Arnisador Appointed PA H2H Combat Instructor by: James U. Sy Jr

Officials of the 605th, 6RCDG (6th Regional Community Defense Group), ARESCOM (Army Reserve Command) during the change of command program on September 28, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park Covered Court with BGen. Joel P. Ibanez as Guest of Honor (UDTA photo).


Technical Sgt. Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. demonstrating a hammerlock to members of the 605th, 6RCDG, ARESCOM Military Group during their initial Hand to Hand Combat/Arnis training last September 26, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (UDTA photo).


Technical Sgt. Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. demonstrating a hammerlock to members of the 605th, 6RCDG, ARESCOM Military Group during their initial Hand to Hand Combat/Arnis training last September 26, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (UDTA photo).


Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” L. Cardinal teaching the basics of Arnis (UDTA photo).


Company Commander Capt. Hernan Maglupay of the 605th, 6RCDG, ARESCOM awarding a Certificate of Recognition to Technical Sgt. Abraham G. Ganzon Jr., for his services as the group’s Hand Combat/Arnis training, last September 28, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (UDTA photo).


Company Commander Capt. Hernan Maglupay of the 605th, 6RCDG, ARESCOM awarding a Certificate of Recognition to Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” L. Cardinal, who served as a Guest Instructor of the group’s Hand Combat/Arnis training, last September 28, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (UDTA photo).


Company Commander Capt. Hernan Maglupay of the 605th, 6RCDG, ARESCOM awarding a Certificate of Recognition to Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) Assistant Instructor Julna D. Jabat, who served as a Guest Instructor of the group’s Hand Combat/Arnis training, last September 28, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (UDTA photo).

Company Commander Capt. Hernan Maglupay and Lt. Antonio Sapala Jr. (Batalion S3) of the 605th, 6RCDG (6th Regional Community Defense Group), ARESCOM (Army Reserve Command) Military Group recently appointed Technical Sgt. Abraham G. Ganzon Jr., Founder/Chairman of the Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA), as their Hand to Hand Combat Instructor and Asst. Coach for Riffle and Pistol Competition.

The first H2H Combat and Arnis training session conducted by TSg Ganzon was last September 26, 2010 at the H605th (NOC), CDC, 6RCDG, ARESCOM Head Quarters, Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

The initial training was in cooperation with Arnis Philippines (Arpi)-Bacolod/Negros Chapter.
Arpi Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” L. Cardinal and UDTA Assistant Instructor Julna D. Jabat were Guest Instructors.

TSg Ganzon taught disarming and arresting techniques while GM cardinal taught the fundamentals of Arnis. The training will be ongoing and will be held every last Sunday of the month. TSg Ganzon plans to invite different Guest Arnis Instructors every time to give the group a background of the specialization of each guest.

TSg Ganzon, GM Cardinal, and AI Julna D. Jabat given certificates of appreciation by Company Commander Capt. Hernan Maglupay during the change of command program on September 28, 2010 at the Pana-ad Park Covered Court with BGen. Joel P. Ibanez as Guest of Honor.

Ganzon is enlisted in the reserve Force, Philippine army (PA) with Reserve Rank TSg (E6) and is assigned to 61st Infantry Division (SRES) PA. Ganzon studied shortly in Karate under Bong-Bong Acot Sensei, Kimdo under Founder/Chief Instructor Joy T. Divinagracia, and Aikido under Chief Instructor Rosyl “Russell” A. Mohametano and Founder Dr. Nilo del Carmen Sensei.

Ganzon later organized the Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) and formally launched it in July 2008 during the 1st Negros Fighting Arts Exposition at Robinson’s Place Bacolod. He then studied under Grandmaster Hortencio M. Navales (Espada y Daga), Grandmaster Danilo L. Cardinal (KaliSilat Arnis), Master James U. Sy Jr. (Conceptual Martial arts), Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo (Chi Kung), and Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa (Mancesa Arnis). He was promoted to master by GM Navales and to Lakan Isa by GM Cardinal. Also in 2008, he traveled to Singapore to attend the Commando Krav Maga Instructors Course by Founder Moni Azhik and became the first Bacoleño to be certified as an Instructor (Levels 1 & 2) of the art.

