A Memorial to GM Abraham T. Gubaton (1928-2011): The Grand Patriarch of Oido de Caburata Arnis Part I: The Passing of a Grandmaster by: James U. Sy Jr

Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gubaton (seated center) together with his immediate family and students after lunch during his 83rd birthday last July 6, 2011 at his home in Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).





These are perhaps the last series of photos of Oido de Caburata Arnis Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gubaton, which were taken on October 10, 2011 a his residence in Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City. He is shown here with his granddaughters Mary Camille Joy H. Gubaton and Joshelle Rianne C. Gubaton and Norma Jauod, the cousin of his late wife, Exaltacion Jauod (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).



Oido de Caburata Arnis Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gubaton together with one of his two last students, Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).




The vigil for Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gubaton was held from November 13-19, 2011 at the Baxter Memorial Chapel in Bago City proper before his remains were transferred to the Catholic Church in Brgy. Ma-ao (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).




Arnisadors paying respect to their fallen friend and fellow eskrimador, Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gibaton (from left): Grandmaster Isaac "Saac" T. Guarra (Arjuka), Grandmaster Jose "Joe" Salanap (Oido de Caburata), Grandmaster Estanislao "Eslao" T. Guarra (Guarra Style Modern Arnis), and Master James U. sy Jr. (Conceptual Arnis).


















Mourners walk the way from the Ma-ao Catholic Church to the last resting place of Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gubaton at the New Ma-ao Public Cemeery in Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).

Grandmaster Abraham "Kapitan Berong" Tapio Gubaton, The Grand Patriarch of he Oido de Caburata Arnis System, succumbed to a fever and complications arising from pneumonia last November 12, 2011, 2:20 P.M. at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), Lacson-Burgos Sts., Bacolod City. He was 83 years old.

In late June 2011, GM Gubaton was rushed to the same hospital after experiencing a mild stroke. His family was vigilant all throughout his hospitalization and he was discharged later. The path to recovery was slowly as his speech had been slurred and his movements were calculated. Nevertheless, he did go around, even holding and flailing his dear baston and caburata when friends visited him. He celebrated his 83rd birthday, his last, on July 6, 2011 with his immediate family and two of his students. His birthday was celebrated at lunchtime.

Then on October 28, 2011, GM Gubaon was again hospitalized. The day before his death, the doctor had cleared him for discharge but a fever forced him to stay at the hospital. It was that fever that led to his eventual demise.

The vigil for GM Gubaton was held from November 13-19, 2011 at the Baxter Memorial Chapel in Bago City proper before his remains were transferred to the Catholic Church in Brgy. Ma-ao. Not less than 500 people attended the internment.

His family, relatives, friends, and arnisadors flocked to Baxter to pay their last respects to GM Gubaton. Interment was held last November 21, 2011 at the New Ma-ao Public Cemetery with the mass held at the Catholic Church.

GM Gubaton was survived by his children Dionesio Minerales and Grace Gubaton-Minerales and their children Diane Grace and Denise Marie G. Minerales; Jonathan J. Gubaton and Janet Araneta-Gubaton and their children Patrick John and Vincent John A. Gubaton; Joseph J. Gubaton and Rochel Cartel-Gubaton and their child Joshelle Rianne C. Gubaton; Noel Sayson and Mary Janet Gubaton-Sayson and their children John Noel and Joseph Noel G. Sayson; Julius J. Gubaton and Lourdes Hedonia-Gubaton and their children Gabriel John and Mary Camille Joy H. Gubaton; Ferdinand J. Gubaton and Melinda Abetong-Gubaton and their children Lyndie Joyce and Derick A. Gubaton; and and Bemboy Camelo Job J. Gubaton and Margie Abetong-Gubaton and their children Jeannea Marie and Johanna Marie A. Gubaton

Storytelling Day Set @ Bacolod Lib. by James U. Sy Jr.

Preparations at the Bacolod City Public Library under Librarian III Merlyn Corpuz and Librarian I Greta Memoria are underway Storytelling Day slated this November 29, 2011 as part of the 77th National Book Week celebration in the last week of November. Sponsors are Rotary Club of Bacolod under President Glenn de Guzman and Rotary Club of Bacolod-West under President Cecilia del Castillo (CMAS/NDB photo).


The Bacolod City Public Library headed by Librarian III Merlyn Corpuz and Librarian I Greta Memoria will be holding the Storytelling Day this November 29, 2011 at its premises in Hernaez-Araneta Sts., Bacolod City as part of the 77th National Book Week celebration in the last week of November.

