ORIGINAL TAPADO PROMOTIONS MADE by James U. Sy, Jr.

(Note this article appeared in the Sports Page of Negros Daily Bulletin on August 22, 2007 and is copied in toto here with the permission of the author)

Grandmaster Benefredo "Bebing" M. Lobrido, president of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc., promoted seven members of the association to the rank of Senior Instructor in Original Filipino Tapado on the occasion of the 2007 OFTLSFA General Reunion at the Taloc Beach, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City .

Those promoted to Senior Instructor in Original Filipino Tapado were Auditor Narciso "Hansy" L. Alojado of Bacolod, Board Directors Joeffrey S. Deriada of Bacolod and Pastor Romeo N. Gumban of Bago, Business Manager Dr. Raymund Antonio A. Maguad of Murcia , Members Dr. Rey Mollenido of Iloilo City and Dr. Jason Rojas of Texas , USA , and Secretary General James U. Sy Jr. of Bacolod .

Of the seven, only Pastor Gumban was from Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. of FTSD Founder/Master Elmer V. Montoyo. The rest were from Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. headed by Founders Sy and Alojado.

35-40 members and supporters of the association, including members of the Mamar and Lobrido Clans, relatives, and friends, witnessed the promotions, the second set awarded by GM Lobrido since he took over as Headmaster of Original Filipino Tapado after his uncle and OFT Founder/Grandmaster Romeo "Nono" C. Mamar (1938-2005) passed away in 2005 (see turnover rites at http://oftlsfai.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html).

Among those present were OFT Masters Jose "Joe" A. Pamilangco, Clodualdo "Budoy" M. Lobrido, and Elmer V. Montoyo and OFT old timers Jinny Mamar, Joe Advincula, Dominador "Doming" D. Ferrer (Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis grandmaster), and Naldo Hundana. Also present were the sons of the late founder, Romeo "Tokong" Mamar Jr. and Dingdong Mamar.

With the promotions, OFTLSFA Inc. have as of date promoted 2 grandmasters, 6 masters, 1 master instructor, 29 senior instructors, and 14 junior instructors since its inception in 1960.

Dr. Maguad had earned the distinction as the first medical doctor in the world to be awarded such rank in Original Filipino Tapado. As Organizer and Chapter Head of CMAS-Iloilo, Dr. Maguad taught OFT to Dr. Mollenido and Dr. Rojas before endorsing them to GM Lobrido for further studies.

Dr. Mollenido, in behalf of Dr. Maguad, now leads a small study group in Iloilo while Dr. Rojas had already started a small OFT group in Texas .

Sy, Alojado, Deriada, and Gumban assisted GM Lobrido in introducing Original Filipino Tapado in Bacolod , Himamaylan, Iloilo , Murcia , Sagay, and San Carlos via demonstrations and seminars. GM Lobrido conducted a seminar for an instructor in San Carlos last June 2007 with the hopes of starting a small study group there. SI Sy will follow up the group there.

The newly promoted Senior Instructors started their studies of Original Filipino Tapado in 2005 under GM Lobrido and underwent the required Instructorship Course before being allowed to handle new students. In Tapado, students are asked to perform their strikes full force with the instructor feeding the strikes. Without the necessary feeding skills, an instructor would be at risk of injury, especially for students who still doesn’t know how to control the trajectory of their strikes. The instructors also need to regulate the power in their strikes to allow students to train longer and learn faster. Unnecessary pain and injuries are avoided in practice.

“The training for fighters in Tapado is different from the kind of training that is conducted for instructors. Training for a fighter is relatively easier. As long as the strikes are done properly, that would suffice already. More is expected for instructors, that is, making sure of the students’ safety during practice as well as their own safety. We use longer sticks than the usual Arnis sticks and thus, thus, create more power in the strikes. A single well placed power strike is more than enough to take the hand out of commission. Hence, the necessity for an Instructorship Course. Up to this day, these individuals continue to refine their skills as teachers as well as technicians.” revealed GM Lobrido.

