PHILIPPINE ODYSSEY VI
By Jay de Leon

Chapter 11

Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) Tournament
Santa Mesa, Manila, Dec. 12, 2010

On Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) hosted an arnis tournament at the Antonio Maceda Integrated School in Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines.  Dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010, it was hosted and run by FFAI co-founders Master Godofredo Fajardo of Manila and Jay de Leon of California, USA, with Arsenio Sanchez as Tournament Director.

While Godo has run and refereed countless tournaments in the Philippines and the Middle East since the ‘70’s, and Jay has hosted and sponsored numerous seminars, training camps and gatherings in the United States under his Tipunan International organization, this was the first time that these two have pooled their vast experience, resources and talents to produce jointly a tournament in the Philippines.

Well, they were not exactly on their own.  Various affiliates and organizations came in force and participated.  These included heavy hitters from the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) like GM Bambit Dulay,  Master Ludy Losanes from Palawan and Bobong Burbano from Bacolod City, and from NARAPHIL  like Master Jun Martinada.

Other tournament officials included veterans such as Jimson Dearos, Paolo Motita, Cocoy Oyales, Rey Postrado , and Jeff Plotria of FFAI based in Manila,  Rei Samson of the Salaknib arnis organization, an FFAI affiliate based in Baguio City, in northern Luzon, and Bobong Burbano and Liza Masicampo of IMAFP all the way from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in the Visayas.

Other arnis luminaries who attended included Master Lemio “Romy” Valleno and guro Orly Junio of Lightning Scientific Arnis.

Speakers at the opening ceremonies included Mrs. Devina J. Beren of the Antonio Maceda Integrated School who gave an inspirational talk and FFAI co-founder  Jay de Leon who spoke about arnis history and the legacy of its storied masters, and requested  and led a silent one-minute prayer for all arnis grandmasters who have passed on, specifically three FMA grandmasters who had died recently and a fourth grandmaster’s death anniversary.  While the participants silently prayed personal prayers, a bel l mournfully tolled sixty times, symbolizing that these warriors have finally answered the final bell.
The four grandmasters were

1. Ben Largusa, inheritor of Villabrille Kali.
2. Christopher “Topher” Ricketts, one of the inheritors and “Four Pillars” of Kalis Ilustrisimo and co-founder of Bakbakan International.   He was also the brother of Ronnie Ricketts, action star of Philippine cinema, arnisador and currently a lawman in the fight against piracy.  Toops was also a dear friend and a Tipunan International seminar mainstay in the United States together with his son Bruce.
3. Ernesto Presas, brother of Remy Presas and founder of Kombatan and the International Philippine Martial Arts Federation (IPMAF).
4. Remy Presas, founder of Modern Arnis and the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Phil. (IMAFP), who died on Dec. 11, 2001. I saw Remy intermittently in the United States over a period of three decades.  I consider Remy my spiritual guro in Modern Arnis.

Jay de Leon pulled double duty in the tournament as host master of the tournament as well as the emcee of the tournament.

Competitors came from metro Manila, Baguio City and northern Luzon provinces like Pangasinan and Cavite, and as far as the Visayas, as represented by the FFAI chapter in La Carlota, Negros Occ.

The level of competition was top-notch, with much camaraderie and sportsmanship engendered in spite of the fierce competition.

The tournament was unique in the fact that there were significant cash prizes for the laban competition, as well as valuable door prizes.  Cash prizes were P5,000, P3,000 and P1,500 for first, second and third places, respectively, for the laban grand championship, both men’s and women’s division.

The door prizes included very exquisite kamagong weapons handcrafted by Master Nilo Limpin, who is affiliated with FFAI and Master Godo’s compadre.  Our thanks to Master Nilo Limpin, who is also known as a balisong expert as well as a master craftsman in Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), who contributed the door prizes.  Other door prizes included FMA patches.

The tournament promoters would like to thank its corporate and private sponsors including Manny Tiangha and Cris de Leon of the USA, and Nilo Limpin of Pampanga.  Special thanks also go out to the Antonio Maceda Integrated School for the use of its gym facilities, and to guro Orly Junio, FFAI Advertising Director, for the tournament flyer and banner.

A full list of participating clubs and all winners are listed in appendices after the photo gallery.

