UNIVERSAL DEFENSIVE TACTICS TO BE LAUNCHED By: Jams U. Sy Jr.

The martial arts renaissance in Negros continues as a new self defense group will be formally launched and introduced to the public during the 1st Negros Fighting Arts Exposition this coming June 25, 2008 at the Fountain Area, Robinson’s Place Bacolod, Bacolod City as part of the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Fiesta in celebration of the 20th Year Celebration of the station’s Bacolod Office.

The Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) traces its roots to F.I.G.H.T. (Filipino Integrated Guerilla Hand to Hand Tactics), a group co-founded by Chairman Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. and Chief Instructor Rosyl “Russell” A. Mohametano last January 8, 2008 in Bacolod City with Dr. Leonilo “Nilo” N. del Carmen, Founder/Head Instructor of the Bacolod-based Musubi Dojo, as Consultant.

F.I.G.H.T. was formally introduced to the public thru a demonstration byGanzon and Ramel Vallajera at the 5th Negros Regional Tapondo Invitational Competition last May 25, 2008 at the Food Court Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. The group practiced an eclectic syllabus which combined Mohametano’s Aikido and Ganzon’s Karate and Kimdo Taekwondo, at the Universal Health Caregivers Training Center.

This June, Ganzon and the Board Directors of the Universal Health Caregivers Training Center decided to assimilate F.I.G.H.T. into the caregiver school and turn it into the Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA). UDTA is planned to handle the self defense course modules for the caregiver students of the Universal Health Caregivers Training Center.

The stockholders of the school wanted to equip their graduates with not only the expertise in caregiving but also in the skills of defending oneself against bodily harm. The Universal Health Caregivers Training Center has affiliate agencies overseas and a big number of their graduates are now working in Canada.

The Board Directors of the Universal Health Caregivers Training Center will be hiring instructors to teach the UDTA.Modules for empty hand skills, weaponswork, and defensive firearms.

Ganzon, who will serve as Founder/Chairman for UDTA, studied Karate under Bong-Bong Acot Sensei of Club 43, Taekwondo under Founder Joy T. Divinagracia of Kimdo Martial Arts Organization (KMAO), and Aikido under Chief Instructor Rosyl “Russell” A. Mohametano of Musubi Dojo-Himamaylan and Founder/Head Instructor Dr. Leonilo “Nilo” N. del Carmen of Musubi Dojo-Bacolod.

The Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) will be processing its application for membership with the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) headed by Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, Founder of Filipino Tang Soo Do.

Interested parties may contact Universal Health Caregivers Training Center (Tel. No. 434-1429) and/or Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (Tel. No. 453-1763) at #83A Cor. Rosario-Locsin Sts., Bacolod City.