8th Bakbakan of Eskrimadors @ Gaisano City Booming Success Part II: IFFMAS & Higutay Format by James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Romeo "Roming" Postrano, Founder of the Garote Sikaran Arnis Club, giving a free flow anyo of the solo baston during the highly successful 8th Bakbakan of Eskrimadors “Higutay Duel” last July 29, 2012 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).

Players receiving their awards from the organizers at the conclusion of the highly successful 8th Bakbakan of Eskrimadors “Higutay Duel” last July 29, 2012 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. From left: Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., April Lyn Caunga, May Jean Pasa, and Coach/SI Randy Alvarado of Bago Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnism and Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis & Combat Sports (GACS) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).

Noel Emmanuel Arendon of Guinabo Arnis & Combat Sports (3rd from left) receiving his award after winning the higutay duel main event of the highly successful 8th Bakbakan of Eskrimadors “Higutay Duel” last July 29, 2012 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. Also in the picture are (from left) Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. and Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of GACS (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). IFFMAS ARNIS RULES COMPETITION. The IFFMAS set of rules was primarily based on an old format of Arnis “play” used by arnisadors of old in certain parts of Negros, Panay, and Cebu. The match is played in a 1.8 m circle and is fought for 3 rounds. In the first round, player A gets inside the circle and defends. Player B, who is outside the circle, attacks. Number of hits is counted. The roles are then reversed in round two. The third round is freestyle ofensa defense where both players can attack and defend. To ensure safety to the players, modern day helmet, body armor, and padded sticks are used. Cargada Pigar KaliSilat Arnis Club of Grandmaster Danilo Cardinal, the team with the most players at 8, was overall champion with 5 wins and 3 losses (two wins against teammates). Guinabo Arnis & Combat Sports (GACS) of Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo (2-0) and Bago Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis of Coach/SI Randy Alvarado (2-1, one win against teammate) were 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Other participating teams were Tribu hangaway Philippines (0-2), Bassdumas of Master Ian Negrido (0-1), Kalido Society of Master Leo C. Uyanib (0-1), and Tanique Arnis and Combat Sports (TACS) of Master Arman Tanique (0-1). Results, according to sequence of matching, were: Apple C. Gonzales of Cargada Pigar, 14, 42 kg., over Cherrie G. Salomon of Cargada Pigar, 14, 43 kg. Joshua G. Tangonan Cargada Pigar, 16, 45 kg., over Leonardo C. Fabio Jr. of Tanique Arnis, 15, 45 kg., 5’3”. Mel Anton E. Murphy of Cargada Pigar, 16, 53 kg., over Christopher B. Pahayahay of Cargada Pigar, 15, 54 kg. Fritz M. Tuala of Cargada Pigar, 15, 42 kg., over Roy Flores Jr. of Tribu Hangaway, 13, 40 kg. Joseph B. Guevarra of Cargada Pigar, 16, 52 kg., over Rexan Slade Saron of Tribu Hangaway, 18, 50 kg. Tom Serapia of Bago Lapu-Lapu, 22, 60 kg., 5’3”. over Alvin Aligarbes of Bassdumas, 21, 62 kg. April Lyn Caunga of Bago Lapu-Lapu, 58 kg. over May Jean Pasa of Bago Lapu-Lapu, 54 kg. Ramie Vedol of Guinabo Arnis, 24, 50 kg., 5’2”, over John Errloh Jaro of Cargada Pigar, 17, 53 kg. HIGUTAY DUEL. The higutay duel is another old format of Arnis “play” used by arnisadors of old in Negros. IFFMAS rules were still in effect, except for the addition of a 3 m. rope with each end tied to the waist of each competitor. The purpose of the rope was to discourage an opponent from running away. Noel Emmanuel Arendon of Guinabo Arnis defeated Bonry Hasan of Kalido Society. Officials were Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis & Combat Sports (GACS)/Trece Grabes Piga-Piga System (Event Organizer/Tournament Director), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (Asst. Organizer/ Asst. Tournament Director/Matchmaker/Emcee/Recorder), Master Maxwell J. Maun of Herada Pigada/Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (Referee), Founder/Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc./Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc., Grandmaster Romeo “Roming” Postrano of Garote Sikaran Arnis Club, and Master Luciano “Nick” Montoya of Murcia Martial Arts Club (Judges), Founder/Master Leo C. Uyanib of Kalido Society (Timer). Tournament Staff from the Guinabo Arnis & Combat Sports (GACS) were Cristy Guinabo, Master Dionisio Guinabo, Noel Emmanuel Arendon, Rodel Guinabo, Errol John Guanzon, Mary Jane Guanzon, Clarence Kho, Elena Kho, Kenneth Kho, and Ramie Vedol. Other instructors present were Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA), Master Jonathan Gubaton of Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA), Master Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr. of PIMAA-FTSDA, Inc., Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado of Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod (TCCB), and Master Abraham Ganzon Jr. of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA). Sponsors were Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall through advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton (venue), Distillera de Bago, Inc. (DBI) through Plant Manager Leonardo P. Bico and Gerry Casas of the HR Dept., TX Builders and Grandmaster Mansueto Banay (padded sticks), Rolen Guanzon (sounds), Greg Infante of Sum-ag Basic Print Haus, Founder of DBI Tigers (certificates printing), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of CMAS, Inc., Founder/President Emeritus Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra of Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. (armor), and Grandmaster Danilo Cardinal (padded sticks).