2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams Held by James U. Sy Jr.

Officers and members of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. pose for posterity after its successful 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams last February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City. From left: Master James U. Sy Jr., Guro Stephen Roy Dedel, Joselito Guzon, Master Roy R. Flores, GM Felix A. Guinabo, P/Sgt. (Ret.) GM Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, Col. Atty. GM Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., GM Ibarra E. Lopez, Master Ian B. Negrido, and GM Romeo Postrano (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Guro Stephen Roy Dedel defending against the attack of P/Insp. (Ret.) Grandmaster Ibarra E. Lopez during the 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams last February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Master Roy R. Flores defending against the attack of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra during the 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams last February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Joselito Guzon of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) defending against the attack of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra during the 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams last February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Master Ian B. Negrido defending against the attack of Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo during the 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams last February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Grandmaster Romeo Postrano defending against the attack of Col. Atty. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., during the 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams last February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). The Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. successfully conducted the 2nd NOBF Arnis Rank Certification Exams on February 24, 2013 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City The examination board was composed of the three most senior grandmasters of the federation and another grandmaster who was commissioned by the elders to also act as examiner. At the head of the examination board was Col. Atty. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon , Ph.D., of Talisay City, Founder/Consultant of NOBF. The two other elders were P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra of Bago City, President of NOBF and Founder of Guarra Style Modern Arnis and P/Insp. Grandmaster Ibarra E. Lopez of Bacolod City, Vice President of NOBF and Founder of Golden Kamagong International. Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo, Board Director of NOBF and Founder of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), was the last examiner. The examinees, who mostly hold rank already in their respective clubs, consisted of three regular-member school heads and club representative and two school heads who were new recruits for the federation. Grandmaster Romeo Postrano, Founder of Garrote Sikaran, has been previously recognized as a Grandmaster of Arnis by Grandmaster Hortencio Navales of the Bacolod Negros Arnis Federation International Inc. (BNAFII) and holds a 3rd degree black belt in Sikaran. Master Roy R. Flores, Founder of Tribu Hangaway Philippines, holds a 6th degree black belt in Tapondo/Aikido awarded by the Founder/Master Ambrosio “Monching” Gabileño and has been verbally recognized as Master in Arnis by the NOBF. Joselito Guzon, a long time student of GM Guinabo, is a consistent Arnis tournament fighter and is up for promotion to Master in the Trese Grabes Piga-Piga System by his teacher. Master Ian B. Negrido, Founder of BASSDUMAS, holds a 7th degree black belt in Adino (Eznite)/Sikaran under the late Founder/Grandmaster Pastor Julius B. Delasan and is the Vice President of Zion Original Disciples in Arnis and Combat Sports (ZODIACS), Inc. under President/Grandmaster Romeo G. Banas. Guro Stephen Roy Dedel, Co-Founder of Pangamot International, has been verbally recognized as an Instructor by his teacher Master Baldwin “Nonoy” T. Garrucho, founder of Sundangan Baneg, in 2007 in Escalante City and is currently continuing his Arnis education with Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas, the 1st Generation Inheritor of the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis System. The examiners took turns in giving the attacks to the candidates. Covered were solo baston vs solo baston, pangamot vs solo baston, pangamot vs daga, and contra defense. The exam went on until the examiners were satisfied with the responses of the candidates. Results of the examinations and the corresponding ranks to be awarded to each candidates will be awarded a few days after and they will be awarded their certifications in a formal event. The NOBF Rank Certification Exams is a project of GM Guarra, who assumed the presidency of the federation in late 2009, for the purpose of ensuring the quality of those graded by the federation. The first batch of examinees was GM Guinabo and Master James U. Sy Jr., Secretary General of NOBF and Founder of Conceptual Martial Arts society (CMAS), Inc., last year. Prior to this, ranks had been issued to member school heads with no examination. The NOBF had also issued rank recognitions to 16 grandmasters and master who are not members of the federation to affirm their contributions to the art of Arnis during the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City as part of the city’s 46th Charter Day Celebration. Witnessing the proceedings were Master and Clyde Jason G. Poral, a grandson of GM Guarra.

Joel Villaluz: A Man of Music, A Man of Inspiration by James U. Sy Jr.

I first got acquainted with Mr. Joel “Bagguer” Villaluz and his wife, Cosette, in the mid 1990’s while I was still employed as an account officer at First Provincial Finance Corporation. Back then I’ve already noticed the couple’s penchant for music, definitely an essential part of their lives way back earlier than I am aware of. This love for music becomes apparent with Mr. Villaluz’s column here at NDB, Musically Yours. Last February 23, 2013, Villaluz, an accomplished musician, especially with the keyboards, became an inspiration to many as the fourth installment of preliminary auditions of the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4 was aired over at ABS-CBN. At 70, he joined the preliminary auditions held at SM Cebu and despite of not being able to talk, he inspired the three judges with his music and got their nod. Villaluz was a smoker before, which led him to be diagnosed with throat cancer and ultimately had an operation to remove his vocal chords in 2007. According to the narration of his wife, he would play the harmonica, with a cigarette in his mouth. This event changed his life a lot although it did not deter him to continue his pursuit of music. At PGT, Villaluz came to the stage with a white board and was later joined by his wife to help him answer the judges’ questions. Villaluz played “Somewhere in Time” with his keyboard, making judge Kris Aquino, the Queen of All Media, stand from her seat. Judge FMG, a music virtuoso himself, asked Villaluz to play another piece, if he were to give him a chance. Villaluz played “Granada” with gusto and got the judges’ unanimous yes. FMG said he was familiar with the music because “galing ‘yan sa kapanahunan ko. I’ll give you a yes.” Villaluz looked healthy and stood with posture for a 70 year old (and his wife Cosette looks younger than her age of 66). However, more inspiring was his message to the audience, and the televiewers, just before his performance, which he wrote on his white board, “Don’t lose your life to cigarettes. I almost lost mine.” His piece was hair raising and touches the soul yet even more inspiring was his will and determination to go through the competition, even without the ability to talk and having the challenge of facing some of the best talents in the Visayas. Villaluz gave thanks to God that even with what happened to him, he was still given a chance to continues life and live it as it should be lived as commanded by God. He had the message laid out for the judges and the audience in the tarpaulin that hung in front of his keyboard. We all know the evils of smoking and I need not enumerate here what it can and can not do for us. Villaluz’s written words for PGT fans were simple. Our body is a temple given to us by God and we need to take good care of it. Life is precious so live it well. We all have shortcomings but they should not deter us from achieving new heights in our lives. Villaluz performs for different institutions and private individuals who request him to perform during occasions and events. He had brought his music to L’Fisher Hotel, Robinson’s Place Bacolod, Chicken House, Naga City, La Carlota City, and Cebu City among several others. He had also made a 10-volume collection of classical music in CD format. Villaluz is one of three Bacolodnons who were honored with the Ang Banwahanon Award on June l7, 20l2 at the Grand Lobby, Bacolod City Government Center, for the social impact of his “free” musical services especially for the elderly and disabled and for notably composing “Kami Bacolodnon,” eventually the official song of the City of Smiles.

A Memorial to Ronilo “Nonoy” Magbanua (1963-2013) by James U. Sy Jr.

Ronilo “Nonoy” Magbanua, a resident of Brgy. Banago, passed away last February 13, 2012 in Bacolod City due to complications from tuberculosis. He was 49. His remains were laid to rest at the Bacolod City Public cemetery on February 23, 2013. Magbanua, who once worked overseas in Saudi Arabia, succeeded Founder Marulyn Canoy as the Chief Instructor of Supreme Modern Combat (SMC) upon the latter’s death. Several months after the Negros Occidental Chapter of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) was successfully reorganized in 2003 by different clubs with Joery Amante of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) as Provincial Coordinator and had it running, Magbanua got involved in Wushu Sanshou and in a highly disputed way, was designated by Arnold Tinagan Sensei of the Iloilo Tinagan Martial Arts Club as Bacolod Coordinator although there was already someone duly appointed, also by Tinagan, to the position a little while back. Magbanua was named representative of Wushu Sanshou in the Union of Martial Arts of Negros Bacolod (UMAONEBA) under the leadership of Atty. Emilio Alimon, one time manager of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA). Magbanua sent a number of his students to Manila to compete at the National Wushu Championships as well as in regional and local level tournaments. Among his students were Dennis and Jonally Villacrusis. He also did some officiating at some Wushu Sanshou tournaments. Magbanua was one of the Co-Founders of the Brotherhood of Mixed Martial Artists of Bacolod (BOMB) on December 6, 2003, although he did not support the first ever project of the group, the 1st Gaisano-BOMB Mixed Martial Arts Eliminations and Expo, the first ever MMA tournament in Western Visayas, on February 1, 2004 at the Atrium area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. Magbanua, who was the sole bread winner for a family of 9, earned his living in front of the Gaisano Department Store until he later transferred across the street, outside the De La Rama Center. He had a rank of 6th degree black belt upon his death.

GM Montoyo Celebrates 67th Birthday By: James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo (seated, 5th from left) together with members of his Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. and invited guests at the conclusion of his 67th birthday celebration recently at the Caocao Grill, Burgos St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo). Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, 8th degree black belt Tang Soo Do, celebrated his 67th birthday with a simple get together with members of his Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. and invited guests recently at the Caocao Grill, Burgos St., Bacolod City. The simple celebration also served as the 13th Anniversary celebration of the association. In his speech, GM Montoyo thanked all those who have supported him in his endeavors in the past years and who continue to do so. GM Montoyo, who started martial arts training in 1957, also gave a summary of his personal martial arts history, which ultimately led to the founding of his own art, Filipino Tang Soo Do (Filipino Chinese Integrated Hand Way), and PIMAA-FTSDA, Inc. The program featured some demonstrations of different forms of martial arts. Master Elmer "Don-Don" P. Montoyo, 5th degree black belt Filipino Tang Soo Do, the eldest son of GM Montoyo, led PIMAA-FTSDA members Nonoy Gargoles and Norbert Poliapoy in showcasing a blend of the Filipino Chinese Integrated Hand Way and other Asian martial arts like Muay Thai and Silat. Chester Esmalla also performed a long stick form developed by GM Montoyo. Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, 1st Generation Inheritor of the Original Filipino Tapado system and President of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA) Inc., with the assitance of Master Joeffrey S. Deriada of CMAS, Inc., demonstrated the basic and advanced direct hitting linyada of the long stick fighting art founded by his late uncle Grandmaster Romeo "Nono" C. Mamar. Grandmaster Rodrigo Berdin and Grandmaster Anita Montoya-Berdin of Murcia demonstrated the Oido de Cinco Henerales style of Arnis that they developed over a course of several years. Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of the Conceptual Arnis System andf President of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., with the assistance of Chester F. Esmalla, showed the universality of movements in the martial arts by performing side by side methods from the Filipino and Japanese martial arts side by side.

T'yuy to Feature Conceptual Arnis This Fri.

T'yuy, the first and only and longest running comedy talk show on local cable TV in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, will premiere its feature episode on Conceptual Arnis (Martial Arts) System this coming Friday, February 15, 2013, 10:00 PM on OnTV32. Guest will be James U. Sy Jr., Founder/Master of the Conceptual Arnis System and the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. Together with Sy will be Montano Mondia IV, Football Coach of the Bacolod City National High School (BCNHS) and a long time Aikido practitioner at CMAS-USLS/USLS Aikido Club, and Eirine Kimberly O. Longno of AIM Global, a beginner student of Conceptual Arnis. The episode will include both interviews and demonstrations of both empty handed and weapons (short stick, long stick, knife) methods of the indigenous art of Arnis, particularly those bred in the province of Negros Occidental. T'yuy, hosted by Anthony Peter Yulo, is a talk show with a twist. It tackles serious issues but from a relatively comedic perspective to further liven the discussion. February 15 will be the premier of the episode and succeeding replays will be the following week, MWF 10:00-11:00 PM and TTHS 3:00-4:00 PM.

Jewel Bano Beatingo Turns 18 by: James U. Sy Jr.

Debutante Jewel Bano Beatingo of the University of St. Agustin during her 18th birthday celebration last December 22, 2012 at the L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).

Debutante Jewel Bano Beatingo of the University of St. Agustin with her parents, Evangeline Bano-Beatingo and Negros Karate pioneer Efraim T. Beatingo Sr. last December 22, 2012 at the L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).

Jewel Bano Beatingo, the only daughter of Negros Karate pioneer Efraim T. Beatingo Sr. and Evangeline Bano-Beatingo, celebrated her 18th birthday last December 22, 2012 at the L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City. Jewel is the fifth and youngest among the Beatingo siblings. Because of this she is well loved by her brothers, who organized and financed the celebration for their little sister. Jewel’s brothers are Jefrox B. Beatingo, 3rd Marine Engineer Overseas, Efraim B. Beatingo Jr., a businessman in Manila, Jose Beatingo III, also 3rd Marine Engineer Overseas, and Dave Lorenz Beatingo, RN. Jewel is a second year commerce student at the University of St. Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City. She had her elementary and high school education at the Jack & Jill Castleton High in Victorias City, where the Beatingo family resides. The 18 treasures were given by Annie Toquillo, Segie Beatingo, Rose Ann Beatingo, Fevie Dignadice, Lovely Ann Pomperada, Christine Joy Sarrosa, Yolanda Bimbao, Veneranda Ortono, Joanne Lumawag, Nelita Miravilles, Zenaida Bermjejo, Elma Silava, Analiza Positos, Anatolia Panizales, Angel Grace Abella, Philip Hechanova, Maricel Longno, and Josefina Dignadice. The 18 roses were given by Jefrox B. Beatingo, Efraim B. Beatingo Jr., Dave Lorenz Beatingo, Joelito Bano, Adonis Lumawag Jr., Ariel Lumawag, Janzen Beatingo, Leroy Beatingo, Kevin Beatingo, Alferne Camalis, Renato Sarrosa, John Rey Seballos, Ivan Duran, Christopher John Dahay, John Nicky Palomo, Joshua Atencion, Dan Raphael Pomperada, and Efraim T. Beatingo Sr. The 18 shops were given by Arnel Lobaton, Krizzia Marie Padre, John Paul mSibog, Carmela Quiatchon, James decena, Aimei Trecho, Icis Mae Juridico, Kevin Jacobo, Jemina Acuyong, Charles de la Cruz, Jerry Marcial, Mary Joy Larce, Cyrene Delos Santos, Jose Carlo Obregon, Josel Bandejas, Deve Llanera, Jomill Castillo, and Vianca Joie Publico. The 18 roses were given by Kristine Toquillo, Syrah de Oca, Lyanne Maria Asparen, Donna Angela Arcosa, Ericka Marie Detoyato, Naena Mae Angeles, Emile Kriska Hojilla, Jecah Mae Siruelo, Venus Vanessa Joy Garganera, Hyza Zabala, Pauline Barcelona, Rolyn Claire Postrado, Joanna Pauline Villalon, Claudine Hilasque, Shenna Linga, Carmela Javelosa, Evelyn Joy Cabalfin, and Tacia Lois Dignadice. Invocation was led by Pastor Ruben Tianchon. Intermission numbers were rendered by Mary joy Larce and Jemina Acuyong, and Michael Arcosa and red David Acuyong respectively.

Pasalamat

PASALAMAT. Rice trader Clodualdo M. Lobrido, his wife Ena Lobrido, and family together with employees and families, and guests before festivities during their annual Pasalamat Christmas Party last December 25, 2012 at the Lobrido Residence in 13.5 KM., Bago City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).