GOLDEN KATANA WOMEN’S KICKBOX FED FOUNDED By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Golden Katana Women’s Kickboxing Federation (GKWKF) was founded by Masters Carmelino “Jun” Rojo Jr., 4th Degree Black Belt, of the Octagon Martial Arts, Joery C. Amante, 4th Degree Black Belt, of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association (BFMAA)-Main, and Ricardo P. Filipinas, 5th Degree Black Belt, and Arthur A. Alvañez, 3rd Degree Black Belt, of Sacred Ki Art of Filipino Footfighting (SKAFF) recently in Bacolod City.

Today, the number of women taking up the martial arts is increasing and a good number of them had decided to take the competitive path. However, males still dominate existing martial arts organizations and as such, programs are based on masculine standards.

The Fouders of GKWKF had been operating their own groups before and were propagating Kickboxing and allied arts until they decided to band together to form an organization that will address this void of furthering women’s interest in the martial sport of Kickboxing or Sipa Sumbag as it is known in the local vernacular.

The newly formed federation conducted their inagural tournament, the 1st GKWKF Bacolod Women’s Kickboxing Tournament last May 18, 2008 at Villa Lucasan, Brgy. Mandalagan and on May 24, 2008 at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (NOMPAC), Bacolod City.

May 18, 2008 Results: Jilyn Quirante of OMA over Rhea Bantiling of SKAFF. Rolanda Casubong of OMA and Ma. Cristina Bianan of BFMAA-Main fought to a draw. Renalyn “Ren-Ren” Jacob of BFMAA-Main over Annabelle Valderama of SKAFF via RSC at 0.46 of the 2nd round. Jenelyn M. Rojo of SKAFF over Rose Ann Sedorio of PKO.

Nico Aguirre of SKAFF over Ivan Joquino of PKO. Angelito Chavez of BFMAA-Main over Robert Lachica. Ildefonso Camelo of OMA over John Mark Bosico of BFMAA-Main. Janry Amante of BFMAA-Main ove Shalom Joquino of OMA. Dennis D. Iligan of SKAFF over Michael Ellamar of OMA. Eric Jim Cadagat of SKAFF over Herman Solano of OMA. Billy Rojo of OMA and John Ray Penit of PKO fought to a draw. Jonvi of OMA and Mhil Guardiano of PKO fought to a draw. Puerto Española of SKAFF over John Molina of PKO.

Officials: Master Carmelino “Jun” Rojo Jr. of the Octagon Martial Arts, Master Joery C. Amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main, Master Ricardo P. Filipinas of Sacred Ki Art of Filipino Footfighting, and Arthur A. Alvañez Sensei of Shotokan Karate (Tournament Organizers); Prk. President Ricardo Malaga, Kagawad Ely Mejorada, and Kagawad Jun Cenon, all of Villa Lucasan and all practitioners of Karate and Boxing (Judges); Kagawads Eden Dumagais and Roy Navarete (Table Officials), and Founder Edson Daut of Pentagon Karate Organization (Guest Instructor).

Founding members of the Golden Katana Women’s Kickboxing Federation (GKWKF) are Black Falcon Martial Arts Association (BFMAA)-Main (founded 1970s), February 24, 2008 (founded November 1, 1980), Pentagon Karate Organization (founded May 20, 1983) of Founder Edson Daut, Sacred Ki Art of Filipino Footfighting (founded 1980s), and Scorpion Friendship Athletic Group (founded 1985) of Founder/Chief Instructor Sonny Villagonzalo.

Last February 24, 2008, February 24, 2008 organized an OMA Goodwill Kickboxing Sparring Match Ups and Rank Promotions at Hda. Zaragosa, Central Ma-ao, Bago City which was supported by BFMAA-Main, PKO, and SFAG.

CINCO DE NOVEMBRE ARNIS TILT PLANNED By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) under Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa and President Eliseo T. Yanong Sr. are currently laying plans to conduct an Arnis tournament this coming November 5, 2008 to jive with Bago City ’s celebration of the historic Cinco de Novembre.

The proposed Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) tournament will be using Arnis Philippines rules and will be under the sanction of Arnis Philippines (ArPi)-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter of Commissioner Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D.

NUFAA, in cooperation with and with the full support of the Office of the Bago City Mayor under Hon. Ramon D. Torres and the SK Federation-Bago City under President Eliseo T. Yanong Jr., had conducted two successful Arnis tournaments for the first half of the year, the 1st and 2nd NUFAA-SK Bago City Invitational Arnis Tournament held last February 17, 2008 at the Bago City Community Center and May 31, 2008 at the Bago City College (BCC) Campus Grounds, Brgy. Balingasag respectively.

NUFAA took the overall championship in both tournaments as well as during the
1st ArPi-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Goodwill Tournament (May 18, 2008, Casino Filipino Hotel) and the 2nd Western Visayas Invitational Sports Arnis Tournament (May 10-11, 2008, Robinson’s Place Bacolod).

Expected allied organizations expected to support the tournament include
Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) of Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) of Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo, Sikaran Garrote Arnis Club of Grandmaster Romeo “Roming” Postrano, Tribu hangaway of Master Roy R. Flores Sr., Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Foudners/Masters James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, among others.

Arnis Philippines is the National Sport Association for Arnis and the sole governing body for the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

SAMBUWA SA LANGKA HELD By: Jams U. Sy Jr.

The 2008 Sambuwa sa Langka Invitational Boxing Tournament was successfully held by the Jamili Boxing Club of Gil “Dodong” Jamili and Richard Jamili with the sponsorship of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, Master Clodualdo M. “Budoy” Lobrido, and Kagawad Romeo “Tokong” Mamar Jr. and under the sanction of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) of President Master Elmer V. Montoyo recently at the Cockpit, Prk. Langka, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City as part of the purok’s annual fiesta celebration.

Amateur boxers from Prk. Langka, Prk. Newton, and Brgy. Sum-ag fought in 9 bouts.

Results: Rom-Rom Nobleza and Rom-Rom fought to a draw. Jep-Jep Delgado of Sum-ag and Donli Gabales of Sum-ag fought to a draw. Rom-Rom of Newton and Pebril Prado of Newton fought to a draw. Rogen Prado of Newton over Donli Gabales of Sum-ag. Jep-Jep Delgado of Sum-ag and Vinat Cosio of Newton fought to a draw. Elmer Rasa of Langka over Kim Salma of Langka. Dagol Gregorio of Langka over Jomar Tario of Sum-ag. Pablito Nagukay of Langka and Bingo Delgado of Sum-ag fought to a draw. Rigor Gregorio of Newton and Nicon Fecma fought to a draw.

Officials were Gil “Dodong” Jamili and Richard Jamili (Organizers/Referees), Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, Master Clodualdo M. “Budoy” Lobrido, and Kagawad Romeo “Tokong” Mamar Jr. of Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association, Inc. (Sponsors), and Founders Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado and James U. Sy Jr. and OFT SI Joeffrey S. Deriada of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (Event Coverage).

Lunch followed at the Lobrido Residence.

The Jamili Boxing Club and the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc., both members of IFFMAS, first partnership was with the 1st Brgy. Taloc Martial Arts Showdown and the 2007 Sambuwa sa Langka Invitational Boxing Tournament held last April 20, 2007 at Prk. Langka, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City .

TAPONDO PROMOTIONS MADE By: James U. Sy Jr.

Six members of Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI)-Negros Chapter took part in a mass examination conducted by Negros Chief Instructor Roy R. Flores Sr., 6th Degree, last May 31, 2008 at the TIFI-Negros Gen. HQ, 2F Golden Heritage Bldg., San Juan St., Bacolod City.

Those who took the exams and passed were Almar Mariano of Toboso (2nd degree), Dodgie Flores, Joseph Ong, and Jussell Torres of Bacolod (Brown Belt), Ariel Guanzon of Escalante (Blue Belt), and Ana Erika Gumban of Bacolod (Green Belt). The examinations were conducted under the sanction of Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI) under Tapondo Founder Master Ambrosio “Monching” Gavileño

Mass examinations had been conducted periodically since a year after TIFI-Bacolod was organized by Chief Instructor Flores in 2001. The first mass examination was conducted by the founder himself, who traveled from Manila to Bacolod . Today, TIFI is the largest Aikido group in Negros Occidental and the one with the most black belts (not less than 28). It has chapters in Bacolod , Calatrava, Escalante, Sagay, Silay, Talisay, Toboso, and San Carlos .

