Phil. Dynamic Arnis Promotions Made by: James U. Sy Jr.

Founder/Grandmaster Rogelio H. Galvarole awarded rank promotions to 53 members of the Lightning Scientific Arnis International-Philippine Dynamic Arnis (LSAI-PDA) recently at the Laspaz Gym, Plaza Lapaz, Iloilo City.

Promoted to Green Belt were Kent John Bagsain, Jovey Dayon, Rolyn Delfin, Andrea Mae Fernandez, Carl Vincent Fernandez, Kent Joseph Fernandez, Rodney Gonzales, Girly Grayata, Jason Patrick Gumayan, Joshua Gumayan, Juliana Pauline Gumayan, Roland La Corita, Rolins La Corita, and Christina Nombres.

Promoted to 1st Class Brown Belt were Herman Clarito II, Mary Catherine Dayon, Jenelyn Delfin, Angelique Dumlao, Jet Dumlao, Analyn Estrilles, and G. La Corita.

Promoted to Brown Belt were Manuelito Artuz, Jabe Paul Caellan, Jessica Delfin, Joshua Delfin, Rojielyn Francisco, Myrna Ga, Henry Giner, Zaldy Labayan, Benedicto Luna, Jamilla Martin, Santos Peniero, Jemela Santisteban, Rey Santisteban, Luiela Tribal, and John Lord Villaruel.

Promoted to Black Belt were Roel Gegare, Joel Giacaniga, Romar Lacsa, Rosana Lastimosa, Robelyn Hontarigo, J.D. Matullano, and Rey Pajutrao.

Promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt were Gian carlo demaisip and Joy tenorio.

Promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt were Gorgonio Lozada and Eiman Sarte.

Promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt was Rolando Tolentino.

Promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt were John Corona, Cheryl Responso, and James U. Sy Jr.

Promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt were Chery Mae Destacamento and Grace Soldevilla.

Promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt was Rogel Tanjuangco.

Lightning Scientific Arnis International-Philippine Dynamic Arnis (LSAI-PDA) is
an affiliate of the Lightning Scientific Arnis International-Capiz Chapter of Arnis Commissioner Grandmaster Carlito Ondillo and the Bacolod City-based Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) under President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo. GM galvarole, originally of Passi, serves as in the IFFMAS Council of Elders.

The Unknown and Buried Roots of Modern Arnis by Maxwell “Max” J. Maun

Maxwell “Max” J. Maun is formerly the Negros Occidental Commissioner for Arnis Philippines, Inc. and is the Founder/Chief Instructor of the Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE). The Bacolod martial arts community recognizes him as a Master of Herada Pigada Arnis. He had studied Aikido, Arnis, Judo/Jujitsu, and Karate.

The history of Arnis/Escrima in the Philippines has posed many controversies, differences, and questions that have remained unresolved until the present times. Incessant bickering, internal strife, and power struggles among practitioners have significantly grown within different styles and even among belonging to the same style because of self serving interests of some practitioners.

I had no intention of adding to this chaos. However, I was compelled to write this article as a response to the piece “Interview with Romy Lisondra” by Datu David Knuttel of Germany which was published in the FMA Digest Vol. 4 No. 4 last 2007. I and the others who know the real story had kept silent for years so not to tarnish, discredit, or destroy the reputation of the late Grandmaster Remegio “Remy” Amador Presas and the Modern Arnis he had left behind as his legacy. But because of the inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the article, I am coming out in the open to straighten the record. A lie mixed with half of the truth and retold several times over will eventually be perceived and accepted as the truth.

This revelation is in no way a disrespect for the interviewer Datu Knuttel, who is only limited by the details given him, and the interviewee Mr. Romy “Bebing” Lisondra[1], who is only limited by second hand information and/or a poor memory.

I am the nephew of the late Philippine Army (PA) Col. Pedro “Pete” P. Doromal Jr. and Philippine Constabulary (PC)[2] Capt. Nelson P. Doromal[3]. They both introduced and guided me in the study of Arnis, Judo, and Jujitsu. With their blessing and encouragement, I learned Aikido in 1978. I have learned from my uncles and their close associates first hand accounts of how Modern Arnis came to be today.

