TRIBE WAR TO EXPLODE THIS SATURDAY By James U. Sy. Jr

Tribe W.A.R. (Warriors’ Art Rumble) IV is set to take center stage this coming June 6, 2009, 1:00-6:00 P,M., at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Bacolod City.



The tri-format tournament will be presented by Tribu Hangaway of Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr., 6th Degree Black Belt, in cooperation with the Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI)-Negros and under the sanction of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) led by its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, 8th Degree Black Belt.



34 fighters from Bacolod, San Carlos, Talisay, and Victorias Cities will compete in a total of 17 bouts - 7 for Grappling (Tribe WAR rules), Muay Thai (Muay Association of the Philippines rules), and Amateur Western Boxing (Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines rules).



Expected teams to compete in the Grappling division are host Tribu Hangaway, Affinity of Coach Chester Laquian, and Submission Sports Philippines (SSP)-Bacolod team of Coach Jek-Jek Ferrer. All three teams had proven their mettle in both the Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) arena with some of there members competing and/or taking wins in provincial, regional, or national level competitions.



For the Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) division, the following organizations are set to rumble - Black Falcon Martial Arts Association (BFMAA-Main) of Chief Instructor/Master Joery C. Amante, Bassdumas Combat Sports (Talisay City) of Founder/Chief Instructor Ian Negrido, Pabalinas MMA of Founder/Chief Instructor Nonoy Pabalinas (Victorias City), and Lee Gralto Self Defense Club (LGSDC) of Founder Lee Gralto (San Carlos City).



The Western Boxing Division will feature Kids’ matches pitting boys 9-11 years old from Bacolod and Talisay.



Kru (Master) Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo, Muay Thai Instructor for Mega Boxing and 5th Degree Black belt in Filipino Tang Soo Do, has been invited for the event. A few years back, he was sponsored by the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) for a special instructors’ training under Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) head kru Ike Xavier S. villaflores in Dumaguete City. Peter Yap Sifu and his tai Chi Circle of Bacolod 9TCCB) is also invited.



Among the other IFFMAS organization members expected to support the event are Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founders/Masters Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado and James U. Sy Jr. , Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSA), inc. of 1st generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido, Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) of Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, and Universal defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) of Founder/Chairman Abraham “Abe” Ganzon.



Interested parties may contact Master Flores at 0928-388-5530.