FERDINAND EMMANUEL Y. GAYOLES: YASAY SABLE MASTER & NAT’L OUTSTANDING FARMER By: James U. Sy Jr.

Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Yasay Gayoles, recipient of the Gawad Saka Award for 2004-2005 and the Parangal ng Pangulo sa Natatanging Magsasaka ng Tubo 2004-2005 (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer).

This article was reprinetd from the Negros Daily Bulletin June 22 and 23, 2006 issues with the permission of the writer, James U. Sy Jr.

Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles of Bacolod City had been the recipient of two prestigious awards during the Gawad Saka Para sa Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda awarding ceremony last May 31, 2006 at the Bureao of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall, Quezon City.

The first recognition was the Gawad Saka Award for 2004-2005 given by the Department of Agriculture symbolized by a trophy. The other award was the Parangal ng Pangulo sa Natatanging Magsasaka ng Tubo 2004-2005 (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer) personally awarded by the President of the Republic of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with a framed citation.

The Gawad Saka Para sa Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda is a nationwide award given to 25 farmers and fishermen in different categories such as sugarcane, rice, corn, etc. Gayoles is the 3rd Negrense to be given such award and the only one coming from Region 6 (Western Visayas) at this awarding

Gayoles was previously honored with the Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer Award for Region 6 for 2004-2005 by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit No. 6 during the 2005 Western Visayas Agri Fair last October 22, 2005 at Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Iloilo City. The award was documented with a certificate of recognition duly signed by Department of Agriculture Regional Executive director Jinthra Demetrio.

The national and regional level awards were given after an intensive review of a candidate’s farmland, farming methods, production output, and a personal interview. Criteria for selection include having the attributes of a model farmer, the use of scientific methods to produce a good yield, social agenda (assistance to the poor and teaching them good farming methods, etc.), engaged in organic farming and eco friendly, and sustainable agricultural practices. Gayoles had a produce of 92 tons at 2.2 LKG/ha. To bag the regional and national awards.

Gayoles is the National President of the Outreach Project for the Sugar Industry (OPSI) and will be presiding over the 2006 OPSI National Convention this coming June 22-23, 2006 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Bacolod City. He is the Farm Manager of the Ma-ao Mill District Development Committee in Ma-ao, Bago City. He is also a member of AALPI in La Carlota City and the Negros Consolidated Farmer’s Association.

He is a professional teacher, having taken the licensure examinations last 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), took his Educational Supplemental at the West Negros College (WNC), and currently pursuing his Master of Arts in English at the University of St. Agustin, Iloilo City (offshore program).

Gayoles is also active in the field of martial arts, being one of the Vice Presidents of the Bacolod Taekwondo Association (BTA), the Secretary of the Bacolod Oido de Caburata Arnis Society (BAODCAS), an Examiner in the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA), and an Adviser to the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS). He is also a member of Vasquez Modified Martial Arts International (VMMAI) and the Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF).

Gayoles is graded Master in his family art of Yasay Sable, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, and Oido de Caburata Arnis Aguilar Style, a Senior Instructor in Vasquez Modified Tapado, and a 3rd degree black belt in World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) style Taekwondo.

2006 KABANKALAN MILO MUAY SUMMER CLINIC CONCLUDED By: James U. Sy Jr.

The 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Summer Clinic was officially concluded with a formal ceremony recently at the FBC Audio Visual Room, Fellowship Baptist College (FBC), Rizal St., Kabankalan City. 24 graduates were presented with their certificate of completion by FBC President Dr. Anecito D. Villaluz Jr., Ph.D., CPA.

The graduates were A. G. C. Allic, A. J. C. Allic, S. C. Allic, A. R. Apuhan, Virgie Bachita, J. Ray Basiao, Rose Basiao, R. Ryan Basiao, Z. J. Casuncad, A. E. Colina, Bethea A. Colina, L. S. Diaz, J. Y. Estabas, M. Garcia, Ed Gargantiel, F. A. Grigori, C. L. Hilario, M. G. Loloy, M. B. Loloy, M. T. Olac, S. V. L. Orana, L. M. Patricio, M. T. Quicho, and M. M. Quicho.

