FMA Circle of Negros Island, Philippines FMA Circle of Negros Island, Philippines

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

THE LIFE OF ORLANDO G. GARPA SENSEI (1946-2005) By: James U. Sy Jr.

Revised by FMA Circle of Negros Island with permission from the writer. The original article appeared in 2 parts in the January 13 and 14-15, 2006 issues of the Negros Daily Bulletin.


The late Orlando G. Garpa Sensei

October 30, 1946 - Orlando G. Garpa was born in Guimbal,

1982-1988 - He served as chief barangay tanod under Brgy. Capt. Adriano Sarad.

June 28, 1987 - He completed the PUMAA Professional Martial Arts Instructor Course PUMAA PMAIC CL-87-A under sikadzu karate Grandmaster Ireneo P. Gradiola, 8th dan black belt, Founder/President of PUMAA, in Pasay City.

December 5, 1987 - The Kapisanan ng mga Karatista sa Pilipinas (KKP) awarded him his 4th dan black belt in karate during the 2nd KKP National Karate Championships at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila. Among the signatories for his certificate were President/Chairman Roberto A. Gonzales Sensei “Father of Shorin-ryu Karate in the Philippines” and Tournament Director Johnny C. Caranza of Tanjay.

1988-1994 - He served as chief barangay tanod under Brgy. Capt. Jesus Altura

February 6, 1992 - He was recognized as a Regional Judge by the Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF).

June 26-27, 1992 - He served as an official in the 1992 PKF National Juniors Karate Championships in Quezon City.

September 17-19, 1993 - He served as an official in the 7th PKF National Championships at the Baguio Convention Center.

1993 - He became VP for Visayas/Chairman of the Visayas Board of Directors of PUMAA Chapter No. 35, based in Brgy. Baguingin, Tigbauan, Iloilo Province.

February 20, 1994 - He served as an official in the National Shorin-Ryu Shidokan Karate-do Organization of the Philippines (NASKOPHIL) 2nd National Karate-do Championships in Malate.

1994 - He served as an official in the 1st Philippine National Games in Manila.

1994-2004 - He served as barangay tanod under Brgy. Capt. Ramonita T. Alcala.

November 20, 1994 - He was recognized as a National Kumite Referee by the Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF) during the 8th PKF National Karate-do Championships at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

November 25-26, 1995 - He served as an official in the 1995 PKF National Karate Championships at SM City Cebu.

April 21, 1996 - He served as an official in the 1996 Regional Juniors Karate Championships in Villamonte, Bacolod City.

April 24-28, 1996 - He served as an official in the 1996 National Juniors Karate Championships and Women’s Cup at the PEMIT GYM, Batangas City.

May 1996 - He served as an official in the 2nd Philippine National Games in Manila.

October 12-13, 1996 - He served as an official in the 1996 PKF National Championships in Bacolod City.

December 5-6, 1996 - He served as an official in the 1st Regional Tournament in Roxas City.

August 2-3, 1997 - He served as an official in the 1997 PKF National Championships at the Dagupan City Astrodome.

December 1997 - He served as an official in the 3rd Philippine National Games in Cebu.

1997 - He was affiliated with the Western Visayas Active Karate-do Society under PKF Reg. 6 Director and WVAKS President Celestino Roldan Jr. and the Philippine Pencak Silat Association (Philsilat), a member of the International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT).

October 27-30, 1998 - He served as an official in the 1st Pencak Silat National Open Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

January 21, 1999 - The Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF) National Technical Committee awarded him his 1st dan black belt National Rank in Camarines Sur.

January 22, 1999 - The Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF) National Technical Committee named him National Coach after he completed the Basic Coaching Seminar. His certificate was signed by President Manuel “Pocholo” Veguillas III Sensei.

August 8, 1999 - He served as an official in the 1st Pencak Silat Championships at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

November 13, 1999 - He served as an official in the 13th PKF National Karate-do Championships.

April 16-17, 2000 - He attended the Pencak Silat Regional Technical Instructorship Seminar at Alubihod, Guimaras.