IFFMAS Instructors to Run for Brgy. Office by: James U. Sy Jr.

At least three instructors who are members of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. are running for Kagawad for the scheduled Barangay Elections this October 25, 2010.

Joery C. Amante, currently President of Prk. Bulak, is running for Kagawad in Brgy. Mandalagan. Amante’s semi-annual project Bulig sa Kubod (Assistance to the Needy) has benefited indigent residents of Prk. Bulak and nearby areas every school opening and Christmas in the last several years. Amante is the Chief Instructor of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association (BFMAA)-Main.

Elmer V. Montoyo, who run in the last Barangay Elections, is running for Kagawad in Brgy.Mansilingan. Montoyo had undertaken several religious and sports programs for the youth in his capacity as a Christian preacher and as Board Director of the YMCA-Negros Occidental Chapter. Montoyo is the Founder/Grandmaster of the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc.

Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, currently President of Prk. Langka, is running for Kagawad in Brgy. Taloc, Bago City. Lobrido had undertaken several sports and other programs for the youth of his area over the years, mostly in cooperation with his brother clodualdo “Budoy” Lobrido and their cousin Kagawad Romeo “Tokong” Mamar Jr. Lobrido is the 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc.

P/Sgt. (Ret.) Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, who had previously served as Prk. President and kagawad, decided not to run for public office this elections. Guarra is the Founder/ Grandmaster of Guarra Style Modern Arnis.

The Best of Negros & Panay Rumble in the 2nd UDTA-Mayor Bing Arnis Cup by James U. Sy Jr.

Members of the KaliSilat Arnis Association of Grandmaster Danilo L. Cardinal (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Master Jay de Leon of California, USA (seated) with the La Carlota City Arnis Team (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa and Raffy Yanong (seated) with members of the Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Team and Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Karen B. Libres (left) and Mhel Jhean G. Diosana of Bago City showing their Arnis skills (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Arnis Philippines Capiz Commissioner Grandmaster Carlito Ondillo, 10th Degree LSAI, of Roxas City (left most) inducting Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter officers, namely BaNeg Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo L. Cardinal (President), Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa (Vice President), Master Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. (Secretary), and Master James U. Sy Jr. (PIO) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).

Navales Arnis Tilt Set This Masskara by: James U. Sy Jr.

The Bacolod Negros Arnis Federation International, (BNAFI), Inc. of Grandmaster Hortencio “Horten” M. Navales will be presenting the Grandmasters Arnis Open Forms Competition this coming October 16, 2010 at the Bacolod Arts, Youth, and Sports (BAYS), Center, San Juan St., Bacolod City.

The tournament will have a Sparring Division and the Forms Division. According to GM Navales, grandmasters affiliated with his organization will see action in the open forms event.

P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, Founder of Guarra Style Modern Arnis and President of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), have expressed his support to the event of GM Navales.

GM Navales is the most prolific promoter of Arnis tournaments in Bacolod and Negros Occidental. He started organizing competitions since the early 1980s, producing at least two events in a year, namely the Arnis Day every March and his Masskara Arnis showdowns.

From its humble beginnings as the Navales Arnis Clinic, GM Navales’ group was known by various names at different times: Navales Arnis Club, Navales Arnis Kali Eskrima Group (NAKEG), and today, Bacolod Negros Arnis Federation International, (BNAFI), Inc.

Many arnisadors in Bacolod and Negros Occidental who had made names for themselves had been affiliated at one time or another with the master, to name a few: GM Frank Abalajon of Abalajon Classical Arnis, GM Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis Combat Sports (GACS), GM Ibarra E. Lopez (Golden Kamagong), GM Romeo Oro of Oro Arnis Club (Cauayan), GM Romeo Postrano (Sikaran Garote Arnis Society (SGAS), the late GM Bernandino Tanique of Tanique Arnis and Combat Club (TACC), Master Dominador “Jun-Jun” L. Villaluna of Black Mamba Arnis, etc.

