AIKIDOKA TOPS COSTUME PARTY

John Paul Gonzaga of the Accounting Department was adjudged Best in Costume in the Men’s category besting 7 other contestants during the Jollibee Bacolod Christmas Party last January 25, 2006 at the Hyundai Bldg., Araneta St., Bacolod City.

Gonzaga’s samurai costume outshined other costumes entered in the competition which included traditional Chinese outfit, Vietnamese garb, Forbidden Love costume, etc. His garb consisted of upper and lower gi (kimono), obi (belt), hakama (pleated skirt), and bokken (wooden sword).

Gonzaga is a 6th kyu belt in aikido under the Dangayan Singkaw-Ryu Aikidokan (DSRA) and a junior grade in Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis System. Gonzaga chose the samurai costume after appreciating the philosophy, culture, ethics, and martial arts of feudal Japan’s warrior class during his study of Nihon budo (Japanese martial ways).