Something to Amuse Us

MT. KANLAON MED’L MKISSION HUGE SUCCESS by James U. Sy Jr.

The Mt. Kanlaon Lions International District 301-B under President Silvino “Ben” Maguad in cooperation with the Municipality of Murcia under Mayor Esteban “Sonny” Coscolluela and Vice Mayor Joselito Santiago successfully held a medical mission last July 21, 2007 at the VM Santiago Cock Farm, Brgy Sta Cruz, Murcia , Negros Occidental.

117 residents availed of blood typing, vital signs check up, medical consultation, free medicine, and free reading glasses.

The medical mission was composed of Lions President Silvino “Ben” Maguad, Past District Governor Jose “Pepet” Escay, Past President Chris Javier, and members Dr. Elsa Dumancas, Nelson Duyungon, and Bing Zayco; Municipal Officials Mayor Esteban “Sonny” Coscolluela and Vice Mayor Joselito Santiago; Leo members Girlie M. Cabayoyo and Novee C. Nuñez; Medical Team Drs. Raymund Antonio A., Francis G. Saison, and Saja Marie B. Maguad, Community Affairs Officer I/Municipal Health Administrator Vicente “Nonoy” Leonida of the Office of the Mayor, and midwives
Jeramae G. Ciocon, Evelyn Minoza, Helen B. Palma, Rose Shellane Solisa, and Marilyn Villarosa; and Documentation/Publicity Team Founders James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. and Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of the Original Filipino Tapado long Stick Fighting Association, (OFTLSFA), Inc.

The medical mission was the first one to be conducted under the administration of President Maguad. Another mission is mulled for Minoyan,. Murcia about 2 weeks from now.

Lions International was started by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA which had the concept of extending local business clubs into community service for the betterment of their communities and the world. Lions work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.

Lions International was started in the Philippines in 1949.

Lions Clubs International has grown to include 1.3 million men and women in approximately 45,000 clubs located in 200 countries and geographic areas.

A MEMORIAL TO GM DOMINADOR FERRER (Part 4 of 4)

GM FERRER’S TEACHINGS
By his student, James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer (1920-2007) snatches knives, sticks, sanggots, blades, and other weapons with ease but yet he never advocated violence and hurting other people. He liked disarming because it’s a good way to deter an assailant from further aggression but leaves one with enough control if in case he continues.

He is a firm believer in living a peaceful life. He always reminded his students that the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) Arnis or Escrima should only be used in the protection in one’s or one’s loved ones’ lives. He lived by Jesus Christ’s Golden Rule.

He supported Arnis tournaments because he believed that it was an avenue where the youn practitioners can test their skills and distance them from drugs through sports. However, he would like to retain his art for its combative value. He believed that as one ages one’s proficiency in sportive FMA decreases while efficiency in combative FMA can relatively be maintained with a little more ease.

He was such a loyal practitioner of warrior arts that even when he was already a grandmaster himself, he still thinks highly of his teachers, GMs Jose “Joe” L. Viñas (Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis) and Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar (Original Filipino Tapado). In his own words, “without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

GM Ferrer was always humble and did not speak ill of other Arnisadors. For him, what one does goes back to him. He advocated the respect of one’s fellow man.

GM Ferrer made his disarming and control techniques work by using the conceptual foundation of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, among them the proper use of the body weight, minimal movements, and attacking the opponent’s weakness.

Grandmaster Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer had taught a good number of students in his lifetime among them former Bacolod Councilor Atty. Juanito Amihan, American university Professor and FMA Master Ronald A. Harris, and Francis Stephen A. Diaz. However, he only promoted 4 people to Master in Arnis: Romy Berlanas of Kalantiaw Defense Society (KDS), Rey Aguilar, Jun-Jun Maravilla of Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFAI), and James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. Hopefully these people and his other students will continue the legacy of GM Ferrer for the future generations.

A MEMORIAL TO GM DOMINADOR FERRER (Part 3 of 4)

LAPU-LAPU VIÑAS ARNIS
By his student, James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer of Bacolod City (1920-2007) started his journey in the martial arts in October 1959, when he was 39 years old. He enrolled at the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association under the late Founder/Great Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Lamayo Viñas (1906-1991).