Tribe W.A.R VII Oct. 15 by: James U. Sy Jr.

Tribu Hangaway Philippines of Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. in cooperation with Aksyon Radio will be presenting Tribe W.A.R. (Warrior’s Art Rumble) VII this coming October 15, 2010, 1:00-6:00 PM, at the Atrium Area, Gaisano Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City.

The number of bouts has yet to be confirmed as of press time but all of them will be in the Submission Grappling Division. Expected to field entries in the tournament are host Affinity of Chester Laquian, Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team of Adrian Ledesma, Team Fusion of Mohammed El Hello, and Tribu Hangaway Philippines.

Allied organizations expected to give demonstrations include Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts of Founder/Chief Instructor Maxwell “Max” J. Maun, Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founders/Masters James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, Guarra Style Modern Arnis of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” L. Cardinal, Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA)-Ma-ao Elementary School Chapter under the supervision of Sports Coordinator/Teacher II Janet Gubaton and Grandmasters Abraham and Sabas T. Gubaton, Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA0, Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido, Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. of Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, Sacred Ki Art of Filipino Foot Fighting (SKAFF) of Founder/Master Ricardo P. Filipinas, and Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) of Founder/Chairman Abraham “Abe” Ganzon Jr. Additional groups may confirm participation in the days leading to the competition.

The standard Tribe W.A.R. Submission Grappling rules will be used, which has also been used in the previous editions of the competition. Maun Sensei will be the Chief Referee.

Tribe W.A.R. is the longest running Submission Grappling tournament in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. Tribe W.A.R. VI was successfully held last April 24, 2010 at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Goldenfields Commercial Complex, Bacolod City.

Getz Pharma Arnis Seminar in Bacolod

Getz Pharma ICOX Arnis in Action Sched For Bacolod by: James U. Sy Jr.

Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. explaining the finer points of an Arnis technique to a doctor during the ICOX FMA in Action at Hotel del Rio, Iloilo City recently (Getz Pharma photo).

Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. will hold the ICOX Filipino Martial Art (FMA) seminar in Action for Bacolod and Negros Occidental doctors and their families this coming September 5, 2010, 10:00 A.M., at the Palmas del Mar Conference Resort Hotel, 37 JR Torres, Bacolod City.

Hosts will be Professional Medical representatives Leizl Araneta-Abalo and Christine S. Pabalinas under the supervision of Regional Sales Manager Iris Gesta.

FMA in Action is a nationwide project of Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. where the history and fundamentals of the indigenous Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima are introduced to doctors by leading authorities of this art. Previously Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. had organized events for other sports and the ICOX Arnis seminar is a pioneering concept in the field.

Resource Instructors previously tapped for the workshop include University of the Philippines-Diliman anthropology Professor Master Felipe “Bot” P. Jocano Jr. of Lightning Scientific Arnis International (LSAI)-Sangkil Karasak (Manila), Doce Pares (Cebu), and Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., Master Joeffrey S. Deriada, and Senior Instructor Dr. Rey Mollenido of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (Iloilo).

Resource Instructors for the Bacolod event will be Master Ferdinand Emmanuel Y. Gayoles of Yasay Sable and Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. Master Gayoles will be assisted by his daughter Irene Anne “Aya” Gayoles, RN, and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Criminology students Aber Yamar M. Azuelo, Gerald June Daclan, and Carlos Trunio II.

The number of doctors to attend is still being confirmed as of press time but the Iloilo event had attracted not less than 45 doctors and members of their families.

The activity will be opened with a film showing about Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. and the concept behind the ICOX Arnis seminar and its role in propagating Filipino martial tradition and its benefits.

The seminar proper will be opened with a lecture on the historical and cultural foundation of the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima followed by demonstrations of its various techniques and the hands on section where doctors will be taught a limited number of techniques which they can use right after the workshop.

The Resource Instructors are expected to showcase Oido de Caburata Aguilar Style, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, and Conceptual Arnis.