Officials present were Meldridge A. Quiocho, FBC Sports Coordinator and the proponent of the 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Summer Clinic; Henly S. Pahilagao, Accounting Department Chair; Rev. Enrico E. Resano, A.B./Education Department Chair; Pastor Vince Nemenzo, Music and Religious Coordinator; and Prosperidad P. lorgue, MBA, Student Services Head.

Special guest was Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Visayas and Region 7 Head Kru Ike Xavier Villaflores of Dumaguete City.

The graduates gave a Muay Thai exhibition for the officials present. Colleen Valdez, 2006 Voice Recital 1st honors, gave a special song number.

The 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Summer Clinic was started last April 17, 2006 at the FBC PE Room.

Mrs. Quicho, through her nephew 2005 Visayas champion and national bronze medalist Romnick R. Pabalate of Mabinay, started the Muay Thai program at Fellowship Baptist College, the first such program in Kabankalan City and Southern Negros Occidental under the sanction of the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP), the sole recognized National Sport Association (NSA) for Amateur Muay Thai in the Philippines by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports commission (PSC).

Training is under the banner of Muay Association of the Philippines-Kabankalan City Chapter, which was officially formed on August 5, 2005. Pabalate handled the classes till the time he traveled to Manila to become a member of the Philippine Muay Team. Today, MAP-KC is a non-academic club recognized and fully accredited by the Fellowship Baptist College (FBC).

Mrs. Quicho, who holds a BS in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) in Manila and a BS Education Major in Physical Education from the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in Dumaguete, is herself an athlete, having been a member of the Philippine Track and Field Team in the past. She was employed with the Diaz College in Tanjay for 7 years as an athletic Coordinator and PE Teacher.

Mrs. Quicho supported the formation of a Muay Thai club in the school because Muay Thai is an excellent way to develop one’s body, mind, and spirit. The training improves cardiovascular efficiency, increases flexibility, promotes better muscle tone, and develops a better well being. The training also equips a practitioner the necessary tools and skills to defend oneself during dangerous situations.

2006 KABANKALAN MILO MUAY SUMMER CLINIC CONCLUDED By: James U. Sy Jr.

The 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Summer Clinic was officially concluded with a formal ceremony recently at the FBC Audio Visual Room, Fellowship Baptist College (FBC), Rizal St., Kabankalan City. 24 graduates were presented with their certificate of completion by FBC President Dr. Anecito D. Villaluz Jr., Ph.D., CPA.

The graduates were A. G. C. Allic, A. J. C. Allic, S. C. Allic, A. R. Apuhan, Virgie Bachita, J. Ray Basiao, Rose Basiao, R. Ryan Basiao, Z. J. Casuncad, A. E. Colina, Bethea A. Colina, L. S. Diaz, J. Y. Estabas, M. Garcia, Ed Gargantiel, F. A. Grigori, C. L. Hilario, M. G. Loloy, M. B. Loloy, M. T. Olac, S. V. L. Orana, L. M. Patricio, M. T. Quicho, and M. M. Quicho.

Officials present were Meldridge A. Quiocho, FBC Sports Coordinator and the proponent of the 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Summer Clinic; Henly S. Pahilagao, Accounting Department Chair; Rev. Enrico E. Resano, A.B./Education Department Chair; Pastor Vince Nemenzo, Music and Religious Coordinator; and Prosperidad P. lorgue, MBA, Student Services Head.

Special guest was Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Visayas and Region 7 Head Kru Ike Xavier Villaflores of Dumaguete City.

The graduates gave a Muay Thai exhibition for the officials present. Colleen Valdez, 2006 Voice Recital 1st honors, gave a special song number.

The 2006 Kabankalan Milo Muay Summer Clinic was started last April 17, 2006 at the FBC PE Room.

Mrs. Quicho, through her nephew 2005 Visayas champion and national bronze medalist Romnick R. Pabalate of Mabinay, started the Muay Thai program at Fellowship Baptist College, the first such program in Kabankalan City and Southern Negros Occidental under the sanction of the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP), the sole recognized National Sport Association (NSA) for Amateur Muay Thai in the Philippines by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports commission (PSC).

Training is under the banner of Muay Association of the Philippines-Kabankalan City Chapter, which was officially formed on August 5, 2005. Pabalate handled the classes till the time he traveled to Manila to become a member of the Philippine Muay Team. Today, MAP-KC is a non-academic club recognized and fully accredited by the Fellowship Baptist College (FBC).