A total of 120 Day Care Center children, 60 each, from Brgy. Banago and Brgy. Alijis will be in attendance. One of the featured storytellers will be Col. Roderick Alba of the Rotary Club of Bacolod. One of the guests will be Exec. Asst. II Rogelio Giganan.

Sponsors of the event are Rotary Club of Bacolod under President Glenn de Guzman and Rotary Club of Bacolod-West under President Cecilia del Castillo, who will give out free snacks and coloring books and crayons respectively. .

Tai chi and ballroom dancing

Sifu Peter Yap of TachicircleBacolod would always emphasize to his audience the "universal viability or application of taichi principles." He states that the principles is not only limited to forms, tuishou, sanshou, weapons demo, competition or show only." He said it is also present in entertainment and ballroom dancing. he said "the taichi principles ofrelaxation, softness, flexibility, alignment, spontaneity, continuity circularity, rythmn and yin-yang interplay, rooting, balance or central equilibrium are present in all steps thoughout the dance.", Here are a series of pictures wherein Sifu Peter Yap meant what he says. The form of puch downard could be applied to the Tango Dip Step.

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Rapid Journal Donated to UNO-R by James U. Sy Jr.

University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Director of Libraries Arabella M. Ananorio receiving a donation of a set of 46 issues of the Rapid Journal from Editor/Publisher Daniel O. Go of Binondo through the journal’s Western Visayas Correspondent James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. last November 17, 2011 at the 2/F UNO-R College Library Bldg. Featured in the cover of the journal is Grandmaster Benefredo "Bebing" M. Lobrido of Taloc, Bago City (CMAS photo).

The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) College Library under Director of Libraries Arabella M. Ananorio received a donation of 46 issues of the Rapid Journal, the longest running and the most scholastically presented martial arts resource in the Philippines, from its Editor/Publisher Daniel O. Go of Binondo through the journal’s Western Visayas Correspondent and Negros martial arts historian/writer James U. Sy Jr., Founder/Master of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. last November 17, 2011 at the 2/F UNO-R College Library Bldg., University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City.

Witnessing the turnover was University Library Secretary Jesusa “Susan” Escalona. The donated journals were Vol. 1 Nos. 1-2, Vol. 2 Nos. 1-3, Vol. 3 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 4 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 5 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 6 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 7 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 8 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 9 Nos. 1-4, Vol. 10 Nos. 1-3, Vol. 11 Nos. 2 & 4, and Vol. 12 Nos. 1 & 3. Six more issues will soon be shipped to complete the collection.

Rapid Journal was a quarterly publication based in Binondo with subscribers in Finland, France, and the USA and copies sold in Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Thailand. Rapid, which is an acronym for Research and Propagation for Internal Development, originally referred to the department/section of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) that published the now defunct Wushu Newsletter in 1995. The Rapid Group was organized by Go to systematize the study of Chinese Martial Arts (CMA), most notably the internal art of Tai Chi Chuan, as well as research, document , propagate, and legitimize the arts and improve its teaching methods. When the Rapid Group separated from WFP in 1996, Mr. Go, a 2 time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Tai Chi Chuan gold medalist, started the publication of Rapid Journal, originally exclusive to Chinese Martial Arts (CMA) but later extended to cover Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Western, and other forms of martial arts.

Rapid Journal was in circulation from 1996 to 2010. During those times it was the only martial arts resource in the country. It greatly differed from the average martial arts magazine, such as Black Belt, because its articles are well researched, scholastic, and with great depth. Subjects cover the historical, cultural, linguistic, sociological, anthropological, ethnological, hoplological, economic, and political factors that have influenced the development and evolution of the various martial arts from different countries and cultures.

The contributing writers for the journal have academic backgrounds which show in their works. Rapid Journal has become home to some of the most prominent, respected, and credible martial arts historians, scholars, writers, and/or authorities in the Philippines today who can take their place next to world renown martial arts authorities such as Donn F. Draeger (Nihon Koryu Bujutsu), Stanley Pranin (Aikido), John Chambers (European Renaissance fencing), etc. Notable Rapid Journal writers include Dr. Ned R. Nepangue of Cebu, anthropologist and University of the Philippines Prof. Felipe Jocano Jr., FMA Master Pedro Reyes of Manila, University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics Prof. Marilitz Dizon, Acupuncturist and FMA Master Rene J. Navarro, University of St. La Salle alumni and Negrense FMA researcher/historian/writer James U. Sy Jr. of Bacolod, among others.