Interested parties may view video clips of Original Filipino Tapado at http://oftlsfai.blogspot.com and go to the December 2006 and March, June, and July 2007 Archives. Alternatively, go to www.youtube.com and search for “Original Filipino Tapado” and “OFT Practice.”

FC BRAWL 4 SPRAWLING SUCCESS PART 2

THE BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS
By: James U. Sy Jr.

In the 5th bout, one-kick KO artist Eugene Yunque of Fight Club, 118 lbs., hit 2004 Iloilo National Invitational Wushu Sanshou champion and 2005 Vis-Min Wushu Sanshou champion Dennis Villacrusis of Tribu Hangaway, 120 lbs., with a roundhouse kick to the to the head which caused a cut in Villacrusis’ forehead. The tournament physician stopped the bout at 1:08 of the first round. Yunque earned the distinction of being the first 4 times BRAWL champion (4-0). Villacrusis’ MMA record is down to 0-1. Yunque is best known for his one-roundhouse-kick-to-the-head KO of his highly respected grappler opponent in BRAWL 1.

Former Yaw Yan competitor Joemar Langote of Bertar MMA, 127 lbs., and debuting Romeo Solano of Octagon Martial Arts, 127 lbs., duked it out before Solano finally tapped out at 2:57 of the 1st round due to exhaustion. Langote is now 1-0 while Solano is 0-1.

Former RP no. 7 ranked bantamweight and ex ALA Stable pro boxer Rogelito “Nonoy” Plomeda of Round 1 Boxing Gym, 125 lbs., KOed the smaller BRAWL 2 champion and 2003 La Carlota Kickboxing champion Mark Rojo of Octagon Martial Arts, 117 lbs., with a punch at 2:00 of the first round. Plomeda’s win was the only KO in the event and improved his MMA record to 1-0-1. He is best remembered for his “Suplex vs Punch” bout with Wushu Sanshou champion Andres Villarmia in BRAWL 2, which ended in a draw. Rojo is now 1-3 in MMA fights.

Former RP no. 6 ranked middleweight and 2 times National Amateur western Boxing silver medallist Glen Ventuna of Round 1 Boxing Gym, 124 lbs., mounted and pounded 2 times Western Visayas Wushu Sanshou champion and 2005 RP Wushu Sanshou bronze medallist Andres Villarmia of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) before the referee stopped the bout at 1:55 of the first round. Ventuna added a 1-0 Mma mark to his 3-0-1 3 KO Western boxing record. Villarmia’s MMA record fell to 1-1-1.

BRAWL 2 champion Elijah Sian of Fight Club, 142 lbs., arm barred debuting 2007 Lee Gralto Regional Wushu Sanshou silver medallist Isaac Ismael Esleyer of Tribu Hangaway, 143 lbs., to submission at 2:23 of the 2nd round. It was Sian ’s 2nmd straight win with an arm bar. He is now 2-1 in MMA while Esleyer is 0-1.

Shotokan Karate yellow belt Ace Tupas of Bertar MMA, 153 lbs., was taken down by debuting grappler Richard Dulaca of Tribu Hangaway, 151 lbs., several times with superior takedown skills. Tupas, however, got even with his swinging punches and at times, successfully defending against the takedowns. Both men fought the longest bout of the event, consuming the regulation 2 5-minute rounds and extending the fight to an extra round before the referee stopped the match at 3:08 of the 3rd round. Tupas was declared the winner with Dulaca fully exhausted. Tupas, the youngest competitor at 16, is now 1-0 while Dulaca is 0-1.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu artist and 2005 URCC Provincial Tour screening champion Luke Mark Catubug of Oriental Negros Top Team, 163 lbs., made up in skill what he lacked in weight when he faced 2004 RP Wushu Sanshou bronze medallist Mark Dodoit of Tribu Hangaway, 192 lbs. Dodoit shoved Catubug to the fence early on in an attempt to take him down. Catubug, however, was relaxed, defended well, and waited before Dodoit was exhausted before finally sinking in a Kimura armlock which forced Dodoit to tap out at 4:01.