May 3-6, 2000 - He was recognized as a National Wasit Juri by the Philippine Pencak Silat Association during the 2nd Pencak Silat National Open Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium,

January 21-28, 2001 - He served as an official in the 2nd Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy National Championships in Laguna.

February 10-11, 2001 He conducted the 1st All Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Chapter Seminar and Open Championships Competition under the auspices of the Philippine Pencak Silat Association-Region VI Chapter with the sponsorship of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association under Rolly Ramos Sensei at the West Negros College (WNC) Gym, Bacolod City, earning him the distinction as the “Father of Pencak Silat Olahraga in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.”

April 5, 2001 - Philsilat President Sultan Jamalul Kiram appointed Garpa Sensei as VP for Visayas of the Philippine Pencak Silat Association.

May 28-31, 2002 - He served as an official in the 4th Pencak Silat National Open Championships in Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

December 1-7, 2002 - He served as an official in the 4th Batang Pinoy National Championships in Puerto Princesa.

February 22-23, 2003 - He served as an official in the 16th PKF National Karate-do Championships in Cebu.

May 3-4, 2003 - He, with the help of National Wasit Juri and Iloilo Province Coordinator Francisco Arboleda Jr., reintroduced pencak silat olahraga in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental during the 1st Philsilat Negros Occidental Basic Regional Technical Seminar Workshop held under the auspices of the Philippine Pencak Silat Association-Region VI Chapter with the sponsorship of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS) of Founders James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado at the Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE) Dojo, Banaba Rd., Villa Angela Subd., Bacolod City.

August 22-24, 2003 - He conducted the 2nd Philsilat Negros Occidental Basic Regional Technical Seminar Workshop in Bacolod City.

March 6, 2004 - He conducted the 3rd Philsilat Negros Occidental Basic Regional Technical Seminar Workshop in Bacolod City.

March 27-28, 2004 - He conducted the 4th Philsilat Negros Occidental Basic Regional Technical Seminar Workshop in Bacolod City.

July 11, 2004 - He organized the 8th PKF Regional Karate-do Championships for 9-17 years old boys and girls thru his Standard Karate-do Association (SKA) at the Tigbauan Covered Court, Brgy. Baguingin, Tigbauan.

September 10-11, 2004 - He conducted the 5th Philsilat Negros Occidental Basic Regional Technical Seminar Workshop in Bacolod City.

November 6-7, 2004 - He organized the Pencak Silat Visayas-Mindanao Tournament Championships event of the 1st Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Cup Festival at the Iloilo Sports Complex, Lapaz, Iloilo City.

November 19-20, 2004 - He conducted the 6th Philsilat Negros Occidental Basic Regional Technical Seminar Workshop in Bacolod City.

April 2, 2005 - He organized the 1st Summer Pencak Silat Expo in Tigbauan.

Garpa Sensei officiated and/or was head of delegation in over 20 tournaments among them the PKF National Championships (7th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, and 16th editions), PKF National Juniors Championships (1992, 1996, 1997), Pencak Silat National Open Championships (1st and 4th editions), Philippine National Games (1st to 3rd editions), Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy (2nd and 4th editions), etc.

December 30, 2005 - Orlando G. Garpa Sensei of Tigbauan, Iloilo Province succumbed to acute respiratory failure last in Iloilo City. He was 59. He was survived by his only daughter, Ronna S. Garpa. His wife, Ruth Sy Garpa, joined the Creator last January 2004.

December 10, 2006 - Orlando G. Garpa Sensei, Founder/Chief Instructor of the Standard Karate-do Association (SKA) and Philippine Pencak Silat Association-Reg. 6 Chapter, was laid to rest at the Tigbauan Catholic Cemetery, Tigbauan, Iloilo Province. Garpa Sensei held the rank of 7th degree black belt in karate in his organization and 2nd dan National Rank under the PKF at the time of his death.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

RAPID JOURNAL FEATURES NEGRENSE ARNIS


Grandmaster Jose "Joe" Mancesa of Bago City (right) was one of the grandmasters mentioned in the Rapid Journal feature.