I was an elementary grade pupil at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R)[4] in the 1960s, the same time when Tito[5] Remy Presas was teaching Judo and Karate as PE elective subjects in the university’s college department. My mother’s family and relatives were close friends of the family of Rosemary Pascual, who was the first wife of Tito Remy.

According to Mr. Lisondra,

1. He and his brother Rudy received their black belts in Modern Arnis from GM Presas on December 11, 1964 at the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City .

2. He received his Lakan Apat (4th Degree Black Belt) in Modern Arnis in 1970.

3. It was sometime in 1968 when Modern Arnis was established by GM Presas.

4. In the middle of 1969 and 1970, GM Presas left for Manila and then hired him to go to Manila and assist in teaching Arnis at the National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO).

If Modern Arnis was established in 1968 as stated, how could the Lisondra brothers earn rank in that system on December 11, 1964 or 4 years before it was founded?

If Modern Arnis was established in 1968 as stated, a 4th Degree ranking by 1970 would mean that Mr. Lisondra was given at least two degrees each year, which is quite fast and unusual practice for existing martial arts systems at that time.

If Modern Arnis was established in 1968 as stated, why was the name used National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO) and not Modern Arnis?

Mr. Lisondra also stated that he went back to Bacolod in 1971 while GM Presas stayed in Manila . Why did GM Presas stay in Manila ? Who were the known people associated with GM Presas during that time period? What things transpired from 1969 to the early 1970s in Manila ? On page 52, Mr. Lisondra said that there were two Doromal brothers who joined and studied under GM Presas. Who were these Doromals and what were their backgrounds? Where and with whom were the Doromals associated with? Were the Doromals really students of GM Presas or was it the other way around?

On page 54, Mr. Lisondra said that Col. Pedro P. Doromal Jr., then an ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Course) Corp Commander, a known student leader at West Negros College (WNC)[6], and who had established himself as the best Arnis fighter at that time, challenged Tito Remy Presas, who was said to be only demonstrating his Arnis. He further said that Doromal lost the fight and joined Presas as a student later.

Why would somebody who had a reputation to protect and maintain offer a challenge to someone who is virtually unknown and risk damaging a superior status? Common sense will tell us that any person will try to avoid confrontation and always protect the integrity of a good reputation in an institution where he is regarded as a leader.

Another matter in which Mr. Lisondra had grossly missed is that when he said that the Doromals were practicing Arnis without a system and even made fun of it by calling it Wedo (we do this and we do that). On page 51, Mr. Lisondra admitted that their group was practicing a system of techniques called Corridas that was later renamed to Tapi-Tapi. What then is corridas? How did it become to be called Tapi-Tapi by GM Presas? Who were the original practitioners of Corridas? And most importantly, who were the real originators of Modern Arnis as a system? Who prepared the original manuscipt of the book Modern Arnis? What happened to the original manuscript? These are questions that need clear answers.

To understand and put things in proper perspective and give answers to the several questions, allow me to share a story from the past, which was revealed to me by my uncles and confirmed by many of their associates in the course of my study of Arnis with them.

Let me start in the mid 1960s when I was still an elementary pupil at UNO-R in Bacolod City . Prof. Remegio “Remy” Amador Presas of Hinigaran was employed as college PE instructor at the university, teaching Karate and Judo as PE elective subjects during that time. I would frequent his classes and watch from the sidelines his instructions and sessions. Two of his primary and well known Karate students and junior Instructors at UNO-R were the Sancho twins, Winnie and Willy, with whom I was later closely associated with.

During that period, Prof. Presas was popular and known as a Karate and Judo man, rather than a stickfighting instructor. However, I would see him integrate some stick techniques in some of his instructions as part of their Karate classes. His daughters, Mary Jane and Mary Ann P. Presas, were former classmates of my younger sister in UNO-R during their elementary days.

Just about the same period, I would often get to be with Col. Pedro Doromal Jr. or Tito Pete as we would call him. Tito Pete was by then connected with the Araneta Group of Companies and was the Chief Security Officer of several companies owned by the Progressive Development Corporation (PDC) owned by the Aranetas. He was assigned as the Chief Security Officer of the Bacolod Murcia Milling Co.[7] and Talisay Central Milling Co.