Mrs. Quicho, who holds a BS in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) in Manila and a BS Education Major in Physical Education from the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in Dumaguete, is herself an athlete, having been a member of the Philippine Track and Field Team in the past. She was employed with the Diaz College in Tanjay for 7 years as an athletic Coordinator and PE Teacher.

Mrs. Quicho supported the formation of a Muay Thai club in the school because Muay Thai is an excellent way to develop one’s body, mind, and spirit. The training improves cardiovascular efficiency, increases flexibility, promotes better muscle tone, and develops a better well being. The training also equips a practitioner the necessary tools and skills to defend oneself during dangerous situations.

1ST NEG. OCC. MMA SEMINAR BY AMERICANS BIG HIT By: James U. Sy Jr.

Dr. Ronald A. Harris (black shirt, center) and Christian Werner Adam Seifert (4th from right) with participants of the 1st Negros Occidental Mixed Martial Arts Seminar “Cage Fighting Fundamentals” after the training last June 3, 2006 at the PIMAA-FTSDA Gym, Group K Complex, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City.


Dr. Ronald A. Harris (black shirt) demonstrates the neutral clinch with Nelson Armamento as Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center Founder/Chief Instructor Edwin J. Tusil looks on and follows.


Christian Werner Adam Seifert (top) controls the mobility of Dr. Ronald A. Harris with a side mount.

This article appeared in the Western Visayas Journal June 5-11, 2006 issue.

American regional level heavyweight MMA fighter Christian Werner Adam Seifert of Gladiator Academy and Muay Thai Trainor Dr. Ronald A. Harris of Russell Jones Fight Club, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, made history when they successfully conducted the 1st Negros Occidental Mixed Martial Arts Seminar “Cage Fighting Fundamentals” with the sponsorship of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founders James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) of Founder/President Master Elmer V. Montoyo and Asst. Chief Instructor Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr., and Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA) of President/Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido under the banner of the Intercontinental Federation of Martial Arts Schools (IFMAS) last June 3, 2006 at the PIMAA-FTSDA Gym, Group K Complex, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City.

The seminar attracted 40 participants and guests (20 were instructors/black belts) representing 6 martial arts organizations from Bacolod, Bago, Iloilo, and Silay Cities. 4 of the organizations represented were members of the Brotherhood of Mixed Martial Artists of Bacolod (BOMB), the first MMA alliance in the Visayas (founded December 6, 2003).

The participating organizations were CMAS, Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center of Founder/Chief Instructor Edwin J. Tusil, Negros United Fighting Arts Academy of Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa, OFTLSFA, PIMAA-FTSDA, and Tapondo International Federation Inc.-Negros Chapter of Chief Instructor Roy R. Flores Sr.

Seifert holds a record of 20-6-4. He did 6 years of Hapkido and another 2 years with Han Mu Do before taking up Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) under Brazilian Roney Salles, who was a student of BJJ legend Carlson Gracie Sr. He currently holds a purple belt in BJJ. He started Muay Thai with Dr. Harris in 2004. He stands 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 225 lbs. Seifert is currently a doctorate fellow at the Southern University in Louisiana.

Dr. Harris has 34 years martial arts experience. He is a and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu trainor and is certified/graded in several other arts including San Miguel Eskrima (10th degree, Doce Pares), Arnis (master, Negros Occidental Arnis Federation), Ricarte en Cruzada (master, Chavez Arnis Group), Original Filipino Tapado (master instructor, Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association), Kajukenbo (6th degree), Taekwondo (4th degree, WTF and Jidokwan), Doce Pares Combat Judo (3rd degree), Shotokan Karate (1st degree, Vasquez Martial Arts Center), Pekiti Tirsia (Lakan Guro), and Firearms (Instructor, National Rifle Association). Dr. Harris had also trained in Boxe Francaise Savate, Hapkido, Jeet Kune Do, Historical Western Fencing, Modern Fencing, Nihon Jujutsu, and Western Boxing.

Dr. Harris is the Chair of Public Policy at the Southern University. He is a writer/author, his work having been published in several national level materials in the US including inside Kung Fu.

