A commentary

          The above video clip is a commentary of GM Benefredo Mamar Lobrido to what he considered to be a  replica or a true representation  of a form in espada y daga demonstration. He showed us this form because he watched a demo in recent activities wherein espada y daga was not properly performed or was not properly represented by the performer. He said even he himself felt ashamed of the performance.  In ilonggo term he said "Makahuluya, indi amo" (Its a shame. That is not it)
         He then picked up two sticks and showed us how to do the espada y daga thing.  It is really sad that some people are not prepared to do justice to the system. And he advised us that before doing the demonstration be sure that you do justice to the form you are representing, because there are people watching and one can not be sure that if there are experts present around. Be sure to practice the form before showing it to the public.
         He said that he may not be doing it right, but this is how he used to be taught by his  teachers. And what he showed us he said was how I interpret the said system.

1ST Muay Thai Neg. Occ. Selection Slated by James U. Sy jr.

Founder/Master Roy R. Flores of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (left) together with 4 times World Wushu Sanshou champion and the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Region 6 Director Rene Catalan in a file photo taken last January 2011 (CMAS photo).

The 1ST Muay Thai Negros Occidental Selection will be presented by the Tribu Hangaway Philippines of Founder/Master Roy R. Flores this coming January 22, 2012, Sunday, 1:00-7:00 PM, at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City.

Winners for the event will qualify to compete in the Regionals this coming February in Iloilo. Expected teams to participate are the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association (BFMAA)-Main (Bacolod) under Chief Instructor Joery C. Amante, Thunder Kick Martial arts (Escalante) under Founder/Chief Instructor Jesus “Jess” Flores, San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) under Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay, and Victorias Team.

Southeast Asian, 2 times Asian, and 4 times World Wushu Sanshou champion Rene Catalan of Sta. Barbara, Region 6 Director for the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP), will grace the event. Catalan appointed Master Roy Flores as Coordinators Negros Occidental last October 2011.

Mandalagan ES Overall Champion in Prov’l Arnis by James U. Sy Jr.

The triumphant Mandalagan Elementary School (District I, Bacolod City) Arnis Team under Coach/Trainor Shiela M. Duran and Coaches Julia A. Duran and Mary Jerty Villando was crowned overall champion in Arnis Boys and Girls Elementary Division during the recently concluded Provincial Meet at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (Shiela M. Duran photo).

Mandalagan Elementary School (District I, Bacolod City) Arnis Team under Coach/Trainor Shiela M. Duran and Coaches Julia A. Duran and Mary Jerty Villando was crowned overall champion in Arnis Boys and Girls Elementary Division during the recently concluded Provincial Meet at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City,

Alicia Rimpus, Vivian Joyce Minosa, and Ronnie de la Cruz were crowned champions in the anyo solo baston, doble baston, and mixed weapons. Rimpus and Minosa also took the silver medal in the labanan event.

Officials for the team were Principal Arnel V. Ariola, District Supervisor Lowelyn D. Escalona, PESS Supervisor Nenita B. Cordova, and Schools Division Superintendent Ma, Gemma M. Ledersma.

Conceptual Arresting Techniques Taught @ 605th, 6RCDG, ARESCOM

Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. teaching the bent wrist lock using a stick to members of the 605th, 6RCDG (6th Regional Community Defense Group), ARESCOM (Army Reserve Command) with the assistance of H2H Combat Instructor Technical Sgt. (T/Sgt.) Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. last January 8, 2012 at the H605th (NOC), CDC, 6RCDG, ARESCOM Head Quarters, Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City (CMAS Photo).

H2H Combat Instructor Technical Sgt. (T/Sgt.) Abraham G. Ganzon Jr. invited Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. to teach arresting techniques with the use of sticks to 20 members of the 605th, 6RCDG (6th Regional Community Defense Group), ARESCOM (Army Reserve Command) last January 8, 2012 at the H605th (NOC), CDC, 6RCDG, ARESCOM Head Quarters, Pana-ad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Officials present during the formation were Company Commander Capt. Hernan Maglupay of HQ, 1Lt. Raymund Ibrado of Bravo Co., and 1Lt. Antonio Sapalo Jr. of Batalion S3.

The seminar training was meant to prepare the reservists for their patrol duty for the 2012 Kabankalan Sinulog Celebration. Arresting techniques were the focus since the aim was to control and detain rather than harm uncooperative suspects. Since the reservists scheduled for duty were to be issued sticks, it is only logical that they should know how to effect a jointlocking technique with it.

Sy primarily taught the bent wrist lock, taking different manifestations from Filipino, Japanese, and Chinese methods and teaching them as one technique applied to multiple situations and attacks. He started off by applying the technique on rifle retention and explained and also taught their roots from the sheathed and unsheathed blade and then the stick and empty hands applications.

To supplement the bent wrist lock, Sy also taught two techniques for knife against stick from Guarra Style Modern Arnis, two choking techniques with the stick from Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis and Herada Pigada Arnis, and an arresting technique with the stick.

T/Sgt. Ganzon also taught empty handed versions of the hammer lock and the goose neck lock as well as one method of striking with the stick. Hand to hand combat training for members of the 605th, 6RCDG (6th Regional Community Defense Group), ARESCOM (Army Reserve Command) was started by T/Sgt. Ganzon last September 26, 2010.

