A Memorial to GM Samson C. Tendencia (1920-2010) By: James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Samson "Sam" C. Tendencia, Founder of Tendencia Arnis-Hilot, passed away on May 26, 2010 in his sleep. He was 89. Samson "Sam" C. Tendencia was born on August 24, 1920 in Tigbauan, Iloilo Province, Panay Island (Western Visayas/Region 6), Philippines. Tendencia, 7, began his studies of Arnis under Ramondo Gallano of Iloilo in 1927, in a corto mano system which used 12" sticks. At about the same time, he learned hilot, the Filipino art of bone setting, nerve, muscle, and joint manipulation, and deep tissue massage, by accompanying his grandfather during hilot sessions, carrying his bag of oils. He would go on to heal people by himself after years of apprenticeship. Tendencia was already a Black Belt in Judo when he was 14, under Murakami Sensei, who would send him to Japan during summers to further studies. In 1938, at age 18, Tendencia continued his studies of Arnis, in a largo mano method using 30" sticks, with Deogracias Tipace of Manila, the official instructor of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the godfather of his son. Tendencia also learned Espada y Daga from Gallano and Tipace and studied under them for 5 years each. Tendencia is the holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCr) and a Master's Degree in Physical Education from the University of Iloilo (UI). In World War II, Tendencia served under Macario Peralta's guerilla forces in Panay starting December 8, 1941, eventually was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts, and organized the "Lancer" Division US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). He was honored with the Distinguished Medal of Honor, American Liberation Medal, and received the General Douglas MacArthur Medal of Bravery. Tendencia, 30, moved to Japan in 1950 to continue his Judo studies at the Kodokan, where he became a student of Mifune Kyūzō 三船 久蔵 Sensei (1883-1965), 10th Dan, for 5 years (1950-1954). Tendencia, Mifune Sensei's personal ping-pong "uke," was eventually awarded his 7th Dan in Judo. Master Tendencia also holds a 9th Dan in Jujutsu and had studied Shiatsu Massage and Swedish Massage in Tokyo, Japan. Master Tendencia later left Japan to study Shorin-ryu Karate in Naha, Okinawa for 2 years. He was awarded a 4th Dan. In 1969, Master Tendencia moved to the U.S.A. where he worked for Burn's Detective Center in Los Angeles, California. That same year, he established the A.R.N.I.S. (American Revised Native Institute of Stick-fighting) USA, which was renamed A.R.N.I.S Tendencia in 2008 by N. David Guillory with the blessing of GM Tendencia and his wife Evangelina. GM became one of the instructors of GM Daniel Inosanto. The A.R.N.I.S Tendencia website lists GM Tendencia's 7 Appointed Disciples (in order) as Master Ernesto Calvento, Master Narcisco “Chique” Calvento (Deceased), Master Alfonso Calvento (Deceased), Randy G. Pizarro, Renny L. Pizarro, Felix Perezchica, and N. David Guillory.

BaNeg Groups Affiliate with Arnis Philippines By: James U. Sy Jr.

Three member organizations of Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter under the leadership of Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal had officially registered as affiliates of Arnis Philippines national in Manila for the year 2010.

The registered member organizations are KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) of Grandmaster Jose “Joe” B. Mancesa, and IFFMAS (Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools) Arnis under Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo. These three organizations are composed of a total of 41 individual members.

Those registered under the KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) club membership were Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, Master Guilberto Dajao, Justin Miguel Bantigue, Danny John Cardinal, Darwin Dajao, Gorge Estoque, John Kevin Guiking, Ande Christopher Jabat, Climaco Lumanog, Hernan John Sinogbuhan, Angelo C. Traigo, and Rovir Paul Vedad as well as Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), Master Stephen Daz of Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Master Sheila M. Duran of Golden Kamagong, and Founder/Chairman Abraham Ganzon Jr. of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA).

Those registered under the Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) club membership were Grandmaster Jose “Joe” B. Mancesa, Ramonito Amijado, Jane Amolar, April Joy Barsellano, Edgardo Doctora, Karen Libros, Vina Mancesa, Francis Marfel, Chemy Maximo, Hazel Villaflores, and Raffy Yanong.