Ferrer trained diligently under his teacher in the art of stickfighting, bladework, and most especially, disarming. The motto of the founder was “We Defend.” Ferrer would live and preach this motto when he himself started his own school and up to his last breathe. Ferrer’s contemporaries included among others Joe Kam, the late Santiago “Tiaging” Tolentino, and Digoy Guanzon (who all went on to become grandmasters in their own rights).

GGM Viñas was never fond of demonstrating in public so Ferrer represented him during exhibitions. GM Ferrer took pride in representing his teacher in many events, among them 5 demonstrations at the Cebu Coliseum (2 times), Southwestern University , Far Eastern University , and University of the Visayas, all in Cebu . Master Ferrer showed his disarming prowess at the 2nd National Eskrima (Arnis) Championships held by the National Arnis Association of the Philippines (NARAPHIL) on March 16, 1985 in Cebu City .

Ferrer’s crowning glory came when he was awarded his mastership in Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis by GGM Viñas on April 20, 1979 in Bacolod City after 20 years of continuous and dedicated practice.

Master Ferrer was recognized as an Arnis Grandmaster by the newly formed Negros Occidental Arnis Federation (NOAF) during the 4th National Arnis Tournament and Festival on July 26-27, 1986 at the West Negros College Gym. His certificate was signed by then NARAPHIL Visayas Region Commissioner Atty. Grandmaster Dionisio A. Cañete, NOAF President Jerson “Nene” Tortal, and Committee on Award Chairman Judge Grandmaster Demosthenes Magallanes. He also served as a judge during the tournament.

Incidentally, it was in this tournament that Original Filipino Tapado was demonstrated for the third time in Bacolod City . OFT is an indigenous long stick fighting art founded by the late Grandmaster Romeo “Nono C. Mamar in 1960 in Brgy. Taloc, Bago City . Before being publicly shown, the art was already polished through non-padded challenge matches that often left challengers badly injured.

Several members of the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA), like many other Arnisadores, realized the power and uniqueness of OFT and joined the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (then not yet registered with the SEC) to learn the art. GMs Ferrer, Tolentino, Kam, and Tortal and Master Instructor Joe V. Tan were among them.

Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis GM Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer was conferred his Junior Instructor rank in Original Filipino Tapado by GM Mamar on December 30, 1988 and his Senior Instructor degree on May 28, 1989.

When GGM Viñas passed away in 1991, it was the only time when GM Ferrer started his own school, which was named after a legendary Malay Datu in Panay and highly influenced by the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis philosophy of defense. The name of his school was Kalantiaw Defense Society (KDS). Whereas some laid claim to succession to Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis upon the founder’s death, GM Ferrer went his own way and never got involved in the struggle for succession.

On December 30, 2003, Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas, the son of the founder, conferred to GM Ferrer a 10th degree ranking in Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, making him the first to be promoted to such high rank by a lineage holder. The same rank is recognized by the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) of Master Elmer V. Montoyo. GM Ferrer is also recognized as a grandmaster of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF) of Atty. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon.

GM Ferrer taught Old Style Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, characterized by a left side lead and a general absence of a numbered or named patterns. Several of Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas’ students, who consisted the core group of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., also sought out GM Ferrer for further instructions when HM Viñas retired from active teaching in 1998.

He served as Arnis Training Director for Bantay Bayan under Regional Director Rudy Toledo. At a certain point in time, he had also taught hand to hand defensive tactics to the Philippine Army in Negros .

GM Ferrer is a Council of Elders member of CMAS, IFFMAS, and LVAAA and is a board director for NOBF and OFTLSFA, Inc.

GM Ferrer was conferred with the Most Disciplined Award by the Red National Judo Karate Jujitsu Association (Red Najukaju-A) during its Open Martial Arts Competition Festival on August 22, 1992 at the Bacolod Arts, Youth, and Sports (BAYS) Center Gym, San Juan St., Bacolod City.