To continuously heighten the students’ skills, TIFI-Bacolod had held the 5th Negros Regional Tapondo Invitational Competition last May 25, 2008 at the Food Court Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall , Araneta St. , Bacolod City which was participated in by various chapter in Western Visayas .

Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI)-Negros Chapter is a member of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) of Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) of President Master Elmer V. Montoyo.

GM GUARRA TURNS 75 By: James U. Sy Jr.

P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” Terante Guarra, one of the few remaining active old time Eskrimadors in Negros Occidental, celebrated his 75th birthday together with his family and friends last May 19, 2008 at the Guarra Residence in Lag-asan, Bago City . About 200 well wishers came and participated in the festivities, which was held in time with the annual Lag-asan fiesta.
(Master Joel Casiple in conversation with the birthday celebrant, GM Eslao Guarra during IFFMAS induction ceremony)
Among his guests were Arnisadors from Central Negros including Grandmasters Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra of Arjuka-Malingin, Atty. Col. Marcelo D. Jalandoon of Negros Occidental Baston Federation, Judge Demosthenes Magallanes, Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association Inc., Danilo “Danny” Cardinal of KaliSilat Arnis Association, Jose “Joe” Mancesa of Negros United Fighting Arts (NUFAA), and Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports, etc.

Eslao Guarra was born to Grandmaster Cornelio “Kune” Toledo Guarra and Luisa T. Terante on May 19, 1933 in Bago City . He was the 7th of 13 siblings composed of 7 boys and 6 girls. All the Guarra children were trained in their father’s and his group’s fighting arts locally known as Herada Redoble or Espada y Daga. The young Eslao started his training in the 12 methodos of Espada y Daga from his father as well as his 7 friends.

The young Guarra went on to study under different professors of Arnis, 20 of them in all. Among his teachers were Grandmasters Guillermo “Guimo” Yasay, Alfredo “Pedong” Yasay, and Constantino Arca (Ofensa Defensa/Yasay Sable), Claro Alvarez (Saber), Esmael “Maing” Alvarez (Saber), Senyong, Reynaldo Cabinta of Bukidnon (Disarming), Homero Sian (Fencing), Anong Abellana (Judo), Casimiro “Chingi” A. Grandeza (Karate), Juan Recomura, Jose Garganera, Sulpecio Fernea (Herada Batangueña), Tatang Balat of Pampanga, etc.

On February 20, 1956, Guarra, then 22, started his 32 years service in the Bago City Integrated National Police (INP). Guarra had served as a training staff of the Bago City Police Station, having trained auxiliary police in all barangays of Bago City . Within his illustrious career he had received many awards and commendations.

Master Guarra had served as Security Officer and ROTC Tactical Officer at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R). He started teaching Arnis publicly in around 1970. He retired as a multi-decorated police sergeant on May 19, 1998 and by that time had already taught arnis to more than 10,000 barangay tanods, police officers, security guards, and civilians.

GM Guarra emphasizes in his school that Arnis is not meant to bully fellow human beings and to boast but must serve as a tool of personal defense of life and honor. He also warns students of drinking while training and indulging in prohibited drugs.

GM Guarra is currently the Founder/Grandmaster/President of the Guarra Style Modern Arnis (formerly the the Gen. Juan A. Araneta School of Arnis), Vice President-South Negros for Negros Occidental Baston Federation of President Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo D. Jalandoon, Ph.D., of Talisay City, Vice President-Internal Affairs for the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) under President Master Elmer V. Montoyo of Bacolod City, Consultant for the International Modern Arnis Federation Philippines (IMAFP)-Bacolod Chapter, and Board Director for Arnis Philippines (ArPi)-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter.

GM Guarra’s personal history and style was first put to writing by Rev. Fr. Jerson Balitor, then Parish Priest of Ma-ao, Bago City , himself a researcher and accomplished expert of the martial arts. GM Guarra was first introduced extensively to the general public by Negros’ premier martial arts historian/writer James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., through his various works starting with the 3-part series “The Best Arnisadors of Negros: GM Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra” which was published on the May 16-22, 2004 issue of Negros Weekly and culminating with the international feature “Guarra Style Modern Arnis: Modern Style Rooted in Tradition” published in the Vol. 10 No. 4 issue (2006) of the Rapid Journal, the one and only and longest running martial arts publication in the Philippines.

