LOBRIDO, INHERITOR OF ORIGINAL FILIPINO TAPADO

Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebeng” M. Lobrido (left) and Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association Chief Instructor Elmer P. Montoyo Jr. Kyosanim performing an Original Filipino Tapado during the Club Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (FCAMMA) Challenge I: Animosity in Bacolod City last September 24, 2005 at the Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall.

Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association Chief Instructor Master Benefredo “Bebeng” M. Lobrido was elevated as the 1st generation inheritor and current headmaster of original Filipino tapado when the art’s founder and his uncle Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” Mamar of Taloc, Bago City (1938-2005) succumbed to a heart attack on February 7, 2005.

GM Mamar was 66 years old when he died. He was survived by his wife Wilceta Teriales-Mamar and their 9 children. His remains were buried on February 19, 2005 at the Sacred Heart Memorial Park, Sum-ag, Bacolod City.

The transitional period of succession was gradual. The 2005 Original Filipino Tapado General Assembly and Reunion was scheduled for June 26, 2005 at the Brgy. Taloc Gym, Bago City. However, the event was postponed indefinitely due to the health condition of GM Lobredo during that time.

Nevertheless, not less than 14 tapadistas and enthusiasts gathered for the scheduled assembly. Among those present were Grandmaster Jose Pamilangco and Masters Nelson N. Carmona and Alfredo Lobrido of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association, Master Welbor “Kikok” Presno and Instructor Jasper L. Pantulla of the Kalupaan Tapado Association, Senior Instructors Elmer V. Montoyo of the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association and Michael Rosquildo, and Junior Instructor Moses Ledesma.

On August 27, 2005, the Lobrido and Mamar Clans in cooperation with the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association held a thanksgiving for the recovery of GM Lobredo in Brgy. Taloc, Bago City. 200 people more or less, most of them immediate family members of GM Lobredo and practitioners of original Filipino tapado, were in attendance.

Today, Grandmaster Lobrido teaches the tapado class at the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association of Founder/President Master Elmer V. Montoyo, who is himself graded as senior instructor of original Filipino tapado as of this writing, at the PIMAA-FTSDA Main Gym, Paglaum Sports Complex, Hernaez St., Bacolod City.

The Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association under the leadership of GM Lobrido gave the first ever mall demonstration of the art in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental during the Fight Club Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (FCAMMA) Challenge I: Animosity in Bacolod City last September 24, 2005 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Brgy. Singcang, Araneta St., Bacolod City. More than 1,000 spectators witnessed the event, including the tapado demonstration.

The Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association is currently implementing a reorganization scheme. The reorganization effort will include an election of new officers, registration of bonafide members, and the registration of the governing body with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Original Filipino tapado is a long stick fighting style of arnis indigenous to Taloc, Bago City and founded by Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” Mamar in 1960 after studying from several arnisadores among them masters of lagas, sinamak, layaw, and oido/uhido.