Master Godofredo Fajardo declared the first FFAI tournament a resounding success, and promised an even bigger and more exciting tournament next year, with bigger cash prizes and door prizes to be offered.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang arnis!

PHOTO GALLERY

Poster of arnis Tournament hosted by Filipino Fighting Arts
Int’l (FFAI) at the Antonio Maceda Integrated School in
 Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.

This was the registration table at the FFAI tournament dubbed
Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated
School in Santa Mesa, Manila on Dec. 12, 2010, with the team
trophies and medals on display, and with Tournament
Registrar Pinky Macalipsay and sound people at the ready.

One of the many club banners hanging at the venue.  This one
belongs to Rei Samson’s Salaknib Martial Arts System, an
affiliate of Filipino Fighting  Arts Int’l (FFAI) based in
Baguio City, Northern Luzon .

The Opening Ceremonies commence with the singing of the
Pambansang Awit or National Anthem of the Philippines.

Mrs. Devina J. Beren of the Antonio Maceda Integrated School
offers the invocation for the tournament.

Just waiting patiently for our events and looking good…

Contestants for the anyo competition prepare to bow in
and compete.

Master Ludy Losanes of IMAFP, Palawan (right) and Jay de Leon,
co-host of the FFAI tournament dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010
held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated School in Santa Mesa,
Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.

Christine Macalipsay of FFAI-La Carlota awaits the go-signal from the
judges to begin her routine at the creative anyo competition, while
her sister Maru (kneeling, extreme right), awaits her turn the FFAI
tournament dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio
Maceda Integrated School in Santa Mesa, Manila
on Dec. 12, 2010.

The ladies team from the Marikina Polytechnic College show off their
routine at the synchronized anyo competition at the FFAI tournament
dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated
School in Santa Mesa, Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.

Guro Rohnee Gumpal of Sitbatan Kali won a gold medal for this
routine in creative anyo at the FFAI tournament dubbed Palarong
 Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated School
in Santa Mesa, Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.

From left to right, Maru Macalipsay of La Carlota, Negros Occ.,
Rohnee Gumpal from Dagupan, Pangasinan, Christine Macalipsay
of La Carlota, Negros Occ., and Jay de Leon pose at the
FFAI tournament dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the
Antonio Maceda Integrated School in Santa Mesa, Manila
on Dec. 12, 2010.

And the fights (laban laro) are on.  Here, veteran referee
Jeff Plotria officiates.

Jay de Leon (left) awards medals at the FFAI tournament dubbed
 Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated
School  in Santa Mesa, Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.

Christine Macalipsay of FFAI–La Carlota does a Mark Spitz imitation
by wearing all her medals won at the FFAI tournament dubbed
Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated School
 in Santa Mesa, Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.  You’re a few medals short
of Mark Spitz’s accomplishment, girl, but four medals (including a
gold in laban laro in her weight division) are impressive enough.

This is a close-up of a medal given out at the FFAI
 tournament dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the
 the Antonio Maceda Integrated School in Santa Mesa,
 Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.  It features the FFAI logo
designed by Master Godofredo Fajardo in 1991. 
Since then, this logo and its variants have been used in
t-shirts,  awards, certificates and medals, stationery,
sweatshirts worn by the Jordan (Middle East) military,
and many more items.

Grand Championships

One of the Grand championship fights of the FFAI tournament dubbed
Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda Integrated School
 in Santa Mesa,Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.  As you will notice,
nightfall had settled by then.

Jay de Leon, co-host of the tournament, prepares to hand out both
medals and cash prizes for the Grand Championship of the FFAI
tournament dubbed Palarong Arnis 2010 held at the Antonio Maceda
Integrated School  in Santa Mesa, Manila on Dec. 12, 2010.

From left to right, Tournament Director Arsenio Sanchez, Tournament
Registrar Pinky Macalipsay, Rei Samson, founder and coach of the
Salaknib Martial Arts System, Jay de Leon, Master Godofredo Fajardo, 
Rosela Alvares (silver medalist and winner of P3,000 cash prize),
and Master Ludy Losanes of Palawan, and Bobong Burbano
of Bacolod City.

Group Pictures

Thanks to the Macalipsay family all the way from
La Carlota, Negros Occ.—tournament participants,
officials and photographers. 

