Sikaran Taliba Vol5 No3
Transcription
Sikaran Taliba Vol5 No3
Volume 5 May - June 2016 Number 3 SAMPLE LOGOS AND SEALS OF SOME MEMBERS OF THE WORLD SIKARAN BROTHERHOOD SIKARAN TALIBA© IS PUBLISHED BY THE SIKARAN PILIPINAS PUBLICATIONS. IT IS THE ONLY INTERNET NEWSPAPER DEDICATED TO THE SIKARAN PRACTITIONERS AROUND THE WORLD. THE IDEAS AND OPINIONS IN THE ARTICLES AND MANUSCRIPTS ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR / CONTRIBUTOR AND NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLISHER OF SIKARAN TALIBA OR THE EDITORS. THE SIKARAN TALIBA IS NOT A FORUM FOR GRIEVANCE. THE MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EDIT CONTRIBUTED MATERIALS FOR DEROGATORY AND DISPARAGING COMMENTS. ALL MATERIALS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY MANNER WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. NEITHER THE SIKARAN PILIPINAS PUBLICATIONS NOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SIKARAN TALIBA ASSUMES ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MISUSE OR ABUSE OF ALL TECHNIQUES IN THIS NEWSPAPER. EDITORIAL OFFICE P.O. BOX 6332 ALAMEDA, CA 94501 [email protected] Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo Honorary Editor Emeritus Mantas-Marangal Emmanuel es Querubin Editor in Chief Mantas-Dalubhasa Elpidio Seletaria, Jr. Managing Editor Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. Editor-at-Large ERP Art Editor Contributors: Mantas-Marangal Louelle Lledo, Jr. Mantas-Marangal Andy Sanano, Jr. Janeth Geronimo Giner Arendain Burabod Goldie Albino SIKARAN PILIPINAS PUBLICATIONS Republic of the Philippines Certificate of Copyright No. A 2009-102 Department of Trade and Industry Certificate of Registration 00706053 United States, Library of Congress Copyright Registration No. TXu 1-612-682 PRESIDENT PANTAS MELITON S. GERONIMO, JR. World Sikaran Brotherhood the rise – Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo’s leadership since the birth of the World Sikaran Brotherhood……..the World Sikaran Brotherhood became the largest sports organization in the Philippines with members all over the country and the rest of the world………. – mismanagement of acting president causing the temporary downfall in membership and depletion of the coffers of the organization………….. the revival – Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo issued the order to pass on the leadership to his son Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. On March 7, 2015, “The Passing of the Torch” was celebrated and thereafter Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. was named President of the World Sikaran Brotherhood and final authority in the promotion, propagation, and development of Sikaran………. the rise……….. In 1966, Sikaran, then known as Philippine Karate, was granted recognition as a distinct Filipino Unarmed Martial Art by the Asian Karate Association. Meliton C. Geronimo was awarded the ultimate rank in the martial arts, the 10th Degree Red Belt, and the title Grandmaster. Likewise, the Sikaran Elders of Baras, Rizal vested on him the title Supremo (Leader). As President and Leader of the World Sikaran Brotherhood, Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo made Sikaran a household name in the martial arts. Membership of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines grew by leaps, and bounds. Sikaran crossed the seas, oceans, and the airspace to reach the other countries. Sikaran became one of the most popular unarmed fighting arts alongside Japan's Karate, Korea's Tae Kwon Do, and China's Wushu or Kung Fu. It is the leadership of Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo that has kept Sikaran alive and progressive all these years. For more than half a century Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo's capacity to lead has been proven. There is only one true Sikaran Grandmaster and that is Meliton Geronimo. There are numerous self-proclaimed Sikaran Grandmasters, most of whom were his students, but only Meliton Geronimo was granted the title Grandmaster and the rank of 10th Degree Red Belt by an international martial art entity, the Asian Karate Association. Meliton Geronimo is also the only person vested the appellation of dignity and honor as Sikaran Supremo (Sikaran Leader) by the Sikaran elders of Baras, Rizal. Under the leadership of Meliton Geronimo, the Philippines garnered seven gold medals in six Asian Karate Championships, an accomplishment that stands unchallenged and unequalled. The World Sikaran Brotherhood, founded and headed by Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo is the oldest and largest Filipino Martial Art association in the Philippines. It also has affiliates all over the world. There are thousands of members of the World Sikaran Brotherhood in the rest of Asia, in Australia, both North and South America, in the Middle East, in Europe and in Africa. Through the efforts of Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo, the Municipality of Baras in the Province of Rizal acknowledges Baras as the birthplace of Sikaran and proudly displays it on the official letterhead of the Municipality with the words “Home of Sikaran” and the seal of the World Sikaran Brotherhood. Sikaran has also been proclaimed as Rizal’s Official Provincial Sport and designated the last Saturday of March as Sikaran Festival Day. Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo’s influence extends outside the Philippines. Two Malaysians who were introduced to Sikaran in the 1960’s have upwardly evolved to create their systems. Clement Soo (Reg. No. 257) now the President of the Karate League of Malaysia created the Malaysian Goshin Ryu Karate System, which is recognized by the World Karate Federation. Loke Meng Kwang (Reg. No. 354) is the Grandmaster of the Ran Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao and is a member of the British Martial Arts Commission. For all these unequalled achievements, Meliton Geronimo is indeed the Most Distinguished Filipino Martial Arts Grandmaster. Born on March 10, 1927, Meliton Geronimo is the son of Cipriano Geronimo the last Sikaran Hari (champion) of Baras, Rizal and the grandson of Bonifacio Geronimo the last and only Hari ng mga Hari (champion of champions) of Baras, Rizal the birthplace of Sikaran. The Geronimo Sikaran lineage is the only progenitor of this historical Filipino fighting art. Meliton Geronimo pioneered the transformation of this 16th century art into the 20th century and now the 21st century. Through his dedication and efforts, Sikaran was introduced outside the country and became an international martial art. It was 1957. Sgt. Meliton C. Geronimo, of the Philippine Air Force, started teaching Sikaran to whoever was interested. He was sent to Japan as part of the rehabilitation of the Armed Forces. There he met several martial arts masters including Koichi Kondo of the All Japan Karate Federation. Kondo was intrigued by Geronimo’s ability in Sikaran. Their meeting led to several