Catubug is now 0-1 in BRAWL MMA. Dodoit, who is a Wushu Sanshou artist from the Iloilo Tingan School of Martial Arts Inc. (ITSMAI), is now 0-1 in BRAWL MMA; His Wushu Sanshou mark is 4-2 2 KO. Dodoit, who has punching power, had more chances of knocking out Catubug if he had decided to strike it out with him than going for the takedown.

In the main event, 2 times LGDC Regional Wushu Sanshou champion (2006-2007) Muhamad El Helou Tribu Hangaway, 206 lbs., opened up with a low kick that buckled the leg of grappler and former Karateka Roy Trinidad of Tumbatsu Strikes and Submissions International ( Iloilo ), 180 lbs., and made a quick takedown. Helou and Trinidad tussled for position before Helou got the mount and pounted him with punches. Trinidad tried to bridge to shake his larger opponent off but Helou had superb balance. The referee stopped the bout at 1:12 of the 1st round. Helou is now 1-0 in MMA while Trinidad is 0-1. Trinidad was the only fighter who had a gi on and was the oldest among the fighters.

Officials were Fight Club President Leandro V. Torre (tournament director),
Founder/Chief Instructor Edwin “Bong” J. Tusil of Fight Club, James Emmanuel Infante of Fight Club, and Henried Lamayo of Atleta Judo Club (referees), Master Elmer V. Montoyo and Elmer P. Montoyo Jr. of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), and Head Instructor Joel R. Casiple of Bacolod Consolidated Sports Management Association (judges), John Mercado (emcee), Founder James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (emcee/record keeper/publicist), Cargeoren Lusabia (timer), Mark Lusabia (octagon crew), and Dr. Raymund Antonio A. Maguad and Dra. Sajah Marie B. Maguad of CMAS (reserve physicians).

Coaches were Wushu Federation of the Philippines Coordinator (Negros Occidental) Joery C. Amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main), Asst. Instructor Glenn Anacleto of Thunder Kick Martial Arts Club-Escalante Chapter (TKMAC-EC), Founder/Chief Instructor Edilberto A. Arcositas of Bertar MMA, Wushu Federation of the Philippines Coordinator (Oriental Negros) Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway (TH), and Founder/Chief Instructor Carmelino “Jun” Rojo Jr. of Octagon Martial Arts (OMA).

Tournament crews were Arielle, Uychiat, Abby Uychiat, Jan-Jan, and Gian Carlo Alojado (gate), Vince Tan and Alfred Tronco (sounds), and Stephen Sancho and Dagol Montesa (documentation).

Some of the guests include Chester Laquian of Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team, Martin Chua of Team Xanga MMA Gym (TX MMA), Founder Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, Joeffrey S. Deriada, and Moises Nifras Jr. of CMAS, Jimmy T. Lee Kyosanim of PIMAA-FTSDA, Ronilo “Nonoy” Magbanua of Supreme Modern Combat, etc.

FC BRAWL MMA champion Elijah Sian of Fight Club attempting a guillotine choke on 2007 LGDC Regional Wushu Sanshou silver medallist Isaac Ismael Esleyer of Tribu Hangaway during the 9th bout of the Fight Club Bacolod Raw Amateur Warrior's League (BRAWL) 4 "Hunger for Mre" last August 4, 2007 at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Bacolod City. Sian won by tapout to an arm bar. (JAMES U. SY JR./CMAS PHOTO)


2 times LGDC Regional Wushu Sanshou champion and Fight Club BRAWL 4 champion Muhammad El Helou (left) with his mentor Roy R. Flores Sr., Founder of Tribu Hangaway, strike a pose after the Fight Club Bacolod Raw Amateur Warrior's League (BRAWL) 4 "Hunger for Mre" last August 4, 2007 at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Bacolod City. (JAMES U. SY JR./CMAS PHOTO)

FC BRAWL 4 SPRAWLING SUCCESS PART 1

ENTER THE OCTAGON OF FURY
By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Fight Club BRAWL (Bacolod Raw Amateur Warrior's League) IV “Hunger for More” was all that it was hyped about. 24 fighters from Bacolod, Dumaguete, Escalante, and Iloilo Cities met inside the octagon in 12 explosive Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bouts last August 4, 2007, 9:00 P.M., at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Bacolod City. About 300-350 people witnessed the fights.