Tito Pete instructed me in Arnis and Judo/Jujitsu. He was later transferred to Manila at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. At that time, I was also attending high school in Manila and had the chance to further my studies with his brother, the late Capt. Nelson P. Doromal. Those sessions were on and off because of the nature of their work assignments. However, during the middle part of 1970, I again got the opportunity to continue my training with them at Cubao, where they would also meet with their other brothers, namely Tito Douglas, Tito Morad, Tito Remy (Doromal), and Col. Robert “Petemax” Doromal, who at that time was connected with the now defunct Presidential Security Group of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, under Maj. Erwin Ver, son of the late AFP Chief-of-Staff Fabian Ver[8].

One late evening after a tiresome day of training, Tito Pete narrated to me that in the 1950s he studied at West Negros College (WNC).and that he stayed at a rented room in Burgos-Cometa St. , which was a walking distance away from the school. During weekends, Tito Pete would go home to his hometown in Barrio Sicaba, Cadiz City , about 50 KM north of Bacolod City .

Tito Pete came from a very large family, most men of which were skilled in stickfighting techniques handed down to them by their late father, Pedro Doromal Sr. Pedro Doromal Sr. is the first degree cousin of my maternal grandfather. This makes Pedro Doromal Jr. and my mother second degree cousins.

According to Tito Pete, the stickfighting system of the Doromals was a fusion of the Sicabanhon style with the Bayoneta Karada of WWII Army Infantryman Benito Agui, who was a known close-in bodyguard of the late Cong. Armin Gustilo, a politician and sugar planter and close ally of then President Marcos.

The Doromals had a particular training drill called Corridas which consisted of a series of patterned strikes and blocks prominently pressing and close quarter, employing hand checking, weapon grabbing, base hitting, and point thrusting. Tito Pete Doromal Jr. taught their brand of Arnis with some his younger brothers, particularly Nelson and Petemax, who later joined the military service. During that early time, they had a core circle of practitioners and propagators coming from the Parreño Clan, who were their maternal cousins.

The Doromals were very cautious on taking on students and closely guarded their following. They would only accept people whom they believe were trustworthy and had good character.

Also about that time, Tito Remy Presas was starting his martial arts career and was extensively training in Judo and Karate, which was gaining some popularity in those years. He tried to join the group of the Doromals but was rejected by some of the members of the core group because they doubted his motives and loyalty to the group. Tito Remy Presas trailed Tito Pete Doromal Jr., persuading him to accept him but he was told that the group was refusing to take him in.

Out of sheer frustration, Tito Remy Presas challenged Tito Pete Doromal Jr. to an Arnis match. Tito Pete had a reputation to protect as corps commander and as an Arnis instructor of repute. He plainly told Presas that the stakes were not that good for him. But Presas was unrelenting and followed Doromal around ceaselessly offering the challenge. Tito Pete finally accepted the challenge when the pressure became unbearable and Presas had gotten his ire. He, however, set three conditions. First, the match will not be in the view of the public and must be done discreetly. Second, both groups were only to bring with them ten of their followings to witness the encounter. Third, to prevent undue injury, one who gets disarmed or dropped his weapon thrice loses the match.

Presas agreed to the conditions and the match was done late evening in a secluded place inside the school campus. Tito Remy Presas was disarmed by Tito Pete thrice and the bout was over in a jiffy. Tito Pete kept mum about the match to protect his and Presas’ reputation. He thought that the matter was already settled but Presas kept tailing him around asking to be mentored and accepted by the group.

One rainy Friday evening, in his boarding house at Burgos-Cometa St. , Tito Pete heard a loud knock at the door. The downpour was heavy. He was surprised to see Tito Remy Presas dripping wet and heavily intoxicated. Again, Presas started pleading to be accepted by the group to learn Arnis from them. Inorder to avoid making a scene and prevent some people to speculate and get the wrong idea of what was happening, Tito Pete told him that he would ask his brothers and his group to accept him just to silence Tito Remy.

Tito Pete requested Tito Remy to leave and meet them the following day at a designated meeting place. A blood compact with the group ensued to seal their bond and loyalty to each other. Tito Remy Presas finally made it as a student of the core circle of the Doromal Group.

