THE UNKNOWN & BURIED ROOTS OF MODERN ARNIS By: Maxwell “Max” J. Maun

Maxwell “Max” J. Maun is formerly the Negros Occidental Commissioner for Arnis Philippines, Inc. and is the Founder/Chief Instructor of the Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE). The Bacolod martial arts community recognizes him as a Master of Herada Pigada Arnis. He had studied Aikido, Arnis, Judo/Jujitsu, and Karate.



The history of Arnis/Escrima in the Philippines has posed many controversies, differences, and questions that have remained unresolved until the present times. Incessant bickering, internal strife, and power struggles among practitioners have significantly grown within different styles and even among belonging to the same style because of self serving interests of some practitioners.

I had no intention of adding to this chaos. However, I was compelled to write this article as a response to the piece “Interview with Romy Lisondra” by Datu David Knuttel of Germany which was published in the FMA Digest Vol. 4 No. 4 last 2007. I and the others who know the real story had kept silent for years so not to tarnish, discredit, or destroy the reputation of the late Grandmaster Remegio “Remy” Amador Presas and the Modern Arnis he had left behind as his legacy. But because of the inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the article, I am coming out in the open to straighten the record. A lie mixed with half of the truth and retold several times over will eventually be perceived and accepted as the truth.

This revelation is in no way a disrespect for the interviewer Datu Knuttel, who is only limited by the details given him, and the interviewee Mr. Romy “Bebing” Lisondra[1], who is only limited by second hand information and/or a poor memory.

I am the nephew of the late Philippine Army (PA) Col. Pedro “Pete” P. Doromal Jr. and Philippine Constabulary (PC)[2] Capt. Nelson P. Doromal[3]. They both introduced and guided me in the study of Arnis, Judo, and Jujitsu. With their blessing and encouragement, I learned Aikido in 1978. I have learned from my uncles and their close associates first hand accounts of how Modern Arnis came to be today.

I was an elementary grade pupil at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R)[4] in the 1960s, the same time when Tito[5] Remy Presas was teaching Judo and Karate as PE elective subjects in the university’s college department. My mother’s family and relatives were close friends of the family of Rosemary Pascual, who was the first wife of Tito Remy.

According to Mr. Lisondra,

1. He and his brother Rudy received their black belts in Modern Arnis from GM Presas on December 11, 1964 at the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City .

2. He received his Lakan Apat (4th Degree Black Belt) in Modern Arnis in 1970.

3. It was sometime in 1968 when Modern Arnis was established by GM Presas.

4. In the middle of 1969 and 1970, GM Presas left for Manila and then hired him to go to Manila and assist in teaching Arnis at the National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO).

If Modern Arnis was established in 1968 as stated, how could the Lisondra brothers earn rank in that system on December 11, 1964 or 4 years before it was founded?

If Modern Arnis was established in 1968 as stated, a 4th Degree ranking by 1970 would mean that Mr. Lisondra was given at least two degrees each year, which is quite fast and unusual practice for existing martial arts systems at that time.

If Modern Arnis was established in 1968 as stated, why was the name used National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO) and not Modern Arnis?

Mr. Lisondra also stated that he went back to Bacolod in 1971 while GM Presas stayed in Manila . Why did GM Presas stay in Manila ? Who were the known people associated with GM Presas during that time period? What things transpired from 1969 to the early 1970s in Manila ? On page 52, Mr. Lisondra said that there were two Doromal brothers who joined and studied under GM Presas. Who were these Doromals and what were their backgrounds? Where and with whom were the Doromals associated with? Were the Doromals really students of GM Presas or was it the other way around?

On page 54, Mr. Lisondra said that Col. Pedro P. Doromal Jr., then an ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Course) Corp Commander, a known student leader at West Negros College (WNC)[6], and who had established himself as the best Arnis fighter at that time, challenged Tito Remy Presas, who was said to be only demonstrating his Arnis. He further said that Doromal lost the fight and joined Presas as a student later.

Why would somebody who had a reputation to protect and maintain offer a challenge to someone who is virtually unknown and risk damaging a superior status? Common sense will tell us that any person will try to avoid confrontation and always protect the integrity of a good reputation in an institution where he is regarded as a leader.

Another matter in which Mr. Lisondra had grossly missed is that when he said that the Doromals were practicing Arnis without a system and even made fun of it by calling it Wedo (we do this and we do that). On page 51, Mr. Lisondra admitted that their group was practicing a system of techniques called Corridas that was later renamed to Tapi-Tapi. What then is corridas? How did it become to be called Tapi-Tapi by GM Presas? Who were the original practitioners of Corridas? And most importantly, who were the real originators of Modern Arnis as a system? Who prepared the original manuscipt of the book Modern Arnis? What happened to the original manuscript? These are questions that need clear answers.

To understand and put things in proper perspective and give answers to the several questions, allow me to share a story from the past, which was revealed to me by my uncles and confirmed by many of their associates in the course of my study of Arnis with them.

Let me start in the mid 1960s when I was still an elementary pupil at UNO-R in Bacolod City . Prof. Remegio “Remy” Amador Presas of Hinigaran was employed as college PE instructor at the university, teaching Karate and Judo as PE elective subjects during that time. I would frequent his classes and watch from the sidelines his instructions and sessions. Two of his primary and well known Karate students and junior Instructors at UNO-R were the Sancho twins, Winnie and Willy, with whom I was later closely associated with.

During that period, Prof. Presas was popular and known as a Karate and Judo man, rather than a stickfighting instructor. However, I would see him integrate some stick techniques in some of his instructions as part of their Karate classes. His daughters, Mary Jane and Mary Ann P. Presas, were former classmates of my younger sister in UNO-R during their elementary days.

Just about the same period, I would often get to be with Col. Pedro Doromal Jr. or Tito Pete as we would call him. Tito Pete was by then connected with the Araneta Group of Companies and was the Chief Security Officer of several companies owned by the Progressive Development Corporation (PDC) owned by the Aranetas. He was assigned as the Chief Security Officer of the Bacolod Murcia Milling Co.[7] and Talisay Central Milling Co.

Tito Pete instructed me in Arnis and Judo/Jujitsu. He was later transferred to Manila at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. At that time, I was also attending high school in Manila and had the chance to further my studies with his brother, the late Capt. Nelson P. Doromal. Those sessions were on and off because of the nature of their work assignments. However, during the middle part of 1970, I again got the opportunity to continue my training with them at Cubao, where they would also meet with their other brothers, namely Tito Douglas, Tito Morad, Tito Remy (Doromal), and Col. Robert “Petemax” Doromal, who at that time was connected with the now defunct Presidential Security Group of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, under Maj. Erwin Ver, son of the late AFP Chief-of-Staff Fabian Ver[8].

One late evening after a tiresome day of training, Tito Pete narrated to me that in the 1950s he studied at West Negros College (WNC).and that he stayed at a rented room in Burgos-Cometa St. , which was a walking distance away from the school. During weekends, Tito Pete would go home to his hometown in Barrio Sicaba, Cadiz City , about 50 KM north of Bacolod City .

Tito Pete came from a very large family, most men of which were skilled in stickfighting techniques handed down to them by their late father, Pedro Doromal Sr. Pedro Doromal Sr. is the first degree cousin of my maternal grandfather. This makes Pedro Doromal Jr. and my mother second degree cousins.

According to Tito Pete, the stickfighting system of the Doromals was a fusion of the Sicabanhon style with the Bayoneta Karada of WWII Army Infantryman Benito Agui, who was a known close-in bodyguard of the late Cong. Armin Gustilo, a politician and sugar planter and close ally of then President Marcos.

The Doromals had a particular training drill called Corridas which consisted of a series of patterned strikes and blocks prominently pressing and close quarter, employing hand checking, weapon grabbing, base hitting, and point thrusting. Tito Pete Doromal Jr. taught their brand of Arnis with some his younger brothers, particularly Nelson and Petemax, who later joined the military service. During that early time, they had a core circle of practitioners and propagators coming from the Parreño Clan, who were their maternal cousins.

The Doromals were very cautious on taking on students and closely guarded their following. They would only accept people whom they believe were trustworthy and had good character.

Also about that time, Tito Remy Presas was starting his martial arts career and was extensively training in Judo and Karate, which was gaining some popularity in those years. He tried to join the group of the Doromals but was rejected by some of the members of the core group because they doubted his motives and loyalty to the group. Tito Remy Presas trailed Tito Pete Doromal Jr., persuading him to accept him but he was told that the group was refusing to take him in.

Out of sheer frustration, Tito Remy Presas challenged Tito Pete Doromal Jr. to an Arnis match. Tito Pete had a reputation to protect as corps commander and as an Arnis instructor of repute. He plainly told Presas that the stakes were not that good for him. But Presas was unrelenting and followed Doromal around ceaselessly offering the challenge. Tito Pete finally accepted the challenge when the pressure became unbearable and Presas had gotten his ire. He, however, set three conditions. First, the match will not be in the view of the public and must be done discreetly. Second, both groups were only to bring with them ten of their followings to witness the encounter. Third, to prevent undue injury, one who gets disarmed or dropped his weapon thrice loses the match.

Presas agreed to the conditions and the match was done late evening in a secluded place inside the school campus. Tito Remy Presas was disarmed by Tito Pete thrice and the bout was over in a jiffy. Tito Pete kept mum about the match to protect his and Presas’ reputation. He thought that the matter was already settled but Presas kept tailing him around asking to be mentored and accepted by the group.

One rainy Friday evening, in his boarding house at Burgos-Cometa St. , Tito Pete heard a loud knock at the door. The downpour was heavy. He was surprised to see Tito Remy Presas dripping wet and heavily intoxicated. Again, Presas started pleading to be accepted by the group to learn Arnis from them. Inorder to avoid making a scene and prevent some people to speculate and get the wrong idea of what was happening, Tito Pete told him that he would ask his brothers and his group to accept him just to silence Tito Remy.