training sessions exchanging techniques and fighting maneuvers. Even after Geronimo returned to the Philippines their communication continued. In 1958, Meliton C. Geronimo established the World Sikaran Brotherhood. He envisioned a worldwide association of martial artists embracing the principles, theories, and concepts of Sikaran as an independent and sovereign fighting art of the Philippines. He has, since then been the head of the Sikaran movement, taking over his father Cipriano Geronimo (the last Sikaran Hari of Baras). His leadership made the Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines the largest martial arts association in the country. When Japan, China and Korea formed the Asian Karate Association, the Philippines was invited to join. In 1958, Meliton Geronimo founded the Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines (then referred to as Philippine Karate for inclusion in the Asian Karate Association). Due to the similarity of the arts, it was agreed by the member countries to refer to the art in the Japanese generic term of Karate. Hence, Korean Tang Soo Doo was known as Korean Karate, Chinese Kung-fu (also read as Kempo, also read as Chinese Hand, with the same characters as Empty Hand, sometimes read as Karate) was known as Chinese Karate, and Sikaran was referred to as Philippine Karate. In 1963, the Asian Karate Association was formed by Japan, Korea, China, and the Philippines. In 1964, the First Asian Karate Championships was held in Tokyo, Japan and Meliton Geronimo representing the Philippines won the Most Courageous Fighter Award. SIKARAN INTRODUCED TO MALAYSIA, 1967 Minister of Education and President of Karate Association of Malaysia Khir Johari, welcoming the Sikaran Instructors from The Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines: From left: Nestor Principe, Louis dela Cruz, Khir Johari, Chew Choo Soot (Karate Association of Malaysia Secretry-General) Emmanuel Querubin (Team Leader), and Vince Vasallo. EXCHANGE OF COMMUNICATION LEADING TO RECOGNITION OF SIKARAN In 1962, Master Koichi Kondo, Chief Instructor of the All Japan Karate Federation, as a prelude for recognition of SIKARAN as a distinct sovereign Filipino empty-hand fighting art named Meliton Geronimo, now a captain in the Philippine Air Force, Japanese Karate Grades Commissioner for the Philippines. In recognition of his skill, Meliton Geronimo was awarded the 5th Degree black belt by Kyojiro Furusawa, president of the All Japan Karate Federation. It was at that time, the highest grade in Karate awarded to a non-Japanese. The same reciprocal authority was accorded to Meliton Geronimo by Korean Tang Soo Doo Grandmasters Hwang Kee of the Moo Doo Kwan and Kwai Byung Yun of the Jee Doo Kwan. This commission qualified that whatever grade or promotion Meliton Geronimo issues will be recognized and honored by the All Japan Karate Federation, the Korean Karate Association and by the Asian Karate Association. Although it took a while, on March 6, 1963, Master Koichi Kondo confirmed his support for Meliton Geronimo and the KARATE (SIKARAN) BROTHERHOOD OF THE PHILIPPINES for membership in the Asian Karate Association and extended an invitation for the Philippines to participate in the First Asian Karate Championship. In an attempt to make it a regular part of the Asian Games, a uniform name for the sport was necessary. All member countries agreed to use the collective name of Asian Karate Association. In 1964, Meliton Geronimo led a team of SIKARAN players in the First Asian Karate Championships held in Japan. It was the first time that Japanese Karate, Chinese Karate, Korean Tang Soo Doo, called Korean Karate and SIKARAN, referred to as Philippine Karate, competed in an international tournament using a standard uniform rule of contest. The rules were almost made-to-order for SIKARAN fighters. They were the matira ang matibay (knock-out-survivalof-the-fittest) kind of rules, the forte of SIKARAN. Meliton Geronimo’s skill in SIKARAN paid off when he was named Most Courageous Fighter. It was his first international competition and the first honor for the Philippines in the martial art field of empty-hand fighting. It also proved the flexibility and ability of SIKARAN practitioners to adapt to different fight situations under a different set of rules of engagement. In subsequent Asian Karate Championships, several other honors were won under the leadership of Meliton Geronimo. In the Second Asian Karate Championships held in Seoul, Korea, Bernard Belleza won the heavyweight Gold Medal, while Emilio Galicinao won the middleweight Gold Medal. In the Third Asian Karate Championships held in Manila, Philippines, Jimmy Magbanua won the heavyweight Gold Medal while Ariston Bautista won the lightweight Gold Medal. In the Fourth Asian Karate Championships held in Tokyo, Japan, Amando Diaz won the lightweight Gold Medal. In the Fifth Asian Karate Championships held in Seoul, Korea, Antonio Ganiela won the heavyweight Gold Medal. Amando Diaz, now a bit bigger and heavier, won the middleweight gold medal. Jaime Geronimo, younger brother of Meliton Geronimo, won the “Most Courageous Fighter Award.” MELITON GERONIMO GRANDMASTER OF SIKARAN 10TH DEGREE RED BELT On 06 November 1966, the Asian Karate Association headed by its President Grandmaster Kwai Byeung Yun of the Korean Soo Bak Doo, with the concurrence of All Japan Karate Federation Grandmaster Koichi Kondo and Korean Tang Soo Doo Grandmaster Hwang Kee, officially recognized SIKARAN as a distinct Filipino Fighting Art. Meliton Geronimo was acknowledged as the Grandmaster of SIKARAN and was awarded the 10th Degree Red Belt. KOICHI KONDO GRANDMASTER All Japan Karate Federation KWAI BYEUNG YUN GRANDMASTER Korean Soo Bak Doo HWANG KEE GRANDMASTER Korean Tang Soo Doo On the Third Asian Karate Championship in 1966, SIKARAN was accepted as a distinct sovereign Filipino style of fighting, by the Asian Karate Association headed by Korea’s Dr. Kwai Byeung Yun, with the concurrence of Master Koichi Kondo of the All Japan Karate Federation, Master Hwang Kee of the Korean Tang Soo Doo and China’s Master Chua Tiong Ki. This once in a lifetime event was witnessed by Philippine Senator Ambrosio Padilla, Antonio delas Alas, president of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation, Colonel Jose Lukban, president of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association and several high-ranking military officers. Also in attendance were Cipriano Geronimo, last Hari of SIKARAN and several SIKARAN elders from Baras and surrounding towns. In recognition of this achievement, the Philippine Sportswriters Association vested on Meliton Geronimo the Sportsman of the Year Award. Meliton Geronimo, who codified, organized and elevated SIKARAN from an ancient system to a modern fighting art was awarded the title of Grandmaster of SIKARAN with the rank of 10th Degree Red Belt. He was vested the Order of the Eagle (Agila), the highest award in the Asian Karate