Several years after these events, the Doromals started to work on a manual/manuscript to be used as a standard guide for Arnis instruction for the academe. Tito Nelson Doromal, the primary proponent of the project, drew sketches of the techniques and outlines of instruction for the purpose of presenting it to educational institutions. The manual/manuscript was a joint effort of seven people in which three were from the Doromals, two from the Parreños, another being a priest, and the last one a trusted member of the group. The group would meet frequently to discuss the development and evolvement of the presentation of the said manual/manuscript for Arnis.

At first, the content of the manuscript was coined as “Automatic Stick Fencing” and was not given its final name (today it is better known as Herada Pigada). During the later part of the manual’s development, Tito Remy Presas offered and suggested that it would be best if the book was to be presented in Tagalog, the National Language of the Philippines . This was to put some nationalistic essence on its presentation. His wife, Rosemary Pascual Presas, was a Pilipino[9] subject teacher and he offered for her to translate it to Tagalog. Remy Presas was able to convince the group and was entrusted to borrow the original manuscript to have it translated by his wife.

Unfortunately, the original manuscript never came back to the group. During the early 1970s, Tito Remy Presas stayed in Manila to take up his Master’s Degree in Physical Education at the Philippine Normal University and this was about the same time when he met some influential people who played a vital role in the publication of a book entitled Modern Arnis in 1974, which consisted of about 80% of the original manuscript he had borrowed but did not return. The remainder was based on the teachings of his other teacher, Grandmaster Rodolfo Mongcal of Balintawak Escrima.

There were also other things revealed to me by my uncles which I personally believe should not go public and must be kept and buried inorder not to destroy the legacy of today’s Modern Arnis. It is best kept in secret to preserve the good memories of Col. Pedro “Pete” P. Doromal Jr., Capt. Nelson P. Doromal, and Prof. Remegio “Remy” A. Presas. These three people are no longer with us today. They have worked hard and gave their share and sacrificed much to develop Arnis for the academe and education. It is only a sad thing that there were people left out and were not given due recognition for their contributions.

There are still people alive today who know the story and could vouch for its authenticity. Mr. Julio Euraba and Col. Atty. GM Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., of Talisay City, Negros Occidental are just two of them. I would rather not mention the names of the other people to respect their privacy. However, I could easily refer anyone who wishes to check with them in private.

I once asked my late uncle Col. Pedro “Pete” Doromal Jr. why did they not do anything to confront Remy Presas, His reply was, “The others did try but it made things worse and widen the rift that people could no longer see each other eye to eye. I told my brothers to let it be and let it go, the ball has started rolling for Modern Arnis. Eventually, it will stop and the accounting will begin sooner or later.”

Let me again say that I am not putting anyone into the bad light. I am merely correcting an error which has continued for decades. Let history be right and truth prevail about modern arnis. Mabuhay ang lahing Filipino! Mabuhay ang Arnis!

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[1] Romy “Bebing” Lisondra and his brother Rudy Lisondra head the National Judo Karate Jujitsu Association (NAJUKAJU-A) based in Bacolod and Iloilo Cities respectively. Romy Lisondra is primarily known as a Karate instructor in the Bacolod martial arts community and is now retired from teaching after losing his sight from diabetes which was aggravated by alcohol intake.

[2] A now defunct section of the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP). Most of its former members and personnel were absorbed by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Others opted to join the regular armed forces, particularly the Philippine Army (PA).

[3] Capt. Nelson P. Doromal had trained several personalities in Arnis such as 1970s movie producer Levi Ignacio, 1970/1980s action star and martial artist Ernie “The Samurai” Ortega, and action star Bernard “Palos” Bonin among others. Capt. Nelson P. Doromal has also been assigned as Camp Commander of Camp Catañeda , Tagaytay and PROVOST Marshal for Region 6 of the now defunct PC Command.

[4] The first university in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

[5] Tito is a title of respect which roughly translates to “uncle” and used to call biological uncles and non-relatives but older in age. In the Filipino culture, it is bad manners to call somebody older by their first name. Tita is the feminine form of Tito.

[6] Now known as the West Negros University (WNU). It become the third university in Bacolod and Negros Occidental in 2008.