Tito Pete requested Tito Remy to leave and meet them the following day at a designated meeting place. A blood compact with the group ensued to seal their bond and loyalty to each other. Tito Remy Presas finally made it as a student of the core circle of the Doromal Group.

Several years after these events, the Doromals started to work on a manual/manuscript to be used as a standard guide for Arnis instruction for the academe. Tito Nelson Doromal, the primary proponent of the project, drew sketches of the techniques and outlines of instruction for the purpose of presenting it to educational institutions. The manual/manuscript was a joint effort of seven people in which three were from the Doromals, two from the Parreños, another being a priest, and the last one a trusted member of the group. The group would meet frequently to discuss the development and evolvement of the presentation of the said manual/manuscript for Arnis.

At first, the content of the manuscript was coined as “Automatic Stick Fencing” and was not given its final name (today it is better known as Herada Pigada). During the later part of the manual’s development, Tito Remy Presas offered and suggested that it would be best if the book was to be presented in Tagalog, the National Language of the Philippines . This was to put some nationalistic essence on its presentation. His wife, Rosemary Pascual Presas, was a Pilipino[9] subject teacher and he offered for her to translate it to Tagalog. Remy Presas was able to convince the group and was entrusted to borrow the original manuscript to have it translated by his wife.

Unfortunately, the original manuscript never came back to the group. During the early 1970s, Tito Remy Presas stayed in Manila to take up his Master’s Degree in Physical Education at the Philippine Normal University and this was about the same time when he met some influential people who played a vital role in the publication of a book entitled Modern Arnis in 1974, which consisted of about 80% of the original manuscript he had borrowed but did not return. The remainder was based on the teachings of his other teacher, Grandmaster Rodolfo Mongcal of Balintawak Escrima.

There were also other things revealed to me by my uncles which I personally believe should not go public and must be kept and buried inorder not to destroy the legacy of today’s Modern Arnis. It is best kept in secret to preserve the good memories of Col. Pedro “Pete” P. Doromal Jr., Capt. Nelson P. Doromal, and Prof. Remegio “Remy” A. Presas. These three people are no longer with us today. They have worked hard and gave their share and sacrificed much to develop Arnis for the academe and education. It is only a sad thing that there were people left out and were not given due recognition for their contributions.

There are still people alive today who know the story and could vouch for its authenticity. Mr. Julio Euraba and Col. Atty. GM Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., of Talisay City, Negros Occidental are just two of them. I would rather not mention the names of the other people to respect their privacy. However, I could easily refer anyone who wishes to check with them in private.

I once asked my late uncle Col. Pedro “Pete” Doromal Jr. why did they not do anything to confront Remy Presas, His reply was, “The others did try but it made things worse and widen the rift that people could no longer see each other eye to eye. I told my brothers to let it be and let it go, the ball has started rolling for Modern Arnis. Eventually, it will stop and the accounting will begin sooner or later.”

Let me again say that I am not putting anyone into the bad light. I am merely correcting an error which has continued for decades. Let history be right and truth prevail about modern arnis. Mabuhay ang lahing Filipino! Mabuhay ang Arnis!

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[1] Romy “Bebing” Lisondra and his brother Rudy Lisondra head the National Judo Karate Jujitsu Association (NAJUKAJU-A) based in Bacolod and Iloilo Cities respectively. Romy Lisondra is primarily known as a Karate instructor in the Bacolod martial arts community and is now retired from teaching after losing his sight from diabetes which was aggravated by alcohol intake.

[2] A now defunct section of the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP). Most of its former members and personnel were absorbed by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Others opted to join the regular armed forces, particularly the Philippine Army (PA).

[3] Capt. Nelson P. Doromal had trained several personalities in Arnis such as 1970s movie producer Levi Ignacio, 1970/1980s action star and martial artist Ernie “The Samurai” Ortega, and action star Bernard “Palos” Bonin among others. Capt. Nelson P. Doromal has also been assigned as Camp Commander of Camp Catañeda , Tagaytay and PROVOST Marshal for Region 6 of the now defunct PC Command.

[4] The first university in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

[5] Tito is a title of respect which roughly translates to “uncle” and used to call biological uncles and non-relatives but older in age. In the Filipino culture, it is bad manners to call somebody older by their first name. Tita is the feminine form of Tito.

[6] Now known as the West Negros University (WNU). It become the third university in Bacolod and Negros Occidental in 2008.

[7] Presently leased by Lopingco of Noah’s Ark.

[8] Also the first President of the National Arnis Association of the Philippines (NARAPHIL), then the Government recognized National Governing Body of Sport Arnis in the Philippines .

[9] Pilipino was the accepted spelling at that time but was later changed to Filipino when letters from the Western alphabet were introduced into the native alpabeto.

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.