GM Ferrer was recognized for his “Outstanding Propagation of Arnis in Bacolod City ” by officials of Purok Macanpiña during the 1st Purok Macanpiña Martial Arts Expo on August 28, 2004 at the Purok Macanpiña Basketball Court , Brgy. 6, Bacolod City . CMAS, IFFMAS, and OFTLSFA recognized him as “The Oldest Living Grandmaster of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis in the World.”

As far as recorded, GM Ferrer had demonstrated his art in Bacolod , Bago, Don Salvador Benedicto, Himamaylan, San Carlos , Talisay, and Victorias among others. In the early part of the 2000s, GM Ferrer was assisted by Instructor Romy Berlanas in demonstrations and then by this writer, Joeffrey S. Deriada, and Francis Stephen A. Diaz, all his students, from 2003 to 2007.

GM Ferrer was one of the featured instructors for the 1st Bacolod Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Open Seminar (February 23, 2003) and the 1st Martial Arts Renaissance for Negros Seminar Tour “Conflict Neutralization for L’Fisher Hotel Security Force” (June 22-23, 2004), both in Bacolod City .

GM Ferrer appeared in an episode of Reflections hosted by his student Atty. Juanito Amihan which aired over Negros Progress Channel and also guested at Jerel S. Sombilla’s Bombo Sports and Physical Fitness over DyWB Radio Bombo. GM Ferrer had been publicized by this writer in many issues of local newspapers and some issues of the internationally circulated martial arts magazine Rapid Journal.

A MEMORIAL TO GM DOMINADOR FERRER (Part 2 of 4)

THE WAR YEARS
By his student, James U. Sy Jr.

On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and later Norway , Denmark , Holland , Luxemburg , Belgium , France , and England . Japan , Germany ’s ally, started invading China and Indo-China. With chaos erupting in the Pacific, the Philippines rushed and intensified the military training of the youth. Men from all walks of life flocked to the military headquarters volunteering for combat service.

Grandmaster Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer was one of these men. At the age of 20, he stood strong with the physique of a bodybuilder, having pumped iron during his teens. He and the others were supposed to be transported to Camp Murphy in Manila for training but the schedule did not push through. Instead, they were trained in Magallon (now Moises Padilla).

On December 8, 1941, 2:30 A.M. (December 7, 1941, 7:55 A.M. US time), the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the mightiest US naval base in Hawaii , and a few hours later, attack to the Philippines started with Davao City . The Philippines was dragged into World War II as an ally of America .

The United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) had 100,000 Filipino soldiers in addition to its American combatants. Many Arnisadores/Eskrimadores were drafted into the USAFFE to fight the Japanese. The late Grandmasters Honorio C. Togle (Togle Style Modern Arnis) and Benito Agui (Bayoneta Carada) were reportedly some of these men while Grandmaster Jose D. Aguilar (Oido de Caburata) served as an intelligence agent.

On May 6, 1942, Corregidor fell and nearly 12,000 Filipinos and Americans were taken prisoners. The following day, Gen. Wainswright was forced to read over Radio KZRH an order to all forces under his command throughout the archipelago to surrender to the Japanese. The group where Ferrer belonged did not surrender but was disbanded and they were ordered to go home.

With the surrender of Maj. Gen. William F. Sharp Jr. on May 10, 1942, the Philippines had fallen to the Japanese as far as the American forces in the archipelago were concerned. But many Filipinos refused to surrender and went to the mountains to continue the war as guerillas. Lt. Liberato Montañes, Lt. Agustin Paraiso, and Lt. Lorenzo Dilag organized a guerilla movement in Negros . Ferrer joined them fled to the mountains of Calatrava and San Carlos to continue the fight.

Also among those who fled to the mountains of San Carlos(?) were Grandmasters Guillermo and Juan Yasay (Yasay Sable). They brought with them whatever amount of rice from their bodega that they can bring and burn what’s left so the Japanese can’t make use of them. GM Juan would go on to do guerilla work, swimming the Bago River to relay information to resistance fighters.