Those registered under the IFFMAS (Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools) Arnis club membership were Founder/Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), 1st Generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc., Founder/Grandmaster Rogelio H. Galvarole of Philippine Dynamic Arnis (PDA), Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles of Yasay Sable, Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder/Master Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, Master Joeffrey S. Deriada, Master Dr. Raymund Antonio A. Maguad, Instructor Lafayette A. Diamante, Instructor Lorema “Bing” Tacsagon, and Instructor Moises “Jong-Jong” Nifras Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay of San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC), and Instructor Trainee Irene Anne Gayoles of Yasay Sable.

For Arnis club heads who wish to register with and adopt the nationally recognized tournament rules of Arnis Philippines (ArPi), Inc., please contact Bacolod/Negros Occidental Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal at

Arnis Phils. Officers Appointed By: James U. Sy Jr., PIO, Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter

Published in the May 27, 2010 issue of Negros Daily Bulletin http://www.ndb-online.com/may2710/negros-sports-news/Arnis-Phililippines-Officers-Appointed.

The new set of officers of Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter for the year 2010 was appointed by Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" L. Cardinal recently at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City.

This year's officers are Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" Cardinal of KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA)-Bacolod (President), Grandmaster Jose "Joe" B. Mancesa of the Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (Vice President), Founder/Chairman Abraham "Abe" G. Ganzon Jr. of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (Secretary), Voltaire Daypal of UDTA (Treasurer), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (PIO), and Master Sheila M. Duran of Golden Kamagong (Auditor).

Danilo “Danny” L. Cardinal is the Director of the KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA)-Bacolod and Founder/Chief Instructor of Traditional Shotokan Karate Arts (TSKA). He is recognized as a Grandmaster by Col. Atty. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., under the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF). He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, Black Belt in Arnis from the Saudi Arnis-Karate Federation (1987), First Instructor rank in Arnis from then Master Jonathan M. Bais under the sanction of the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (1991), and Unang Tagapagturo in Kali-Silat (1991). GM Cardinal was the 1987 All Filipino Karate Invitational black belt lightweight kumite champion and 5th RTKF Karate Invitational black belt kata champion (1989). He was formerly Chief Instructor of the Ras Tanura Karate Federation (RTKF) in Saudi Arabia and the Midway Shotokan Karate-do and Director of Midway Kali-Silat in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Jose "Joe" B. Mancesa is the Founder/Grandmaster of the Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA). He is recognized as a Grandmaster and member of the Council of Elders by the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under the leadership of its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo. He is the Instructor for the Defensive Tactics of the Criminology Department of the Bago City College (BCC) and the Chief Instructor of the Bago City Arnis Team under the sponsorship of Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres. Under the guidance of GM Mancesa, the Bago City Arnis Team had snatched several overall championships including the 1st Todo Dispanta Arnis Tournament (2010) and the UDTA-Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia Arnis Cup 2009 and brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals from an assortment of local and regional competitions among them the Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Regional Arnis Cup 2009 Regional Arnis Tournament (2009) and 2008 Nergros Occidental Provincial Meet.

Abraham "Abe" G. Ganzon Jr., MBA, is the Founder/Chairman of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) and the Chairman of the Universal Care Center of Excellence (UCCE). He is a member of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) and the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF). He had studied Karate (1982), Kimdo Taekwondo (1991), Aikido (2008), Arnis (starting 2008), and Chi Kung (2008). He became the first Bacoleño to be certified as an Instructor (Level 1-2, 2008-2009) in Commando Krav Maga under its Chief instructor Moni Aizik after undergoing the Instructors' Course in Singapore. He holds a Lakan Isa in KaliSilat under GM Cardinal and is working for his instructorship in Conceptual Martial Arts under Master James U. Sy Jr. He is currently studying the NUFAA system under GM Mancesa.

Voltaire Daypal is one of the Incorporators of the Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) and is Green Belt Level 1 under F/CM Ganzon.

