Revisiting the Negros Farmer Weekend Market by James U. Sy Jr.

Pastry Chef Julio La Fuente of Bolivia showing off his very own special creation, the Roselle Bread at the Quite Place booth at Zone 3 of the Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Magsaysay Avenue (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Mrs. Ruby C. Cruz (seated left), the Marketing Director of DC. Cruz Trading Corporation, with Darlene Casiano, Maricar Dabao, Bambi Borromeo, and Ronnie Guance at Zone 3 of the Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Magsaysay Avenue (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Thelma Z. Watanabe (right(, the wife of Watanabe, Shigeru and the Overall Training Coordinator of Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA)-Bago Training Center, with NDB writer James U. Sy Jr. at the OISCA booth at Zone 3 of the Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Magsaysay Avenue (CMAS photo). Growbio Natural Systems owned by Mary Aidine Galvanat Zone 5 of the Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Magsaysay Avenue (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). It's been a little more than two months since I last wrote about the Negros Farmers Weekend Market. For those who are not familiar with it, the Negros Farmer Weekend Market is a 1.2-hectare market community located along Magsaysay Avenue, just across DC. Cruz Trading Corporation, where farmers from different parts of Negros display their fresh produce at very reasonable prices every Saturday 8"00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. The Negros Farmer Weekend Market was opened to the public on March 16, 2013 and serves as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project of the DC. Cruz Trading Corporation, with its beneficiary being the family’s foundation, Herbe Foundation, which has the mission of providing education to indigent children with deep focus on character formation. The Negros Farmer Weekend Market offers its buyers a number of perks, primary of which is lower prices of goods as compared to those charged in the average market. Under normal circumstances, farmers sell their fresh produce to middlemen who then transport them to Bacolod, the capital of the province, where sellers/vendors buy from them. Sometimes there are additional middlemen in between. Naturally, the layers of channels involved will ultimately affect pricing since each channel would have to have a margin to maintain their operations. This is where the Negros Farmer Weekend Market is unique from most markets. Vendors within its premises are the farmers themselves, thereby eliminating middlemen, which in turn places its prices to a lower level. The Negros Farmer Weekend Market is composed of five zones. Nearer to the entrance (to the right side) is Zone 5, the area where farmers sell their fresh produce, both organic and natural. The last two times I went to Zone 5, I bought some soya milk, tofu, and carabao cheese from Growbio Natural Systems, which is owned by Mary Aidine Galvan. Still in Zone 5, you can find organic red and black rice, calamansi, different vegetables, fruits, fresh milk, and interestingly, some rabbits. From Zine 5 I normally go straight up north to Zone 3, the Food Area, where one can spoil one's palate with a mouth watering choice of international cuisine: Filipino, Spanish, Bolivian, Japanese, Indian. Zone 3 is an open-air dining area where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee while making chika with friends and/or other visitors or simply to savor the food prepared by the different restuarers. One can also order bangus, tilapia, and/or other seafood to be grilled, ala Pala-Pala style. During one of my visits, businessman Ong Chuk-Kuan was also there and I learned he's a good friend of Mrs. Ruby C. Cruz, the Marketing Director of DC. Cruz Trading Corporation. I wouldn't wonder if Chuk was there because the place gives one an aura of peace, the feeling of being one with nature. Mrs. Cruz treated us both to lunch. My first time to try Bolivian food. I met Julio La Fuente, a handsome pastry chef from Bolivia who was so intrigued by the Philippines that he traveled here, staying at the Quite Place. La Fuente's specialty is Roselle Bread, his very own creation. La Fuente will be in Bacolod till August 2013. Farther west of Zone 3 I also met Mr. Edmon Ereñeta who was selling Chorizo Negrense, which is made from all natural ingredients. As it turned out he was related to a classmate of mine in La Salle before. During that visit I also noticed there were a number of Japanese visitors, apparently they attended the O-mochi making demo, the ceremony of which is formally called mochitsuki in Nihonggo, that morning. O-mochi are traditional Japanese sticky rice cakes made by literally "pounding the life out of" steamed glutinous rice into a paste and molded into different shapes. Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA)-Negros and the Filipino-Japanese community of Bacolod organized the demo. Mrs. Cruz introduced me to Mrs. Thelma Z. Watanabe, the wife of Watanabe, Shigeru and the Overall Training Coordinator of OISCA-Bago Training Center. OISCA was founded by Rev. Nakano, Yonosuke in 1961; OISCA Philippines was established in 1963 and now has 19 branches with seven rural development and youth training projects in Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Mindoro, and Luzon. The group's main trust is agriculture although they also conduct staff training for cooking, flower arrangement, and other cultural skills. OISCA also had their booth in Zone 3 where they sell Japanese food. The last of the food booths was the one which offered Spanish cuisine. They got lots of paella. And while I'm writing this piece, I've just got word that there are three more new food locators at Zone 3. Maricar Dabao, Bambi Borromeo, Darlene Casiano, and Ronnie Guance were also there to enjoy the food and later met up with Mrs. cryz. And for those who have something to share about art, culture, health, environment, and the like, the Negros farmers weekend Market has a pavilion dedicated to public education where anyone can talk about important issues such as health, environment and agriculture. Lectures on Saturdays are free to both speaker and the public, and the hall can accommodate 70-100 people. The other parts of the Negros Farmer Weekend Market are Zone 1, where you can find vegetable demo plots, bonsai exhibit, ornamental bamboo, greenhouse, and solar pump display; Zone 2 where one can find vegetable inputs, seeds, and massage/spa; and Zone 4 where one can find fresh processed meat, arts and crafts, ornamental plants, silk products, processed foods, and native baskets.

Arnis GM Guarra Turns 80 By: James U. Sy Jr.

80th birthday celebration of Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” Terante Guarra last May 19, 2013 at the Guarra Residence, Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago City. From left: Grandmaster Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra (Arjuka), 1st generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido (Original Filipino Tapado), Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., (NOBF), P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra (Guarra Style Modern Arnis), Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo (Trece Grabes Piga-Piga System), and Master James U. Sy Jr. (Conceptual Arnis System) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Bungkag Lalaw of Mrs. Perla Guarra, wife of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, and Brgy. Lag-asan Fiesta last May 26, 2013 at the Guarra Residence, Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago City. Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra of Guarra Style Modern Arnis (in yellow) with (from left): Kimberly O. Longno, Master Joeffrey S. Deriada, Montano Mondia IV of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” Terante Guarra, one of the few remaining active old time eskrimadors in Negros Occidental, celebrated his 80th birthday together with his family and a few Arnis friends last May 19, 2013 at the Guarra Residence in Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago City. Arnis/Eskrima is a martial culture indigenous to the different Christianized ethnic groups of the Republic of the Philippines. Originally using blades of different shapes and sizes, Arnis/Eskrima today practiced with a stick in place of the blade because we are now living in the new society and safety reasons for its practitioners. GM Guarra is among the few remaining living treasures of this art, which was tested in countless conflicts in generations of eskrimadors. GM Eslao Guarra himself was born to a family of arnisadors on May 19, 1933 in Bago City. His father, Grandmaster Cornelio “Kune” Toledo Guarra, taught the young Eslao and his six brothers and six sisters Arnis. All the Guarra siblings were trained in their father’s and his seven friends’ fighting arts locally known as Herada Redoble or Espada y Daga. The young Eslao Guarra went on to study under different professors of Arnis, 20 of them in all. Among his teachers were Grandmasters Guillermo “Guimo” Yasay, Alfredo “Pedong” Yasay, and Constantino Arca (Ofensa Defensa/Yasay Sable), Claro Alvarez (Saber), Esmael “Maing” Alvarez (Saber), Senyong, Reynaldo Cabinta of Bukidnon (Disarming), Homero Sian (Fencing), Anong Abellana (Judo), Casimiro “Chingi” A. Grandeza (Karate), Juan Recomura, Jose Garganera, Sulpecio Fernea (Herada Batangueña), Tatang Balat of Pampanga, etc. Eslao Guarra put to the test his skills in Arnis by engaging in unpadded full contact surrender policy fights against other accomplished arnisadors of Negros Occidental. His fights had earned him a reputation as a fearless eskrimador who is always ready to put everything on the line. On February 20, 1956, Guarra, then 22, started his 32 years service in the Bago City Integrated National Police (INP). Guarra had served as a training staff of the Bago City Police Station, having trained auxiliary police in all barangays of Bago City . Within his illustrious career he had received many awards and commendations, among them the Most Outstanding Policeman of Negros Occidental award. Master Guarra had served as Security Officer and ROTC Tactical Officer at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R). He started teaching Arnis publicly in about 1970. He retired as a multi-decorated police sergeant on May 19, 1998 and by that time had already taught Arnis/Eskrima to not less than 10,000 barangay tanods, police officers, security guards, and civilians. GM Guarra is the Founder/Grandmaster of the Guarra Style Modern Arnis, his own fusion of the different styles of Arnis/Eskrima he has learned over the years. He is the current President of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., Council of Elders of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) and the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. The grandmaster's martial art history and style was first put to writing by Rev. Fr. Jerson Balitor (D: 2010), then Parish Priest of Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City, himself a researcher and accomplished martial artist. GM Guarra was first introduced extensively to the general public by Negros’ premier martial arts researcher/historian/writer James U. Sy Jr., Founder/Master of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., through his various works starting with the 3-part series “The Best Arnisadors of Negros: GM Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra” which was published on the May 16-22, 2004 issue of Negros Weekly and culminating with the international feature “Guarra Style Modern Arnis: Modern Style Rooted in Tradition” published in the Vol. 10 No. 4 issue (2006) of the Rapid Journal, the one and only and longest running martial arts publication in the Philippines. Arnisadors who attended his 80th birthday celebration were his brother Founder/Grandmaster Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra of Arjuka-Malingin, Atty. Col. Founder/Grandmaster Marcelo D. Jalandoon, Ph.d., of Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., 1st generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido of Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc., Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), and Master Sy. On a related note, the bungkag lalaw of GM Guarra's late wife, Perla Guarra, was held in conjunction with the Brgy. Lag-asan Fiesta at the Guarra Residence last May 26, 2013. Mrs. Guarra's interment was at the Divine Mercy Church in Calumangan, Bago City and burial at the Bago City Public Cemetery on January 15, 2012. The affair was attended by not less than 200 people.

4th Tribu Aikido Tilt a Success by James U. Sy Jr.

Some of the participants, officials, and instructors at the conclusion of the highly successful 4th Tribu Aikido Competition and Exhibition held by the Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), Inc. of Master Roy R. Flores Sr., 6th Degree Black Belt, in cooperation with the Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall represented by Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton and Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. on May 26, 2013, 2:30-4:30 PM, at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City (Miyamoto Musashi Takeda photo via FB). The 4th Tribu Aikido Competition and Exhibition was successfully held by the Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), Inc. of Master Roy R. Flores Sr., 6th Degree Black Belt, in cooperation with the Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall represented by Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton and Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. on May 26, 2013, 2:30-4:30 PM, at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. DEMONSTRATIONS. Pangamut International, a member of the Laapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficioandos Association, demonstrated various stick blocking and striking, disarming, locking, takedowns, and finishing moves. Performers were Founder/Master Stephen Roy S. Dedel, Neale Edrian B. Acebedo, Chris Elsid P. Agpalo, Larry V. Hernandez, and Phillip M. Rivera. The Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) showed solo and doble baston, defense contra daga, daga vs daga flow, and Espada y Daga Trece grabes Piga-Piga System. Performers were Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo, Christian Decena, Vincent Española, Janber Guinabo, Rene Cyril Indonila, Eleazar John Otic, and Jerwin Palma. The Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido was represented by JI Lorema “Bing” H. Tacsagon, with the assistance of OFT Master James U. Sy Jr., in a demonstration of the basic uno and dos strikes of the indigenous Bagoueño long stick fighting art. The Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. gave a demonstration of the different aspects of the Conceptual Arnis System: basic application of the off guard stance, figure 8 pattern, and punyo, knife defense/restraint, and corto line flow drill. Performers were Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., Montano Mondia IV, Raphael “Rocky” K. Molina, and Kimberly O. Longno. Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), Inc., an affiliate of Yuishinkai International-Ki Aikido International of Ernesto Talag Sensei, was led by Instructors Jessie Necessito, Jared Turbanos, Jerry de la Cruz, and Slade Cabiles and joined in by students of different ranks in showing the different breakfalls, circular footwork, jointlocks, throws, and pins of the Japanese pacifist art Aikido. Long Thrust 12-15 Years Old Green to Yellow Belt (Boys): Leshlie Rodriguez (1st Place), Justine Malbog (2nd Place), and Kyle Lambatin (3rd Place). Long Thrust 16 Years Old Above Green to Purple Belt (Boys): Rex Doromal (1st Place), Marvin Doromal (2nd Place), and Laurence Jayme (3rd Place). High Thrust Yellow to Brown Belt (Boys): RJ Flores (1st Place) and Patrick Gilo (2nd Place) Somersault 7-10 Years Old (Boys & Girls): Jamin Sapalo (1st Place), Bryce Mangubat (2nd Place), and Cassy Balinas (3rd Place). Somersault 12-15 Years Old Any Belt (Boys & Girls): Justine Malbog (1st Place), Gemern Mitch Rodriguez (2nd Place), and Mykah Marie Tacsagon (3rd Place). Somersault 16 Years Old Above (Boys & Girls): Althea Tornea (1st Place), RJ Flores (2nd Place), and Faye Mangubat (3rd Place). Knife defense Blue Belt (Boys & Girls): Althea Tornea (1st Place), Faye Mangubat (2nd Place), and Luis Mangonon (3rd Place). Stick defense Brown Belt (Boys & Girls): RJ Flores (1st Place), Patrick Gilo (2nd Place), and Paolo Gilo (3rd Place). Randori 7-10 Years Old Green & Purple Belts (Boys & Girls): Laurence Claire Alaban (1st Place), Bryce Mangubat (2nd Place), and Cassy Balinas (3rd Place). Randori 11-16 Years Old Green & Purple Belts (Boys): Jamin Sapalo (1st Place), Daryl Loro (2nd Place), and Leshlie Rodriguez (3rd Place). Randori 10-13 Years Old Green & Purple Belts (Girls): Mykah Marie Tacsagon (1st Place), Sherry Joy Mapa (2nd Place), and Anne Sibug (3rd Place). Randori 14-16 Years Old Green & Purple Belts (Girls): Mitch Rodriguez (1st Place), Melanie Deriada (2nd Place), and Hans Gonzales (3rd Place). Randori Yellow to Brown Belt (Girls): Althea Tornea (1st Place), Faye Mangubat (2nd Place), and Hannah Cabiles (3rd Place). Officials were Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), Inc. (Event Organizer/Competition Director), Russell Mohametano Sensei and Boy de los Santos Sensei of Arashi Ryu Aikido (Judges), and Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (Emcee/Commentator). Guests include P/Insp. (Ret.) Grandmaster Ibarra E. Lopez of Golden Kamagong International, Noel “Nonong” Fuentes Sensei of Kyokan Dojo, Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados, Master Joeffrey S. Deriada and Instructor Lafayette A. Diamante of Original Filipino Tapado and CMAS, Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado of Tai Chi Circle of Bacolod, and Erodgie O. Sepe among others.

1st Negros Indigenous Fighting Arts Expo @ Gaisano Success Part II: Rank Promotions by James U. Sy Jr.

From left: Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. Board Director Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) and NOBF President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra of Guarra Style Modern Arnis with the newly promoted school-head members of NOBF: Master Ian Negrido of BASSDUMAS/ZODIACS, Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway Philippines, Master Joselito O. Guzon of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), and Master Stephen Roy S. Dedel of Pangamot International dur4ing the 1st Negros Indigenous Fighting Arts Expo presented by the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. in cooperation with Gaisano City Bacolod, GACS, NOBF, Inc., and Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. recently at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Awarding ceremony of successful candidates for CMAS/Conceptual Arnis System rank promotions during the highly successful 1st Negros Indigenous Fighting Arts Expo held by the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. on April 6, 2013 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. Ranks formally awarded by Master Sy to (from left) Montano Mondia IV (Manunuon 3), Kimberly O. Longno (Manunuon 1), and Rapahel “Rocky” K. Molina (Manunuon 2) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Rank promotions were also awarded to 8 arnisadors during the 1st Negros Indigenous Fighting Arts Expo presented by the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. in cooperation with Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., and Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. recently at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, Founder of Guarra Style Modern Arnis and President of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., with the assistance of NOBF Board Director Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo, Founder of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), awarded rank promotions under the sanction of the NOBF to five successful candidates of the 2nd NOBF Rank Advancement Examination. Promoted to NOBF grandmaster rank was Romeo Postrano, Founder/Grandmaster of mandatus Arnis Sikaran Kali (MASK, formerly Sikaran Garote Arnis Club) and formerly affiliated with the Bacolod Negros Arnis Federation International Inc. (BNAFII) of grandmaster Hortencio M. Navales; Those promoted to NOBF Master rank were Joselito O. Guzon of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), a student of GM Guinabo and an arnis competition medalist; Roy R. Flores Sr., Founder/Master of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), Inc., a 6th Degree Black Belt in Tapondo, and former Negros Chief Instructor of Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI); Ian B. Negrido, Founder/Master of Baston Sipa Sumbag Dumog Martial Arts Society (Bassdumas), Vice President of the Zion Original Disciples in Arnis and Combat Sports (ZODIACS), and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Adino Eznite/Sikaran under the late Grandmaster Julius B. Delasan and current Grandmaster Romeo G. Banas; and Stephen Roy S. Dedel, Founder of Pangamot International, a Guro under Master Baldwin “Nonoy” Garrucho, and also a student of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas. Dedel holds the record as the youngest to be promoted to Master in the NOBF at 24 as of this year. He commenced his studies of Arnis at age 8 under Master Garrucho, also a member of the NOBF before, and was elevated to Guro status by him in 2007. Headmaster Viñas is also set to award a Master promotion to Dedel. Grandmaster Postrano was in absencia. The newly promoted masters passed the 2nd NOBF Rank Advancement Examinations after a preliminary open discussion and a subsequent technical test wherein the three highest ranking grandmasters of the federation - NOBF Founder/President Emeritus Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., NOBF President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, and NOBF Vice President P/Insp. (Ret.) Grandmaster Ibarra E. Lopez of the Golden Kamagong international - With the assistance of GM Guinabo, executed attacks where the candidates had to defend against using blocking, disarming, locking, and countering methods from their particular system/style of Arnis. Another set of promotions, this time in Conceptual Arnis System (Conceptual Martial Arts System) were awarded by Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Arnis System and Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. Promoted to Manunuon III was Montano “Mon” Mondia IV, a long time student of Sy at the USLS Aikido Club and CMAS-USLS; to Manunuon II, Rapahel “Rocky” K. Molina of Livingstone International School; and Manunuon I to Kimberly O. Longno of Riverside College.

Tribe W.A.R. XI @ Gaisano City This Sat by James U. Sy Jr.

Tribe W.A.R. (Warrior’s Art Rumble) XI amateur grappling competition will be presented by the Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP) by Master Roy R. Flores Sr. in cooperation with Aksyon Radio Philippines (Bacolod) under Station Manager JJ Ocampo and Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall (GCBS) represented by Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton this coming May 11, 2013, 1:30 PM, at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. Expected teams to compete are host Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP, 1 on 1 boxing gym, Affinity of Chester Laquian, and Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team (SSP-BT) of Adrian Gellana, the overall champion of Tribe W.A.R. X last October 14, 2012. Martial arts demonstrations will also be given by allied groups of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP), including members of the negros occidental baston federation, wherein the host is a member of.

Are the Martial Arts the Answer to the Crime Wave Hitting Bacolod & Negros Nowadays? Part I

The short answer is no and yes. To illuminate on this point, let us take some very relevant examples. I once asked an instructor what he will do if his bag is snatched from him or when his pocket is picked. He replied, “I’ll use Kickboxing and Taekwondo on him.” To a casual observer such a reply sounds logical. But let’s take the side of the snatcher/pickpocket. He has only one goal: to get somebody else’s property; sparring with a well trained martial artist is not included in his agenda. So how can a martial art be of use when the perpetrator is no longer in the crime scene? Probably if the martial artist can also run and is fast enough to catch the suspect, then he might be able to use his skills. Last Wednesday, April 18, 2013, a female call center agent lost P10,000 to Laglag Barya Gang inside a PUJ and a Pontevedra resident lost P35,000 to Laglag Cellphone Gang while she was in the escalator of SM City Bacolod. These two incidents, as well as the modus operandi of the Dura-Dura Gang, rely on distraction and stealth. Resistance from the victim is next to zero, or at least to the minimum if conditions are not ideal for the perpetrator, because before one can avoid or resist one needs to know what is about to happen or what is happening. To highlight this point, consider the case of a policeman from a town (or was it a city?) outside of Bacolod whose pocket was also picked in Bacolod City. This principle also applies to burglars. Their objective is to gain entrance undetected, grab valuables, and escape unnoticed. Even if a homeowner has an armory it wouldn’t serve him any good if he doesn’t know there is an intruder inside his home. The success of above mentioned modus operandi is all based on the victim being caught unaware. Thus, the first thing to have is awareness. Most people walk through the streets as if lieisurely strolling in the park or boarding a public utility vehicle with no concerns about their surroundings (some even wear headphones which impede their ability to hear small noises, such as slashing a bag open with a blade). The process of self protection can be broken down into 3 interrelated stages: perception, evaluation, and reaction. Many martial artists only train for the last one, reaction (a good example was the aforementioned instructor in the second paragraph), and most average citizens will also tend to rely on that stage. However, the first stage, perception, is the most important since it is the one that will determine the outcome, whether a crime will be successful or a victim can successfully avoid or fend it off. Established and legitimate martial arts do not only teach physical techniques of defense but also seek to develop the mind and spirit. It is in these aspects where perception and evaluation are developed. The two stages are primarily mental and the longer one stays in them, the more likely one could not proceed to the third one, which is reaction, a physical process. Some important questions to ask when you board a PUJ, do you know the plate number of the vehicle? Do you take a look at the other passengers as you board the vehicle? Do you choose with whom you will sit beside? How do you secure your cellphone, purse, or other valuables? Are you talking on your cellphone and freely announcing to everybody that you’ve just withdrawn a large amount of money? Do you have your fare ready or you still have to open your purse/wallet and show to people beside you all the paper money in it as well as all your credit cards? There