TAI CHI CIRCLE OF BACOLOD GATHERING HELD By: James U. Sy Jr.

21 members and guests of the Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod (TCCB) converged for a get together last January 28, 2008 at Cocobana, Luxur Place, Bacolod City.

The group postponed their get together last Christmas due to the hectic schedules of its members. The group initially decided to hold the gathering on the 26th to coincide with the Chinese New Year but since not everone can come on that date the members agreed to have it on the 28th. Members welcomed Atty. Alex Ang who flew from Manila to join the gathering. Atty. Ang is also a member of the RAPID (Research and Propagation of Internal Arts Development) Group of Daniel O. Go Sifu which is based in Binondo.

“Our goal here at TCCB is to uplift our well being so that we can enjoy life better and live it to the fullest. We try to improve the quality of members’ lives physicaly by practicing Tai Chi Chuan, mentally by studying the philosophy behind the art, and spiritually (not religiously) by attaining a peaceful and calm mind through meditative practices. Getting together is one way of unwinding and leaving behind the day’s worries, interacting with friends, and to reenergize one’s self for the following day,” explains Peter Loren Yap Sifu, who heads the practice of the group.

The Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod (TCCB) is a non-profit, non-competitive network of career professionals/business people dedicated to the serious study of the ancient Chinese internal art of Tai Chi Chuan “Grand Ultimate Fist” to improve one’s health and quality of life.

The Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod (TCCB) was founded on July 17, 2000, making it perhaps the longest existing training network/group of Tai Chi enthusiasts in both Bacxolod City and Negros Occidental.

TCCB is concentrated on the study of the Yang Chia 24-steps and the Cheng Man-Ching (Zheng Manqing) 37-steps. It also pursues the study of the traditional 108-posture form. TCCB’s primary goal is to improve one’s quality of life through cultivation of the mind and inner peace, correct breathing, and non-impact/non-injurous physical exercise through Tai Chi Chuan, proper diet, a health centered lifestyle, and a harmonious relationship with one’s brothers and sisters in and outside the art. Many had joined the group to contain their diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, etc.

Members present were Peter Loren Yap Sifu, Atty. Alexander Ang, Letecia Chiu, Pepe Chiu, Guillermo “Bill” L. Gomez, Ianna Gomez, Ben Halili, Pepito Khey, Bing Lim, Humberto “Toti” Lim, Greg Tan, Phoebus “Jundy” Teruel, Ramshir Traigo, Rose Traigo, Jose “Joe” V. Uy Jr., and Stephen Young. Guests present were Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, James U. Sy Jr., Dr. Raymund Antonio A. Maguad, and Dra. Saja Marie B. Maguad of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. and Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo of the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA).