Is Original Filipino Tapado Dead? by Robie Lobrido

Word in the US is spreading that Original Filipino Tapado is already dead in Negros , its place of birth, simply because its Founder is already dead. I think the record needs to be straightened and the truth be known.

First, I’d like to introduce myself. I am Robie P. Lobrido, 30 years of age, the daughter of Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido and Rosenda Pelarion Lobrido, both of Prk. Langka, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City , Negros Occidental.

Early this year, I got back to Bacolod from Cebu . I rode on a car-for-rent from the airport to my home. The driver, who was from Abuanan, started a conversation with me while his balikbayan boss was just listening. When I said I was going home to Taloc, the driver asked me if I was related to the Mamar and Lobrido Clans, who were reknowned in the area for being adepts at the long stickfighting art of Original Filipino Tapado. I told him that I was indeed related to them and that my father now heads the system.

At that point, the owner of the car-for-rent, who introduced himself as Mr. Jojo Apelyido, a balikbayan from Chicago , USA , joined the conversation. He told me that he went to a martial arts gym in his area, looking for Original Filipino Tapado but he was told that the system is already dead because its Founder is already dead. He said he left unconvinced and thought that he might be able to find something when he get back to Bacolod although he didn’t know where to start because he didn’t know anyone who can point him to the right direction.

I was surprised at Mr. Apelyido’s pronouncement. I told him that the one who told him that might not have the slightest idea of what he was talking about or that he just got the wrong information.

I told Mr. Apelyido that the late Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar, or simply Teo Nono for us who were his family, founded the indigenous Bagoueño long stickfighting art Original Filipino Tapado. My Tatay (father), Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido, is the nephew of Teo Nono and was designated by him as the only Chief Instructor of his art until his death in 2005.

I informed Mr. Apelyido that Tatay started training in Original Filipino Tapado under Teo Nono when he was just 10 years old. That was way back in 1960, the same year the system was founded by Teo Nono. Me and my sisters would giggle when Tatay would tell us that at that time he was still wearing a puroy (shorts) and that at times had difficulty keeping hold of the big sticks for they were bigger than his hands.

Actually, my Tatay’s introduction to Arnis was when he was 9 years old. He had three professors, two of whom taught Oido de Caburata, a precursor art to Original Filipino Tapado. The other one taught him an empty handed style of Arnis. Oido de Caburata was an innovation of the methodo styles of Arnis existing at that time. It is primarily a solo baston style but with a much longer stick than the usual Arnis, at about 32”.

Tatay assisted Teo Nono in teaching his students. When he was about 11 or 12 years old, he was the tig-sparring (feeder of attacks) to the students of Teo Nono who were much older and bigger than him. Tatay is not physically big so Teo Nono taught him how to properly handle the power behind the students’ strikes while feeding. Tatay went on to develop his skills in feeding using one hand against much larger students holding bigger sticks with both hands with instructions to hit with their strongest.

Even before the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stickfighting Association (OFTLSFA) was formed in the mid 1980s, Teo Nono had already designated Tatay as the Chief Instructor of his art. Of course, there were others who also assisted Teo Nono in his teaching, especially those outside of Bago, such as his cousin Teo Turing Mamar, who was a winner of several challenge matches pitting Original Filipino Tapado against other styles of Arnis.

During those times, challenge matches were the norm among Arnis teachers. Original Filipino Tapado, being a new art, had its fair share of these “duels.” There is no record of the exact number of duels with which Original Filipino Tapado was tested by adapts from other styles and systems although as a child I often overheard many stories from the oldies of the Mamar and Lobrido Clans of how so and so fought so and so Teo Turing and Tatay had their fair share of these fights. Of course, there were gentlemanly fights and there were also grudge fights.

I told Mr. Apelyido that Tatay now heads Original Filipino Tapado and actively preserves and continues the legacy and teachings of Teo Nono. The Mamar and Lobrido Clans, represented by the Founder’s son Romeo “Tokong” Mamar Jr., designated Tatay as the 1st Generation Inheritor/Current Grandmaster of Original Filipino Tapado during the internment of Teo Nono, which was attended by Tapadistas (Tapado practitioners) from Bago, Bacolod , and San Carlos Cities . Turnover pictures can be seen at http://oftlsfai.blogspot.com.

The truth is Original Filipino Tapado is very much alive in Negros today, more than ever. And it has become more exposed more often to the public. The local newspapers and magazines, TV, radio, the internet, and many martial arts events have featured the art and the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. in more recent times.

Original Filipino Tapado has been featured in the Vol. 51 No. 17 March 2008 issue of The Spectrum, the official publication of the University of St. La Salle (USLS), as well as several issues of the national level Rapid Journal published by Mr. Daniel Go of Binondo. Local newspapers in Bacolod and Iloilo had published activities of Original Filipino Tapado. The latest TV appearances of Original Filipino Tapado were with ABS CBN, the Philippines ’ largest broadcasting network, last July 2008. Original Filipino Tapado activities can be read at http://oftlsfai.blogspot.com and http://visayanfilipinomartialarts.blogspot.com; and videos at youtube.com (search for Original Filipino Tapado).

Time flew so fast. Before we knew it, I was already home. I invited Mr. Apelyido to come in and meet Tatay in person. Both of them had a long chat over hot cups of coffee, as was customary in our place. Mr. Apelyido went home satisfied knowing that Original Filipino Tapado was indeed alive in Negros .

It makes me wonder why these kind of baseless rumors crop up. The best I can come up with is to speculate. I want to get upset but Tatay told me to just leave it at that, anyway we don’t teach in the US except for a few members who are living there. I just smiled back at him. “Remember, the duty of our family is to preserve the art and legacy of Teo Nono for those who wish to learn and are worthy of it in the next generation rather than to make Original Filipino Tapado everybody’s cup of tea in the martial arts community. As long as I, our family, and our practtitioners are alive, Teo Nono’s Original Filipino Tapado will always be alive, that’s a promise,” Tatay added.

TANOD M.A. TRAINING @ LA CASTELLANA HELD by James U. Sy, Jr.

25 barangay tanods underwent a 1-day intensive Martial Arts training last August 19, 2008 at the La Castellana Municipal Hall, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

The training was organized and facilitated by P/Insp. Teddy Velez, chief of the La Castellana Police Station.

Trainors were Masters Luciano “Nick” Montoya and Jonathan “Kano” Montoya and 1st Class Black belt Alonzo Articulo of the Murcia Martial Arts Center (MMAC).

Master Nick, 5th Degree Black belt, is the Founder/Chief Instructor of the Murcia Martial Arts Center (MMAC). He started his training under his relative Elmer V. Montoyo at the Hiraken Karate-do of the late Master George A. Gargalicano and was later endorsed to Master Casimiro “Chingi” Grandeza, Founder/Chief Instructor of the White Kimono Club and the acknowledged “Father of Karate in Negros”. The Hiraken Karate-do.

Master Nick organized the Murcia White Kimono Club as a chapter club of Master Grandeza’s organization and was later renamed to the Murcia Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan when GM Grandeza adopted Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan and introduced it to the Philippines. GM Grandeza trained under the Founder Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee in Korea in the 1960s with the support and endorsement of the Bacolod City Government.

Master Nick’s Club was renamed to the Murcia Martial Arts Center (MMAC) in late 2007 when its license carry expired. Today, MMAC maintains cordial relationships with GM Grandeza’s Philippine Soo Bahk Do organization andGM Montoyo’s Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FILTSD), Inc. MMAC is a memer of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS).

MMAC had produced many medallists and champions in Tang Soo Do, Karate, Kickboxing, and Taekwondo over the years, most notably Master Kano Montoya who once reigned as National Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Grand champion.

The trainors taught various methods of arresting techniques to the barangay tanods to make them more efficient at apprehending suspects without injuring them in consonance with their constitutional rights.

Arresting techniques makes apprehensions less violent and more orderly by the manipulation of the joints in the extremities of the suspect. Pressure is applied by hyper extending the joint or by twisting it beyond its full range of motion. The intense pain pacifies an otherwise violent suspect, making it easier to bring him to custody.

P/Insp. Velez was happy with the outcome of the training and plans to organize the same for his men at the La Castellana Police Station in the near future.

LAPU-LAPU VINAS ARNIS TAUGHT @ CNC by James U. Sy, Jr.

181 reserve Officers Training corps (ROTC) cadets/cadettes from Central Negros College (CNC) and Tanon College (TC) was formally introduced to the indigenous Bacoleno art of Lapulapu Vinas Arnis during the 1st CNC/TC ROTC Arnis Training Seminars last August 17, 2008, 1-4 p.m., at the CNC Quadrangle, Central Negros College, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

The training was organized by ROTC Tactical Officer M/Sgt. Ricardo Panunciar, Jr., Philippine Army R6eserve (PAR). Featured instructor was Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay of the San Carlos Jungle Fighters martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) and Centralian fighters Martial arts club (CEFIMAC).

M/Sgt. Ricardo Panunciar, Jr. is the brother of Founder/Chief Instructor Ricarido Panunciar of the Roaring Panther Self Defense Society (RPSDS) and Musang Taekwondo Brotherhood (MTB). F/CI Panunciar, 4th degree Black belt and F/CI Mamugay, 3rd degree Black Belt, are both affiliated with the Combat Taekwondo club (CTC) of Lt. Col. (Ret) Master Epifanio Mercado.

M/Sgt. Panunciar had the training as part of the cadets/cadettes Self Defense Course.

F/CI Mamugay learned Lapulapu Vinas Arnis from Founder/Master James U. Sy, Jr. of the Bacolod based Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., who in turn learned from Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Vinas and the late GM Dominador “Doming” Ferrer, the son and the student of the late Founder/GM Jose “joe” Vinas (1906-1991) respectively.

The Lapulapu Vinas Arnis Mamugay learned was a segment of the Conceptual Martial Arts System being taught by Sy which includes concepts from other Filipino and Asian martial Arts and personally designed to fit Mamugay’s own background of Karate, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Western boxing, and Wushu Sanshou.

Course outline was 1) system description, 2) evasive footwork, 3) 7 basic strikes, 4) block no. 1, 5) disarming, 6) knife defense, 7) stick defense, and 8) empty hand skills.

Mamugay was the first to teach Lapulapu Vinas Arnis in a school in San Carlos City. He had previously taught barangay tanods in his locality.

CONCEPTUAL M.A. SEMINAR HELD by James U. Sy, Jr.

The Riverside Do Club under its President Jared Lagahit, and Founders/Consultants Kenneth Lee O. Materum and Gelkof Calmerin successfully hosted the 4th Conceptual Approach to reality-based Self defense Seminar “Striking Dynamics” last August 19 and 21, 2008 at the riverside do club Dojo, 2/F college Quadrangle, riverside college, Dr. Pablo O. Torre St., Bacolod City.

A Total of 14 club members attended, mostly from the Nursing department and mostly women.

Featured instructor was James U. Sy, Jr., founder/President of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.

Sy, who is a certified Master of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) under 6 grandmasters, taught the 4 hours seminar presenting his Conceptual Martial Arts System, which is a synthesis of his 22 years study of the various Martial arts. Conceptual Martial Arts is a system of training where the different styles of the Martial Arts can be studied and applied as a composite methodology based on concepts rather than on techniques. Its foundation is the Filipino Martial art of Arnis, with technical and cultural influences from other Asian and western martial traditions.

8 fundamental techniques and some variations were taught including jab, straight cross, and hook from Western and Filipino boxing, finger jab from Jeet Kune do, palm strike from long ying quan, front and roundhouse kicks from Kimdo and Filipino Tang Soo Do, palm heel strike from Karate, front knee from arnis and Muay Thai, and arm bar from Judo. These very simple techniques were then applied on multiple self defense situations and as set up for the various Aikido techniques that club members are already familiar with.

The riverside Do Club, the first martial arts campus club to be recognized by the riverside college, was founded by Kenneth Lee O. Materum (BSN batch 2007) of Kyokan Dojo, and Greavinci “Vince” Tronco (BSPT batch 2005) and Gelkoff “geff” Calmerin (BSN batch 2006) of the Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE). Because of its Founders’ affiliations, the Riverside do club operates under the guidance of both Kyokan dojo and BAE.

The Riverside do club previously hosted Sy on September 21, 2006 and January 9 and 23, 2007 for the first three seminars.

Club members who attended includes Janevave Valderrama, Dindo Legaspi, Gelkoff Calmerin, Sherlyn Sandico , Elvin Moreno, Ivone Bantayan, Kenneth Lee Materum, Sheena Rose Tales, Philippe Santander, Jennifer Severino , Jared Mark Lagahit , Leah Somontina , Karlo Jereza Catalan, Tahraya Nichole Johnson, Andrew Garbanzos , Marian Ledesma ,
Kyra Lopez , Ryan Carrido , Glaiza de la Cruz, Shery Ann de la Cruz , Ann Reyel Iligan II , and Denise del Rosario.

TABIMINA BALINTAWAK USA SEMINAR SET

Announcement by: Gabriel Rafael of Eskrima Digest

WHERE: Hayward Martial Arts 1024 B St., Suite 1, Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 967-2688 www.haywardmartialarts.net

WHEN: September 20, 2008 1 to 5 PM Saturday

FEES: $60.00 PREPAY ONLY by September 16, 2008. Payable to: Tabimina Balintawak USA. Mail to: Tabimina Balintawak USA, 68 Barnes Lane, Fremont, CA 94536. Spectator Fees: $10.00 a person prepay Only (also limited).

NOTE: The number of seminar participants are limited (FIRST COME – FIRST SERVE). Send payment early to reserve your spot for the seminar.

ATTIRE: Comfortable clothes, non-marking shoes, or wrestling shoes.

NO VIDEO TAPING ALLOWED.

JACOB WINS PRO DEBUT FIGHT By: James U. Sy Jr.

Reynalyn “Ren-Ren” Consejo Jacob of Bacolod City , 16, fought and won her Pro Boxing debut at the “Laban na Banal” last July 26, 2008 at the New Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City .

Jacob defeated Brenda Shaylor of Las Vegas , Nevada via unanimous decision in a 57 Kg. 4-round special attraction bout. Coaching Jacob was Joery C. Amante of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main).

In the main card, WBA No. 3 AJ “Bazooka” Banal of the ALA Gym, 19, was doing well in the first few rounds until he was KOed by WBA no. 6 Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion of Panama with a right punch to the face in the 10th round. Banal was defeated for the first time in his Pro Boxing career and lost the bid to become the third youngest Filipino to win a world title, next to Morris East and Ben Villaflor. With the loss of Banal, Manny Pacquiao stays as the third youngest. Concepcion became the new WBA Interim Super Flyweight Champion.

Jacob was fresh from her first national-level Boxing outing during the PLDT-Smart National Open Youth and Women’s Amateur Boxing Championships last May 3-10, 2008 at Robinson’s Place Iloilo, where she got the silver.

Barely a month before that, she was crowned champion of the Sanshou Senior Women’s 56 Kg. category during the 2008 Philippine National Wushu Championships on April 15-16, 2008 at the Music Hall, SM, Mall of Asia. Jacob won by 2nd round TKO.

Jacob started her involvement in the Martial Arts on September 26, 2004, starting with Sipa Sumbag and Sanshou under Chief Instructor Joery C. Amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) in Bacolod City . Since then Jacob had fought in Bacolod , Bago, Hinigaran, Iloilo , Manila , San Carlos , and Victorias .

Jacob was crowned champion of the Juniors Women’s 53 Kg. category of the 3rd Iloilo National Wushu Sanshou Championships (January 25, 2006) and the 2006 negros Island Wushu Sanshou Eliminations. She took the silver during the 2007 Philippine National Wushu Championships.

Jacob is the daughter of Dante P. Jacob and Melody C. Jacob and is a proud member of the intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) thru the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main).

Laban na Banal was promoted by ALA Promotions of Antonio L. Aldeguer in cooperation with ABS-CBN and Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

MAP-NEG. OCC./IFFMAS GETS POF MUAY BRONZE By: James U. Sy Jr.

Muay Association of the Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter (MAP-Neg. Occ.), with funding support from the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) and a few generous private patrons brought home a bronze medal from the Muay Thai event of the 3rd Philippine Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games hled last July 24, 2008 at the Sibulan Gym, Municipality of Sibulan, Oriental Negros.

Reynold Baylon of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc., representing MAP-Neg. Occ., fought a good fight against Romnick Carbellido of Dumaguete in the Flyweight (48-51 kg.) category but had to yield the championship bout to his foe on points. Cabellido battled Philip Delarmino of Iloilo in the finals. The Iloilo bet was crowned champion in the weight class.

Baylon, who was fighting his first Muay Thai bout, was personally trained by Master Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr. under the supervision of PIMAA-FTSDA Founder/Preesident and IFFMAS President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo. Baylon previously won a Sipa Sumbag match during the 1st Brgy. Taloc Martial Arts Showdown last April 20, 2007 in Bago City,

GM Montoyo, the Muay Thai representative of the now inactive Bacolod City Sports Council (BCSC), accompanied Baylon to the competition. Master Montoyo wasn’t able to go due to time constraints with his job and his part time teaching responsibilities at PIMAA-FTSDA and Mega Boxing where he teaches Filipino Tang Soo Do and Muay Thai respectively.

Baylon is the first Bacoleño and Negrosanon from Negros Occidental to win a medal in the Philippine Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games since its inception. Although Baylon is a native of Bacolod City, he donned the banner of Negros Occidental instead.

“Our campaign in the POF Muay Thai competition almost did not push through because of the absence of support from the City of Bacolod. MAP-Neg. Occ. had to use out of the pocket funding and solicitations from generous private patrons and allied organizations from the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) just to be able to send a skeleton team to the POF,” revealed GM Montoyo.

Those who funded the trip include Chiefmate Erodgie O. Sepe, Kho, Filipino Tang Soo Do Black Belt Franklin Tabino of Los Angeles, USA, Rommel Moyani, Theresa “Tess” Libo-on, and Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.

“Muay Thai may be new to some but there is already a Bacoleño world champion in Muay Thai in the person of Vince Soberano, who fought and won in Thailand. I believe it is a sport where Negrosanons can excel in,” added GM Montoyo.

Officials present during the Muay Thai competition were MAP President Kru Roberto B. Valdez, Mildred Quitcho of MAP-Kabankalan, Nelson Vargas of MAP-Tagbilaran, MAP National Coordinator Dong Sarmiento, and host MAP Visayas and Region 7 Head Ike Xavier S. Villaflores of Dumaguete City.

MAP-Dumaguete of Kru Villaflores and MAP-Kabankalan of Kru Mildred Quitcho will be holding muay Thai tournaments this coming November and 2008 and January 2009 respectively and had invited MAP-Neg. Occ. to send entries.

Muay Thai as taught by the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) was introduced to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental by Kru Villaflores during the 1st MAP Negros Occidental Muay Boran Instructors Course on Jun 18-19, 2005 at the Group K Complex, Bacolod City.