Fa Tzang Temple Summer M.A. Training Concluded By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Fa Tzang Buddhist Temple recently concluded its Summer Martial Arts Training Workshop for more than 30 children, aged 4 to 12, in its premises at Narra Ext., Bacolod City .

The graduation rites were held with a simple program. A demonstration was given by those who joined the course. Officials, parents, and visitors were present to give support to the children.

The workshop was sponsored by the Negros Occidental Buddhist Association under the leadership of its President Mr. Mining Tan and materialized through the efforts of Ms. Ruby Cua, In-charge for the association’s community service/charity projects.

The Negros Occidental Buddhist Association established the Fa Tzang Buddhist Temple way back in 1971. Cua had commissioned Master Roy R. Flores Sr., Founder of Tribu Hangaway and Negros Island Chief Instructor for Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI), to teach the children the fundamentals of the Martial Arts. The goal was for the children to develop their character in terms of respect, discipline, patience, and confidence through the medium of the Martial Arts. Children 4-6 years old are taught the rudiments of Kickboxing while the 7-12 years old group is learning Tapondo, the Filipino art of throwing and locking. The participants are students from different schools in Bacolod among them the city’s three Chinese schools Bacolod Tay Tung High School, St. John’s Institute (Hua Ming), and Trinity Christian School (Sam It), University of St. La Salle , etc.

The training workshop started last April 17, 2009 and was conducted every MWF 9:15-11 A.M.

Tribu Hangaway and Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI)- Negros are proud members of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS).