What Lent Really Means By James U. Sy Jr.

Published in the March 31, 2010 issue of the Negros Daily Bulletin p.10 http://www.ndb-online.com/mar3110/negros-events-and-leisure/What-Lent-Really-Means+



Rev. Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, SSP, (left) with James U. Sy Jr.

It’s Holy Week again. For most of us who work hard to earn a living, it means at least two days of rest. For some, it’s a time to go to Boracay or any of the other beautiful resorts scattered all over the Philippine archipelago. But do we, as Christians who live in the only Catholic nation in Asia, ask ourselves what is the real meaning and essence of the Holy Week? Lent is the best time to ponder on this thought.

For me, th inspiration to reconsider and contemplate came early on last Sunday, March 28, 2010, while I was watching the TV Healing Mass of the River of Living Water Catholic Community broadcasted over at Studio 23. It was my girlfriend who first introduced me to this TV mass, which is especially intended for people who can not leave their homes because of illness or some other disabilities.
The primary celebrant of the TV mass is Iloilo native Rev. Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite of the Society of St. Paul (SSP). There were also times when other priests conducted the mass. Last year, the mass showed the biggest gathering of religious leaders from all over the Philippines, celebrating mass and praying together for the betterment of our society and nation. The River of Living Water Healing Mass is held every Sunday at the SM Chapel, 5th Level of the SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City.

The gospel for that particular Sunday, which happened to be Palm Sunday, was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This fact has always been taught in Religious Studies in school but we seem to forget rather easily.

They showed a very beautiful but sad video clip about The Train Man, a story of a bridge master. A bridge master is one who controls mechanically the bridge rail by which the train passes on. This bridge master has a son, a little boy, who loves to watch trains and the people who travel in it. The people who ride the train were quite varied. There were those who were lonely, selfish, addicted, confused, etc.

One day, the bridge master raised the bridge. His son was nearby fishing when the boy saw that the train was fast approaching. He shouted to his father and started running towards the bridge. In the boy’s haste, he fell down on the lower part of the bridge where both sides of the bridge are connected with the pull of a lever.

The father panicked. The train was already near. He had two choices, to save his son and let all the passengers of the train die or to pull down the lever and save the passengers but crash his son’s small body under the reconnecting bridge in the process. With much hesitation, the father pulled down the lever. He ran to where the body of his son lay lifeless. As the train passed by, its passengers were never aware of the second life given them by the sacrifice of the son’s life.

The short video clip ends with the father crying in great pain, carrying the lifeless body of his little boy. I just couldn’t contain myself and I burst in tears.

The passengers in the train represent all of us sinners. We are indifferent and don’t care so long as we can go on with our own lives. We tend to think only of where we want to go, as much as the passengers look forward towards their destination, and almost all except for one noticing the grieving father.


The boy who was sacrificed by the father symbolized Jesus Christ. He saved us all but we tend to look away and watch at other things, ignoring the sacrifice He made for us to be reborn.

Fr. Sobrejuanite was right when he stressed that Christ’s sacrifice for us should be the center of our Holy Week. In our busy life where we work hard to earn for our family we often neglect this.

Words could just do so much. Nothing compares to watching the clip. The clip was really effective in embedding into the hearts of the viewers the real essence of the Holy Week. It is for us to be grateful to God for saving us all inspite of our sins and imperfection and to always strive to live the way He wanted us to. The first step in doing so is to accept him as one’s personal savior.

I highly encourage everyone to watch the River of Living Water Catholic Community TV Healing Mass every Sunday at Studio 23. God’s word will inspire you and enrich your life.

Brown Grabs Vacant WBA Women’s Super BW Title By: James U. Sy Jr.

WIBA and IFBA world champion Lisa "Bad News" Brown (B: 1971) of Canada bloodied IBA-WBO Champion Filipina-American Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton of Daly City, California, United States to get a 10-round unanimous decision victory (99-92, 99-91 and 100-91) and to grab the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) female super bantamweight title at the Ramble at the Rama XI last March 27, 2010, Saturday, at the Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario, Canada.

Julaton fought valiantly but Brown was more experienced, is a southpaw fighter, and likes to move forward. Brown's KO percentage is not that high at 20.83% but she has boxed a total of 170 rounds. She turned pro with a 26-6 amateur record under her belt,

Brown's record now stands at 17-4-3 5 KO. Julaton is now 6-2-1 1 KO.

Steve Molitor of Canada regained the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight title by defeating Takalani Ndlovu via unanimous decision. Neven Pajkic defeated Greg Kilesa via unanimous decision to snatch the Canadian heavyweight crown.

St-Pierre Dominates Hardy in UFC 111 By: James U. Sy Jr.

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (B: 1981) of Canada successfully defended his crown against Dan Hardy (B: 1982) of England via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, and 50-45) in the main event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 111 on March 27, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey, USA.

GSP prevented Hardy from using his notorious left hook by taking him down early on at the start of the fight and all throughout the fight. He took Hardy down at will and dominated him different submission attempts that include Americana (Figure 4 armlock), arm bars (juji gatame), Kimura (hammer lock), and leglocks. GSP applied a very tight armlock at the end of the 1st round and a Kimura in the 4th round that would have made an average fighter tap. Hardy did not tap even if his arm was stretched to the limit. GSP is now 20-2 8 KO.

GSP, inspite of hi success in the octagon, has always stayed humble, unlike many mixed martial artists who display undesirable attitude or showboating when winning. He always give respect and credit to his opponents.

Georges St-Pierre first studied Kyokushin, a style of Karate founded by the legendary Oyama Masutatsu of Japan, under his father when he was 7 and later under a master of the art. When his Karate sensei died, GSP took up Western Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Western Boxing. He trained at the Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York City, earned his brown belt from Renzo Gracie on July 21, 2006 and his black belt from Bruno Fernandes iIn September 2008.

GSP at 16 fought as a pure Kyokushin Karate fighter in his amateur MMA debut against a 25 year old boxer. He threw several low leg kicks before knocking out his opponent with a kick to the head. He KOed Branden Macfadden in the first round of his pro MMA debut. St-Pierre was the Universal Combat Challenge (UCC) champion and successfully defended his crown twice before he made his UFC debut at UFC 46.

St-Pierre trained with Rashad Evans, Nathan Marquardt, Keith Jardine, and Donald Cerrone among others Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting Gaidojutsu school in New Mexico. Currently, he trains in Muay Thai under Phil Nurse at the Wat in New York City.

GSP is now ranked as one of the top pound for pound fighters by multiple MMA sources and as the No. 1 welterweight in the world by multiple MMA publications.

Jonathan “Jon” Parker Fitch (B: 1978) of the USA defeated Jeet Kune Do fighter Ben Saunders via unanimous decision. Fitch was supposed to fight Thiago Alves but two days before the fight Alves was excluded in the fight card because of a brain irregularity that showed up on a pre fight CAT scan. Fitch replaced Jake Ellenberger as the opponent of Saunders.

Fitch might be the next challenger for GSP. He challenged GSP for his UFC welterweight title at UFC 87 but lost. His lost to GSP lost his chance to tie Anderson Silva's UFC record winning streak of 9. Before he fought GSP his winning streak equaled that of 3 time UFC champion Royce Gracie of Brazil.

Undefeated Shane Carwin (B: 1975) of the USA lived up to his reputation of finishing all his opponents in the 1st round by knocking out former UFC heavyweight champion Francisco "Frank" Santos Mir III (B: 1979) at 3:48 of the 1st round, improving his MMA record to 12-0 7 KO and claiming the UFC interim heavyweight championship title. The loss, which left Mir 13-5 2 KO, cost him the opportunity to redeem against UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar who manhandled him at1:48 of the 2nd round of their bout at UFC 100. Carwin was the Ring of Fire heavyweight champion before he signed up with the UFC.

Carwin will next go up against titleholder Brock Lesnar. During the post fight interview inside the octagon, Lesnar told Carwin that what he had was not the real belt and the real is with Lesnar. Carwin’s reply was he can’t agree less that’s why he didn’t to fight Lesnar next.

In other bouts, Matt Riddle over Greg Soto via 3rd round disqualification due to illegal upkick. Jared Hamman over Rodney Wallace via unanimous decision. Rousimar Palhares over Tomasz Drwal via 1st round submission (heel hook). Ricardo Almeida over Matt Brown via 2nd round submission (rear-naked choke). Nate Diaz over Rory Markham via 1st round TKO. Jim Miller over Mark Bocek via unanimous decision. Jon Fitch over Ben Saunders via unanimous decision. Kurt Pellegrino over Fabricio Camoes via 2nd round submission (rear-naked choke).

Yap Fraternity Bacolod Inaugurated By: James U. Sy Jr.

Foudner/Teacher Peter John Lloren Yap Yan-Lin Sifu (center front) leading members of the Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod (TCCB) in performing the Tai Chi Chuan 24 simplified and 37 Chen Man-Ching forms during the 2010 Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc. National Convention and Inauguration & Induction of the Officers of its Bacolod Chapter last March 31, 2010 at the Planta Hotel, Araneta St., Bacolod City (TCCB photo).

The 2010 Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc. National Convention and the Inauguration & Induction of the Officers of its Bacolod Chapter was successfully hosted by its local chapter last March 31, 2010, 7:00-10:00 PM, at the Planta Hotel, Araneta St., Bacolod City.

The 2010 Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc. is a family association organized to bring together long lost members of the Yap clan here in the Philippines. Currently, there are four chapters of the fraternity: the mother chapter in Manila, Cebu Chapter, Iloilo Chapter, and Bacolod Chapter. These chapters meet annually.

The roots of the Yap clan are well documented. What was handed down was a story about the great General Shen (Sim in Fukienese) who was awarded the fiefdom of Yeh in 525 BC. Yeh “The Leaf (Mandarin)" was so named because it was the vegetable capital of the then ruling dynasty. Through the generations, the Yaps had become in part a noble name. General Yap Hui (Yeh Fei), a Philippine-born Chinese but went back to China during the World War, was a prominent hero of the People's Republic.

The surname Yap comes in several renditions in the different Chinese dialects: Ee, Giap (Vietnamese), Ip, Yap (Fukien), Yee, Yeh (Mandarin), and Yip (Cantonese/Macau). Wing Chun Kung Fu Grandmaster Yip (Ip) Man of Hong Kong, the famed teacher of martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, and General Vo Nguyen Giap, the head of the Vietnamese army who defeated the French and Americans and the Defense Minister after unification, are two prominent members of the Yap clan.

Yap Tian Kian of the Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc.-Iloilo Chapter requested his nephew, Peter John Lloren Yap Yan-Lin (B: 1944), the son of his brother Ramon Yap Tian See, to organize the Bacolod Chapter of the association when the latter went back to Bacolod in the late 1980s. Peter Yap started it as a satellite group for the association in Bacolod, with him, Roger Yap, and John Yip Eng Won as the pioneer members.

The Manila Chapter of the Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc. encouraged the group to formalize itself as a separate chapter as early as ten years ago. The formalization and inauguration of the Bacolod Chapter finally came to fruition this year.

Inducted officers of the Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc.-Bacolod Chapter were John Yip Eng Won (President), Johnny Yap, Roger Yap, Eddie Yap, and Henry Sayat (Vice Presidents), Jose Co (Secretary), and Arthur Yap (Treasurer). Chapter Founded Peter Jon L. Yap was named Cam See Tiu (Oversight Committee Chairman). The chapter currently has 20 members. Inducting Officer was Thomas Yap Lai Seng, President of the Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc.-Manila Chapter.

The Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod (TCCB), the oldest recorded existing Tai Chi Chuan group in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental (founded: 2000), gave a presentation of the Tai Chi Chuan 24 simplified form and 37 Chen Man-Ching form. Only TCCB practices the 37-step form in Bacolod as of now.

The Tai Chi Chuan "Grand Ultimate Fist" demonstration was led by TCCB Foudner/Teacher Peter John Lloren Yap Yan-Lin Sifu. TCCB members who performed were Pepe Chiu, Cathy Friend, Guillermo “Bill” Gomez, Ianna Gomez, Bob Jereza, Pepito Khey, Humberto “Toti” Lim Jr., Albino Pasilan, and Jose Uy Jr.

The Yap Fraternity Philippines, Inc.-Bacolod Chapter has earned its distinction as the 11th Chinese family association in Bacolod. The other Chinese family associations are Ang-King Family Association (Negros Occidental Liok Kui Fraternity), Ho Family Association, Liat San Group, Negros Occ. Che Yong Cua Chua Family Association, Ong Family Association (Tai Guan Tong), Philippine Liong Tek Fraternity Bacolod Chapter (Go Family Association), Philippine Long Se Lee Family Association-Neg. Occ. Chapter, Se Ho Lim Association, Tan Family Association, and Uy Kang Ha Association.

10th Sikaran Festival & 52nd National Sikaran Championships to be Held By: james U. Sy Jr.