Association. Some people were insistent on calling the art Philippine Karate professing that it has been influenced too much by Karate. Some contend that it should be called Modern SIKARAN to differentiate it with the SIKARAN of old, because foreign but similar fighting arts have debauched its distinctive style. Meliton Geronimo, maintaining that this is neither a new nor a different art, but a natural evolutionary progression of the centuries-old art of SIKARAN, resisted to use a qualifier and retained the name of the art the way it has always been since the 1800’s. It may have seemed an insignificant matter to some, but to Meliton Geronimo, it looms large on the horizon of the future of SIKARAN. He strongly declared that the art of SIKARAN that he is propagating is the same art his grandfather propagated in the 1800’s. He emphatically stressed that nobody can improve on perfection of the centuries-old art of SIKARAN. He emphasized that what he improved on is the “packaging” and “presentation” of SIKARAN. The 1960’s also marked the first time that Sikaran was officially introduced outside the Philippines. A group of Sikaran Instructors, composed of Emmanuel Querubin, Nestor Principe, Vince Vasallo, and Louie dela Cruz, were commissioned to teach Sikaran in Malaysia. Working together, Meliton Geronimo, and Emmanuel del Espiritu Santo Querubin, with the encouragement and wisdom of SIKARAN Haris Cipriano Geronimo, Melencio Bigasin and Manuel Ocampo and Arnis de Mano Grandmaster Daniel Rendal, formalized the syllabus of the techniques and curriculum of SIKARAN. Likewise, terminologies were translated and other words were coined in line with this curriculum. In 1969, Meliton Geronimo and Emmanuel del Espiritu Santo Querubin’s Terminologies of the Filipino Fighting Arts received the approval of the Institute of National Language and the Department of Education, bolstering the identity of SIKARAN as an indigenous empty-hand fighting art of the Philippines. In the same year, Meliton Geronimo and Emmanuel Querubin published two SIKARAN Instructional Manuals. From 1969 to 1972, Meliton Geronimo and his senior instructors, Jaime Geronimo, Emmanuel del Espiritu Santo Querubin, Angeles Sanchez, Rodrigo Espiritu, Ramon Valdenor, and Serafin Pangilinan, were assigned to train Republic of the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and the Presidential Security Command in SIKARAN. In 1970, the Asian Karate Association was disbanded to give way to the creation of the World Union of Karate-do Organizations (WUKO) the ruling body of Karate in the world. It was unfortunate that Master Koichi Kondo was no longer around to witness the culmination of his dream. Master Koichi Kondo passed away prematurely in 1969. The Karate Brotherhood of the Philippines became an original signatory member while Meliton Geronimo and Emmanuel del Espiritu Santo Querubin were designated lifetime founding signers of the WUKO charter. Meliton Geronimo, has gained worldwide recognition as a martial arts leader and the Philippines, through the Karate (SIKARAN) Brotherhood of the Philippines, has emerged as a powerhouse in the international Karate scene. This personal glory was bothersome for Meliton Geronimo. With the formation of WUKO, SIKARAN was being identified too much as Karate instead of the distinct Filipino Fighting Art that it is. Apprehensive that SIKARAN may lose its identity over the international acceptance of Philippine Karate, Meliton Geronimo, shortly thereafter relinquished his position in the World Union of Karate-do Organizations (WUKO). Energized by the enthusiasm of the SIKARAN elders, Meliton Geronimo devoted all his time and energy in the propagation of SIKARAN. Sacrificing his personal stature as a pacesetter in the Karate world, he dropped all reference to SIKARAN as Philippine Karate and propelled the Filipino Fighting Art to its rightful place in the international martial arts scene. Adopting the ancient rules of SIKARAN competition, Meliton Geronimo set tournament protocol making SIKARAN a modern and exciting competitive sport. SIKARAN is now practiced in several countries in at least all continents and is universally recognized as the Filipino Fighting art that it is. MAYOR MELITON C. GERONIMO After retiring from the Philippine Air Force, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Meliton Geronimo was elected Mayor of the town of Baras in the province of Rizal. His first official action as Mayor was to acknowledge Baras as the birthplace of SIKARAN. A similar resolution was also passed by the provincial government of the province of Rizal. Geronimo also erected a monument of two SIKARAN fighters in a biyakid position, adjacent to the multi-purpose gymnasium that he also constructed to be home of SIKARAN. SIKARAN and Meliton Geronimo are synonymous and nobody can rightfully claim to have learned the art unless they learned it from Meliton Geronimo or his disciples. Unfortunately, unsuspecting people are being bilked by self-proclaimed “masters” and even “grandmasters,” who after hearing about SIKARAN, cleverly put together some hand and foot techniques and call their art SIKARAN. Meliton Geronimo, still actively oversees the affairs of the KAPATIRANG SIKARAN NG PILIPINAS (ruling body of SIKARAN) and the PANDAIGDIGANG KAPATIRANG SIKARAN NG PILIPINAS (WORLD BROTHERHOOD OF SIKARAN), comprised of several affiliates from all over the world. With Meliton C. Geronimo at the head, his two most senior and ardent followers stand by his side. Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. his son, a master in his own right, is now the President of the World Sikaran Brotherhood and attends to the technical affairs of SIKARAN as an international martial art. Emmanuel del Espiritu Santo Querubin, now based in the United States, continues to propagate SIKARAN as a fighting art, and serve as the Executive and Technical Assistant to the President.. There is only one recognized SIKARAN genealogy and that is the Geronimo lineage. There is only one Grandmaster of SIKARAN accepted by the SIKARAN elders and that is Meliton Geronimo. There is only one Filipino Grandmaster sanctioned and recognized by the Asian Karate Association to hold the rank of 10 th Degree Red Belt in SIKARAN and that is Meliton Geronimo. Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo, now 89 years old and suffering the effects of several bouts with stroke, is looking forward to the future of SIKARAN. He is now guiding his son Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. in the latter’s journey over as Administrative Head of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines. Mayor KC Robles presenting Certificate of Recognition to Grandmaster and Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo. the fall……………………. In 2010, Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo, succumbed to stroke, the vice-president acted independently without basis of the by-laws and the good management skills that Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo displayed in all the years that he actively pursued the president’s office. If there is anything that demonstrates the failure of the leadership of the Acting President, it is the failure of the World Sikaran Brotherhood to send a team to compete at the World Sikaran Tournament in Canada. Since 1964, the World Sikaran Brotherhood has successfully sent teams for competition in Japan, Korea, Canada, and the United States. Instructional teams were also sent to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Australia, and some parts of Europe. Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo’s leadership, made Sikaran a household name in the martial arts. Unfortunately, the acting president who took over slowly “killed” Sikaran. There were members who changed loyalty. There were members who gave up martial arts training altogether. The worst are members who……………………… the revival……………………. On March 7, 2015, the presidency of the World Sikaran Brotherhood and leadership of the Sikaran movement was transferred to Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. requested Emmanuel Querubin, the only person still active in Sikaran since its inception to give the welcome speech. PASSING OF THE TORCH SPEECH “Magandang hapon po sa lahat ng mga binbini at ginoo at lahat ng ating mga kaibigan at panauhin. Isang malaking karangalan para sa akin ang pasamalatan lahat ng mga dumalo sa ating pagtitipon na ito sa pangunguna na kagalang-galang Kathrine Robles, ang maganda at nutihing alkalde ng bayan ng Baras; ang kagalang-galang na kinatawn ng ating butihing gobernadora na si Binibing Rebecca Ynares; Si binibing Lucila dela Vega, kagalang-galang na katiwala ng panglalawigang aklatan; ang mga kinatawan ng iba at ibang alkalde ng mg munisipyo ng Rizal, mga miyhembro ng sangguniang bayan, at ang mga Barangay captain at kagawad ng bayan ng Baras at mga karatig bayan. Isa ring malaking karangalan para sa akin ang pasalamatan ang ating mga bisitang galing pa sa Phoenix Arizona at nagsadya dito sa Baras upang masaksihan ang napahalagang pagkakataon na ito. Sina Ginoong Steven Dowd, tagapaglathala ng FMA Informative at Sikaran Taliba at ang kanyang butihing ginang sa si Vicky Dowd. Si Ginoong Steven Dowd ay Punong-Guro at tagapagmana ng Arnis Balite, isang uri ng arnis na pinasimulan ni Pundador Manuel Molina Aguillon, Sr. ng Zambales. Mayroon din tayong mga Sikaranista na galing sa ibang bansa na dumalo sa mahalagang pagdiriwang na ito, tulad ni Mantas-Marangal Andy Sanano, jr. ang Country Director ng United States at ang State Director ng Florida. Kasama niya ang kanyang pamangkin na si Mike Balabat. Si Mantas Marangal Andy Sananno. Jr. and tagapagmana ng Trese Hampas Arnis ng kanilang pamilya. Mula naman sa Australia, narito si Mantas-Marangal Jose Marie Diestro at si Darren Lea, kasama ang ilang estudyante. Ang ating kasapi na si GinoongMartin Lindgreen na galing sa New Zealand Sikaran ay narito rin para makiisa sa ating lahat sa pagsasalin ng pamunoan ng Sikaran mula kay Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo tungo kay Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. Mula rin sa United States narito si Mantas Dalubhasa Elpidio Seletaria, Jr ang International Coordinator ng Pandaigdigang Kapatirang Sikaran. Kasama niya ang kayang ginang na si MaryJane Presas. Kung ang apelyidong Presas ay pamilyar sa inyo, ito ay dahil siya ay anak ni Professor Remy Presas na siyang nag pasimula at nagpasikat ng Modern Arnis. Isa pang galing sa United States ay si Erwin Lamanero, Southern California District Coordinator na ngayon ay nagbabakasyon sa kanyang bayan sa General Santos. Dahil sa hindi maiwasang kadalihanan ang mga sumusunod ay hindi nakarating kahit nuong una ay balak dumalo: mula sa Canada, si Mantas Marangal Dante Alambra, ang Country Director ng Canada; si Dastin Alambra ang Provincial Director ng Manitoba; si Vic Ferrer, ang Provincial Director ng Saskatchewan; mula sa United States, si Mantas Marangal Louelle Lledo, State Director ng New Jersey; si Mantas Balubhasa Danny Chu, State Director ng California; si Jojo Villaneuva, District Director ng Northern California at si Romy Lladone District Director ng Central California. Mula sa Italy, and Country Director na si Armie Esparcia. Mula sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ay ang Country Director na si George Salomon. At mula naman sa Ireland ay ang Country Director na si Arnold Turla. Subalit dapat naman nating pasalamatan ang mga miyembro nating sina Pantas Jaime Geronimo ang Country Director ng Pilipinas, ang mga regional director na sina Ernesto Millanes ng NCR, si Ruel Zuniega ng region 4-B; si Joel Kiblasan ng CAR; si Stephen Oli ng Region 5; Ven Segui ng region …si Freddie Jizmundo ng Aklan at ang miyembro na galing sa iba at ibang mga regions. Pasamalatan din natin ang mga opisyal at miyembro ng ating kapatiran. Napakarami nating dapat pasalamatan at kung aking iisahin mauubusan tayo ng oras. Subalit kung hindi sa mga sumusunod, ang pagtitipon na ito ay hindi matutuloy at hindi magiging matagumpay. Sila ay sina Mantas Marangal Roberto Pamilar, ang Presidential Assistant for Operations and Logistics; Binbining Janet Geronimo, Presidential Assistant for Events and Programs; si ginoong Giner Burabod, Presidential Assistant for Junior Black Belts Council; si Mantas Emily Samillano, Presidential Assistant for Liaison, si Mantas-Dalubhasa Ramon Valdenor at ang kanyang maybahay na si Jocelyn Valdenor ang ating mga liaison officers sa malakanyang at sa senado. Nararapat din nating pasalamatan ang lahat ng mga Sikaranista sa buong mundo. Isang napalaking karangalan ko ang tumayo sa harap ninyo ngayon upang makiisa sa minsan sa buhay nating pagdiriwang. Ako ang nahilingang magpakilala sa bagong pamunoan ng Sikaran dahil sa dalawang rason. Ang unang dahilan ay sapagkat kasama ako ni Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo noong kanyang itinatag ang Kapatirang Sikaran ng Pilipinas noong 1958. Ang pangalawang dahilan ay sapagkat noong 1959 nang ipinanganak si Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. inialay siya ni Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo at sinabi na ang kanyang anak ang hahalili sa kanya bilang pinuno ng Sikaran pagdating ng takdang araw. Inahabilin sa akin ni Supremo ang pagtuturo kay Junior, hindi lamang ng pisikal na Sikaran, kundi sa pamumuno din. Si Meliton Junior ay kasama naming pangeensayo ng Sikaran sa Baras at sa Pasay, sa headquarters ng Sikaran. Ako ang naging gabay ni Junior sa Sikaran, hanggang dumating and panahon na ang pamilya nina Meliton Junior ay nagmigrate sa Amerika. Noong 1975 ako ay nagmigrate din sa Amerika at muli kaming nagpatuloy sa pageensayo ni Meliton Junior. Noong 2009 habang nagpupulong kami sa bahay ni Supremo sa Antipolo, muling ipinaalala sa akin ni Supremo na ang kanyang anak na si Meliton Junior ang hahalili sa kanya bilang bagong pinuno ng Sikaran pagdating ng takdang araw. Ang takdang araw