Random musings on Team Philippines' performance in the 2010 Asian Games

By the numbers.

Sixteen reasons (the number of athletes who won a total of 3 gold, 4 silver, and 9 bronze medals) to smile about and 169 reasons (the other athletes) to seriously contemplate upon.

This is one way to sum up the Philippine Team's performance in the just concluded 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China last November 12 to 27.

Another way of summing it up is by subtraction. Deduct our latest medal output from the total of 19 - consisting of 4 gold, 6 silver, and 9 bronze - we won in the Doha Asiad in 2006.

This time we earned 1 gold and 2 silver less. We also ranked one rung lower, in Asia from 18th to 19th and among Southeast Asian nations from 4th to 5th.

Yay.

*    *    *

Four short months.

For a nation that lets the proverbial Big Fish get away with murder, this article will do likewise and yes, let the Big Fish swim away with killing our 2010 Asian Games aspirations – but without sparing a few snide remarks.

It was only last July when Richie Garcia was appointed chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). In other words, it was only barely four months hence when Chairman Garcia began rebuilding upon the destruction wrought by his predecessor in the government sports agency.

It has only been for four short months that Philippine sports enjoyed the current smooth working relationship between the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by its president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr.

And four short months evidently did not suffice to cram and complete any program that would have  enhanced the Philippine Team's performance in last November's Asiad, amid the ruin and debris.

As for the identity of the ruinous Big Fish and the specific crimes he committed against Philippine sports, let's just say that indeed we are a nation that lets his kind get away with murder.

*    *    *

Four or more or less?

The POC and the PSC were in a bind.

Still reeling from the shockwaves brought by the Big Fish and under time pressure, they had to project an understandably modest gold medal harvest for this year's Asiad.

Modest but with the Filipino sports community and general public in mind, it can not be less than that of the previous Asiad in Doha – lest they become subject to public ridicule for making a projection geared towards a regression.

So four was the dream and magic number; it will be the same as the four gold medals won in 2006.

We ended up with “only” three this time. But with all the travails the Pinoy sports community had to go through and in lieu of divine intervention, winning three gold medals was already a remarkable feat.

*    *    *

Those tired cliches and lessons one and two.

“Eye-opener?” “Wake up call?”

Quit the cliches. At best the recent Asiad served as just another grim reminder that we should heed the following lessons which we knew all along:

Lesson No. 1: Our elite athletes, especially in sports that are playing catch – up to world class status, should benefit from long-term training programs in foreign countries which are renowned powerhouses in the sports concerned.

Lesson No. 2: Expand the grassroots until it reaches a critical and sustainable mass base or pool from which we can continuously recruit and train potential athletes.

Yes, we get it. Now where's the money?

*    *    *

The chicken or the egg?

Which comes first, the gold bullion or the gold medal?

For the less successful national sports associations (NSAs), Asiad wise, it will be another case of  “which comes first, the chicken or the egg?”

Sponsor: “Show me the results and I'll show you the money.”

NSA: “Show us the money, we'll spend it for our athletes' training program, nutritional needs, etc., and then we'll show you the results.”

Sponsor: “Well, you've just failed and it makes me reluctant to shell out money for your program.”

NSA: “But we will fail again big time next time if you don't show us the money.”

Ad nauseam.

Sponsor: “By the way, do you really spend sponsorship money for your athletes? Do you account for it honestly and transparently?”

NSA: “I think that's getting ahead of the story sir. Just the same, we can assure you that we will be as honest and transparent as you are in your own business dealings (whatever that means).”

And so it goes.

*    *    *

The Asiad is as tough as tough can be.

Friendly reminder: In many sports events, the competitive level of the Asian Games rivals that of the Olympic Games.

Want to know the competition background of the recent Asian Games medalists in its Olympic sports events?

Surf the web and look 'em up.

*    *    *

The breaks of the game broke us down...and one of us literally suffered from a broken neck.

Now for my personal experiences as team manager of the Philippine wrestling team.

The game commences at the preparation stage so to speak, even way before the actual playing of the game, during the competition proper itself.