James U. Sy Jr. is Founder/Master of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. He is the Secretary General of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) and served as officer and/or member for several martial arts organizations in Negros, Iloilo, Manila, and Baguio/Urdaneta since starting martial arts training in 1986. Sy is a certified Master of 6 systems of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) under 7 grandmasters and an instructor in two others. Sy also holds Black Belt Degrees or Instructor equivalents in Aikido, Karate, Kimdo Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, and Wushu Sanshou. He is Purchasing Officer in a plant in Negros Occidental and is a former banker and auditor. Sy traveled Negros researching, documenting, and studying the various indigenous Arnis systems of the island and wrote them in local newspapers, in the internet, and Rapid Journal, the Philippines' only martial arts magazine. He is the Western Visayas Correspondent for the Binondo-based Rapid Journal.

Shiela M. Duran is an MSEPT (Music, Arts, and Physical Education) Teacher II at the Mandalagan Elementary School. She is a 1st Dan Black Belt (Coach/Trainor) in Taekwondo under Frankie Tortogo of Wolfhound Taekwondo Club and a Brown Belt in Karate-do under Bert Ginete Sensei and Dr. Mariel Defallo of the Renzoku Martial Arts Academy (RMAC). Duran is a member of the Golden Kamagong Arnis Kali Eskrima Association (GKAKEA)-Bacolod Chapter of P/SUPT. (Ret.) Founder/Grandmaster Ibarra E. Lopez. She started studying Arnis in 2007 and is currently recognized as a Master in Arnis by GM Lopez. She is the first female to be nationally accredited in Arnis DepEd, first female Regional Referee in Negros for Arnis Philippines, and one of two female International Referees for International Modern Arnis Federation, Philippines.

Random Thoughts on the Aftermath of the Elections By: James U. Sy Jr.

The election, and the tension produced by it, is finally over. Or is it?

The government agencies concerned have a feeling of satisfaction as the latest election has made history as the first ever automated exercise of democracy in our land. Many were skeptical about the automation but it did deliver as promised, or so it seemed. Generally speaking the automated election was a success because it delivered the results at a much faster rate, within two to three days for local officials at least. But sadly, in the days that followed everything slowed down and there was rampant irregularities and accusations of fraud.

There were several instances when the machines experienced technical problems of different natures. Some did not accept the ballots, hundreds malfunctioned and were not entirely used. Apparently, this new way of voting have added another G to the 3 Gs traditionally associated with Philippine elections (guns, goons, and gold) - Glitches.

It was said that the automated system would be free of fraud. Just a few days after it became apparent that Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino III will be the next president, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas, and Councilor J.C. de los Reyes, the three losing presidential candidates from the bottom, have filed protests of fraud in the elections on the basis of the PCOS machines found at the house of one of the technicians of Smartmatic.

And then masked whistleblower Robin “The Koala Bear” surfaced to expose a supposed fraud in the elections where millions of votes were taken from former President Joseph Estrada, former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Initial investigations showed that the data forwarded by the whistleblower does not tally with figures from the Comelec and other concerned agencies, which themselves tally or in the same plane. This might well be a black propaganda to taint the victory of Aquino. The pre-election surveys had always showed Aquino in the frontline.

Robin also alleged that Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay gave P1B for the cheating operation against Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who he said also gave some money but was not that much. Binay had denied the accusation.

Sen. Manny Villar, perceived as Sen. Aquino’s closest rival before the elections, was a gentleman to be the first to concede defeat to Aquino. He was followed by Teodoro, Villanueva, and Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon. De los Reyes did concede previously but has retracted the same and joined Madrigal and Perlas.

As a sidenote, Madrigal and Perlas may face a police probe for opening some of over 60 PCOS kept in a private home in Antipolo without authorization from the Comelec.

Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin blew his top and cursed during a hearing at the House of Representatives last May 20, 2010 when Smartmatic officials could not give a convincing explanation on the discrepancies of time stamps int he PCOS machines. Several loser candidates, among them former Bacolod Cong. Monico O. Puentebella, brought up the issue of the time stamp during the hearing.

The vice presidential race is a close fight, although as early as now Mayor Jejomar Binay is already celebrating victory and states that if Sen. Mar Roxas wins, there is fraud. Binay’s early lead was understandable as the Luzon votes came in early. The Visayas, Roxas’ stronghold, submitted their figures much later. Both camps have shown different figures but ultimately it will be Congress who will declare the winner.