na iyan ay dumating na. Dahilan sa kanyang kapansanan, itinakda na ni Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo ang pagdiriwang ng kanyang 88 birthday bilang araw ng paglilipat ng pamunoan ng Sikaran kay Meliton Junior. Sa sandaling ito habang isinasalin ni Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo kay Meliton Geronimo, Jr. ang aklat na nagsasaad ng buong kasaysayan ng Pandaigdigang Kapatirang Sikaran ng Pilipinas aking tinatawagan lahat ng mga Sikaranista na magpugay bilang pasasalamat kay Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo sa kanyang ipinamana sa ating lahat at bilang pagsalubong sa bagong pamunoan ni Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. (kneeling) receives Complete History and Membership Book of Sikaran from Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo, assisted by Emmanuel Querubin (holding microphone), Roberto Pamilar, Ernesto Millanes and Janeth Gronimo. The New World Sikaran Brotherhood President Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. bestows award on Honorable Governor Nini Ynares, for her support of Sikaran. My warmest greetings to the successor of Sikaran, Master Meliton S, Geronimo, Jr. This is an opportunity to acknowledge your leadership and it is my pride and honor to welcome you as you continue the legacy your Great grandfather, your Grandfather and your father Grandmaster Meliton C. Geronimo brought into existence when he established the Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines. They have shown as the path, now let us all join hands so together we may reach the destination they plotted for Sikaran. I encourage all Sikaranistas around the globe to help Master Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. continue what we all are striving for. Through willingness and hard work I reached my goal in the martial arts and I was able to produce several champions. In behalf of Sikaran-Arnis International Australia, I pledge our loyalty and support to Master Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr., as we have remained loyal and always supported Grandmaster / Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo. MESSAGE Pugay to all sikaranistas! First and foremost I would like to thank Grandmaster / Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo, for all his efforts (no need to elaborate as it is already documented) in making Sikaran a a worldwide art of fighting of Filipino origin. The legacy he instilled in all of us Sikaranistas will forever be in our minds and our hearts. I am proud to be a part of Sikaran and I am grateful to have received training from him. God bless you sir...Mabuhay po kayo...Mabuhay ang buong World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines...Mabuhay ang Sikaran!!! Second I would like also to congratulate everybody behind this big event, "The passing of Torch." I am enjoining every member to help our new President, Master Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. in bringing every Sikaranista in the world under the roof of the World Sikaran Brotherhood. Let us help him succeed and continue the vision his father set when he established the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines in 1958. Mabuhay po tayong lahat!!! Nagpupugay, Armie Esparcia Italy Country Director Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr’s first Presidential action was to hold a seminar and assigned the duties of the officials. The first seminar he held was an Instructor’s Seminar to upgrade the skill of the instructors in teaching the finer points of Sikaran. Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. emphasized that the first lesson that members have to teach to new students is the correct history of Sikaran. There are false teachers who do not know the true history and try “connect” themselves to Sikaran, trying to impress people of their importance and to give legitimacy to their selfproclaimed title of “grandmaster,” and or “hari.” People who call themselves “Hari” (champion) are not aware that the title must be bestowed by a board after winning in a recognized contest. The next seminar Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. held was to set a standard of tournament officiating and promote the officials appropriately. President Meliton S. Geronimo. Jr. proposed upgrading clinics to all Sikaran members. Some members who are based in Australia timed their vacation to the Philippines with an upgrading clinic and took advantage of the event to get promoted. Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. also instructed Mantas-Marangal Andy Sanano, Jr. Country Director for the United States to hold upgrading clinics, especially in the East Coast. Him, Mantas-Marangal Louelle Lledo, Jr. State Director for New Jersey, Mantas Dalubhasa Rommel Guiveses, State Director for New York, and Bantas Richard Lundy, Coordinator for Nebraska, got together to host an East Coast Filipino Martial Arts Seminar for Sikaran and Arnis de Mano. + ROMMEL GUIVESES, STATE DIRECTOR OF NEW YORK SHOWS PROPER SIKARAN ROUNDHOUSE KICK. MANTAS MARANGAL LOUELLE LLEDO, JR. AND MANTAS DALUBHASA ROMMEL GUIVESES EXCHANGE STRIKES DURING SEMINAR. MANTAS MARANGAL ANDY SANANO, JR. AND BANTAS RICHARD LUNDY DISPLAY THEIRT SKILL IN ARNIS DE MANO. TWO FORMER STUDENTS OF ERNESTO MILLANES HAVE MOVED TO FLORIDA AND ARE NOW ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS AT THE SANANO SIKARAN SCHOOL Martial Arts Resume Evangeline Daquigan Erikkson Black Belt Reg.#927 Sanano Sikaran/Arnis Gavle, Sweden Chapter 1969-1970 1973 973 1974 1973-1974 2015-2016 2016 Brown Belt and Assistant Instructor to Enrique Sanglap, KBP, Reg.#922 President Claro Erolfo, Jr. 1st Dan, Lucena City C.E. Squadron - Shurin-Ryu 1st Dan Black Belt, January 20, 1973 Promoted by Major Meliton C. Geronimo Enrique Sanglap established the “Avengers Club as President Lucban Street, Lucena City Under Major Meliton Geronimo, President of Karate Brotherhood of the Philippines Team Champion Tournament Experience, April, 1973 Loyola Heights, Q.C. sponsored by Karate Brotherhood of the Nursing Intern Quezon City Assistant Instructor to Ernesto Millanes The Luzon University Foundation, Physical Education Sanano Martial Arts System Sikaran-Arnis Intensive Training Mantas Andy Sanano, Tampa, Florida President, Sanano Martial Arts System Sikaran-Arnis Bothoan Galve, Sweden Martial Arts Resume Guillermo L. Bugia Black Belt Reg.