That being the case, the Philippine wrestling team has long been crippled going into this year's Asiad.

First, SEA Games gold medalist in freestyle, 84 kilogram category Jason Balabal entered the Philippine Navy as a candidate soldier last June.

A candidate soldier of the Philippine Navy is required to train a minimum of six months straight inside barracks to become a full fledged soldier – and with no exceptions. As a consequence, he was no longer able to train and much less join the Asiad last November.

We can't blame the young man: a soldier–athlete enjoys steadier job security and benefits than a “stand–alone” athlete. We are confident that he'll be back on the mat next year when he is already a regular soldier and can train with the Philippine team as duly requested by the PSC.

Secondly, our other SEA Games gold medalist in Greco-Roman 55 kilograms Margarito Angana, Jr. suffered a spinal injury, a herniated disc in the neck. He got injured last October 8 during sparring in his training in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“Incidentally” Margarito - who didn't let a single opponent score even a single point against him during last year's SEA Games - was our top bet for winning a medal in the Asiad.

Finally we were down with only one of our three SEA Games gold medalists in Margarito's eldest brother Jimmy Angana, our official entry in freestyle 66 kilograms. The veteran and battle-worn Jimmy, along with two other freestyle wrestlers, fought valiantly but did not go home with a medal.

Due to the unfortunate circumstances, the Philippine wrestling team that saw action in the regional 2009 SEA Games was stronger than the one that competed in the continental 2010 Asian Games.

Nevertheless, our deepest gratitude goes to our sponsor in the POC who made Margarito and Jimmy's three-month training in Bulgaria possible and to SMART Sports for their extra allowances and other valuable items.

We will rebound next year and qualify an athlete or two in the qualifying events for the 2012 London Olympics.

*    *    *

To hell with the closing ceremonies.

My team mates - coaches Jerry Faingason and Rodrigo Falsario, and athlete brothers Jimmy, Jerry, and Margarito Angana and Maribel Jambora (who also happens to be Jerry's fiance and a prospective Angana herself if plans don't go awry) - all swore on the splendor of the closing ceremonies held on the evening of November 27 at the Haixinsha Citizen Square.

The fireworks were impressive, Maribel gushed, and Korean pop superstar and Hollywood actor Rain sang during the closing rites.

I missed all of it, along with the opening ceremonies as our team arrived on the second week of the games.

I was too tired and depressed to join and revel in the farewell festivities.

Tired with traveling by train and walking through the sprawling commercial district of Guangzhou to purchase a pair of US$50.00 wrestling shoes that day, worn with the last minute shopping at the International Zone inside the Athletes Village.

Depressed that the whole Philippine Team contingent fell a gold medal short of its four gold medal target, crushed that our wrestling team did not contribute for the 56th year straight. (The Philippines' last wrestling medal in the Asiad was a silver, won way back in 1954 when Manila hosted the quadrennial games.)

I slept all alone through the closing ceremonies inside my room in our 12 storey high residential apartment in the middle of the Athletes Village.

Why see and hear Rain? It was already raining in my bedroom.

*    *    *

Goodbye free McDo.

Another thing I missed was the free McDonald's meals provided to us in the Main Dining Hall, 24/ 7!

I promised myself that I would avail of the meals only if our wrestlers won a medal.

That said, I spent my one week stay expanding my waistline on East Asian, Southeast Asian, Subcontinental, Muslim, European Continental, and Bicolano cuisines.

Besides we're not wanting for McDo branches in Metro Manila, but I won't get free cheeseburger and fries unless I'm a guest in a children's party.

I was joking on the Bicolano cuisine.

*    *    *

Smile, Chris Tiu, tomorrow's another day.

'Twas the night of November 26th when I walked past Philippine basketball team captain Chris Tiu, sitting all alone on the foot high round concrete fence enclosing a raised bed garden just outside the souvenir shop of the International Center.

His facial expression said it all.

A few minutes later we were together by chance at the laundry, where he spoke with the attendants in Chinese.

We asked about each other's team's performance, in Filipino.

After a few minutes, we bid each other better luck next time, still in Filipino.

