NEGROSANONS SHINE IN WV ARNIS TILT By: James U. Sy Jr.

Arnisadors from Bago, Bacolod, and Sagay Cities showed their wares and took home medals for the province during the 2nd Western Visayas Invitational Sports Arnis Tournament held last May 10-11, 2008 at Robinson's Place Bacolod, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City .


The Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres-sponsored Bago Team, represented by the Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) of Grandmaster Jose "Joe" Mancesa, was crowned overall champion with 4 gold and 1 bronze medals.

The Bacolod ( Main ) and Sagay Chapters of Golden Kamagong Arnis Kali Eskrima Association (GKAKEA), Inc. of P/SUPT. (Ret.) Grandmaster Ibarra "Baring" E. Lopez got a combined medal tally of 3-3-3. The KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" Cardinal and Tribu Hangaway of Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. had harvests of 2-2-1 and 0-0-2 respectively.

Labanan - Men's 65 Kg.: Stevie John Doctora of NUFAA (Gold), Climaco Lumanog of KAA (Silver), Joicent Dec Alcabaza of ACLC Bacolod (Bronze). Women's 52 Kg.: Vina Mancesa of NUFAA (Gold), Aileen Lamayo of Talisay Arnis Unlimited (Silver), and Irra Jane Lopez of GKAKEA-Bacolod (Bronze). Boys 14 Years Old Below: Edgardo Doctora of NUFAA (Gold), Allan Pacheco of KAA (Silver), Kimbert Parpa of GKAKEA-Sagay (Bronze). Girls 12 Years Old Below: Claire Locsin of KAA (Gold). Seniors Lightweight: John Bagatela of NUFAA (Bronze). Seniors Bantamweight: Yvonne de la Cruz of NUFAA (Bronze).

Other Negros medallists of the Labanan Men's Division: Glenn Cometa of GKAKEA-Sagay (Silver), Kevin Villaluz of GKAKEA (Silver), Carlo Barzo of GKAKEA-Bacolod (Bronze), and King Joseph Cabiles and Van Joseph Segovia of Tribu Hangaway (Bronze). Women's Division: Hailene Joy Sucgang of GKAKEA-Sagay (Gold), Mary Rose Lamoreno of GKAKEA-Bacolod (Silver).

Anyo Boys 14 Years Old below: Allan Pacheco of KAA (Bronze). Girls 17 Years Old Below Below: Claire Locsin of KAA (Gold).

Other Negros medallists of the Anyo Men's Division: Christian Villaluz of GKAKEA (Gold). Women's Division: Mary Rose Lamoreno of GKAKEA-Bacolod (Gold), Hailene Joy Sucgang of GKAKEA-Sagay (Bronze).

GKAKEA and KAA are member organizations of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) of Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D.; NUFAA, of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) of Master Elmer V. Montoyo; and TH, of both NOBF and IFFMAS.

Winners qualify to compete in Boracay this July 20-25, 2008. (Acknowledgements goes to GMs Ibarra Lopez, Jose Mancesa, and Danilo Cardinal and Master Roy R. Flores Sr. for providing the info for this news item.)