The seminar was historic in that it was the first seminar in Bacolod City, Negros Island, Visayas, and the Philippines to be conducted by an active American MMA fighter, the first one to be conducted by two Americans, and the first to feature both BJJ and Muay Thai together in one seminar. Although 3 times Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Royce Gracie of Brazil conducted a seminar in Manila sometime in 2001, it can be better defined as the first BJJ seminar in the Philippines and the first such to be conducted by a Brazilian. Later, another Brazilian, BJJ champion Kazeka Muniz, did another BJJ seminar.

The Philippines’ premier propagator of Gracie Jiu-jitsu and the founder of the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), Alvin Aguilar, did a seminar in Bacolod and a demonstration in Victorias in October 2003 which focused on BJJ/Grappling. BOMB held 2 seminars in 2004 in Bacolod but those two were primarily rules orientation for its upcoming tournaments. Early this year, the Doce Pares held an MMA seminar in Cebu City with Judo Grandmaster Philip Porter of the United States Martial Arts Association (USMAA) as guest instructor.

Dr. Harris contacted GM Lobrido for the sponsorship of the seminar. GM Lobrido tapped CMAS to organize the seminar due to its founders’ extensive experience in organizing/sponsoring and conducting seminars. Sy and Alojado, singly or in unison, had previously organized a total of not less than 15 seminars which covered topics like Aikido, Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai, and Pencak Silat Olahraga. This figure is above the average number of seminars organized/sponsored by an individual or organization in Negros. Furthermore, Sy had previously taught &/or assisted in 20 seminars/special trainings for students, women, professionals, CAT cadet officers, barangay tanods, security guards, and the police. Alojado had taught a number seminars/special trainings most of which were on tai chi chuan.

GM Lobrido tapped PIMAA-FTSDA to be the venue because of its world class facilities and ambiance. The PIMAA-FTSDA Group K Gym had previously made its mark as “a center of martial arts renaissance in Negros,” playing host to various martial arts seminars, trainings, examinations, meetings, and special events involving Conceptual Martial Arts, Dumog, Filipino Tang Soo Do, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Long Quan, Muay Thai, Original Filipino Tapado, and Tai Chi Chuan among others. Master Montoyo, himself a veteran of martial arts for 44 years, brings in his own expertise into the organizing of the seminar.

The seminar was composed of 4 1-hour segments: Stand up skills, ground fundamentals, transition from stand up to groundfighting, and finishing maneuvers. The stand up material was primarily Muay Thai with some elements taken from other stand up arts such as Savate while the clinches/tie ups, takedowns and submissions were from Freestyle Wrestling, Greco Roman Wrestling, Russian Sambo, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Material taught include fundamental stance footwork, punches, elbows, kicks, and knees; stand up clinching, outbalancing, takedowns and takedown defenses; ground positions including mount, side mount, guard, and half guard; escapes from the mount, guard, half guard, etc.; and ground submissions including arm bar, Kimura, Americana, face lock, knee bar, and ankle lock.

AMERICAN RESEARCHERS/MARTIAL ARTISTS VISIT NEGROS By: James U. Sy Jr.

Dr. Ronald A. Harris and his students Christian Weber Adam Seifert and Thomas Demetrice Eatmon Jr. (3rd to 5th from left) with Asst. Ms. Ponteras and Balayan Director Teresita Barcoma (5th and 4th from left) at the University of St. La Salle.

Dr. Ronald A. Harris and his students Christian Weber Adam Seifert and Thomas Demetrice Eatmon Jr. visited the Philippines last May 2006 to conduct research on various matters relating to sustainable development and to forge a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with some domestic universities, colleges, and industrial plants.

Dr. Harris holds a Ph.D. in political economy and has served as chair of the Ph.D. program in Public Policy at the Southern University in the USA since 1996. Seifert and eatmon are doctoral fellows at the same university. Dr. Harris availed of a study grant for the trip. The grant award came from the Mondialogo International Engineering Award and the US National Science Foundation.

The three researchers visited Holcim Cement Plant in Bulacan, Luzon to learn more about cement production; International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in UP los Baños; Boracay for energy management; Engr. Belonio at the central Philippine University in Iloilo City for rice husk/hull; University of the Philippines-Visayas (UP-V) in Miag-ao for coastal zone concerns; Balayan Director Teresita Barcoma and Graduate School Dean Donna Echaus at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod; Habitat Housing Project in Tangub for low cost housing; Victorias Milling Company (VICMICO) in Victorias for bagas and fuel; Kabankalan for low cost construction materials; and Clodualdo “Budoy” M. Lobrido in Bago City for rice cultivation.