*    *    *

An artistic consolation.

As free souvenirs, all delegates could take home the "Picture Greetings," as our hosts entitled them, which were children's framed paintings adorning our bedroom walls in the residential apartments. Each painting came with a greeting card for each delegate.

In exchange, we wrote on the detachable page of each greeting card our feelings on the painting we would be taking home. We left our written messages with the receptionist of our respective apartment building upon departure.

Mine was brief, "It's beautiful."

It was addressed to 10 year old Chen Shi Yin, the creator of my abstract work of art (it looks abstract to me).

Someday, Chen Shi Yin could become an internationally renowned artist whose works pitch for hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece. Then I'll visit Sotheby's and end up with enough cash to spend for our athletes' training program, nutritional needs, etc.

And then we'll show you the results.

Another option is to sell this artwork in the future to any of our 16th Asian Games gold medalists: boxer Rey Saludar, billiards player Dennis Orcullo, or bowler Biboy Rivera. This is assuming they maintain their wealth and could afford disposable income years from now to buy Master Chen's little obra maestra.

But do or will they patronize art?

Well that's another story.

Another sumptuous MMA serving from Rogue’s Black Tie Brawl

MAKATI, Philippines - The third annual offering of what is considered to be the country’s classiest and sexiest professional mixed martial arts (MMA) event began to the tune of “Lupang Hinirang” wafting through the hall courtesy of Juan Pablo Dream’s tenor saxophone, as the audience formally dressed in black suits and evening gowns stood in rapt attention and anticipation for the eight bouts of Rogue Magazine’s Black Tie Brawl last evening of Oct. 29 at the Grand Ballroom, New World Hotel, Makati.

Immediately after playing the national anthem, the Mod band set the fighting mood with their fierce and frenetic renditions of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lot of Love,” rocking the crowd seated ‘round round tables. Fresh from consumption of their chef prepared sit-down dinner, the high society patrons eagerly awaited their dessert of Alvin Aguilar’s intrepid Ultimate Reality Combat Championship fighters, whose photos of bare upper bodies and brief write-ups were on the menu, literally.

And now for the fights, which were graced by Ornusa Cadness,
Mia Ayesa, and Sanya Smith as round girls in gowns (no, not skimpy skirts and body fitting midrib tops).

Match no. 1: Pinweight, Leonard Caliwa vs. Noel “Taz” Norada

The first fight of the night was the shortest and bloodiest. Norada of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP) took off for an ill-timed and telegraphed grab for the legs of Round 1 Gym fighter Caliwa and paid dearly for it. Caliwa quickly countered with a thunderous knee into Norada’s face, smashing the wrestler’s right cheekbone and sending him plummeting on his butt.

A visibly hurt and flustered Norada tried to get back on his feet and dove for another double-leg shot, which was met with another knee to his face from his alert opponent. This time though, the second knee strike notwithstanding, Norada got a firm grasp of Caliwa’s legs and took him down.

Norada tried to ground and pound through his daze inside the guard but was effectively stifled by the still clear-headed Caliwa. Blood oozed profusely from Norada’s nose and mouth, an effect of his battered right cheek, and bathed his supine adversary with crimson.

The referee broke the fight and summoned the ring physician to check on the injured fighter (Norada splattered so much blood on his rival that the doctor first approached Caliwa, mistakenly thinking that the latter was the one bleeding from injury). Barely breathing through the blood stuffed in his nostrils, a devastated Norada meekly surrendered. 

Leonard Caliwa was declared winner by technical knockout (TKO) with the doctor stoppage 0:54 into the first round.

(Later a downcast Norada, lying on the emergency cot with an ice pack on his cheek, told this writer that after the first knee strike he could not even recall his subsequent successful takedown and futile attempt at a ground and pound.)

Match no. 2: featherweight, Reydon “The Filipino Bolo Punch” Romero vs. Miguel Alo

Alo of Team S.P.R.A.W.L. and a BS MatEng graduate of UP Diliman, engineered a majority decision over Romero of Yaw Yan Kampilan, in a fight largely characterized by a see-saw battle on ground positioning.