# 995 Instructor: Sanano Sikaran Arnis Tampa, Florida 1971-1980 1972-1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1975 1984 1996 2015 Martial Arts Training Began Instructor Ernesto “Estong” Millianes Luzonian University Avengers Self-Defense Karate Club Chief Instructor Enrique Sanglap Team Championship - April 15, 1973 B.A.K.A. – Loyola Tournament 1st Degree Black Belt April 15, 1973 Club Exhibition May, 1973 Tongho Institute, Lucena City Opened Avengers Self-Defense Karate Club July, 1973 Chapter XI affiliated with the Karate Brotherhood of the Philippines Black Belts from the Mother Club assisted in promotional exhibitions -student numbers included their children2nd Degree Black Belt January 1, 1975 Mother Club Closure led to loss of affiliation – continued to teach Moved to the USA – little access to good training 9th Degree Red and White Belt Andy Sanano Assistant Instructor Sanano Martial Arts – Arnis-Sikaran- Bothoan BALANGKAS PATTERN OR FORMAL EXERCISE To understand the role of balangkas in Sikaran, it is important that one first understand the difference between Filipino Sikaran and Japanese Karate. Historically, Sikaran is a Filipino homegrown art and sport developed by farmers of Baras, Rizal. Originally, practitioners start with free-style fighting without any ceremonials. All that was needed was to say; "magsikaran tayo" (let us play Sikaran). The practitioners exchange blows until one is forced out of the arena or gives up. It is mainly a sport but also doubles as a fighting system and winning is the ultimate goal. For all intents and purpose, Sikaran is what is now referred to as "full contact fighting." Initially, Sikaran is not classified as a self-defense art or even a martial art. Sikaran was developed as a sport of the proletariat that doubled as a system of fighting. The Filipinos' martial art and "first line of defense" is the tabak (large blade similar to a machete) and the balaraw (smaller fixed blade knife). With the advent of Arnis de Mano, the baston (cane or stick) became the weapon not only of choice but of consequence. Interestingly "spiritualism" is also an important component of the Filipino martial art of the blade. Sikaran has a history that is centuries older than present-day Japanese Karate. There were no drills or pre-arranged techniques in Sikaran. Sikaran techniques are based on animal moves common in the Philippines, notably the kabayo (horse), the kalabaw (carabao), the unggoy (monkey), the agila (eagle), the labuyo (wild rooster descendant of the jungle fowl), the panabong (cockfight) the tagak (crane) and others. Karate on the other hand is a martial art developed for physical and mental growth, which later on became a sport. Balangkas or kata, in Japanese Karate, was the only means a practitioner trains in the fighting sequences prior to the introduction of free-style fighting, which was not until the 1930's. The practitioners face each other and in a pre-arranged manner, exchange blows in bunkai (structured fighting based on the sequence of the kata). Karate is a Japanese "import." According to written accounts, Karate originated from India, transported to China, then to Okinawa, and brought to mainland Japan in the 1920's. Both arts, however, are an effective means of fighting, using the bare hands and the feet. The training of the Balangkas (Formal Exercises or Formal Patterns) in Sikaran is an innovation of Meliton Geronimo. He introduced the training of Balangkas for two reasons: first; to comply with the requirements of the Asian Karate Association to train the selected and compulsory formal exercises as part of the Asian Karate Championships, and second to give the Sikaran practitioner a means to practice the basic techniques in a pre-arranged choreographed manner. The balangkas presented in this book were developed in the late 1950's to the 1960's and were originally intended to be presented one at a time in an Instructional Training Manual format. Due to unforeseen circumstances only two such manuals were published (Instructor's Manual Series I and Series II). Other manuals never saw publication. Fortunately I was able to keep the only copy of the original balangkas illustrations and layouts. Instructor's Manual Series I & II, the only Sikaran Manuals published. Some original illustrations of some Sikaran Instructor's Manuals that were not published. These original, unmodified balangkas (except for the Sikaran training uniform) developed by Meliton Geronimo and approved by the Sikaran elders of Baras, are now presented in this book form. Even the starting and ending techniques, which are considered part of the balangkas are presented as they were originally developed. There are balangkas that were developed in the 1970's, and although they are legitimate and considered offical Sikaran balangkas they are not included in this book. Moreover, there are balangkas na banyaga (foreign forms given Filipino names popular during the Asian Karate Association period) that are still being practiced but not included in this book Some of the marked differences in the balangkas developed in the 1960's compared to the balangkas developed in the 1970's are the hand techniques and the execution of the kicks. In the 1960's balangkas, open hand deflections are more prevalent than the 1970's balangkas which utilize more closed fist "power blocks." Punching techniques are different. Sikaran punching techniques normally start from the chest and delivered with the fist vertical at the point of impact, as opposed to the corkscrew punch that comes from the hips with the fist in a horizontal position as practiced in Karate. Sikaran kicks are also classified as "thrusting penetrating kicks" using the ball of the feet for siparap (front kick) the shin bone for sipakot (roundhouse kick), the edge of the feet for sipalid (side kick) and the back of the heel for biyakid (spinning heel kick), unlike the"snapping slapping" kicks using the instep or the sole of the foot. In the early stages of the Asian Karate Championships, Balangkas (Kata in Japanese, Kuen in Chinese, Hyong in Korean) was a demonstration event but not a medal-competition event. It was, necessary, however, to have formal exercises or patterns to classify as a physical art. Moreover, at that period, all empty-hand fighting arts were referred to by the Japanese generic term Karate. Hence, Sikaran was known as Philippine Karate, Tang Soo Doo as Korean Karate, etc. Balangkas (or fomal exercises) is a logical arrangement of defensive and offensive maneuvers in a particular sequence. Techniques of Sikaran Balangkas were designed for actual combat, although some may be applicable for tournaments or contests. Training in balangkas is both mental and physical. Boldness and aggressiveness must be exhibited in performing any balangkas. However, respect and decorum must also be practiced. The pugay (salutation), before and after the performance of the balangkas, integrates mental and physical in a single discipline. The 1950's to the 1970's marked the period when the practice of balangkas was at its highest point. The knowledge of balangkas, was considered a basis of skill in Sikaran. This was a carry-over of the ancient practice prior to the introduction of free-style sparring in Japanese Karate. Balangkas competition eventually became a medal event. Influenced by this Japanese trend, balangkas training became an important part, of Sikaran (then referred to as Philippine Karate). THE DECLINE OF BALANGKAS TRAINING In the mid-1970's and early 1980's, training