KALIMASADA INSTRUCTRESS APPRECIATES NEGRENSE ARNIS

This article was published in the August 31, 2005 issue of Sun Star Bacolod.

Kalimasada (Indonesian energy works) instructress Cecilia Ferrer of Manila met Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS) founders James Sy Jr. and Narciso "Hansy" Alojado last August 26, 2005 in Bacolod City for a formal introduction to the Filipino warrior arts of Negros Occidental.

The duo gave Ferrer a short session which covered the wide spectrum of Negrense arnis but focused on the universal fundamentals as taught in the Lapu-Lapu Viñas arnis system.

Ferrer was also introduced to two FMA grandmasters in Bacolod City and witnessed a first hand demonstration of their respective arts on August 27, 2005.

Headmaster Wilson "Nonong" E, Viñas, the 1st generation inheritor of the Lapu-Lapu Viñas arnis system, showed her the scientific application of the art's single stick combat and dynamic weapon disarming.

Grandmaster Mike F. Vasquez, the headmaster of Vasquez modified tapado and Vasquez modified karate, gave a demonstration of the devastating power of tapado, the Negrense arnis art of long stick fighting.

Ferrer, a daughter of the late Representative Inocencio V. Ferrer Sr., was amazed at the depth with which the Filipino martial arts (FMA) is interpreted and taught in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

"The Negrense/Bacoleño arnis is very logical. Each movement has a reason, making it very effective and efficient. The way they teach arnis here is different from how it is taught in other parts of the Philippines, and even abroad" she explained.