Rapid Journal, the Philippines’ one and only and longest running martial arts resource since 1996, made history anew when it published in its Vol. 10 No. 1 2005 3rd quarter issue the article “Negros Occidental: The Untapped Arnis Power” by Negros Island’s foremost martial arts researcher and writer James U. Sy Jr.

The article is a brief summation of the hoplological work of Sy on the various martial traditions of the province, which he will be including in his upcoming book on Negrense arnis. The work made mention of about 41 grandmasters, masters, and instructors of Negrense Filipino martial arts (FMA) and the traditions, arts, styles, and systems that they practice and teach.

“Negros Occidental: The Untapped Arnis Power” introduces Negros Occidental based on its geographical location, its cultural foundation, the ethnic characteristics of its arnisadores, and the peculiarities of its vast warrior traditions.

Sy, who is employed by a private company and teaches FMA in his free time, had written hundreds of articles, features, and news items in different local and national level periodicals. “Negros Occidental: The Untapped Arnis Power” is his fourth work for Rapid Journal. His previous documentary and historical write-ups were “The Evolution of the Martial Arts” (Vol. 8 No. 3), “Rediscovering Arnis: The Lost Art of the Philippine Archipelago” (Vol. 9 No. 1), and “The Renaissance of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis” (Vol. 9 No. 3).

Fashioned after the research intensive Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Rapid Journal is the fifth martial arts magazine to come to being in the Philippines. And it has come to be the longest running martial arts publication of the country. Rapid Journal traces its roots to the Wushu Newsletter, a quarterly publication on the Chinese martial arts started by the Rapid Group/Department of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP), which at that time was headed by 2 times SEA games tai ji quan champion (1991, 1993) Daniel Go. The Wushu Newsletter was started in 1995.

In 1996, after Mr. Go left the Wushu Federation of the Philippines, he started Rapid Journal using more sophisticated printing materials and formats. Rapid stands for Research and Propagation for Internal Arts Development. The name itself tells us that the original intent of the journal was to document and popularize the various “soft” styles of martial arts like tai ji quan, ba gua quan, and aikido.

As part of its evolutionary growth, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Daniel Go soon included features on the different arts, among them Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and even western martial arts. Unsurprising, the Filipino martial arts had occupied a good part of the journal’s every issue.

The journal features historical, theoretical, and technical articles and reflections on the martial arts, healing arts, and related subjects like self protection and philosophy. Rapid Journal has become home to some of the most prominent, prolific, and credible martial arts historians, scholars, writers, and/or authorities in the Philippines today that could stand their own against world renown authorities such as Donn F. Draeger (Nihon koryu bujutsu), Stanley Pranin (aikido), John Chambers (European Renaissance fencing), etc. The works of Master Pedro Reyes of Manila, Dr. Ned R. Nepangue of Cebu, anthropologist Prof. Felipe Jocano Jr., O’ong Maryono of pencak silat, internal stylist Rene J. Navarro, to name a few had graced the pages of Rapid Journal.

Rapid Journal has subscribers in Finland. France, and the USA and copies are sold in Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Interested parties may contact Mr. Go at 0916-4258340 or check www.rapidjournal.com.

ILOILO GRAPPLING TILT SET


Edwin J. Tusil Sensei, Founder/Chief Instructor of Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center, will head the Bacolod Delegation to the Iloilo grappling tournament.

A grappling tournament will be held on February 18, 2006 in Iloilo City. The tournament was originally facilitated by Iloilo Councilor Jed Mabilog in cooperation with the Haligi Foundation but latest reports indicate that the Paraw Regata Committee had taken over the organizing functions.

The competition will be fought in a team format with each team composed of 5 grapplers. Matches will be fought with a gi, much like one would ina sports jiu-jitsu bout.

The Bacolod-based Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center of Founder/Chief Instructor Edwin J. Tusil Sensei, a founding member of the Brotherhood of Mixed Martial Artists of Bacolod (B.O.M.B.) and the organizer of the 1st Fight Club Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Challenge “Animosity in Bacolod” last September 24, 2005 and the Fight Club B.R.A.W.L. (Bacolod Reality Amateur Warrior's League) last December 10, 2005, has confirmed its participation in the tournament. However, it has only named three players as of press time: Senior instructors James Emmanuel Infante and Linus Paul Ramos and Senior adviser Mark T. Lusabia.

