Arnis Phils. Officiating Seminar Held By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Arnis Philippines (ArPi)- Bacolod /Negros Occidental Chapter successfully held the Arnis Philippines Sports Arnis Rules and Regulations Officiating Seminar Workshop last May 10 and 17, 2009 at the Universal Health Caregiver Training Center , #83A Cor. Rosario-Locsin Sts., Bacolod City .

Lecturer and Seminar Facilitator was Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” L. Cardinal, Secretary General/Acting Commissioner of Arnis Philippines (ArPi)-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter and Founder/Grandmaster of the KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA).and Traditional Shotokan Karate Arts (TSKA).

The workshop was held under the leadership of Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., Commissioner/President of the Arnis Philippines (ArPi)-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter and Founder/President of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF).

The seminar, attended by not less than 21 arnisadors from 7 member organizations, consisted of orientation and lecture on Arnis Philippines (ArPi) Sport Arnis rules and regulations, commands and hand signals, and actual hands-on officiating.

T hose who attended in the first day were Alsun S. Ahunin of Tribu Hangaway/Tapondo International Federation Inc., Gener V. Arnaiz of Golden Kamagong Arnis Kali Eskrima Association (GKAKEA)-Sagay Chapter, Master Elizalde O. Aspan of KAA, Catalino Bauya Jr. of GKAKEA-Sagay Chapter, Master Guilberto C. Dajao of KAA, Master Stephen Francis A. Diaz of Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway and Tapondo International Federation Inc., Founder/Chairman Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA), Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of the Guinabo Arnis and combat Sports (GACS), Julna D. Jabat of Bago City’s Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA), Founder/Grandmaster Jose “Joe” B. Mancesa of Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA), Vina Mancesa of NUFAA, Founder/Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Jether A. Palma of UDTA, Joeffrey G. Poloy of GKAKEA-Sagay Chapter, Manuel E. Ruelo of GKAKEA-Sagay Chapter, Realou de los Santos of NUFAA, Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., Jussel J. Torres of TH/TIFI, Kris Uy of UDTA, and Raffy Yanong of NUFAA.

The seminar workshop was held in preparation for planned activities and tournaments by the group in the local scene. A competition utilizing Arnis Philippines was mulled for Bago City this May 2009 but had to be postponed to a later date for financial inadequacy.

GM Cardinal was one of only two grandmasters in Negros Occidental to have attended a seminar given by Arnis Philippines a few years back in Bacolod City . He is a highly experienced competitor, instructor, and tournament official since his competing days in Saudi Arabia where he was called “The Fighting Chief Instructor” and had also taught Caucasians and Asians in Hawaii . He is a certified instructor under Grandmaster Jonathan “Jon” Bais of the Tres Manos Bais System and is a recognized grandmaster by the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) as well as the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS).

Arnis Philippine, Inc.-Bacolod/Negros Chapter was revived and reorganized by 13 founding grandmasters and masters from Bacolod , Bago, and Talisay Cities on September 1, 2008 at the Apollo Chinese Restaurant, Cuadra St. , Bacolod City.

Arnis Philippine, Inc. (ARPI) was founded by Raymond S. Velayo and other men devoted to Arnis as the Philippine Arnis Federation on July 11, 1986 at the Sulu Restaurant, Quezon City , Metro Manila and formally recognized as Arnis Philippines Incorporated on August 20, 1986. Arnis Philippines was recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on January 12, 1987 and became its 33rd member (Arnis Philippines, Inc. 1983-2006).

Arnis Philippines is the National Sport Association (NSA) for Sport Arnis and the sole governing body for the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) recognized by the Philippine Government, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

National Officers of Arnis Philippines are Raymond S. Velayo (President), Severillano Padiz (Vice President-Internal Affairs), Richardson C. Gialogo (Vice President-External Affairs), Aniano "Jon" Lota, Jr. (Secretary General), Dewey B. Sahagun (Treasurer), Elisa L. Granada (Auditor), and Medardo B. Quiambao (PRO).