of the balangkas in Sikaran took a downward spin. Some Sikaranistas who were ignorant of the real purpose of balangkas training "decided" that balangkas was after all, not as "important to be a good fighter. The decline of balangkas training, may be attributed to two factors; first is the growing popularity of the so-called "mixed martial arts." In this type of activity, the main goal is to defeat the opponent in any which way, one can, just like in old Sikaran. In essence mixed martial arts is "glorified street fighting." More often than not, size and brute force were the determining factors, with technique and strategy a secondary consideration: second is the similarly growing popularity of the Filipino Art of Stickfighting or Arnis de Mano. In both mixed martial arts and Arnis de Mano, there were no balangkas training or structured drills. Only fighting maneuvers were being developed and trained. More and more Sikaranistas, were being influenced by both arts. In both mixed martial arts and Arnis de Mano contests, the main purpose is to knockout the opponent, like in street fighting. The downside is too much emphasis on winning, neglecting practice of fundamental techniques and placing too much emphasis on fighting maneuvers at the earliest opportunity forgetting the aspect of mental development. This type of training becomes simply a matter of "haste makes waste." There is no alternative to learning and practicing. There are no structured drills to learn the underlying physical principles involved to maximize effectiveness of each technique and each movement, in a step by step and stage by stage manner. More important, the idea of the martial arts as a means of mental and spiritual development is completely forgotten. Since balangkas competition also was "not considered" a basis of being a good fighter, balangkas training lost favor among Sikaranistas. They also claimed, and rigthly so, that balangkas training was not really a part of Sikaran, rather an influence of Japanese Karate. Since Sikaran is an independent art, even dropping the reference as Philippine Karate, it should have its own separate and independent training personality. Since the 1980's, only about 50% of all Sikaranistas train in the balangkas. Unfortunately, even some seniors in Sikaran have also followed this practice. "RE-BIRTH" OF BALANGKAS TRAINING By and large, most seniors who made at least 5th Degree Black Belt before 1975 retained the practice of balangkas. To this date, all original members of Sikaran Pilipinas (SIKAP) are still actively training in the balangkas An American "invention," mixed martial arts," caused the "decline" of balangkas training, and an American "invention" also caused the resurgence of balangkas training. Enterprising exercise gurus "discovered" the benefits of the martial arts balangkas as a physical art, without the risk of injury or the necessity of exchanging blows with an opponent. They saw in balangkas, the defensive and offensive techniques and maneuvers that are not only practical, but also effective. Martial arts balangkas, were incorporated in aerobic exercises. Some balangkas, with minor to major modifications, were adopted as the exercise itself. The wisdom of the ancient masters who systematically developed the balangkas seemed to have rubbed off on these exercise gurus. Realizing the coherent and methodical organization of the techniques and the formulation of the ideas, procedures, and transition from one maneuver to the other, which offer maximum benefit, martial arts balangkas were seen and accepted as the ultimate in physical exercise. Even new terms were coined such as "Karate-robics," "cardio-karate" and locally, "Sika-robics." More and more people are joining schools and gymnasia to learn and train the balangkas, without engaging in actual exchange of blows but still benefit through the physical exercises. "Cardio-karate" and "Sikara-robics" which once more popularized the martial arts, has one big drawback. People who were training in so-called "cardio-karate" and "Sika-robics," falsely believe that they are training to be fighters. The few motion of kicks, and strikes, incorporated in calisthenics and gymnastics, give a false confidence of training in the fighting maneuvers. Nevertheless, balangkas training is on the rise and all indications are it is here to stay. In the late 1950's to the 1960's, Meliton Geronimo introduced the practice of Balangkas in Sikaran. He developed 10 Pani-langkas (elementary patterns), 10 Mau-langkas (progressive patterns) and adopted 2 balangkas na banyaga (foreign patterns) with modifications for Sikaran training. These two foreign balangkas, one he learned from Chinese Grandmaster Chua Tiong Ki and one from Japanese Grandmaster Koichi Kondo (both of the Asian Karate Association), are breathing exercises which he found will be a great addition to Sikaran training. Further, he gave Balangkas na Banyaga (foreign patterns) Filipino names and adopted some for Sikaran training. The 10 Pani-langkas (panimulang balangkas) composed of basic blocks and kicks were the first to be introduced. The Pani-langkas were influenced by Japanese Karate's closed fist blocks and corkscrew punch that comes from the hips. To present Sikaran techniques in their original form, the Pani-langkas were later on simplified to the 5 Batayang Balangkas (Basic Pattern) and the 5 Balangkas ng Kampana (4 Directional Pattern). With these simplified patterns, the 10 Pani-langkas are slowly losing favor among "traditionalist" Siakaranistas. The Batayang Balangkas and the Balangkas ng Kampana utilize the open-hand blocks and the vertical punch of Sikaran. Presented in this book are the modified abbreviated forms of the Panilangkas. The five Batayang Balangkas and the five Balangkas ng Kampana are now the accepted official patterns. Moreover, there are schools that teach all these balangkas with various different variations and modifications. Presently, there are four classifications of Balangkas (patterns) in SIKARAN. The first is the Batayang Balangkas (Basic Pattern). The second is the Balangkas ng Kampana (Pattern of the Bell or 4-directions pattern). The third is the progressive pattern or Mau-langkas more popularly known as Mga Balangkas ng SIKARAN. The last is the Balangkas na Banyaga (foreign forms). The Balangkas na Banyaga are forms or patterns of foreign origin, given Filipino names. They are now optional, but were practiced at the time when SIKARAN was still referred to as Philippine Karate, for acceptance in the Asian Karate Association. Interestingly, several Sikaran schools train more on the Balangkas na Banyaga (foreign forms, learned through films, books and videos) than the Balangkas ng Sikaran. This is due largely to the fact that Sikaran balangkas developed by Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo were not readily available to all Sikaran practitioners. The lack of visual aid, written and illustrated balangkas, except the pictures and illustrations