The second fight commenced with Romero assuming the signature Yaw Yan Kampilan fighting stance: crouching low with his right fist covering his right cheek and the other arm cocked with the upper arm raised to almost perpendicular to the body, elbow outwardly pointed at the opponent, and forearm dangling and swinging like a pendulum.

Romero struck Alo with a punch and kick combo and surprisingly took down the wrestler with a double-leg shot. Alo, upon hitting the canvass wrapped his legs around Romero and secured a jujitsu closed guard position.

On his back Alo, a Philippine Team B wrestler, weathered Romero’s fistic attacks until he got hold of the other protagonist’s left leg and changed their positions with a takedown. But it didn’t take long before Romero skillfully regained the top position in what would be a 20 minute long tussle of reversals on the ground.

The latter half of the first round saw Alo trying to sink in a triangle choke, against which Romero initially responded with an illegal knee to the head, making referee Joey Lepiten momentarily halt the action and warn the erring party. Alo then transitioned into an arm bar attempt which Romero defended stubbornly in spite of his arm almost reaching hyper-extension.

Alo finally gave up on the arm bar and full mounted Romero, and true to the manifesting pattern, the mounted fighter regained the neutral position by sneaking back a full guard around his opponent.

The second round started with Alo capitalizing on his superior physical conditioning, and the more exhausted Romero abandoning his team’s unique fighting stance for the more conventional boxing defensive pose.

This time, it was Alo who initiated the fireworks with a left cross and took off with a flying knee to the head, before taking his opponent down and pounding on him from the full mount.

For the nth time Romero reversed and re assumed the top position then stood away from the supine Alo’s guard. On his feet he delivered kicks to the legs of his grounded opponent, who cautiously inched towards him on his back, waiting for the opportune time to stand up without receiving a major hit.

 The chance came for Alo when Romero launched another leg kick, and with what seemed to be a leg block from below, the Yaw Yan Kampilan athlete tripped and stumbled to the canvass. Immediately Alo arose and dashed towards his downed adversary, tied him up, and struck at him.

Romero struggled back to his feet but Alo countered with a successful head throw, eventually leading to a full mount and ground and pound. When the fighters found themselves back to standing again, Alo took to flight anew and piloted an airborne knee to Romero. 

The final bell rang with Alo going all out for a rear-naked choke after slugging at a prone Romero from a back mount in the dying minute.

Match no. 3: featherweight, Michael Dan Rubio vs. Dowen “Rampage” Dela Tonga

Rubio of McLaren MMA was quick to the draw with a complete package of strikes; punching, kicking, and kneeing Dela Tonga of Round 1 Gym right at the opening salvo. Wrestling Dela Tonga down, Rubio grappled for a kimura arm lock which appeared to be on the verge of eliciting a submission.

Dela Tonga, coming off an intimidating 17–3 win–loss record in his erstwhile pro boxing career, frustrated Rubio and struggled his way back on his feet. Hence he proved his superior boxing skills for the latter half of the first round, with Rubio answering mostly with leg kicks.

The second round further showcased Dela Tonga’s advantage in the boxing department, but Rubio’s takedowns and consistent leg kicks must have been the difference that earned for the McLaren MMA fighter the hard fought split decision victory.

Match no. 4: flyweight, Lando “The Assassin” Espinosa vs. Leo Occena

Espinosa of Elorde MMA did not have to prove his specialty in boxing as he wasted no time in taking down Occena of Yaw Yan Kampilan, barely allowing Occena the chance to show off his team’s signature limping arm fighting stance.

From the half-mount Espinosa banged away at his adversary with head and body punches, until he secured and tapped Occena with a kimura 4:13 into the first round.

Match no. 5: featherweight, Andrew Benibe vs. Carl “The Virus” Sabeniano

It was only in their respective dug-outs, pre-fight, did they learn that both of them studied in UP Diliman and took courses in the same College of Human Kinetics (Benibe was a sports science major from 1993 – ’96 while Sabeniano graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2006).

In two hours they were at their closest, sharing the spotlight atop one boxing ring, tearing each other apart.

