1ST PHILIPPINE/VISAYAN AMATEUR MMA TILT EXPLOSIVE SUCCESS

Raffy Flores of Warriors' Club (bottom) caught Christian Plantinos of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main in a broken guillotine choke.


Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center (FC) Chief Instructor Edwin J. Tusil and Senior Adviser Renny S. Tolentino faced off in a knifefighting exhibition bout.

The Brotherhood of Mixed Martial Artists of Bacolod (BOMB), the first provincial MMA alliance in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Western Visayas, and the Visayas, in cooperation with the Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall and Love Radio 91.9 made history by holding the 1st Gaisano-BOMB Mixed Martial Arts Eliminations and Expo on February 1, 2004 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Brgy. Singcang, Araneta St., Bacolod City. A capacity crowd of more than 1,000 was in attendance and 14 martial arts organizations figured in 2 MMA bouts, 3 exhibition bouts, and 3 other martial arts demonstrations.

The 1st Gaisano-BOMB Mixed Martial Arts Eliminations and Expo was the first amateur MMA tournament anywhere in the Philippines (the first 3 MMA events in the country were professional).

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. Mini Flyweight. 2003 All Negros wushu sanshou 52 kg. bronze medalist Sherwin Nuñesco of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) over Ricardo Valdes of Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center via judges decision.

Super Lightweight. Raffy Flores of Warriors Club over 2003 All Negros wushu sanshou 60 kg. champion Christian Plantinos of BFMAA-Main via disqualification.

EXHIBITION BOUTS. Wushu Sanshou 114-120 lbs.. 2003 All Negros wushu sanshou 52 kg. champion Raynor Guilarda vs 2003 All Negros wushu sanshou 52 kg. silver medalist Romulo Cañete Jr., both of BFMAA-Main.

Knife Fighting. Chief Instructor Edwin J. Tusil vs Senior Adviser Renny S. Tolentino, both of Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center (FC).

Stickboxing. Senior Adviser Mark T. Lusabia vs James Emmanuel Infante, both of FC.

DEMONSTRATIONS. Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts of Maxwell J. Maun Sensei, Bacolod BJJ of Jake “Jek-Jek” Ferrer, Jayvee Montinola, and Chester Laquian, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA) of Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas, and Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) of Founder Elmer V. Montoyo Sabumnim and Chief Instructor Elmer P. Montoyo Jr. Kyosanim. LVAAA was represented by Grandmaster Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer, Master Instructor Servando P. Largo Jr., and Instructors Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado and James U. Sy Jr.

Officials were James U. Sy Jr. Sensei of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (tournament director, emcee, matchmaker, referee-super lightweight); Atty. Archie Baribar (guest of honor); Wushu Federation of the Philippines-Negros Occidental (WFP-Neg. Occ.) Coordinator Joery C. Amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (referee, wushu sanshou); Edilberto A. Arcositas Sensei of Bertar Karate Kan (referee, mini flyweight); Edwin J. Tusil Sensei of FC (referee, super lightweight); William Bernas of Bernas Estocadas, Joel R. Casiple of Bacolod Consolidated Sports Management Association, Jake “Jek-Jek” Ferrer of Bacolod BJJ, Samuel Ibe of Mantas Daga, Henried Lamayo Sensei of Atleta Judo Club, and Mark T. Lusabia Sensei of FC (judges); Cargeoren T. Lusabia Sensei (official photographer); Francisco N. Decena, Elvin T. Lucatin, Danilo E. Servando, Eddie B. Silvano, and Enrique A. Toda of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNR) and Dra. Ava Joy Luces and Visayan Maritime Academy (VMA) instructor Linus Paul Ramos of FC (medical team).