are certain ways one can act outside of the house/office so as not to attract undesirables. Now as you take a look at the other passengers, do you find anybody suspicious? Maybe the jeepney only has a few passengers but a certain man is sticking with you or when the jeepney is full and he still inserts himself beside you even if there is an available seat just in front of you. Does the man smell of liquor? Do you notice something bulging under his shirt? This is what we call perception. As to how you analyze these informations taken from your observations, this is evaluation. Now presuming that you feel uneasy or suspicious of the person beside you, what do you do? Of course you can’t smack him if nothing yet happened (and I wouldn’t advice that because they usually work at least in pairs, and they have bladed weapons. You wouldn’t want to lose your life over a measly P1,000 bill or an obsolete cellphone). Depending on the situation, positions, and other factors, you may react by watching carefull the persons besides you on both sides and prepare yourself, transferring the location of your bag or cellphone, transferring to another seat if any is available, or going down the vehicle. If you choose to go down the vehicle, don’t get down in your home or place of work so in case your suspicion is true then they could not trrce you. Also make sure that when you go down you don’t choose a dimly lit or dark area for they may go down the vehicle too and follow you. A place with many people (i.e. witnesses) would be ideal. What I’ve given is simply a hypothetical situation to stimulate your imagination and illustrate a certain part of reality. The most powerful tool you can always have is your mind. Self preservation starts with it. Without it, even the best martial arts techniques would be useless. Of course, it goes without saying that even if a person has superior perception and evaluation skills but he lacks the physical attributes and skills to react, then he may still fail. This where martial arts training becomes very useful, in developing body, mind, and spirit. In part II, we will expound more on this matter with a focus on the reaction stage and how to evaluate the street utility of a martial art.

Oido Fencing Founder Turns 82 by James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Sotero Tario (holding the cake), the Founder of Oido Fencing, celebrating his 82nd birthday last April 7, 2013 at his residence in Bago City with his children, grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and guests (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). Grandmaster Sotero Tario, the Founder of Oido Fencing, celebrated his 82nd birthday last April 7, 2013 at his residence in Bago City with his 8 children, 40 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and guests. The Tario family prepared a sumptuous buffet as well as games to celebrate the occasion. Sound systems were set up within the vicinity to liven up the affair. Among GM Tario's guests were his friends Grandmaster Jose "Joe" Salanap of the Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA) and Masters James U. Sy Jr. and Joeffrey S. Deriada of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. GM Tario, a farmer by trade, started his studies in the indigenous Filipino art of Arnis in the the Espada y Daga in his younger days. After plowing his fields he would "play" the sticks he had previously set aside beside a tree. Since Oido, a further evolution of Lagas, was the predominant form of Arnis in his area, he studied it and went on to develop his own style, which combines Oido with Negrense style fencing. He associated with the Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA), headed by the late Grandmaster Abraham T. Gubaton (B: 2011), and had cordial relations with the late Grandmaster Jose D. Aguilar (D: 2013) of Murcia, Head of the Bacolod Oido de Caburata Arnis Society (BAODCAS) and the late Rev. Fr. Jerson Balitor (D: 2010), Founder of MAAPIN. GM Tario, together with his student Master Federico Culango Sr., made his first public demonstration in Bacolod city during the 2007 Summer Best of Negros Martial Arts Expo at the Activity Center, SM City Bacolod, Reclamation Area. He was formally conferred with the title Founder/Grandmaster of Oido Fencing by both the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. under its President, P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra, and the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under its President, Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo during the 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City.