I managed to save with the layout and dummy pages of the proposed manuals, also did not help. Unlike Japanese Karate, there also are no videos or visual aid in Sikaran from where practitioners can learn the balangkas. This book is the first and only illustrated version of the original balangkas as developed by Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo with the assistance and sanction of the Sikaran elders. This lack of visual reference also caused a lot of modifications, variations and "creation" of their own balangkas by some practitioners and instructors. The batayang balangkas are composed of five basic patterns, all involving the practice of the kicks in their basic form. The pattern is executed on a straight line, 3 steps forward, turn around and another 3 steps forward going the opposite direction, then turn around to assume original position. Open-hand blocks, crescent kicks and other hand techniques are involved in the basic patterns. The Balangkas ng Kampana (Pattern of the Bell), derived its name for the 4-directions of attack, which like the bell will ring no matter what part you hit. Another reason that is known only to those who are close to Meliton Geronimo, Kampana (Bell) is the nickname given to him by his SIKARAN masters on his birth, which was heralded by the ringing of the bells in Baras. When Balangkas ng Kampana were first adopted the only techniques were the five basic kicks, the SIPARAP (front kick), the SIPAKOT (roundhouse kick), the SIPALID (side kick), the SIPANG KABAYO (back kick) and the BIYAKID (spinning heel kick). Incorporated in the balangkas are open hand blocks and other hand techniques. A kicking block SIPAKAN (crescent kick) is also incorporated. There are five Balangkas ng Kampana , which are performed from a right-handed fighter orientation and from a left-handed fighter orientation. For variation, some enterprising instructors incorporated various hand and leg techniques in different sequences but still called it Balangkas ng Kampana. The balangkas, were designed to develop both the “strong side” and “weak side” of the practitioner. They create “muscle memory” and develop the motor nerves to act, react and proact in the same manner with the same power and energy. The mau-langkas or Balangkas ng SIKARAN, are more complex in arrangement than the batayang balangkas and the balangkas ng kampana. However, compared to balangkas of other arts, Sikaran balangkas are simpler and shorter. Some techniques in Sikaran Balangkas may be applicable for tournaments or contests. However, the balangkas were developed with combative and defensive applications as the primary purpose. The twelve Maulangkas developed in the 1960's and were initially intended as a requirement for antas (degree) promotion to the Sagisag na Itim (Black Belt) are: 1. Balangkas ng Unang Sikaran 2. Balangkas ng Ikalawang Sikaran 3. Balangkas ng Baras (Originally conceived as Ikatlong Sikaran) 4. Balangkas ng Rumagit 5. Balangkas ng Tagak 6. Balangkas ng Tungkong-bato 7. Balangkas ng Gapasin 8. Balangkas ng Kalasin 9. Balangkas ng Buhawi 10. Balangkas ng Hagibis 11. Balangkas ng Bagwis ng Haribon 12. Balangkas ng Pagaspas ng Labuyo All the above progressive balangkas utilize the original open-hand blocks of Sikaran. Fore-fist punches in the progressive balangkas are based on Sikaran punching, where the vertical punch is delivered from the chest, not like the corkscrew punch, also called Karate punch, where the fist comes from the hips . The Balangkas ng Bagwis ng Haribon (Haring Ibon or Philippine Eagle) is performed slowly with marked muscle contraction that is based on an original Chinese Kuen Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo learned from Chinese Grandmaster Chua Tiong Ki, with slight modifications to suit his physical capability. There are no kicks in these balangkas. They utilize open hand techniques on hour-glass stance and the dynamic breathing is designed to clear the mind and toughen the body, and strengthen the internal organs especially those involved in the respiratory system. All the movements in the Balangkas ng Bagwis ng Haribon are executed slowly. However, the movements in the Balangkas ng Pagaspas ng Labuyo, which he learned from Japanese Grandmaster Koichi Kondo, are combination slow and fast techniques. All Balangkas (Formal Exercises) have the following in common: All Balangkas start and end at the same place because they have a definite pattern and every stance has a definite distance. All Balangkas are designed as an organized set of techniques against an individual and sometimes multiple imaginary opponents. Proper breathing is an important part of every Balangkas technique. Some techniques are performed with silent inhalation and exhalation. Some techniques are performed with silent inhalation and loud guttural exhalation. As a sign of the culmination of a particular set of techniques, exhalation is performed in the manner of BUNYAW (concentrated forceful and vocalized exhalation). All Balangkas techniques have a practical defensive or offensive application or both at the same time. Timing and paslik (focus) also known in its Filipino spelling of pokus, are very important components of all Balangkas. There are techniques executed fast, there are techniques executed slow with dynamic tension or muscle contraction and there are techniques that are delivered continuously without hesitation. Twisting of the hips and locking the whole body as one unit with every technique, are important to proper focus. BOOK TWO COMING SOON RELEASED IN 2011…. SIKARAN INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO VOLUME 1 WRITTEN, PRODUCED, AND DIRECTED BY: ELPIDIO SELETARIA JR. 8th DEGREE BLACK BELT (#1487) Hercules, California, USA www.sikaranarnis.com COMING SOON…!!! SIKARAN INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO VOLUME 2 (ADVANCED SIKARAN WITH DEFENSIVE TACTICS, ETC…) To Order Contact: ELPIDIO SELETARIA - [email protected] ARNIS BOOKS BY LOUELLE LLEDO, JR., 9th Degree Red and White Belt #326 To Order Contact: [email protected] ARNIS DE MANO FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS EDUCATION TEACHER'S TRAINING HANDBOOK By: TWO SIKARAN MANTAS LOUELLE LLEDO, Jr. (# 326) and ANDY SANANO, Jr. (# 844) TO ORDER CONTACT: Louelle Lledo, Jr. - [email protected] Andy Sanano, Jr. - [email protected] SUBSCRIBE TO FMA INFORMATIVE - ITS IS FREE FMAdigest (2004 - 2010) Issues available with permission from Steven K. Dowd Owner and Publisher on the FMA Informative website 20 Subscribe To FMA Informative - Its Is Freewww.fmainformative.info SIKARAN builds fitness fitness builds confidence confidence builds productivity productivity builds a better citizen a better citizen builds a better country a better country builds a better and peaceful world SIKARAN builds a fit, confident, productive, and better citizen who builds a better country and more peaceful world SIKARAN WORDS OF WISDOM "skill in the martial arts does not make one invincible"