JUFIMAC TO SPONSOR MUAY THAI SEMINAR

The San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) and Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club (CEFIMAC) of Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay and the Combat Taekwondo Club-Main (CTC-Main) of Founder/President Ret. Lt. Col. Epifamio F. Mercado are set to sponsor the 3rd Negros Occidental M.A.P. Muay Boran Instructors Course “The Introduction of Muay Thai to San Carlos” this coming July 8-9, 2006 at the CTC-Main Gym, San Carlos City.

The seminar will be conducted by Muay Association of the Philippines (M.A.P.) Visayas and Region 7 Head Kru Ike Villaflores of Dumaguete City. M.A.P.-Negros Occidental Chapter Coordinator James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS) will also be present.

The Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) is the sole National Sport Association (NSA) for amateur Muay Thai in the Philippines as recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Muay is a Thai word which means “to pull together to form a single group” and refers to Thailand’s national martial art, sport, and “Science of the 8 limbs” (fists, elbows, legs, and knees). Muay Thai has a colorful history stretching back thousands of years. It has enjoyed support from the Thai Royal Family since the 12th Century A.D.

Muay Thai, in simple terms, is kickboxing with elbows and knees added in. Clinching (controlling the neck) is allowed as well as throwing from that position. Judo throws, however, such as shoulder, hip, reaping, and sacrifice throws are not allowed. Amateur Muay Thai is fought with full protective armor.

Mamugay Sensei is expecting about 5 martial arts organizations to attend the seminar, among them CTC (San Carlos and Canlaon), SACA JUFIMAC/CEFIMAC (San Carlos), Red Dragon Martial Arts (Calatrava), and Yantaokido (San Carlos).

Meanwhile, the 2006 Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic in various locations in the Visayas will be concluded with the end of the summer period. The Dumaguete Muay Association started 3 summer Muay Thai programs in separate venues. The Milo Summer Clinic, conducted by Walter Zaldiriaga and Fortunato Sechico at the Dumaguete Muay Association HQ, will close the program for 33 participants on May 25, 2006.

Supplemental summer classes taught by Kru Villaflores at the Royal Oaks International School and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) will close on May 24 and May 20 with 13 and 27 participants respectively.

The Milo Muay Thai Summer Clinic in Kabankalan City by 2005 Visayas champion Romnick Pabalate and Bacolod City by Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) Asst. Chief Instructor Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr. will be concluded on May 26 and 31 respectively.