Kali-Kalihan Explodes With 1st Mayor Joemax Ortiz Arnis Cup Part I by: James U. Sy Jr.

Some of the officials, grandmasters, masters, demontrators, and fighters together with Mr. Danilo E. Diaz, executive Assistant to the Mayor, at the lunch break of the 1st Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) Arnis Championships "1st Hon. Mayor Joemax Ortiz Cup" last February 7, 2014 at the DSB Public Plaza and later, at the DSB Multi-Purpose Gym in Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Negros Occidental, held as part of the town's 31st Founding Anniversary and 24th Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). The Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) Office of the Mayor under Hon. Mayor Joemax Ortiz and the DSB Department of Tourism under Tourism Officer Lloyd Carator successfully hosted the 1st Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) Arnis Championships "1st Hon. Mayor Joemax Ortiz Cup" last February 7, 2014 at the DSB Public Plaza and later, at the DSB Multi-Purpose Gym in Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Negros Occidental as part of the town's 31st Founding Anniversary and 24th Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival. Jun Siason, Founder/Grandmaster of the Siasopn Arnis Club, was designated as Chairperson of the event. GM Siason sought the assistance of Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo of the Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) to make the tournament a reality. GACS, which is one of the most active member schools of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc., invited its allied organizations to present the first display of multiple systems of indigenous Negrosanon Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) with established histories and linaages in the town's famed Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival. The Kali-Kalihan Festival is a harvest festival with street dancing showing the cultural and martial heritage the town has adapted, the indigenous Filipino art of self protection, Arnis/Eskrima, more popularly known as Kali to foreigners. A total of 11 Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) organizations From Bacolod, Bago, La Carlota, and Talisay gave support to the exposition cum tournament.All groups except for two are members or are allied with the NOBF which is headed by its Founder?President Emeritus Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and its Current President INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra. DEMONSTRATIONS. Mandatus Arnis Sikaran Kali (MASK) of Founder/Grandmaster Romeo Postrano started the exposition with a display of anyo (form), solo baston, and doble baston which are composites of the styles of Grandmasters Teomtimo Buenaflor and Hortencio Navales. The Tanique Arnis and Combat Sports (TACS), now headed by Master Arman Tanique, provided two arnisadors to showcase their style of anyo, single stick, and double sticks which were taught by the late brother grandmasters Bernandino and Teotimo Tanique. Master Stephen Roy S. Dedel, Co-Founder of Pangamot International, with the assistance of Billy Aligonza and Phillip M. Rivera, demonstrated the efficiently brutal use of the knife in the Dedel Pangamot System. Show were sundang contra sumdamg and pangamot contra sundang. 1st Generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, President of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association 9OFLSFA), Inc., with the help of Master Joeffrey S. Deriada, demonstrated the indigenous long stick fighting art Original Filipino Tapado founded by his late uncle Founder/Grandmaster Romeo "Nono" C. Mamar of Taloc, Bago City. Shown were the basic uno and dos strikes and the direct hitting linyadas. Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., gave tribute to his 30 teachers by showing elements from their arts that are integrated into his composite Conceptual Arnis System. Among those demonstrated were live blade anyo, largo defensa & ofensa, corto disarmada, and pangagaw baladao kag pusil. He was assisted by Master Deriada of CMAS and Master Joselito Guzon of GACS. The Tribu Hangaway Association, Inc. (THAI) of Master Roy R. Flores was represented by his son Arjay Flores and Instructor Jimmy Soqueña in an exhibition of the saiz teros and their defenses, doble baston, and pang-agaw as practiced in their Hangaway system of Arnis. Organizer Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) of Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo so far gave the most number of exhibitions with so far the most number of eskrimadors, of all ages and of different genders. The demo team was composed of GM Guinabo, Master Joselito O. Guzon, Christian Decena, Vincent Española, Janber Guinabo, Rene Cyril Indonila, and Jerwin Palma among others. Showcased were the solo baston, doble baston, espada y daga piga-piga, disarmada, trangkada, and pangkuga of the Trece grabes Piga-Piga System of Arnis.

1st Mayor Joemax Ortiz DSB Arnis Cup This Kali-Kalihan by: James U. Sy Jr.