It was reported that poll related violent incidents decresed by 44% compared to the 2007 elections. Not less than 2,722 violators of the gun ban were apprehended. The figures show improvements but the more important question is, were the major private armies disbanded? How many private armies in Mindanao had been neutralized? Obviously, from the several violent incidents that erupted in several places in the region, it can be seen that the various private armies are still at large. And in everybody's excitement of the election, the ampatuans had been forgotten.

Of course we have to give the AFP and PNP for a job well done but we shoudl also see that the election is not as peaceful as the government would have us believe. Many friends are no longer surprised of these incidents, citing that these has already become part of Philippine elections.

Vote buying, as usual, was present during the elections. In the local front, P200, P300, and P500 were given out. Some funds though did not reach the voting public.

In Negros Occidental, both Sen. Aquino and Sen. Mar Roxas made a clean sweep, with their votes being greater than those of all their rivals combined. Aquino got 129,094 as against the combined 68,778 of other candidates. Roxas led with 135,742 against the combined 56,231 of other VP bets. Mayor Binay had 44,505.

Aquino and Roxas also duplicated this feat with absentee voters in states where the Philippine Embassy had jurisdiction. Of the 1,723 absentee ballots, 981 went to Aquino. Roxas had 1,088.

Four Visayans topped the senatorial race in Negros Occidental. Sen. Franklin M. Drilon (131,243), Miriam Santiago-Defensor from Iloilo City (119,440), Sen. Sergio Osmeña (98,3212), were at the top 3 spots. The other Visayan who Negrosanons voted for was Alex Lacson of Kabankalan (75,763).

Elected officials in the local polls also made history, Dr. Anthony Golez as the youngest congressman of bacolod at 37, Mayor Evelio "Bing" R. Leonardia as the first 3-termer mayor of Bacolod, and Vice Mayor Jun Thaddeus Sayson as the first reelected vice mayor of the City of Smiles.

Now that boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has been proclaimed as congressman of Sarangani, it is time for him to show the public what he is capable of doing in the political arena as everybody would remember him saying, "Ang iba diyan laban ng laban sa salita, wala pa namang nagagawa" in reference to Sen. Aquino. But Pacquiao might have a future in politics. He, together with his wife, had just made a visit to President-apparent Noynoy Aquino.

Aquino may well be keeping true to his promise to the public. He had publicly renounced the highly controversial appointment by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of her former chief of staff, Senior Associate Justice Renato Corona, as the next chief justice. Malacañang spokespersons defended the appointment although many consider it as a “midnight” appointment. The Palace spokespeople even hinted that Aquino will need the help of GMA, who is now in Congress.

It is interesting to note that the appointment was made a day after Aquino vowed to prosecute GMA for corruption and other anomalies within 100 days of assuming the presidency.

While Aquino will take office as the first bachelor president of the republic, GMA will go down in history as the first president of the Philippines to be assuming a lower government position after her term. Even before GMA steps down as president, public satisfaction rating of her was an all-time low of -53, the lowest achieved by a Philippine president since 1986 according to the a survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Public opinion is that GMA is setting up security parameters for herself before she vacates the presidency as it is expected that many will go after her with cases of corruption. Aquino himself had expressed that he will pursue an investigation of the cases that GMA has been accused of. A survey by Pulse Asia showed that rearly 6 of every 10 Filipinos or 59 percent disapprove of GMAs performance.

But then GMA had appointed 14 of the justices in the Supreme Court and also Corona. In Congress, GMA has many allies as well. Some say that GMA is eyeing the Speakership so from there she can continue her vision of cha-cha. It would be a tough fight for Aquino and the Filipino people will be watching.

At this point, although Aquino will clearly become president, the fight is only beginning. He will surely be met by tough opposition from the GMA block but if the Filipino people become vigilant, as they did in the elections, all hope is not yet lost. The election was just the start of a new hope, after it is the real work to make the dream a reality.

A Memorial to John Shepherd-Barron (1925–2010) by: James U. Sy Jr.

John Shepherd-Barron, OBE, the Scotish inventor of the world's first Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), passed away last May 15, 2010 at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Scotland. He was 84

Shepherd-Barron was born on June 23, 1925 in Shillong, Assam (now Meghalaya), India. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh and University of Cambridge and went on to work for De La Rue Instruments in the 1960s.