Infante won his match during the Fight Club VS Jeet Kune Do Talisay Goodwill Mixed Martial Arts Sparring on March 2, 2003. Lusabia won his MMA debut at the Fight Club B.R.A.W.L. It is not yet known if former Palarong Pambansa judo player Ronico D. Despabeladeros will fight again to under the Fight Club banner. Despabeladeros won his grappling match at the Fight Club B.R.A.W.L.

The Iloilo based Tumbatsu of Gilton and Christopher Solis had also expressed their intention to compete in said tournament. Tumbatsu took home a win in the 1st Fight Club Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Challenge courtesy of Rolando Tabano who forced a tapout from John Perry Cesar of Fight Club in the 61-66 kg, category.

CMAS-ILOILO HEAD STARTS TAPADO TRAINING


Filipino Tang soo do Master and original Filipino tapado Senior Instructor Elmer V. Montoyo (left) trains Dr. Raymund Antonio Maguad in the basics of tapado.


Dr. Raymund Antonio Maguad, organizer of Conceptual Martial Arts Society-Iloilo (CMAS-Iloilo) traveled to Bacolod City to formally start tapado training under grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association last January 7, 2006 at the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) Gym, Group K Complex, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City.

GM Lobrido started Dr. Maguad on the basics of tapado from the proper gripping method to the fundamental no. 1 and 2 strikes. Filipino Tang soo do Master and original Filipino tapado Senior Instructor Elmer V. Montoyo assisted GM Lobrido in training the CMAS-Iloilo leader. Undefeated antique dumog champion Pastor Romeo Gumban also gave Dr. Maguad some pointers on the indigenous Visayan grappling art during the session.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

BFMAA-MAIN, CMAS, LVAAA, & OFTLSFA SHARE THE SHARE OF CHRISTMAS

Several martial arts organizations in their own independent ways shared the joys of Christmas during the last Yuletide Season. As Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas would put it, “…life goes beyond knowing how to fight and defend oneself. More important is the ability to be one with the community and be service to it.”

The Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) of Chief Instructor and Kagawad Joery C. Amante and the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS) of Founders James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado in cooperation with Jean Baptiste Dfance Company (of the University of St. La Salle) and Mary Salve Pe of Iloilo City distributed Christmas packages, which included 2 kilos of rice, 2 canned goods, 4 packs of noodles, and assorted garments, to 15 indigent families of Prk. Bulak and Prk. Sambag on December 24, 2005 at the Amante Residence, Prk. Bulak, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City.


Kagawad Joery C. Amante, Chief Instructor od the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main, giving out Christmas packages to indigent families of Prk. Bulak and Prk. Sambag.


Members of the indigent families of Prk. Bulak and Prk. Sambag who received Christmas packages.

Master Clodualdo “Budoy” M. Lobrido of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association and his family hosted a Christmas Thanksgiving to about 200 people last December 25, 2005 at the Lobrido Residence, KM 13.5, Taloc, Bago City.


Cheque Florence Lobrido, Edna Bella Lobrido, Robie Lobrido, Grandmaster Benefredo "Bebing" M. Lobrido, Rosenda Lobrido, and Edna Lobrido.

The Viñas Family in cooperation with the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA) distributed oranges, sandwiches, and beverages to at least 120 mendicants, beggars, and street children on the afternoon of December 30, 2005 at the San Sebastian Cathedral, Rizal St. and at the Redemptorist Church, North Drive, Bacolod City. The association had its Annual Assembly and Christmas Party earlier that day at lunchtiime.


Mrmbrtd of the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA) during their Annual Assembly and Christmas Party. Seated, from left: Master Irving P/ Elefante, Joemel, Moises Nifras Jr., Master Jeffrey Montelibano, and Joeffrey S. Deriada. At the back is Raymund Antonio A. Maguad.

Then on December 31, 2005, CMAS Founders Sy and Alojado visited yaming Grandmaster Fortunato “Atong” Garcia, 88, and gave him 2 kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles, and cash giftsat Cubay, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City.