Ferrer, because of his printing skills and experience, was assigned in the Finance Department of the guerilla movement and together with Juanito De La Cruz, headed the printing of emergency notes. It was there that he met his future wife, Margarita L. Briones (b: July 20, 1927), the daughter of Principal Francisco Briones of Toledo , Cebu and School Teacher Jacinta Losaria of Lambunao, Iloilo . Briones was a sorter and checker of the emergency notes printed by the guerilla movement.

In 1944, the uncle of Margarita who was a judge wed Ferrer and Briones in the mountains of San Carlos . The couple was married 3 more times at the San Carlos Church , Bata Church , and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Chapel. They had three children.

After the war, the Ferrer couple settled in Bacolod City and Ferrer was employed as a lineman and installer with the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) in November 1948 in Silay City . Later, he was assigned to Bacolod where he held another position. He retired from PLDT in 1980 and enjoyed the remaining 27 years of his life. His wife, Margarita Briones Ferrer, on the other hand was employed as a school teacher at the Bata Elementary School .

A MEMORIAL TO GM DOMINADOR D. FERRER (Part 1 of 4) by James U. Sy. Jr.

THE GENTLE GIANT GOES TO OUR LORD
By his student, James U. Sy Jr.


Grandmaster Dominador “Doming” D. Ferrer, the Founder of the Kalantiaw Defense Society (KDS), passed away on July 17, 2007, 2:00 P.M., at the Doctors Hospital , B.S. Aquino Drive , Bacolod City due a sudden cardiac arrest. He was 86 years old.

Early this year, GM Ferrer was hospitalized after being dizzy while gardening. He was diagnosed with a high BP. Then on July 7, 2007, he complained of pains in his left chest prompting his family to have him checked at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH). But doctors could not find anything wrong with GM Ferrer. On July 17, 2007, 10:00 P.M., GM Ferer was rushed to the Doctors Hospital . By 2:00 P.M. he had expired.

The vigil for GM Ferrer was held from July 18-22, 2007 at the Chapel F, Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel, Inc., Lacson St. , Bacolod City. Family, relatives, friends, and martial artists flocked to Rolling hills to pay their last respects to GM Ferrer. Interment was last Jul 23, 2007 at the Roselawns Memorial Park with the mass held by Rev. Fr. Emilio Larlar at the Bata Church . Members of the Bantay Bayan brought the casket to its final resting place.

GM Ferrer to the many aspiring Arnisadores was a role model and the embodiment of a real grandmaster. He was always humble and most times would just keep silent. He never made claims of grandeur and always gave a smile to the people around him. Upon deeper inspection, one would discover a person full of wisdom, experience, and love for his fellow men...a gentle giant.

GM Ferrer retired when he was 60 and enjoyed what he does best for the next 27 years of his life. Arnis kept him active, healthy, and happy. While people his age would just sit down at home, GM Ferrer is most times found at martial arts events, 9 or 8 out of 10 every time. Arnis was his life long passion and he strived to impart this Filipino heritage to the next generation of Arnisadores.

He is well loved and respected by the martial arts community. He taught Arnis publicly but chose carefully his students. He didn’t want his skills to be used for something not right. Nevertheless, he was never secretive to those who were deserving of his knowledge.

He was a good friend who gave good advice. He was always there for a helping hand and would often pat one on the back for a job well done. He was always on time and most times, would be at the meeting place even before the designated time.

At his advanced age, he was a health buff, walking distances that would leave a younger but less fit man gasping for air. His grip was stronger than the average teen and he is still fast with the disarms. He advocated non-smoking, non-drinking, non-violence, and respect to one’s fellow men.

He was very loving to his wife and children, having not hurt them even once. He was supportive of them and took care of their needs and problems. Together with his wife, GM Ferrer raised their children well. He was a deeply religious man who did not fail to meet his Sabbath duty.

GM Ferrer was survived by his wife, Margarita Briones Ferrer, their children Freddie B. Ferrer and Monina V. Ferrer, Dominador B. Ferrer Jr. and Marlyn Abella, and Jimmy Ilano and Nora F. Ilano, grandchildren Ernie John V. Ferrer and Rachel D. Ferrer, Jimmy F. Ilano Jr. and Ma. Lourdia N. Ferrer, Gilbert A. Ferrer and Mary Ann Ferrer, Ma. Luisa Ferrer, Kenneth A. Ferrer and Claudine L. Ferrer, Christopher Ferrer, Katherine Ferrer, John Wilfred Ferrer, Jaynor F. Ilano and Jenilyn Ilano, and Elijah Ilano, and great grandchildren Jillian Ilano, Angela, Zoe Gilbert Ferrer, and Angelo Ilano.

Ferrer was born to Eduardo Ferrer, a farmer, and Catalina Dionson on November 25, 1920 in Bacolod City . The young Ferrer had his education at Mabini Elementary School and was a freshman at the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) before quitting school. He worked at the printing house of his grandfather, Esteban Alemares. The printing skills he would learn from his grandfather would prove to be an asset to Filipino resistance in Negros against the Japanese in World War II.

ORIGINAL TAPADO & LAPU-LAPU ARNIS SEMINAR HELD by James U. Sy, Jr.

(Note: This news article by James U. Sy, Jr. appeared in today's Negros Daily Bulletin Sports section and is copied here with permission from the author in totot)


Founder/Chief Instructor Diomedes N. Mamugay of San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC), 3rd degree, underwent a short seminar dubbed 11th Negros Conceptual Martial Arts Seminar “Original Filipino Tapado Basic Strikes and Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Handblade Basics” right after the conclusion of the 4th Lee Gralto Negros Regional Wushu Sanshou Championships last June 30, 2007 at the Seaside Grounds, right beside the Tower of the Lee Gralto Compound, Ermita St., Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

1st Generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, president of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc., introduced F/CI Mamugay to the basic uno and dos strikes of Original Filipino Tapado, an indigenous Bagoueño long stick fighting art founded by his late uncle Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar in 1960 in Taloc, Bago City. Mamugay was taught the use of the basic uno and dos strikes against any angle of attacks.

LVA Master Instructor James U. Sy Jr., 4th degree, founder of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., gave F/CI Mamugay the basics of the handblade, the most used empty handed block of the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis System. Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis is an indigenous Bacoleño system of Arnis founded by the late Grandmaster Jose “Joe” L. Viñas (1906-1991) in 1932. Mamugay was taught the application of the technique against various kinds of punches, strikes, thrusts, and kicks.

MI Sy and F/CI Mamugay first met at the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP), where both CMAS and SACA JUFIMAC are members. Sy introduced Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis to Mamugay and some of his students on August 15, 2006 and in two other intensive seminars. Sy expects to certify and authorize Mamugay to teach the art in the near future. Since then SACA JUFIMAC had affiliated with CMAS.

CMAS is a member of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) and OFTLSFA where GM Lobrido serves as Vice President and presidents respectively. CMAS is also affiliated with the Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA) of 1st generation Inheritor Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas, the son of the late founder.

GM Lobrido had previously taught Original Filipino Tapado at the Kalupaan Tapado Association (KATA) in Brgy. Quezon, San Carlos City. KATA was founded by the late Grandmaster Norberto “Norbing” Mamar, a cousin of GM Nono Mamar. Since GM Norbing Mamar moved to Bayawan, then Master Welbor “Kickok” Presno took over as head of the group. GM Nono Mamar and GM Lobrido provided the association with updates and consultancy. KATA propagates Karaan Tapado which is a combination of Lagas and pre-1960 long stick Backhand.

Diomedes N. Mamugay, 3rd degree, is the San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC), Centralian Fighters Martial Arts Club (CEFIMAC), and Red Dragon Fighters Martial Arts Club (REDRAFMAC). He serves as North Negros Vice President for Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP), a founding member of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), and an affiliate of the Combat Taekwondo Club-Main (CTC-Main) of (Ret.) Lt. Col. Epifanio F. Mercado and the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder James U. Sy Jr.

SACA JUFIMAC propagates Wushu Sanshou, Kickboxing, Western Boxing, Karate, taekwondo, and Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis and was responsible for introducing Wushu Sanshou to San Carlos City in March 2005.

