1ST NUFAA-SK ARNIS TILT A SUCCESS By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) of Founder/Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa and President Eliseo T. Yanong Sr. in cooperation with the SK Federation-Bago City under President Eliseo T. Yanong Jr. and the Bago City Government under Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres successfully held the 1st NUFAA-SK Bago City Invitational Arnis Tournament last February 17, 2008 at the Bago City Community Center, Bago City as part of the 42nd Charter Day Anniversary Celebration of Bago City.

9 Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) organizations from Bago and Bacolod Cities converged at the event to give demonstrations and compete in 6 Arnis bouts. The tournament was sanctioned by Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter under City/Provincial Commissioner Col. Atty. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and with the blessings of Arnis Philippines President Raymond S. Velayo. Arnis Philippines rules were put into full effect during the competition.

NUFAA members were led by Instructor Stevie John Doctora in showing the basic whipping techniques, sinawali, offensa defensa, disarming, and the various methodos of Alasabate Sciencia. Founder/Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa also demonstrated the straight forward infighting signature moves he learned from the late Grandmaster Dominador Recto and his two other late Arnis professors.

Members of KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) under Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter and Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) Secretary Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal and his assistant Master Elizalde Aspan performed the Kankudai kata of Shotokan Karate, solo baston, doble baston, and synchorized likha anyo, attack and defense, various forms of agaw-agaw, tapi-tapi, knife defense, etc.

Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) was led by former world champion Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo in showing the different aspects of the Trese Grabes Piga-Piga System which he founded, including solo baston defenses and counters (Junior Instructor Kenneth Guinabo), knife defense (Senior Instructors Rodel Guinabo and Julius Valdez), Espada y Daga (GM Guinabo and SI Rodel Guinabo), and defensa ofensiva (GM Guinabo and Junior Master Joselito Guzon). Senior Master Dionesio Guinabo was also present to support the group.

Sikaran Garrote Arnis Society (founded 1990, Bacolod City) Founder/Grandmaster Romeo “Roming” Postrano and his son Mandala Jeremiah Postrano went through the various striking and blocking techniques of his traditional style of Arnis, Juego Todo.

The combined delegation of Guarra Style Modern Arnis of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra and the Arjuka-Malingin of Grandmaster Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra gave an exhaustive demonstration of their respective styles from solo baston, doble baston, pangamut Arjuka style, disarming and restraining holds, takedowns, etc. Members of the demo team included the Guarra Grandmasters, Junior Masters Ceasar Ian Poral, Ryan Trayco, and Rodolfo Vilchez, and pewee Wendy Lou Poral.

The Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. was represented by the late Founder’s nephew 1st Generatiopn Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido and OFT Senior Instructor James U. Sy Jr. GM Lobrido demonstrated the higher forms of direct hitting one-movement linyada of this unique Negrense long stick fighting art.

Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. and LVA Instructor Lafayette A. Diamante showed Conceptual Martial Arts solo baston ofensa defensa and Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis seated defense against a knife and grabbing. CMAS Secretary Lorema “Bing” H. Tacsagon performed the basic uno, dos, and doble dos strokes of Original Filipino Tapado.

Overall Champion: Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) of Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa (3 wins). 2nd Placers were Arjuka-Malingin of Grandmaster Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra, Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) of Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo, and Sikaran Garrote Arnis Society of Founder/Grandmaster Romeo “Roming” Postrano.

Jester Ploteña of Arjuka over Julius Valdez of GACS. Joselito Guzon of GACS over Filton Bernadas of Arjuka. Stevie John Doctora of NUFAA over Jeremiah Postrano of SGAS. Senior Mandatus Mark Anthony Magbanua of SGAS over Renante Deferia of KAA. John Carlo Bagatela of NUFAA over Gary Cabatuan of KAA. Ivonie de la Cruz of NUFAA over Edgardo Doctora of NUFAA. Junrey Montes of Arjuka had no opponent.

Officials were Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal (Referee), Grandmaster Romeo “Roming” Postrano, Master Elizalde Aspan, and Master Instructor Berting Dajao (Judges), Wilson Alvarado of NUFAA (emcee), and Pastor Raymund Legaspi (spiritual adviser).

NUFAA is a member of Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter under City/Provincial Commissioner Col. Atty. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., thru the IFFMAS Arnis group.