GUARRA STYLE MODERN ARNIS REORGANIZED

Grandmasters Estanislao “Eslao” and Isaac "Saac" T. Guarra (4th and 5th from left) with memebrs of the Guarra Style Modern Arnis and Self Defense Association (GSMASDA) and Arjuka-Malingin.
Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra demonstrating a modernist disarming technique in Bago City.

Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra (4th from left) with his arnis students at Crossing Bago.

Retired P/Sgt. Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra decided to rename the General Juan A. Araneta School of Arnis (GJAASA) to the Guarra Style Modern Arnis and Self Defense Association (GSMASDA) to reflect the current developments in the martial arts community. Previously, GJAASA was an alliance between the Guarra and Gubaton arnis groups. But later the need to identify one’s style from other forms of arnis prompted both groups to establish their own distinct identities. The Gubaton group used the name Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA) to identify their style and organization.

The GSMASDA election of new officers took place on August 15, 2005 in Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago City. Those elected to office were Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra (president), Grandmaster Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra (vice president), Francis Stephen A. Diaz (secretary), Mary Grace Guarra (treasurer), Epifanio S. Gamo Jr. (auditor), Leonilo P. Tayopon (PIO), Edgar P. Dormido (business manager), Judge Demosthenes Magallanes and Judge Erwin Javellana (advisers), and Col. Atty. Dr. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon and Fiscal Grandmaster Hitler Lagradilla, (legal counsels).

GM Isaac Guarra, the younger brother of GM Eslao Guarra, is the founder/chief instructor of arjuka-Malingin.

In line with this reorganization, GM Eslao Guarra promoted his student Francis Stephen A. Diaz to the rank of instructor under the GSMASDA on August 22, 2005 also in Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago City. Other signatories of the certification were GM Isaac Guarra, GM Atty. Col. Dr. Marcelo C. Jalandoon, and GM Fiscal Hitler Lagradilla.

Meanwhile, GM Eslao Guarra has recently started an arnis class for the youngsters of the Javellana Clan in Crossing Bago. Attending the class right now are Benjie G. Ganancial, Kentoy F. Clamor, Emmanuel H. Javellana III, Franklin J. Javellana, and Ma. Jacquelin J. Javellana. GM Guarra teaches an eclectic blend of saber/foil fencing, modernist stickfighting, practical empty handed skills, oido hand destructions, traditional arnis including espada y daga movements, and law enforcement defensive tactics.

GM Eslao and Isaac Guarra had powered both the GSMASDA & Arjuka-Malingin to be more visible in the martial arts community. Both groups gave officiating functions and/or demonstrations during the:

1. 1st Talisay City Baston Tournament by the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (January 29, 2005 Brgy. 2 Multi-Purpose Gym, Talisay City) Silver, demonstration division

2. 1st KaliSilat Arnis Tournament “Battle of Champions” by the KaliSilat Arnis Association (June 18, 2005 Pta. Taytay Gym, Brgy. Pta. Taytay, Bacolod City)

3. 5th USLS Martial Arts Expo by the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (September 8, 2005 University of St. La Salle) Tie-winner, self defense division

GM Eslao Guarra was previously hosted by anchorman Jerel S. Sombilla in his program Bombo Sports and Physical Fitness which aired over Bombo Radio DyWB on July 4, 2004.