The Many faces of the Sto. Niño by James U. y jr.

We Filipinos are very religious people. We have always shown it in our culture, language, beliefs, dealings with other people, and festivities. The Fiesta of the Sto. Niño is a good reflection of the Filipinos' devotion to the Catholic faith. This fiesta is variously celebrated in different parts of the Philippines, among them Cebu City (as Pit Señor), Iloilo City (as Dinagyang), Bacolod City, Cadiz City, and Kabankalan City. The following pictures will depict the various images of the Sto. Niño during the fiesta celebration held last January 15, 2012 at the Sto. Niño Shrine in Bacolod City.






The procession started from the Sto. Niño Shrine, proceeded to Rizal St., Burgos St., Burgos Market, and back to the shrine (James U. Sy Jr. photo).

















The different faces of the Sto. Niño (James U. Sy Jr. photo).



The procession started from the Sto. Niño Shrine, proceeded to Rizal St., Burgos St., Burgos Market, and back to the shrine (James U. Sy Jr. photo).



Babies wearing Sto. Niño outfits together with their mothers (James U. Sy Jr. photo).


Children dressed as atis (James U. Sy Jr. photo).


The drummers for the festivities (James U. Sy Jr. photo).



The Sto. Niño Shrine near West Negros University (WNU) (James U. Sy Jr. photo).

Airborne Collision Rocks Locsin St. by James U. Sy Jr.

Just moments after the Bata-Libertad jeepney went airborne and dropped on its left side. Note that the rear axle was twisted and the right side of the body of the vehicle was folded. At this initial stages of the accident two vigilant bystanders, one on the rear and one on top of the vehicle, went to action, trying to pull the two passengers to safety (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


A vigilant bystander wastes no time in pulling out an unconscious woman passenger (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).



Bystanders starting to gather on the collision site until the area was covered with many people, investigators, and medical personnel (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


Close up of the point of impact on the collapsed jeepney (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


The front side of the collapsed jeepney (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


The damaged area of the jeepney as shown after the vehicle has been restored to its vertical axis by helpful bystanders (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


The driver of the jeepney (left, front) refused an interview to air his side of the story (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).






The damage on the car of Antonio Escuadra shown from all sides.(James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade 161 Ambulance had a very short response time, just minutes after some bystanders called for help (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade 161 medical team attending to a passenger who hurt his leg/s during the collision (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).


The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade 161 medical team transporting the injured passenger to a medical facility (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).

It was like a scene from a Hollywood movie, a speeding vehicle is thrown airborne during a collision, except this time there were no special effects and everything was for real. This was what happened along Locsin St. when two vehicles collided yesterday, January 15, 2011, at about 12:20 PM.

Two jeepneys were travelling side by side from Hernaez St. and into Locsin St. Just before reaching the intersection at Locsin-Rosario Sts., the Bata-Libertad jeepney on the left, with plate No. T-060480, tried to overtake the other PUJ. At that point, a black car, with plate No. PRM-177, driven by Antonio Escuadra, 53, of San Carlos City, was also heading towards the intersection. The PUJ on the right gave way to the car but the one on the left went ahead and speed away to overtake. The jeepney was clipped by the car on its right side and forced across the street, directly in front of Red Square, C.M.W. Disco Bar, and Double “L” Spotlite. The impact was highly magnified by the speed of the overtaking jeepney, which in turn forced the vehicle to fly in the air, collapse on its side, and fall on its left side.

The car on the other hand, also screeched out of its lane and initially followed a parallel path to the collapsing jeepney before turning to the other side of the road and stopping nearly in the sidewalk, just a few paces away from Derd’s 8 Tailoring and Sportswear.

The rear axle of the jeepney was twisted and a pipe was broken. There were shreds of broken glass on the pavement and the right side of the vehicle folded into a crease. The driver was not injured. However, his two passengers, a couple, suffered injuries. The woman, who was unconscious, was pulled out by a concerned bystander from the collapsed vehicle. It took her some minutes to gain consciousness and be able to sit down. She said her leg/s was/were aching. Her husband, who was found, sitting outside of the rear side of the vehicle and in the entrance of Red Square, injured his leg/s.

The passengers of the black car were also a couple. Escuadra and his 51 year old wife just got out of church from the baptism of their grandchild. They were unhurt because they wore seatbelts. However, the front side of their car, including the hood, was a wreck. The car’s door on the right side was also out of its frame slightly. Escuadra managed to get some control of his car otherwise he could have also crashed into the establishments, next to the collapsed jeepney.

The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade 161 medical team responded at a very short interval after the accident and attended to the injured. The driver of the jeepney refused an interview with the Negros Daily Bulletin and Western Visayas Journal.

It was fortunate that the jeepney didn’t have many passengers otherwise there would be many injured. If there’s anything that this incident had taught those who witnessed the accident, including this writer, it is that overtaking may save you a little time or it can also waste a lot of your time and put many people’s lives at risk. Discipline in the road is all we can ask for now that this has happened.

2012 Tat Jun Tao Reunion

When: January 8, 2011, Sunday
Where: new Bgy. Kalubihan Hall (fronting Asian College of Technology), P. del Rosario St., Cebu City