Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Events Lined Up By: James U. Sy Jr.

The official logo of the Muay Association of the Philippines, the sole recognized governing body for amateur Muay Thai in the Philippines as recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP), the sole National Sport Association (NSA) for Muay Thai in the country as recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), has calendared most of its activities for the remainder of the year.

Muay is a Thai word which means “to pull together to form a single group” and refers to Thailand’s national martial art, sport, and “Science of the 8 limbs” (fists, elbows, legs, and knees). Muay Thai has a colorful history stretching back thousands of years. It has enjoyed support from the Thai Royal Family since the 12th Century A.D.

Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Visayas and Region 7 Head Kru Ike Xavier Villaflores of Dumaguete started the 2006 Dumaguete Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic last April 3, 2006 at the Dumaguete Muay Association Headquarters, 90-A Dr. E. Miciano Rd., Dumaguete City, Oriental Negros. Schedule is from Monday to Saturday. Training for the first group (for kids) is 8:00-10:00 A.M.; the 2nd group (adults) is 3:00-4:30 P.M. (contact 0928-772-2874).

The 2006 Bacolod Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic was rescheduled to April 26, 2006 at the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Group K Complex, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City. Schedule of training is MWF 9:00-10:30 A.M. (contact 09-28-712-2888 or 0928-719-5141 or 446-4702).

The 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic was started last April 17, 2006 at the Fellowship Baptist College (contact 0928-793-4199).

The Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic is part of Muay Association of the Philippines’ goal of bringing the sport of Muay Boran (Traditional Thai Boxing) closer to the public in coordination with the National Sport Association’s 5 year plan of establishing Muay Thai as one of the Philippines’ medal rich mines in future international competitions and make it a by-word in the domestic sports community like taekwondo, karate-do, and judo.

The 2006 Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic will close simultaneously nationwide on May 27, 2006. M.A.P.-Negros Occidental Chapter has plans to host a Muay Thai tournament in Bacolod City to coincide with the closing.

The San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) of Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay is scheduled to host Kru Villaflores for the conduct of the 3rd M.A.P. Negros Occidental Basic Muay Boran Instructor’s Course “Muay Thai Comes to San Carlos” tentatively on May 28, 2006 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

M.A.P. Visayas under Kru Vilalflores is set to send a delegation at the 2006 M.A.P. National Open Amateur Muay Thai Championships on June 21-24, 2006 at the PSC-Philsports Complex (ULTRA), Meralco Ave., Pasig City.

The M.A.P National Open is an interregional competition held without the participation of the Philippine National Muay Thai Team. Competitors who get a gold, silver, or bronze in the National Open is then qualified to compete in the National Grand Prix, a national tournament for the best of the best including the Philippine National Muay Thai Team.

In June 2006, a 2-day Wai Kru (Traditional Muay Thai Ceremonial Dance) Seminar Workshop will be held either at the Dumaguete City Gymnasium or Macias Sports Complex to prepare instructors and athletes in the Visayas for the upcoming 2006 M.A.P Visayas Age Group Wai Kru Competition this October.

In November 2006, Kru Villaflores will organize the 2006 M.A.P Visayas Amateur Muay Thai Championships, tentatively in Dumaguete.

Meanwhile, Romnick Pabalate of Mabinay left Negros last April 26, 2006 to join the Philippine National Muay Thai Team.