Till the next FFAI Palarong Arnis 2011…

APPENDIX  A
PARTICIPATING CLUBS
1. MPC - Marikina Polytechnic College
2. Lapu-Lapu Arnis Club
3. Burgos High school Valdez Arnis Clubs
4. Sta.Elena High School, Parang Marikina City
5. MAKAP - Maceda Arnis Karate Association of the Philippines, Sta Mesa, Manila
6. San Juan High School Arnis Club, San Juan City
7. Salaknib Arnis Club, Baguio City
8. FFAI La Carlota, La Carlota City, Negros Occ.
9. EARIST Arnis Club, Manila City
10. Sitbatan Kali Pentjak Silat, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
11. San Beda College Alabang Muntinlupa City Arnis Club
12. Signal Village High School Arnis Club (LAMECO ), Taguig City
13. OLCLARETE Arnis
14. Little Angels Arnis
15. Pasay Arnis Club
16. Kuntaw Arnis
17. MATCOP Arnis

APPENDIX  B
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS  OF LABAN, “The Best of The Best”
MEN
1st Place, Gold medal and Ph 5,000 – Albert Adriano (MPC)
2nd Place, Silver medal and Ph 3,000 – Bazil Banzuelo (EARIST)
3rd Place, Bronze medal and Ph 1,500 – Gilbert Calica (Sta. Elena)

WOMEN
1st Place, Gold medal and Ph 5,000 – MaryGrace Esana (EARIST)
2nd Place, Silver medal and Ph 3,000 – Rosela Alvares (Salaknib)
3rd Place, Bronze medal and Ph 1,500 – Michelle de la Cruz (SV Lameco)
4th Place – Christine Macalipsay (FFAI-La Carlota)

APPENDIX  C

WINNERS – OTHER EVENTS BY DIVISION

Team Championship
Over all Champion -. MPC with 28 Medals,
1st Place - Sta.Elena with18 Medals ,
2nd Place - EARIST with10 Medals ,
3rd Place - Signal Village with 9 Medals,
4th Place - Little Angels

Standard Anyo
KIDS, 8 yrs old Below
Gold - Regine Delid(Lapu-lapu)
KIDS,10 yrs old Below
Gold - Rose Bernadette Motita (MPC); Silver - Jerlyn Delid (Lapu-lapu); Bronze - Christian Halog (Burgos Valdez)
WOMEN
Gold - Maricar Alvarez (MPC); Silver - Shiela Marie Roman (MPC); Bronze - Danica Concepcion (MPC)
MEN
Gold - Albert Adriano (MPC); Silver - Aljon Ducta (MPC); Bronze - Christian Oliver (MPC)

Creative Anyo
KIDS GIRLS
Gold - Collete Pulido (Liping Maharlika); Silver – R. B. Motita (MPC)
 JUNIOR GIRLS
Gold - Liezl Molit (Sta Elena HS); Silver - Koole Viray (Sta Elena HS); Bronze-                                                 Ma.Kcy Laude (Sta Elena)
 BOYS
Gold - Leonard Ray Abalos (Sta Elena HS); Silver - Johne Joshua Bilangel (Sta Elena);                                Bronze - Venzon Cai (MPC )
WOMEN
Gold - Rosela Alvares (Salaknib); Silver - Christine Macalipsay (FFAI La Carlota);                                              Bronze - Mary Grace Espina (EARIST)
 MEN
Gold - Joselito Patulot (EARIST); Silver - Gilbert Calica (Sta Elena); Bronze - Albert Adriano (MPC)

Synchronized Anyo
JUNIOR GIRLS
Gold - Lameco Arnis Club; Silver - Sta Elena Arnis Club; Bronze - MAKAP
JUNIOR BOYS
Gold - Sta Elena Arnis Club; Silver - Lameco Arnis Club; Bronze - San Juan Arnis Club                                           
SENIOR WOMEN
Gold - MPC 
MEN
Gold – EARIST; Silver - MPC

Sayaw
WOMEN
Gold - Jovelyn Managguit (MPC); Silver - Shiela Mary Roman (MPC); Bronze -                                                           Liezl Molit (Sta Elena) and Christine Macalipsay (FFAI La Carlota)
MEN 
Gold - Rohnee Gumpal (Sitbatan Kali); Silver - Gilbert Calica (Sta Elena)