VERA LOSES BY CONTROVERSIAL DECISION By: James U. Sy Jr.

Fil-Am Brandon “The Truth” Vera expereicnced a setback in his rising Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) career when he lost by a controversial decision against Fabricio Werdum of Brazil during the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 85: Bedlam last June 8, 2008 at the O2 Arena, London, England.

Vera, the son of a Filipino father and an Italian mother, dominated the reigning world Jiu-jitsu champion with strikes during the stand up before the fight went to the ground and Werdum secured the mounted position and started pummeling Vera with ground and pound punches. The 30 year old Vera was covering up against the punches with his forearms when the referee stepped in and stopped the fight at about 20 seconds before the end of the 1st round. Vera had Werdum early on with his strikes. Vera was shocked and the crowd booed the decision.

The Referee has the discretion to stop the fight if he sees a fighter not being able to defend himself intelligently and/or is in danger of being injured. But the video showed Vera maintaining his composure and absorbing the blows with his forearms. Vera was telling the referee he was OK but it seemed that the referee misinterpreted it. Vera wanted a rematch with the Brazilian.

Vera, who wore the Philippine national colors in his shorts, entered the arena to the sound of the Filipino-inspired song Bebot written and sung by Fil-Am Apl-d-App of Black Eye Peas. He was featured at Sports Unlimited last June 9, 2008.

In an awaited fight of the night, the young and aggressive Thiago Alves of Brazil bloodied defeated 2 times UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes of the USA . A flying knee signaled the start of the end for Hughes in the 2nd round. Hughes, who is known for submitting 3 times UFC champion Royce Gracie of Brazil , fell to 43-7. Alves improved to 21-4.

JACOB BRINGS HOME NAT’L BOXING SILVER By: James U. Sy Jr.

Barely a month after being crowned as champion of the Senior Women’s Sanshou 56 Kg. category at the recently concluded 2008 Philippine National Wushu Championships, Reynalyn “Ren-Ren” C. Jacob of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) took home a silver medal at the PLDT-Smart National Open Youth and Women's Amateur Boxing Championships last May 3-10, 2008 at Robinson's Place Iloilo, Iloilo City.

Jacob, who was in her first outing for a national level Boxing event, gave her best in the championship bout but had to bow out to Twinkle Mae J. Guarde of Cotabato and settled for the silver.

After the bout, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) Coach and Olympic bronze medalist Roel Velasco of Bago City approached Jacob and invited her to join the Philippine Team and offered a scholarship for her.

Jacob started Sipa Sumbag and Wushu Sanshou under Chief Instructor Joery C. Amante of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main), who is also the Negros Occidental Coordinator for the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP), on September 26, 2006 in Bacolod City . Since then she had fought in Bacolod , Bago, Hinigaran, Iloilo City , Manila , San Carlos , and Victorias .

Jacob took the silver during the 2007 Philippine National Wushu Championships and won the championship title during the 2008 edition of the event by demolishing Rhoda Mae Doncillo of the Iloilo Tinagan School of Martial Arts, Inc. (ITSMAI) via 2nd round TKO.

She was crowned champion of the Women’s Juniors 53 Kg. category during the 3rd Iloilo National Wushu Sanshou Championships “Cong. Raul Gonzales Cup” last January 25, 2006 at SM City Iloilo by dominating 2005 National Wushu Sanshou bronze medallist Marianne Jaromahum of the Iloilo Tinagan School of Martial Arts, Inc. (ITSMAI) via 2nd round RSC. She also won the gold at the 2006 Negros Island Wushu Sanshou Eliminations. She was the first female fighter to be sent by BFMAA-Main to the Philippine National Wushu Sanshou Training Pool in Manila .

Jacob is a proud member of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) through the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main).

Jacob was born on March 14, 1992 and is the eldest and the only girl of 3 siblings by Dante P. Jacob and Melody Consejo-Jacob.