[7] Presently leased by Lopingco of Noah’s Ark.

[8] Also the first President of the National Arnis Association of the Philippines (NARAPHIL), then the Government recognized National Governing Body of Sport Arnis in the Philippines .

[9] Pilipino was the accepted spelling at that time but was later changed to Filipino when letters from the Western alphabet were introduced into the native alpabeto.

Eskrima Luminary Ireneo Olavides by: Perry Gil S. Millari

Reprinted with permission from the Martial Talkk column of Perry Gil S. Mallari in the Life and Style Section of the Manila Times in its November 26, 2008 issue

I always consider it a great privilege meeting old-school escrimadores—those vanishing breed of Filipino martial arts practitioners who have learned their art the painful, old fashion way.

I had a memorable dinner with escrima luminary Manong Ireneo Olavides last weekend. I used the traditional Filipino title of respect “manong” to address him because he refused such titles as “master” or ‘grandmaster’ be attached to his name. The 64-year-old Olavides, better known as Manong Eric in FMA circles is revered as the heir to the late juego todo (no-holds-barred stick fighting match) champion Grandmaster Jose D. Caballero. Caballero’s style is known by the name De Campo 1-2-3 Orihinal.

I have high regards for De Campo as a stick fighting art mainly because it has been proven in actual all-out escrima matches of the olden days. Olavides today is teaching a system he named JDC-IO (sometimes pronounced “jadecio”), which was taken from the initials of the name of his mentor “Jose D. Caballero” and his own name “Ireneo Olavides.”

My personal observation of De Campo is that it possessed a unique body mechanics unlike most systems of escrima. I should say that its rebounding strikes are surgical and insidious. My interview with Olavides has affirmed a few of my personal opinion concerning the Filipino martial arts, this include my view that the techniques of escrima should work for weak individuals (the people who needs self-defense knowledge the most) and that an escrimador should focus on hitting rather than trapping or grappling so as to maximize the potential of the stick as an impact weapon.

While Olavides took pride in surviving the “old-school” method of training and fighting, he recalls encountering difficulty adapting Caballero’s way verbatim. “I don’t have the robust physique of my mentor so I had a hard time fitting in to his training methods,” he narrates. Olavides should be given the credit of organizing and streamlining the De Campo system’s original curriculum, a task that he is very qualified to accomplish given his credentials as a college professor and defensive tactics instructor. He has also infused to JDC-IO principles he learned from other martial arts, specifically tai chi.

He has a very interesting insight on the seemingly simple subject of holding the stick. He says that “being one with the stick” means the weapon has become a mere extension of your limb. “If you have become one with the stick, then you don’t treat it as a slave, gripping it desperately as if it would slip out of your hand any moment,” he relates cryptically. Much like the yin and yang of tai chi, Olavides intones that the proper way of holding the weapon should be “soft yet hard.” With nearly 40-years of swinging weapons under his belt, his palms are smooth as that of a woman not betraying its deadly potential.

I also consider Olavides a rarity in the current trend of crass commercialism in the world of martial arts. Given the reputation of his art, he could have easily churned out thousands of dollars by conducting seminars overseas or handing out diplomas to martial arts instructors who want to beef up their credentials. Olavides instead opted to go low profile concentrating on producing quality instructors that would preserve the integrity and heritage of his beloved art. “The best way to describe the JDC-IO organization now is its tightly knit and personal,” he says, concluding, “Much like a family.”

Is Original Filipino Tapado Dead? by Robie Lobrido

Word in the US is spreading that Original Filipino Tapado is already dead in Negros , its place of birth, simply because its Founder is already dead. I think the record needs to be straightened and the truth be known.

First, I’d like to introduce myself. I am Robie P. Lobrido, 30 years of age, the daughter of Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido and Rosenda Pelarion Lobrido, both of Prk. Langka, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City , Negros Occidental.

Early this year, I got back to Bacolod from Cebu . I rode on a car-for-rent from the airport to my home. The driver, who was from Abuanan, started a conversation with me while his balikbayan boss was just listening. When I said I was going home to Taloc, the driver asked me if I was related to the Mamar and Lobrido Clans, who were reknowned in the area for being adepts at the long stickfighting art of Original Filipino Tapado. I told him that I was indeed related to them and that my father now heads the system.