The Fight Club BRAWL 4 was presented by the Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center (FC) of Founder/Chief Instructor Edwin “Bong” J. Tusil with the support of the Brotherhood of Mixed Martial Artists of Bacolod (BOMB) and Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS).

The event earned the distinction as the first inter-regional level MMA tournament to be held in Bacolod , Negros Occidental, and Western Visayas, the 2nd MMA competition to be held inside the octagon in the city, province, and the region, and the 7th MMA event to be held in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) of Chief Instructor and Wushu Federation of the Philippines Negros Occidental Coordinator Joery C. Amante took the overall championship title with a 3-1 harvest. Host Fight Club Combat and Streetfighting Center (FC) of Founder/Chief Instructor Edwin “Bong” J. Tusi comes in at 2nd with a perfect mark of 3-0.

Round 1 Boxing Gym of Joseph “Santi” Magno and PJ Magno de Best and Bertar MMA of Founder/Chief Instructor Edilberto A. Arcositas shared the 3rd place spot with a 2-0 win-loss streak.

Tribu Hangaway (TH) of Founder/Chief Instructor Roy R. Flores Sr. (1-5), Oriental Negros Top Ten of Hon. Henry Teves (1-0), and Octagon Martial Arts (OMA) of Founder/Chief Instructor Carmelino “Jun” Rojo Jr. were 4th to 6th places respectively. Thunder Kick Martial Arts Club-Escalante Chapter (TKMAC-EC) of Head Instructor Jesus “Jess” Flores and Tumbatsu Strikes and Submissions International ( Iloilo ) of Founder Gilton Solis (both 0-1) tied at 7th place.

The Fight Club BRAWL 4 made a few MMA records in Negros Occidental and Western Visayas . Of the 7 MMA tournaments held in the province and the region, it was the one with the most number of participating groups at 9 and the first to have a 100% stoppage in all the bouts.

Wushu Sanshou was the most represented with 11 fighters, followed by Kickboxing (5) and MMA (3). Other arts represented were Karate (2), Western Boxing (2), and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (1).

Dancalan Kickboxing champion Julius Dohinog of BFMAA-Main, 108 lbs., battled it out with BRAWL 3 silver medallist Edmund Beguiras of TKMAC-EC, 108 Lbs., before finally forcing Beguiras to tapout from a rear naked choke at 4:26 of the first round. Dohinog remained undefeated in MMA with a 3-0 streak and crowned BRAWL champion for the third time. Beguiras’ MMA mark is down to 0-2.

Former Karate competitor Victor Tore of FC, 116 lbs., choked out debuting 2006 Negros Wushu Sanshou champion Norris Alison of TH, 116 lbs., at 3:55 of the first round. Torre is now a 3 times BRAWL champion with an undefeated record of 3-0. Alison is now 0-1 in MMA.

2007 LGDC Regional Wushu Sanshou silver medallist Joselito Bianan of BFMAA-Main, 114 lbs., forced 4 times BRAWL veteran Ravelo Guavez of OMA, 136 lbs., to tapout at 0.51 of the first round. Bianan’s MMA record is now 1-0 while Guavez is down to 0-4. Bianan’s 51 seconds work was the shortest fight of the night.

2006 Negros Wushu Sanshou champion Rosendo Trayco III of BFMAA-Main, 114 lbs., dominated debuting Joseph Fabrigar of OMA, 118 lbs., before Fabrigar verbally surrendered at 2:58 of the first round. Trayco is now 0-1 in MMA while Fabrigar is 0-1.