The 1st Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) Arnis Championships "1st Hon. Mayor Joemax Ortiz Cup" will be presented by the Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS) of Founder/Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo and the Siason Arnic Club of Founder/Grandmaster Jun Siason for the DSB Office of the Mayor under Hon. Mayor Joemax Ortiz and the DSB department of Toruism under Tourism Officer Lloyd Carator under the sanction of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. under its Founder Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and its President INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra this coming February 7, 2014, starting 9:00 AM at DSB Public Plaza, Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Negros Occidental. The DSB Office of the Mayor is sponsoring this Arnis/Eskrima tournament as part of town's 31st Founding Anniversary and 24th Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival. Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) was founded on February 9, 1983 from three barangays previously under the jurisdiction of San Carlos City. Its Kali-Kalihan Festival every February is a harvest festival with street dancing showing the cultural and martial heritage the town has adapted, the indigenous Filipino art of self protection, Arnis/Eskrima, more popularly known as Kali to foreigners. Mayor Ortiz would like to higlight this cultural heritage which earned Don Salvador Benedicto fame not only in the local scene but also abroad. DSB is also known for its cool climate, thus it is dubbed as the "Summer Capital of Negros Occidental," akin to Baguio in Luzon. The town is also known for its local produce. The set of rules to be used in this tournament is the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. Arnis Competition Rules, which is based on one of the traditional systems of playing Arnis/Eskrima in the old days in Negros Occidental where one player is inside a circle and defends and the other is outside and attacking. World Kali Eskrima Arnis Federation (WEKAF) regulation protective gear will be used. Weapons will be padded sticks. At least 9 Filipino Martial arts (FMA) organizations are expected to participate in this highly anticipated encounter of empty hands and weapon demonstrations and a test of skills in the sparring competition in both the adult and children's divisions. The tournament will be open to the public.

Commentary by a Master

" Aside from giving a commentary via dialogue, chief GM Benefredo Mamar Lobrido, headmaster and President of OFTLSFAI used a commentary by means of an example. Such was his comment during our recent visit. He commented on certain demonstrations wherein the performer  was doing injustice to the art that he was representing. In particular in showing espada y daga form or techniques. He recently witnessed a demo on espada y dag which he noticed that it was very far away from the form by the ancients master and those who really practices the form. He commented that such an action of the performer was doing injustice to the art. Such should not be done. He even commented that it was a shame that such an injustice was done to the art. He admonished us who are members of many styles that we should never do a demo in a haphazard way. We should give justice by doing it the traditional way. That is why after admonishing us, Chief Bebing, as we call him, took two sticks and demonstrated to us the way we should do it.
         He said that he might have not shown the ancient way but his performance was near to the traditional way. Practice before doing the demonstration that is what he told us. and his last word was, :Makahuluya, indi amo"

Culture Nurture: Lloyd Luna on Financial Freedom by: James U. Sy Jr.

Lloyd Luna conducted Untangled: A Talk on Financial Freedom recently with the sponsorship of the Rotaract Club of Bacolod North in partnership with Rotaract Club of Bacolod-Metro USLS Chapter recently at the MM Auditorium A, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City. The talk was attended by many students and professionals alike. Luna was one of four millionaires at age 25 to be featured in Korina Sanchez' Rated K which airs over at ABS-CBN. While others have inherited or acquired their wealth through fame, Luna got his through hard work. As a motivational speaker, he has given talks the Philippines, Bangkok (Thailand), Seoul (Korea), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), and Dubai (UAE). Luna emphasized that one must have a good reason why one would want money. If that reason is just to buy an iPod, then the drive to stop earning just stops when the iPod is bought. For him, earning is for the purpose of living life comfortably. Earning money, whether through employment or by entrepreneurship, requires that one has to love what he is doing otherwise it would be such a burden that one burns out and stops completely. Luna pointed out that if a person only relies on one source of income, such as a salary, and his bills are piling up, then there is always a possibility that he will miss a payment or two. For Luna, multiple expenses requires multiple sources of income. He gave himself as an example. He has a lot of sources of income to keep the funds coming in. That includes being a motivational speaker, an author, a multi-level marketer, and much more. Luna was not a boring speaker, as he immediately caught the attention of the audience right from the start. He has the uncanny ability to integrate humor into an otherwise serious subject. At one point he offered a freebie. "Who wants this?" Many raised their hands but only one was brave enough to stand up and get it from Luna. Luna drove his point that if one wants something he must stand up and go get it and not just to sit around. The close to 3-hours lecture was without a dull moment. The attendees had their bonding moment with Luna after the talk. The talk was organized with the leadership of by Jireh Benedicto Castillo, Pre3sident of Rotaract Club of Bacolod-North, and Jame Ann Almaiz, Pre3sident of Rotaract Club of Bacolod-Metro USLS Chapter. Also in attrndance were Rotarian Joel Jaranilla, PDRR Ruvinier Viñarta - District 3850, and IPP Sammy Uy Jr., VP JB Niño Barredo, PP Jude Quingco, and PP Johan Villanueva. Interested parties may check out Luna's innovative thoughts on financial freedom at his website www.lloydluna.com or Facebook account https://www.facebook.com/lloydluna?fref=ts.

San Carlos City Won 5 Arnis Gold In Area 1 Meet by James U. Sy Jr.