Shepherd-Barron came up with the concept of his machine after being locked out of his bank. He wanted to to have access to his own money anywhere in the world. The inspiration for a cash dispensing machine came from a chocolate bar dispenser. It was the inventor's wife who asked him to use 4 digits as the standard for the ATM user's Personal Identification Number (PIN).

On June 27, 1967, the first ATM was installed at a branch of Barclays Bank in North London. According to the ATM Industry Association, today there are over 1.7M ATMs around the world. In 2004, 4 decades after his invention, Shepherd-Barron was awarded an Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) as "Inventor of the Automatic Cash Dispenser."

Shepherd-Barron was survived by his wife, three sons and six grandchildren.

Aikido Seminar to be Conducted by Fujimaki Shihan By: James U. Sy Jr.

Fujimaki, Hiroshi Shihan of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, 6th Dan, will be conducting an Aikido seminar this coming June 5-6, 2010 at the Philippine Judo Federation (formerly PAJA) Main Dojo, 3F SMAP Bldg., Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, M. Adriatico St., Manila, Philippines. The Filipino Federation of Aikido (FFA)
under Maria Lourdes Macapawa Sensei, the Pilipinas Aikido Propagation Association (PAPA) under Carlos Hubilla Sensei, and Aikido Philippines (AP) under Crispin Buenaseda Sensei will host Fujimaki Shihan.

There will be a total of 6 sessions for the 2-day seminar.
The first two sessions for both days will be 10:00-11:30 AM and 4:00-5:30 PM. The last session for June 5, Saturday is 6:00-7:30 PM; for Sunday 6:30-7:30 PM.

Seminar fee is at P150/session or P900 for all six sessions and P720 for all classes for pre-registered (on or before May 17). Pre-registered participants will qualify for the commemorative tanto "knife" that will be awarded to the first 20 early registrants.

Arnis Phils. Tilt a Success By: James U. Sy Jr., PIO, Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter

The 1st Todo Dispanta Arnis Tournament was successfully held by the Todo Dispanta Arnis Club 43 of Chief Instructor Fernando "Jojo" Acuyong Sensei in cooperation with Prk. Malipayon President Paul Acuyong and the supervision and sanction of Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Chapter under Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" Cardinal last April 20, 2010, at the Prk. Malipayon Covered Gym, Brgy. 35, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Crowned overall champion was the Hon. Mayor Ramon Torres-sponsored Bago City Arnis Team/Negros United Fighting Arts (NUFAA) under Grandmaster Jose "Joe" B. Mancesa with 3 golds. 2nd and 3rd places were KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" Cardinal and Todo Dispanta Arnis Club 43 (TDAC43) of Chief Instructor Fernando "Jojo" Acuyong with 2 and 1 golds respectively.

A total of 27 arnisadores fought in 14 bouts for titles in the Labanan (Sparring) Division using Arnbs Philippines standard national rules.

12-14 Years Old Boys. Darwin Dajao of KAA (gold), Gorge Estorque of NOBF (silver), Frijan Acuyon of TDAC43 (bronze).

Below 47 Kg. Boys. Francis Marfil of NUFAA (gold), King Cabiles of Tribu Hangaway (silver), Slade Cabiles of Tribu Hangaway (bronze).

47-51 Kg. Boys. John Mark Cabayo of NUFAA (gold), Donjohn Cardinal of KAA (silver), Patrick Gilo of Tribu Hangaway (bronze).

48 kg. Girls. Hezil Villaflores of NUFAA (gold), Shemy Maximo of NUFAA (silver), Drinomac Acuyong of TDAC43 (bronze).

51-54 Kg. Men. Jaybert Cañete of TDAC43 (gold), Renante Enso of Tribu Hangaway (silver), Joselito Guzon of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (bronze).

55-60 Kg. Men. Boys. Rovir Paul Vedad of KAA (gold), Jussel Torres of Tribu Hangaway (silver), Arnel Recosalem of TDAC43 (bronze).

Tournament officials were Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" Cardinal of KaliSilat Arnis Association (Chief Referee/Judge), Master Guilberto Dajao of KAA, Master Francis Daz of NOBF, and Founder/Chairman Abraham "Abe" Ganzon and Voltaire Daypal of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA). Other coaches present were Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) and Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway Philippines.