Director Arabella Ananorio was happy in acquiring the donation for UNO-R, “These would prove to be very useful to our criminology students. We are glad to get hold of these scholastic works because these are not commonly found in the average bookstore. Students who wish to researchand know more about the martial arts now have more reliable sources.”

Previously, Go had also donated sets of Rapid Journal thru Sy to the West Visayas State University (WVSU) and University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UP-V) in Iloilo City, Panay, the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and the National Library in Manila. Additional sets are mulled to be donated to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, places where Sy plans to visit for his research in his book in the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA).

It is the hope of Go that the donations made to these academic institutions will provide researchers with the necessary reliable reference materials that are otherwise absent in almost all academic libraries. There are many myths and fallacies in martial arts history that have been transcribed or copy pasted from unreliable sources or no source at all at times and many times evolved into further untruths. The Rapid Journal serves to correct these mistaken claims and guide researchers to reliable and legitimate research sources for martial arts. Rapid Journal also sought to educate the public of the cultural and wellness benefit of the martial arts as well as the foundation philosophies and principles from which they were founded upon.

Interested parties may read the journals at the UNO-R College Library.

Remembering Rene F. Cornel Sensei (1951-2005) by James U. Sy Jr.

Last November 11, 2011 was the 6th year death anniversary of Rene Fujiwara Cornel Sensei who passed away due to a kidney ailment and complications resulting from said illness.

Cornel, a product of the La Consolacion College (LCC)-Bacolod, was Architect IV at the Bacolod City Engineer’s Office and later served as OIC for Building Officials in 2000 to 2002. He was, however, best remembered for his involvement in the martial arts.

Cornel was a prolific martial artist who studied and taught different Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino styles and systems. He held a 1st Dan Black Belts in Karate under Mike F. Vasquez Sensei of the Vasquez Martial Arts Center (VMAC) and Judo under the Philippine Amateur Judo Association (PAJA). He was a 2nd generation judoka at the Paglaum Judo Club and later taught at the Shinsei Judo Club at St. Joseph High School), the YMCA Judo and Sports Club in Burgos St., and the USLS Judo Club at the University of St. La Salle). He learned his Judo and Aikido from Bacolod Judo and Aikido pioneer Patricio “Pat” P. Prologo Sensei (1936-2010). He later became a member of the Ki Society of the Philippines (KISOPHIL) under Philippine Aikido pioneer and Chief Instructor Ernesto “Enie” Talag Sensei and became his representative for Bacolod City.

Cornel Sensei was also a practitioner of the Chinese internal arts of Tai Chi Chuan, Pa Kua Chuan, and Hsing I Chuan as well as the healing arts of acupuncture, acupressure, pranic healing, and herbal medicine.

He is one of the first four individuals to be promoted by the Founder of Original Filipino Tapado to the rank of Master in 1986. He once served as the Chairman for the Membership Committee of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association in Bago City. He had also studied various Filipino Martial Arts, among them Yaming Arnis under Grandmaster Fortunato “Atong” Garcia (1917-2008).

Rene Cornel Sensei was featured in the book Eskrima: Filipino Martial Art by Krishna Godhania.

Sports Arnis Officiating Seminar Held by James U. Sy Jr.

The teacher-participants of the Arnis section of the Upgrading Teacher's Competence in Coaching Officiating of Different Sports Events Seminar recently held by the Department of Education (DepEd)-Region 6/Western Visayas at the Doña Monserrat Lopez Memorial National High School, Silay City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).





Arnis Philippines (Arpi) Dumaguete Commissioner Master Ike Xavier Sarabia Villaflores (standing, 11th from left) together with the 37 teacher-participants of the Arnis section of the Upgrading Teacher's Competence in Coaching Officiating of Different Sports Events Seminar recently held by the Department of Education (DepEd)-Region 6/Western Visayas at the Doña Monserrat Lopez Memorial National High School, Silay City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).




Arnis Philippines (Arpi) Dumaguete Commissioner Master Ike Xavier Sarabia Villaflores (left) receiving a recognition of his mastery of Eskrima and his untiring efforts to propagate the art from his friend Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.(CMAS photo).

The Upgrading Teacher's Competence in Coaching Officiating of Different Sports Events Seminar was successfully held by the Department of Education (DepEd)-Region 6/Western Visayas recently at the Doña Monserrat Lopez Memorial National High School, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

The seminar, which lasted for 3 days, focused on different forms of sports played in the school system. The Arnis seminar was conducted by Master Ike Xavier Sarabia Villaflores, Arnis Philippines (Arpi) Commissioner for Dumaguete City, who traveled straight to Negros Occidental from another seminar engagement in another part of the Visayas.