The 10th Sikaran Festival and the 52nd National Championship International Tournament will be held by the Philippine Lightning Speed Hampakan Sikaran School of Martial Arts and Boxing Association on March 27 to 28, 2010 at the Heritage Plaza, Baras, Rizal.

8 Aklanon champions of last year’s tournament will defend their titles under the leadership of Western Visayas Sikaran Director PA Captain Wilfredo Nicolas, 4th Degree Black Belt.

The defending Aklanon champions are Jose Doromal (Middleweight), Freddie Jizmundo Jr (Lighweight), Zandro Fred Jizmundo Sr. (Junior Lightweight Black Belt); Jestivo Julian (Welterweight), Jenny Milloroso (Lightweight), Mutya Nallas (Middleweight), Kennedy Patrico (Heavyweight), and Joshua Yamog (Light Heavyweight).

Other Aklanons who will see action in the tournament are Jezreel Barrientos, Philip Colas, Jess Dela Cruz, John Benex Ebesate, Churchill Gumboc, Meljoy De Juan, Leo Loyola, Donald Maayon, Sandro Maayon, John Rey Patricio, Ian Refulgente, Mechelle Taytayon, Ciara Mae Yupano, and Myrelle Zita.

7th CEFIMAC Assembly held By: James U. Sy Jr.

The 7th Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club (CEFIMAC) Annual Assembly was held last March 13, 2010 at the CNC Industrial Center, Central Negros College (CNC), San Carlos City.

Newly elected officers for SY 2010-2011 were Aldrin despi (President), Jovanie Macwel (VP), Geann Rosalejos (Secretary), Rochelle Tayong (Treasurer), Steven Bolatar (Auditor), Wendell Ramas (PIO), Neil Avila and Richard Amante (Sgt. at Arms), Jeneza Caballero (Muse), and Jean Cadallo, Kenneth Cubero, Charlie Lagdamin, Rhea Padillo, John Paul Pasillo, Meryl Pasinabo, Jestonie Repetillo, and Sheva Sordilla.

Outgoing officers were Joseph Paray (President), Aldren Alforte (VP), and Donnabelle Gadiane (Secretary). Alforte and Gadiane are salutatorian and valedictorian respectively.

Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay and Principal Horliva Alipio are Adviser/Club Moderator and Coordinator respectively.

The Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club (CEFIMAC) was founded by Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay on April 3, 2003 at the Central Negros College (CNC), Carmona St., San Carlos City. Through the efforts of the first club president, Jonas Palabrica, CEFIMAC was recognized and fully accredited as a non-academic club and the only martial arts club in Central Negros College by School Director Mario S. Ledesma, School Principal Luis N. Dizon, and College Dean Evelyn Caballero in 2004.

CEFIMAC is affiliated with Combat Taekwondo Club-Main (CTC-Main), Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., and Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) through the San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) of Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay.

Tribe W.A.R. VI Set By: James U. Sy Jr.

Tribe W.A.R. (Warriors Art Rumble) VI will be held by the Tribu Hangaway Philippines of Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr., 6th Degree Black Belt, in cooperation with Aksyon Radio and under the sanction of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) under its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, 8th Degree Black Belt, this coming April 24, 2010 at the Casino Filipino, Goldenfields Commerical Complex, Bacolod City.

10 Wushu Sanshou and Submission Grappling bouts are scheduled to be fought by fighters from different organizations. Various martial arts demonstrations are also line up.

Participating teams and the fighters who will represent them are yet to be finalized as of press time but expected teams to compete in the Grappling division include host Tribu Hangaway, Affinity of Coach Chester Laquian, and Submission Sports Philippines (SSP)-Bacolod team of Coach Jek-Jek Ferrer. All three teams had proven their mettle in both the Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) arena with some of there members competing and/or taking wins in provincial, regional, or national level competitions.

Among the other IFFMAS organization members expected to support the event are Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founders/Masters Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado and James U. Sy Jr. , Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSA), inc. of 1st generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido, Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) of Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, and Universal defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) of Founder/Chairman Abraham “Abe” Ganzon.

The last two editions of Tribe W.A.R. were held on October 17, 2009, at the Gaisano Bacolod Supermall and on June 6, 2009 at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (NOMPAC), both in Bacolod City.

The grapplig division of Tribe W.A.R. has been conceptualized by Master Flores for all those who wants to compete but are tentative in entering competitions involving striking. The set of rules being used is an eclectic blend of established grappling competition rules.

Interested parties may contact Master Flores at 0928-388-5530.