Sabeniano of Hybrid Yaw Yan, a former URCC lightweight champion, dropped and pulled Benibe of Maic’s Gym/ Benibe MMA into his guard early on in the first round. From closed guard he transitioned to his notorious rubber guard then smoothly applied a triangle choke.

Everything was in place for the submission attempt except for the choke, as Benibe steadfastly defended against a blackout, until Sabeniano let go and the fight was resumed back to standing. (Sabeniano later claimed that his nagging knee injury hurt intolerably that he had to release the hold.)

In the stand up striking, Benibe was pronouncedly accurate and persistent with body punches, while Sabeniano landed with thigh kicks. Twice Sabeniano struck but missed with the weapon he resorted to in knocking out his previous opponent in URCC: the spinning back fist.

Entering the last 2:00 of the first round, Benibe unloaded what looked to be a left roundhouse that smacked Sabeniano’s cranium, knocking the ex-champ down. Benibe closed in for the kill and pounded on his fallen foe from side mount before the referee stopped the rainfall of knuckles with 1:55 remaining in the first canto.

Match no. 6: bantamweight, Charles De Tomas vs. Roldan “The Iron
Man” Cartajena

After Cartajena of Hybrid Yaw Yan provoked his rival with a leg kick, it was De Tomas of D Elements Gym all the way, ironing out and dominating The Iron Man with his superior wrestling and grappling proficiency until Cartajena tapped out to the night’s second successful kimura, 5:53 into the first stanza.

Match no. 7: Heavyweight, Robertson Tubosa vs. Igor “Sugar Free” Subora

Beginning the lone heavyweight match of the night, Tubosa of WAP, all of 5’ 10’’ and 220 lbs, lunged and furiously attacked with a flurry of punches until he tied up the bigger Ukrainian Subora of Strikes Unlimited, at 6’ 3” and 240 lbs, against the ropes. Then he took Subora down and tried to launch a ground and pound from half mount.

Subora effectively clinched the wrestler on top of him, preventing Tubosa from inflicting any damage during what would turn out to be their first and last embrace on the floor. With more than two uneventful minutes of jostling on the ground, the referee brought back the fighters on their soles to facilitate more exciting action.

The heaviest and tallest fighter of the night did not disappoint by knocking down Tubosa right away with a superman punch (a flying right straight). He punished the fallen Philippine Team wrestler with some more battery before the referee stopped the fight at 3:00 into the first round, and Sugar Free had his game opponent leave the ring on a sour note.

  

Match no. 8: bantamweight, Hideo “Death from Tokyo” Morikawa vs. Aden “Tiger” Zarco

The final joust for Black Tie Brawl III was a classic between karate and boxing, and it was plain to see in the fighting stances of Japanese karateka Morikawa representing Kyokushin Zendukai Phil and boxer Zarco of Maic’s Gym/ Benibe MMA.

Morikawa lobbed leg kicks which were countered by Zarco with a straight to the face. After circling and sizing each other up with measured strikes, Morikawa tangled and took Zarco down and found himself inside the boxer’s guard.

The fighters soon found themselves back to standing again but Morikawa would have none of it and shot for a successful takedown. Zarco found a way to top position, with one leg entwined inside Morikawa’s half guard.

Morikawa went for a kimura attempt and swept Zarco in the process, getting the top position on side mount. From a kimura, he adjusted to a successful arm bar, tapping out Zarco in 4:04 of the first round.

Andrew Benibe scored a double whammy as he also bagged the “Fighter of the Night” award which went along with a free VRP Medical Center executive check up package.

As in all combative sports contests, half of the warriors enjoyed their victories while the other half went home with more hurt to handle and a less lot of love.

Black Tie Brawl III was a presentation of Rogue Magazine, in cooperation with New World
Hotel, Makati City-Manila, Cole Haan, Mini, PLDT MyDSL, Chivas, Absolut Vodka, Martell Cognac, Jacob’s Creek, Michelis, U-Boat, SEAIR, VRP Medical Center, Lifeline, Yoshinoya, Tapa King, ETC Entertainment Central, Jack TV, Manila Bulletin, 106.7 Dream FM, Martin Bautista, Chris Diaz Designs, and Joel Escober.