ORIGINAL TAPADO GETS SEC REGISTRATION


Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of Bago City holding the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association.

The Taloc, Bago City based Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association was issued its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration by Director Russel I. Ildesa last December 16, 2005. Its SEC registration number is CN200530787. Members of the association decided to have the organization registered during a re-organizational meeting last October 9, 2005 in Taloc, Bago City. association President and Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, with the help of Filipino Tang soo do Master and original Filipino tapado Senior Instructor Elmer V. Montoyo of the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), applied for the registration last November 21, 2005 in Iloilo City.

WILD JUDO PROMOTIONS MADE

Grandmaster Norberto “Norbing” A. Mamar promoted 3 individual practitioners of wild judo last October 24, 2005 in Bayawan City, Oriental Negros. Those promoted were Joselito R. Tomulto (master), Ronnie “Nonoy” A. Rocillo (master), and Robennie “Nene” A. Rocillo (instructor).

The newly promoted instructors were students of the late Master Paquito “Pacquit” Rocillo, the father of the younger Rocillos and a student of GM Mamar. GM Mamar made the promotions in light of his deteriorating health. GM Mamar is now living in the mountainous region of Bayawan and is now retired from active teaching. He is also a grandmaster of tapado and is a cousin of the late Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” Mamar of Taloc, Bago City.

The trio, having 79 years of combined martial arts experience, is currently organizing wild judo. The logo of the art has already been designed while the syllabus and the constitution and by-laws are presently drafted.

Wild judo is an empty handed fighting method which borrowed the widely popular Japanese term judo in reference to its use of various indigenous throwing, jointlocking, and other grappling techniques. Wild signifies that the art developed freely like the wild plants that grew in the forest.

BACSMA GETS 7 GOLD, 2 SILVER, & 3 BRONZE IN NOPAM TKD

Bacolod Consolidated Sports Management Association (BACSMA) of Coach Joel R. Casiple took a 7-2-3 medal haul at the 2005 Negros Occidental Provincial Athletic Meet (NOPAM) - Elementary and High School Divisions last December 1-20, 2005 at the Pana-ad Sports Complex, Brgy. Alijis,, Bacolod City.

Gold medalists were John Robert “JR” Burbano of Castleson High School-Area 8 (secondary boys featherweight), Allan de Larrazabal of Area 9 (secondary boys flyweight), Dustin de Larrazabal of Area 9 (secondary boys bantamweight), Shiela de la Cruz of Medel Elementary School-Area 7 (elementary girls 136-144 cm.), Roy Vincent Dionela of Don Bosco Victorias-Area 3 (secondary boys lightweight), Tedjay Ibañez of Bacolod christian Center School-Area 8 (elementary boys 136-144 cm.), and Marvic Sayon of sum-ag National High school-Area 7 (secondary boys welterweight).

Silver medalists were Eugene Bedayos of NOHS-Area 9 (secondary boys finweight) and Myrel Tapang of Sum-ag National High School-Area 7 (secondary girls flyweight).

Bronze medalists were Christian Maculada of ETCS-1-Area 7 (elementary boys 144-152 cm.), Mike Mascardo of NOHS-Area 9 (secondary boys featherweight), and Roni Jean Raymundo of ETCS-1-Area 7 (elementary girls 120-128 cm.).

BACSMA GETS 2 GOLD, 1 SILVER IN WVPRISAA TKD

Bacolod Consolidated Sports Management Association (BACSMA) of Coach Joel R. Casiple took a 2-0-1 medal haul at the 2005 Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association (WVPRISAA) Regional Meet - College Division last December 21, 2005 at the USLS Covered Court, University of St. La Salle, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City. Participating teams were Aklan PRISAA, Capiz PRISAA, Iloilo PRISAA, and Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural, and Educational Association.

BACSMA gold medalists were Jennylyn Palama of Riverside College (featherweight) and Catherine Samonte of Riverside College (welterweight). George Bedayos of La Consolacion College took the bronze in the finweight division. Winners of the 2005 WVPRISAA Regional Meet will represent the region at the National PRISAA scheduled on February 5-11, 2005 in Dagupan, Pangasinan.