Other subjects they researched include organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture and foresting, environmental concerns, coastal management, volcanic ash, community empowerment, and alternative energy sources.

Dr. Harris, who is certified in several martial arts including Muay Thai, and Seifert, an active regional level MMA fighter, punctuated their visit in the Philippines by conducting the 1st Negros Occidental Mixed Martial Arts Seminar “Cage Fighting Fundamentals” on June 3, 2006 at the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) Gym, Group K Complex, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City.

JIMREX JACA, SIBULAN'S BOXING PRIDE By: James U. Sy Jr

1ST BACOLOD MILO MUAY CLINIC CONCLUDED By: James U. Sy Jr.

The graduates of the 1st Bacolod Milo Muay Summer Clinic with PIMAA-FTSDA Founder/President Master Elmer V. Montoyo and his son Asst. Chief Instructor Elmer "Don-Don" P. Montoyo Jr.

The 1st Bacolod Milo Muay Summer Clinic was concluded by PIMAA-FTSDA Asst. Chief Instructor Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr. last May 31, 2006 at the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) Gym, Group K Complex, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City.

12 students graduated from the summer course. They were Remil Gimay, Steven Mark Y. Gumban, Michael “Mic-Mic” E. Gurrea, Kim Rodence Jamilarin, John Amadeo “Joma” G. Libo-on, Theresa Jane “Princess” G. Libo-on, Eva Rose Luto, Ben Marian “BM” D. Malayang, Chellie Mae “Chippy” D. Malayang, Paul Gerry H. Peña, Russel H. Peña, and James Rian I. Sabanate.

The Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic is one of the courses offered in the Milo Summer Sports Clinics (MSSC), a nationwide summer sports program founded in 1984 and sponsored by energy drink Milo that teaches children the basics of various sports in a fun, unique and scientific way. The Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic is a collaboration between Milo and the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) to introduce and make easily available the sport of Muay Boran (Traditional Thai Boxing) to the public, especially the youth.

The Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) is the sole National Sport Association (NSA) for Amateur Muay Thai in the Philippines as recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Muay is a Thai word which means “to pull together to form a single group” and refers to Thailand’s national martial art, sport, and “Science of the 8 limbs” (fists, elbows, legs, and knees). Muay Thai has a colorful history stretching back thousands of years. It has enjoyed support from the Thai Royal Family since the 12th Century A.D.

Muay Thai, in simple terms, is kickboxing with elbows and knees added in. Clinching (controlling the neck) is allowed as well as throwing from that position. Judo throws, however, such as shoulder, hip, reaping, and sacrifice throws are not allowed. Amateur Muay Thai is fought with full protective armor.

Montoyo Kyosanim, aside from attending 2 intensive seminars in Muay Thai last June 2005 and February 2006, traveled to the Dumaguete Muay Association Headquarters, 90-A Dr. E. Miciano Rd., Dumaguete City, Oriental Negros last Holy Week to intensively train in Muay Thai under the supervision of M.A.P. Visayas and Region 7 Head Ike Xavier Villaflores.

Montoyo Kyosanim is the Assistant Chief Instructor of the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association, the Negros Occidental Coordinator for the Philippine Pencak Silat Association (Philsilat), and a Board Director of the Muay Association of the Philippines-Neg. Occ., Wushu Federation of the Philippines-Negros Occidental and Original Filipino Tapado Long stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA).

He holds a 3rd dan black belt in Filipino Tang Soo Do and is graded Junior Instructor with the OFTLSFA. He is a former Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do full contact and hyung champion in the early 1990s and a VisMin taekwondo champion in the featherweight champion in 1996.

He once coached the Bacolod Taekwondo Team represented by Sum-ag National High School to a championship in the provincial level and brought them to the regionals. He, together with his brother Ernest Christian “Chen-Chen” P. Montoyo Kyosanim, also coached Butuan City’s Sunrise Christian College (SCC) in their first bid in the Butuan City Tertiary Athletic Association (BCTAA) Taekwondo Championships in 2004.