Laban
BOYS,  15 Yrs. Below 
Gold  -   Nino Angelo Rivera (Sta. Elena);  Silver - Ryan Cruz  (San Beda);  Bronze - Miguel  Santos (Little Angels),  Diego  Rodio  (MAKAP)
GIRLS,  15 Yrs. Below         
Gold   -  Krystal   Mae  (OCLARITE);  Silver - Levelyn Perez (MAKAP);  Bronze - Crissele  Lavine (Signal Village)
BOYS , 12  Yrs. Below          
Gold – Richard Sarte (Little Angels);  Silver -  Eubert  Pulido (Little Angels);  Bronze – Christian Halog (Valdez Arnis Club) and  Jerico Gervacio (Little Angels)
BOYS & GIRLS, 10 to 12 Yrs  MIXED       
Gold -  R. B. Motita  (MPC); Silver -  Jerlyn Delid (Lapu-Lapu);  Bronze - Regie  Delid (Lapu-Lapu) and Jorge Kelly Salvador (Little Angels)
JUNIOR BOYS, 15 Yrs. Below             
Gold -  Paolo Santiago  (San Beda); Silver – Jas Dulay (Lapu-Lapu); Bronze -  Michael Candy (MAKAP) and John Joshue Bilangel (Sta. Elena).
JUNIOR  GIRLS , 15 Yrs. Below                        
Gold – Koole Carla Viray (Sta. Elena);  Silver – Ma. Kcy Laude  (Sta. Elena); Bronze – Jerra Santos Siday (Signal Village) and Maru Macalipsay (FFAI-La Carlota).
WOMEN, LIGHT MIDDLE WEIGHT                                                                                
Gold – Michelle de la Cruz (Lameco); Silver – Rhenalyn Ajero (MPC); Bronze – Kimberly Ambagan (MPC) and Angelica Joy Tinanbulan (EARIST)                               
WOMEN, MIDDLEWEIGHT
Gold – Christine Macalipsay (FFAI La Carlota); Silver – Donica Concepcion (MPC); Bronze – Jovelyn Managuit (MPC) and Rhave Bonifacio (MPC).
WOMEN, HALF HEAVYWEIGHT                                     
 Gold – Mary Grace Espina (EARIST); Silver – Shiela Marie Roman (MPC); Bronze – Maricar Alvarez  (MPC)
WOMEN, SENIOR, EXTRA LIGHTWEIGHT
Gold – Rosela Alvarez (Salaknib); Silver – Mary Ann Biscarra (Arnis Kuntaw); Bronze – Myca Bolanes (MPC) and Realyn Solebeb (EARIST).
MEN, SENIOR, EXTRA LIGHTWEIGHT                                                                                      
Gold -  Jervic Devid (Lapu-Lapu); Silver – Eduardo Paulero ; Bronze – Jejomar Dioquelo (Lameco)  and Jerry Macaraig (MAKAP).        
MEN, HALF LIGHTWEIGHT                                                       
Gold – Ronald Biscarra ( Arnis Kuntaw); Silver – Ryan Misalucha (Signal Village Lameco); Bronze – Janry Castro (Signal Village Lameco) and Lendell Monarca (EARIST).
MEN, MIDDLEWEIGHT
Gold – Albert Adriano (MPC); Silver – Joselito Patulot (EARIST); Bronze – Christian Oliver (MPC) and Marlon Gado (Signal Village LAMECO).
MEN, HEAVYWEIGHT
Gold – Bazel Banzuelo (EARIST); Silver – Artche Briones (EARIST); Bronze – Rolando Baloos (Signal Village LAMECO) and Justine Seudon (MPC).
 MEN, LIGHTWEIGHT
Gold – Gilbert Calica (Sta. Elena); Silver – Arnold (MPC); Bronze – Mark Isias de Jesus (Signal Village LAMECO) and Alion Ducta (MPC).

Photos courtesy of Godofredo Fajardo and Christine and Maru Macalipsay of the Philippines, and Jay de Leon of the USA.
All rights reserved.

To be continued… Chapter 12 Click Here

Prologue, Chapt 1-3 Click Here
Chapter 4 Click Here
Chapter 5 Click Here
Chapter 6 Click Here
Chapter 7 Click Here
Chapter 8 Click Here
Chapter 9 Click Here
Chapter 10 Click Here