4TH LEE GRALTO NEGROS REG’L WUSHU SANSHOU:: The Lee Gralto Dream Part 3 of 3 by: James U. Sy, Jr.

(Note: A news article that appear in the local news daily, Negros Daily Bulletin)

Madame “Dulay” Lee Gralto, the organizer of the Lee Gralto Negros Regional Wushu Sanshou Championships, is a native of San Carlos City , Negros Occidental. Her dedication to the martial arts and to her community made her the no. 1 patron of Wushu Sanshou in the city.

Lee Gralto left San Carlos for the US in 1968 and started her martial arts training in 1996 in New York . She studied and ultimately earned a brown belt in Tiger Schulmann’s Karate.

Tiger Schulmann’s Karate is a name of both a school and an eclectic style of American martial arts developed by 6 times undefeated North American Knockdown Karate champion (1979-1984) Tiger Schulmann, a student of Oyama, Shigeru of the Kyokushinkai school. The school has more than 50,000 students in 33 schools in the Eastern US .

The US, being the melting pot of Asian martial arts, gave Lee Gralto the opportunity to extend her studies to different disciplines via the seminar circuit.

Going back and forth to the US and the Philippines, she founded the Lee Gralto Defense Club (LGDC) in 2004 in Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. Sipaway Island is about a 30-minute pumpboat ride from San Carlos. The island is peaceful, non-polluted, and is an environmentalist’s dream, making it an ideal abode.

The inhabitants of the island are very simple people with little access to the usual pleasures found in highly urbanized areas. Madame Lee Gralto noticed that the children are often lonely. They would usually go swimming in the sea or play among themselves. And many of them have not gone to school because of poverty.

Wushu Federation of the Philippines-Negros Occidental (founded: June 2003) under Provincial Coordinator Joery C. Amante of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) was actively propagating Wushu Sanshou in Bacolod City, the center of martial arts activity in Negros Occidental.

One of the members of WFP-Neg. Occ. is Warrior’s Club (now Tribo Hangaway) head by Founder Master Roy R. Flores Sr., 6th degree, who is also the Negros island chief instructor of the Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI). TIFI propagates Tapondo, an eclectic Filipino style of Aikido founded by Master Ambrosio “Monching” J. Gavileño of Guimaras. Flores would travel to San Carlos to supervise training of the federation’s chapter there. Madame Lee Gralto started training in Tapondo in 2003 and is now ranked 2nd degree black belt in the art.

Madame Lee Gralto gathered potential athletes from the island and have them trained in Wushu Sanshou for free. A spacious covered court was constructed last year and completed this 2007. Different training equipments such as punching bags, punch mitts, kicking pads, body armors, etc. were brough tin from the uS to aid the youth in their training.

Inspired by the Manny Pacquiao rugs to riches story, Madame Lee Gralto envisioned the young Sipaway athletes to qualify in provincial, regional, and national level Wushu Sanshou competitions where they can be discovered and invited to join the Philippine National Wushu Sanshou Training Pool. Once an athlete becomes part of the Training Pool, WFP gives him/her allowance, trains him/her as a national players, perhaps negotiate a school scholarship for him/her, and gives him/her the opportunity to compete internationally, which can reap him/her honor, fame, and financial rewards from the Philippine Government.

Also helping the instruction on the teenagers are Instructor Allan Mario Facturan and Ferdinand C. Labay.

The annual Lee Gralto Negros Regional Wushu Sanshou Championships was started by Madame Lee Gralto in 2004 to give the trainees the avenue where they can put their skills to the test with other athletes from different schools and to foster camaraderie among martial artists of different affiliations.

4TH LEE GRALTO NEGROS REG’L WUSHU SANSHOU: Official Results Part 2 of 3 by: James U. Sy, Jr.

