

Former Negros Occidental Commissioner Maxwell “Max” J. Maun of NOBF-Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts moved for the Creation of a Screening Committee for new member organization applicants as well as a Discipline Committee to resolve future problems within the organization with a unanimous support. P/SUPT. Grandmaster Ibarra “Baring” E. Lopez of Golden Kamagong Arnis Kali Eskrima Association (GKAKEA) also called for the drafting of a set of house rules/code of ethics, which all members shall abide by.

Secretary GM Cardinal of KAA announced that he will be hosting an Arnis Competition Officiating Practice this coming February 3, 2008, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 NN, at the Danzline Studio, 3F Centroplex Bldg., Locsin St., Bacolod City. Member Head of Schools were invited to join for the familiarization of Arnis Philippines rules in preparationm for the proposed seminar to be conducted by Arnis Philippines-Manila officials this coming March 28-30, 2008 at proposed venues Casino Filpino and SM Bacolod.

The draft letter for said upcoming seminar was returned to PIO Master James U. Sy Jr. of IFFMAS Arnis-Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. for the final copy.

Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa of IFFMAS Arnis-NUFAA announced that he will be hosting the 1st NUFAA-SK Bago City Invitational Arnis Tournament this coming February 23, 2008 at the Bago City Coliseum and invited the school heads present to join said competition.

Atty. GM Jalandoon Was appointed as coordinator for Bacolod and Negros Occidntal by Arnis Philippines President Raymond S. Velayo last September 3, 2007, two days after the then inactive Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental was revived and reorganized by 13 founding grandmasters and masters from Bacolod, Bago, and Talisay Cities.

Other members present in the meeting were Grandmaster Eduardo Palmares and Senior Instructor Carlo Barzo of GKAKEA, Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis and combat Sports (GACS), Mandala Baldwin “Nonoy” Garrucho of Sundangan Baneg, and Master Instructor Berting Dajao of KAA.