San Carlos City took home 6 championship gold medals during the Area 1 Athletic Meet Arnis Competition last November 26-27, 2013 in escalante city, negros Occidental. Ionabeth G. Mamugay of San Carlos City (San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club) won a double championship for San Carlos City. She beat Jianne Mabug-at of Escalante City and Rainbie Gelardez of Calatrava to be crowned champion in the Anyo Girls Elementary Category A. Mamugay defeated Gelardez on points to snatch the Labanan Girls Elementary Category A title. Johnrey Olbedencia of San Carlos City (Central Negros College- Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club) won over Ricardo Tiauzon of Escalante City by points to claim the Labanan Secondary Boys Finweight title. Junrey Laparan of San Carlos City (Julio Ledesma National High School) beat Joven Pabon of Escalante City by points to secure the Labanan Secondary Boys Bantamweight gold. Jendie Camposf of San Carlos City (Julio Ledesma National High School) defeated Arcelie Mosquera of Escalante City by points to snatch the Labanan Secondary Girls Flyweight crown. Bienalyn Campos of San Carlos City (Central Negros College- Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club) overwhelmed Juve Janghal of Escalante City to win the Labanan Secondary Girls Bantamweight plum. San carlos City Arnis Team Officials were Mrs. Trinidad Bayutas (Coach, elementary girls), Mr. Rosani G. Velarde (Coach, secondary boys) and Ms. marilyn Abasolo (Asst. Coach), and Ms. Hope sevilla (Coach, secondary girls) and Mrs. Traya (Asst. Coach). San Carlos technical officials were Mr. jose Roy Zerna (Tournament Manager), Nilo Senador and Cecilio Caballero (Judges), and Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay of San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) (Trainor). Escalante City officials were Ms. Mery Jean Tiauzon (Tournament Manager) and Mr. Renante Mahilum (Asst. manager). Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay holds a Manunudlo I teaching license in the Conceptual Arnis System and his San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) affiliated with the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. (Bacolod City), which is a member of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. of Founder/President Emeritus Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo "Pope" C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra. He also holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt, under the sanction of the Combat Taekwondo Club (CTC)-Main of Founder/Master Lt. Col. (Ret.) Founder/President/Master Epifanio F. Mercado, 6th Degree Black Belt. Mamugay had also trained fighters who took home medals and honors in Western Boxing, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, and Wushu sanshou for San Carlos City.

San Carlos City Won 5 Arnis Gold In Area 1 Meet by James U. Sy Jr.

San Carlos City took home 6 championship gold medals during the Area 1 Athletic Meet Arnis Competition last November 26-27, 2013 in escalante city, negros Occidental. Ionabeth G. Mamugay of San Carlos City (San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club) won a double championship for San Carlos City. She beat Jianne Mabug-at of Escalante City and Rainbie Gelardez of Calatrava to be crowned champion in the Anyo Girls Elementary Category A. Mamugay defeated Gelardez on points to snatch the Labanan Girls Elementary Category A title. Johnrey Olbedencia of San Carlos City (Central Negros College- Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club) won over Ricardo Tiauzon of Escalante City by points to claim the Labanan Secondary Boys Finweight title. Junrey Laparan of San Carlos City (Julio Ledesma National High School) beat Joven Pabon of Escalante City by points to secure the Labanan Secondary Boys Bantamweight gold. Jendie Camposf of San Carlos City (Julio Ledesma National High School) defeated Arcelie Mosquera of Escalante City by points to snatch the Labanan Secondary Girls Flyweight crown. Bienalyn Campos of San Carlos City (Central Negros College- Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club) overwhelmed Juve Janghal of Escalante City to win the Labanan Secondary Girls Bantamweight plum. San carlos City Arnis Team Officials were Mrs. Trinidad Bayutas (Coach, elementary girls), Mr. Rosani G. Velarde (Coach, secondary boys) and Ms. marilyn Abasolo (Asst. Coach), and Ms. Hope sevilla (Coach, secondary girls) and Mrs. Traya (Asst. Coach). San Carlos technical officials were Mr. jose Roy Zerna (Tournament Manager), Nilo Senador and Cecilio Caballero (Judges), and Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay of San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) (Trainor). Escalante City officials were Ms. Mery Jean Tiauzon (Tournament Manager) and Mr. Renante Mahilum (Asst. manager). Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay holds a Manunudlo I teaching license in the Conceptual Arnis System and his San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) affiliated with the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. (Bacolod City), which is a member of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. of Founder/President Emeritus Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo "Pope" C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and President P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra. He also holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt, under the sanction of the Combat Taekwondo Club (CTC)-Main of Founder/Master Lt. Col. (Ret.) Founder/President/Master Epifanio F. Mercado, 6th Degree Black Belt. Mamugay had also trained fighters who took home medals and honors in Western Boxing, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, and Wushu sanshou for San Carlos City.