(Note: This is a news item at the sports page in the local daily, Negros Daily Bulletin and is copied here in toto)


Host Lee Gralto Defense Club (LGDC) of Founder Lee Gralto, 2nd degree, and Chief Instructor Fred R. Flores, 1st degree, took the overall championship with a 5-5 medal haul at the 4th Lee Gralto Negros Regional Wushu Sanshou Championships last June 30, 2007 at the newly constructed LGDC Covered Court, Lee Gralto Compound, Ermita St., Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) of Chief Instructor and Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) Negros Occidental Coordinator Joery C. Amante (5-2), Tribu Hangaway (TH) of Founder/Master and WFP Oriental Negros Coordinator Roy R. Flores Sr. (1-3), San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) of Founder/Chief Instructor and WFP north Negros VP Diomedes N. Mamugay (1-1), and Iloilo Tinagan School of Martial Arts Inc. (ITSMAI) of WFP Reg. 6 Coordinator Arnold S. Tinagan Shihan and Iloilo City Coordinator Girlie D. Tinagan (0-1) were 2nd to 5th places respectively.

Genita Patoc of LGDC, 47 kg., defeated Ma. Christina Bianan of BFMAA-Main, 46 kg. Chali Patoc of LGDC, 60 kg., disposed of the smaller Sheila Asdolo of TH, 48 kg., with a barrage of punches in 4 seconds of the 1st round (RSC outclassed), the fastest win in the tournament. Virginia Dacumo of LGDC, 51 kg., beat Jonah eden Jallorina of ITSMAI, 45 kg.

Jay-Ar Simpron of BFMAA-Main, 51 kg., won over Noel Dabao of LGDC, 50 kg. Warren Songalid of SACA JUFIMAC, 58 kg., took an RSC by injury victory at 1.47 of the 1st round against Kert Esleyer of TH, 57 kg. Former Philippine National Wushu Sanshou training Pool member Jet Lumawag of BFMAA-Main, 55 kg., KOed carl Indino of LGDC, 57 kg., in 33 seconds of the 1st round.

Julius Dohinog of BFMAA-Main, 49 kg., defeated Rene F. Ortiz of SACA JUFIMAC, 50 kg. Ricky Indino of LGDC, 60 kg., beat Isaac Esleyer of TH, 65 kg. Roel Dacumos of LGDC, 54 kg., applied a high amplitude suplex and a front push kick that seated Joselito Bianan of BFMAA-Main, 55 kg., in route to a convincing victory.

Adham El Helon of TH, 77 kg., pushed out crowd favorite Vicente Fernandez of LGDC, 69 kg., twice in the 1st round and then snatched the victory after the 2nd round. Rosendo Trayco III of BFMAA-Main, 51 kg., overwhelmed Andrew Refuela of LGDC, 48 kg., forcing the referee to give his opponent a standing 8 count in the 2nd round and declared a victory for Trayco via RSC retirement at 1.02 of the 2nd round.

Wushu Sanshou and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) champion Andres Villarmia of BFMAA-Main, 55 kg., and Noel Pancho of LGDC, 54 kg., traded suplex for suplex but at the end of the bout Villarmia got the win.

Officials were Founder Lee Gralto of LGDC (organizer/promoter/host), Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of TH/TIFI (tournament coordinator/judge), Arnold S. Tinagan Shihan of ITSMAI (tournament director), Girlie D. Tinagan of ITSMAI (chief jury), Ronilo “Nonoy” Magbanua of Supreme Modern Combat (referee), Mark David Duduit of ITSMAI (referee/judge), Pablo Seneres and Chief Instructor Joery C. Amante of BFMAA-Main (judges), Master Instructor James U. Sy Jr. (master of ceremonies), and Jake A. Bugna of TIFI/TH/OFTLSFAI (timer). Also present were the hostess’ children Joey Tuchorski, Gerald Gralto, Tanya Lee gralto, and Anthony Gralto.

4TH LEE GRALTO NEGROS REG’L WUSHU SANSHOU:"WUSHU IN SIPAWAY" Part 1 of 3 by :James U. Sy, Jr.