At that point, the owner of the car-for-rent, who introduced himself as Mr. Jojo Apelyido, a balikbayan from Chicago , USA , joined the conversation. He told me that he went to a martial arts gym in his area, looking for Original Filipino Tapado but he was told that the system is already dead because its Founder is already dead. He said he left unconvinced and thought that he might be able to find something when he get back to Bacolod although he didn’t know where to start because he didn’t know anyone who can point him to the right direction.

I was surprised at Mr. Apelyido’s pronouncement. I told him that the one who told him that might not have the slightest idea of what he was talking about or that he just got the wrong information.

I told Mr. Apelyido that the late Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar, or simply Teo Nono for us who were his family, founded the indigenous Bagoueño long stickfighting art Original Filipino Tapado. My Tatay (father), Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido, is the nephew of Teo Nono and was designated by him as the only Chief Instructor of his art until his death in 2005.

I informed Mr. Apelyido that Tatay started training in Original Filipino Tapado under Teo Nono when he was just 10 years old. That was way back in 1960, the same year the system was founded by Teo Nono. Me and my sisters would giggle when Tatay would tell us that at that time he was still wearing a puroy (shorts) and that at times had difficulty keeping hold of the big sticks for they were bigger than his hands.

Actually, my Tatay’s introduction to Arnis was when he was 9 years old. He had three professors, two of whom taught Oido de Caburata, a precursor art to Original Filipino Tapado. The other one taught him an empty handed style of Arnis. Oido de Caburata was an innovation of the methodo styles of Arnis existing at that time. It is primarily a solo baston style but with a much longer stick than the usual Arnis, at about 32”.

Tatay assisted Teo Nono in teaching his students. When he was about 11 or 12 years old, he was the tig-sparring (feeder of attacks) to the students of Teo Nono who were much older and bigger than him. Tatay is not physically big so Teo Nono taught him how to properly handle the power behind the students’ strikes while feeding. Tatay went on to develop his skills in feeding using one hand against much larger students holding bigger sticks with both hands with instructions to hit with their strongest.

Even before the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stickfighting Association (OFTLSFA) was formed in the mid 1980s, Teo Nono had already designated Tatay as the Chief Instructor of his art. Of course, there were others who also assisted Teo Nono in his teaching, especially those outside of Bago, such as his cousin Teo Turing Mamar, who was a winner of several challenge matches pitting Original Filipino Tapado against other styles of Arnis.

During those times, challenge matches were the norm among Arnis teachers. Original Filipino Tapado, being a new art, had its fair share of these “duels.” There is no record of the exact number of duels with which Original Filipino Tapado was tested by adapts from other styles and systems although as a child I often overheard many stories from the oldies of the Mamar and Lobrido Clans of how so and so fought so and so Teo Turing and Tatay had their fair share of these fights. Of course, there were gentlemanly fights and there were also grudge fights.

I told Mr. Apelyido that Tatay now heads Original Filipino Tapado and actively preserves and continues the legacy and teachings of Teo Nono. The Mamar and Lobrido Clans, represented by the Founder’s son Romeo “Tokong” Mamar Jr., designated Tatay as the 1st Generation Inheritor/Current Grandmaster of Original Filipino Tapado during the internment of Teo Nono, which was attended by Tapadistas (Tapado practitioners) from Bago, Bacolod , and San Carlos Cities . Turnover pictures can be seen at http://oftlsfai.blogspot.com.

The truth is Original Filipino Tapado is very much alive in Negros today, more than ever. And it has become more exposed more often to the public. The local newspapers and magazines, TV, radio, the internet, and many martial arts events have featured the art and the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. in more recent times.

Original Filipino Tapado has been featured in the Vol. 51 No. 17 March 2008 issue of The Spectrum, the official publication of the University of St. La Salle (USLS), as well as several issues of the national level Rapid Journal published by Mr. Daniel Go of Binondo. Local newspapers in Bacolod and Iloilo had published activities of Original Filipino Tapado. The latest TV appearances of Original Filipino Tapado were with ABS CBN, the Philippines ’ largest broadcasting network, last July 2008. Original Filipino Tapado activities can be read at http://oftlsfai.blogspot.com and http://visayanfilipinomartialarts.blogspot.com; and videos at youtube.com (search for Original Filipino Tapado).