The Arnis seminar, however, had to be compressed into one and a half days only. Master Villaflores had to adjust his teaching style to cover all the essential elements of the seminar material. He went through the new set of rules of the DepEd Arnis competition together with the 37 teacher participants from differtent parts of Negros among them Bago and Escalante Cities.

Master Villaflores, the Founder of the DUMAA Eskrima System and the Dumaguete Arnis Association (DUMAA), is himself a school teacher in his hometown. He has been actively teaching Arnis in regular classes and seminars and organizing tournaments to encourage the youth to take up their very own indigenbous martial art, Arnis/Eskrima. Master Villaflores had already produced Arnis champions among his wards in various local, regional, national, and world Arnis championships.

Near the end of the seminar, Master Villaflores was visited by his friend, Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., who turned over a certificate recognizing his mastery of Eskrima and his untiring efforts to propagate the art; The recognition was among several issued to old time grandmasters and new generation masters last year at an Arnis event at Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall but had to be given this year because of the distance of Dumaguete from Bacolod.

Arnis, also known as Eskrima in Cebu, is recognized by the Philippine Government as the country’s National Martial Sport, as much as Taekwondo is to Korea. Rhe government-recognized National Sport Association (NSA) for Arnis is Arnis Philippines, Inc. (Arpi).

2nd RMAC Sports Fest Held by James U. Sy Jr.

The 2nd RMAC Sports Fest was successfully held by the Ritarian Martial Arts Club (RMAC) recently at the at the Colegio de Sta. Rita (CSR), San Carlos City.

A total of 23 bouts were contested: 19 in Taekwondo, 2 in Western Boxing, 1 in Wushu Sanshou, and 1 in Kickboxing.

The Ritarian Martial Arts Club (RMAC) is under the supervision of Superior Directress Rev. Sr. Benecia Olaño, A.R., and Principal Rev. Sr. Juliet Natinga, A.R. and was founded by Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay, 3rd Degree Black Belt, on November 8, 2007 as the 6th chapter school of his San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC).

OLPA Boys Arnis Champs in Area Meet by James U. Sy Jr.

English and Filipino teacher Mrs. Ariane M. Ignacio and Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (seated) with members of the OLPA Arnis Team after a training workshop at the Our Lady of Pillar Academy (OLPA), Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City (CMAS Photo).

The Our Lady of Pillar Academy (OLPA) Arnis Team was crowned champion in the boys labanan division and took three gold medals in the girls labanan division and a gold in the girls anyo category during the Arnis event of the Area Meet recently at the La Consolacion School Isabela Negros Occidental, Inc., Municipality of Isabela, Negros Occidental.

OLPA Arnis Team gold medalists for the boys labanan division were Ryan N. Arguelles (flyweight), John Mark G. Niña (pinmweight), Wilson D. Espejo (bantamweight), Herokho Jean Gracir Saldon (featherweight), and Roger A. Manong (extra lightweight).

Gold medalists for the girls labanan division were Vanessa G, Torrecarion (flyweight), Christile Joy Landero (bantamweight), and Josea Elaine May V. Tulog (featherweight). Silver medalistrs for the girls division were Melissa Hilario (pinweight) and Joshelle Rianne C. Gubaton (extra lightweight).

Gold medalist for the girls anyo division was Vanessa G, Torrecarion. John Mark G. Niña took the silver in boys anyo.

The OLPA Arnis Team was supported by Principal Candelaria Balbao and prepared by Coaches Ronilo Cadigal Jr. (boys) and Ariane M. Ignacio (girls), Asst. Coach Chona Landero, and Trainors Grandmaster Sabas T. Gubaton and Master James U. Sy Jr.

GM Sabas Gubaton, Chief Instructor of the Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA) under the patriarchship of his elder brother Grandmaster Abraham T. Gubaton, initially trained the OLPA Arnis Team in the four basic striking techniques of the system founded by the late Grandmaster Antonio "Toñing" Tolosa in 1936/1937 in Murcia.

When the course was finished, English and Filipino teacher Mrs. Ariane M. Ignacio, who was also formerly a MPEH instructress, invited Master James Sy Jr., Founder of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. and PIO of Arnis Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter and Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., to teach the rules of the competition, footwork of Yasay Sable and Guarra Style, and the fundamental otso-otso pattern as well as fundamentals of likha anyo.

The OLPA Arnis Team made their debut this year at the Division Meet. Ignacio will be scheduling a series of training workshops for the winners of her team which will focus on the anyo category, solo and doble baston events.

2011 Philippine blog Awatds Visayas - Leg