(Note: This a news item at the sports page of Negros Daily Bulletin and is being copied here in toto)



The Lee Gralto Defense Club (LGDC) of Founder Lee Gralto, 2nd degree, and Chief Instructor Fred R. Flores, 1st degree, in cooperation with LGDC Consultant and Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) Oriental Negros Provincial Coordinator Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI)-Negros and Tribo Hangaway (TH), 6th degree, made another milestone in the history of martial arts in Negros with the highly successful staging of the 4th Lee Gralto Negros Regional Wushu Sanshou Championships last June 30, 2007 at the newly constructed LGDC Covered Court, Lee Gralto Compound, Ermita St., Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.



The event earned the distinction as the first Wushu Sanshou tournament in Sipaway Island and the second regional level Wushu Sanshou competition in San Carlos City and Negros Occidental. The first provincial level Wushu Sanshou championships in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental was held by the Wushu Federation of the Philippines under Negros Occidental Provincial Coordinator Joery C. Amante, 4th degree, last November 2003.

The first Wushu Sanshou tournament in San Carlos was held by the San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial Arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) of Founder/Chief Instructor and WFP North Negros VP Diomedes N. Mamugay last March 2005.

11 martial arts organizations from Bacolod , Bago, Bago, Iloilo , and San Carlos Cities took part as competitors, officials, and demonstrators in 12 action packed Wushu Sanshou bouts witnessed by 400-500 island residents.

The event kicked off with a Karaan Tapado demonstration by Ferdinand C. Labay, 1st degree Tapondo and KATA, and his son Mark Chester Labay of the Kalupaan Tapado Association (KATA) under Grandmaster Welbor “Kickok” Presno and Master Rey Marticio. They exhibited the basic uno and dos of Karaan Tapado which descended from the late Grandmaster Norberto “Norbing” Mamar and combines the methods of Lagas with pre-1960 long stick Backhand. Mark also showed a solo form developed by KATA which strung the basic strikes and footwork of the style.

Representing Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) of Master Elmer V. Montoyo, Pastor Romeo N. Gumban demonstrated 3 combative techniques of the Antiqueño/Visayan grappling art Dumog with LVA Master Instructor James U. Sy Jr., 4th degree.

In an exhibition for Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., Founder Sy showed 3 techniques from Wing Chun Kung Fu of Mr. Pablo Yap and Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis of 1st Generation Inheritor Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas with Pastor Gumban. The Antiqueño Dumog, Wing Chun, and Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis demo were the first to be made in Sipaway Island .

Instructor Allan Mario Facturan and Isaac Esleyer of tribu Hangaway, in behalf of Founder Master Roy R. Flores Sr., went through the different throws, joint manipulations, and ground maneuvers taught in the Hangaway grappling curriculum. Techniques shown were an eclectic blend of Japanese Judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Filipino Dumog.

Instructor Allan Mario Facturan led Silay Chapter Head Edrolin Ortigas, brown belt Jake A. Bugna, and yellow belt Nikki Nuñez in a Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI) in behalf of Negros Island Chief Instructor Roy R. Flores Sr. The group exhibited basic and obstacle breakfalling as well as defenses against grabbing and striking attacks, multiple attackers, women’s defense, etc. Bugna got the attention of the audience and earned thunderous applause for his airborne flips. The petite Nuñez impressed the crowd by throwing much larger attackers.

The Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. demo kicked off with Senior Instructors Pastor Romeo N. Gumban and James U. Sy Jr. showing the basic uno and dos, doble dos, and bali-bali strikes of Original Filipino Tapado, which was founded by the late Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar in 1960 in Taloc, Bago City. SI Gumban chipped off part of SI Sy’s stick due to the power of his strikes. 1st Generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, the nephew of the late founder, demonstrated the higher linyada including lastico and direct hitting with SI Sy.

The final demo was a women’s defense performance by the hostess herself, Founder Lee Gralto of the Lee Gralto Defense Club (LGDC) with the assistance of LGDC Chief Instructor Fred R. Flores and Tapondo International Federation Inc. (TIFI)-Negros/Tribu Hangaway Instructor Allan Mario Facturan. The demo started off with various kinds of grabbing and striking attacks, both from the front and back, then progressed to more dangerous attacks that included a knife. Founder Lee Gralto used Tapondo techniques to defend herself. (To be continued)