Time flew so fast. Before we knew it, I was already home. I invited Mr. Apelyido to come in and meet Tatay in person. Both of them had a long chat over hot cups of coffee, as was customary in our place. Mr. Apelyido went home satisfied knowing that Original Filipino Tapado was indeed alive in Negros .

It makes me wonder why these kind of baseless rumors crop up. The best I can come up with is to speculate. I want to get upset but Tatay told me to just leave it at that, anyway we don’t teach in the US except for a few members who are living there. I just smiled back at him. “Remember, the duty of our family is to preserve the art and legacy of Teo Nono for those who wish to learn and are worthy of it in the next generation rather than to make Original Filipino Tapado everybody’s cup of tea in the martial arts community. As long as I, our family, and our practtitioners are alive, Teo Nono’s Original Filipino Tapado will always be alive, that’s a promise,” Tatay added.

In Memory of Tay Atong (GM Fortunato “Atong” Garcia) by: Narciso "Hansy" L. Alojado

GM Fortunato “Atong” Garcia, Born July 11, 1917 and died February 2, 2008, according to his grandson, Alex Garcia, experienced death twice prior to his death last February 2, 2008. It was believed that Tay Atong (the name we used to call him) had a “tamawo” friend wherein he was being invited to a journey to “heaven” and after three days he will return and when he woke up he would ask for a glass of water because he said “the journey is very tiring.” Once when we had a conversation he described to us the place where he went. It is like a garden, green grass everywhere and also long stretches of desert sand wherein there are no benches to sit. The first time he experienced death was when he was in a town called Isio, southern town in Negros Occidental. He just fall asleep for three days. And on the third day came back and upon waking up he asked for a glass of water. The second time was when he was in Isla de Higante somewhere in Iloilo Province. He was just put beside a wooden box and covered by a mosquito net. After three days he woke up. According to Alex, his father, Julio, told him that on the day the Tay Atong died, the family would have not embalmed Tay Atong right away, for he believed that after 3 days he will come to life. Then if after 3 days if he will not come back then it was time to get the embalmer.

It was believed by his sons and grandsons that Tay Atong has what we called an amulet (anting anting o pangalap). According to Alex, his grandson, his grandfather never got tired. It was believed that he had a sash/belt wherein inside the belt is a bone of a knee cap of a child. He always wore this belt that is why he never got tired according to the grandson. But in acquiring this amulet, Tay Atong would render a service by sleeping and praying every 1st Friday of the Month in the cemetery from 12 midnight up until sunrise. Many believed that he had encountered various kinds of spirits in the cemetery. As time went by, there appeared on the skin of Tay Atong certain rashes which his sons and grandsons advised him to return his amulet to the cemetery. They don’t know if Tay Atong returned his sash/belt but they noticed that the rashes healed but he easily got tired during the day. Once according to Alex, his grandfather asked Alex to have his sash as if offering it to him as his inheritance. Alex declined because he could not keep up with the services/promises in getting the amulet.

Tay atong’s friend (tamawo) was responsible for his expertise in arnis/escrima. According to him after he tended his carabao, he would practice what he learned from various masters in arnis. He was under a balite tree practicing the strikes of arnis/escrima when suddenly out from nowhere there appeared a man, a white man, (mestiso) and asked him if he could have a friendly sparring with him. Which Tay Atong never refused a challenge, he agreed. They exchanged strikes and defenses until late in the afternoon. They started at about midmorning. After the exchanges of techniques, Tay atong asked him where does he live. Over there was the answer pointing his finger towards the balite tree. When Tay Atong checked there was no house there. He just kept quiet and continued to spar with the mestiso guy. Everyday they exchanged techniques and the mestiso guy taught Tay Atong the inverted stick technique which Tay Atong called “tuhaw” meaning “out of nowhere” in reference to his friend who came out of nowhere.
The family believed that it was this white friend who invited Tay Atong to his journey somewhere.

A Memorial To Grandmaster Dominador "Doming" D. Ferrer (1920-2007) by: 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.




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.

fter 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 .


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.


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.

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