Matt Hamill Tito’ed Tito Ortiz, Hammered Out a Unanimous Decision Victory

 

Matt Hamill was a doppelganger of the Tito Ortiz of old as he took his former Ultimate Fighter coach down to school, time and time again literally in UFC 121 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Ortiz fired the opening salvo with a kick – punch – knee combo right at the bell launching the first round. Hamill answered with a left jab that opened a cut to the right side of the head of the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

Hamill slammed Ortiz to the canvass with a double-leg takedown but the latter quickly scrambled back to his feet and they were back to a standing exchange of strikes.

With 2:55 remaining in the first round, Ortiz was already sporting a mouse underneath his left eye along with blood oozing from the side of his head. After a more or less equal exhibition of kicks and punches - including a spinning back fist from Ortiz which was blocked by the younger fighter - the round ended with Ortiz’ face the more worn and torn.

Round two began with another exchange of stand-up strikes, the most significant of which was a left uppercut courtesy of Hamill which struck the chin of Ortiz and snapped his head back.

Midway into the round Hamill finally treated his former mentor with a dose of his own medicine: the ground and pound. Winding down to the last two minutes of the round, the erstwhile student secured a double-leg takedown and unleashed a Titoesque rainfall of elbows and punches from inside Ortiz’ guard.

Ortiz unsuccessfully attempted a submission from the guard which only gave Hamill the opportunity to transition to half-mount, where he resumed his punishment till the bell sounded.

The final round was all Hamill’s. The young contender aggressively stalked the elder warrior with left jabs, right straights, uppercut, inside leg kicks and the whole encyclopedia of strikes.

Ortiz dove for a double-leg takedown which Hamill sprawled off and answered with a right straight to the face back on their feet.

Hamill executed another successful double leg takedown with 90 seconds remaining, and spent the dying seconds elbowing and pounding out a unanimous decision victory from half-mount.

The winner, on a roll with his fifth consecutive win, emotionally expressed his gratitude to his former coach during the post-fight interview.

The torch was passed and lit brightly the Honda Center for the unquestioned conqueror, and there was also no question that Hamill heard the cheering crowd.

　

from the bottomless pit no. 3

"One important lesson I learned from watching soap operas: be careful whom you fight; he or she could be your long lost sibling."

from the bottomless pit no. 2

"I made the throw but I was out of bounds; it didn't count."

from the bottomless pit no. 1

"Broken men yearn for unbroken solitude."

S.P.R.A.W.L. - MMA Cubao Fact Sheet

My babies Mikael Fedor J.Sevilla on the left and Milo Ezekiel J. Sevilla on the right (when they grow up they'll either find this cute or embarrassing)

S. P. R. A. W. L. – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CUBAO

address at 

3^rd floor JN Bldg., 657 EDSA cor. Monte De Piedad st., Brgy. Immaculate Concepcion, Cubao, Quezon City

If  southbound along EDSA, it's at the foot of the last overpass before Aurora blvd. right after HM Bus LinerStation. If northbound it's the reverse (obviously).

Open Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Phone nos. 0910-4408035/ 0907-3020384/ 0927-7036912

Member: Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP), Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP), & S.P.R.A.W.L. – Inc.

AVAIL OF OUR MAY 2011 STUDENT* PROMO!!!

2 Sessions = P250.00 Only!
All Martial Arts & All Combos!
ex. muay + muay, or grappling + grappling, or muay + grappling, etc.

Beginning this May: 1) Whole Day (8 Hours) Wrestling & Submission Grappling! (See updated        schedule below)

                                 2) Lifetime membership fee cut to P1,000.00 only from P1,500.00, Annual membership fee cut to P500.00 from P500.00!

• *Please present VALID school ID
• *Grade School, High School and College Undergraduate Students only. College students  studying for Masters, Doctoral and 2nd Bachelor's Degree NOT QUALIFIED.

 2011 RATES AND SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

·         Choose between annual membership fee of P500.00 (effective 12 months, not necessarily until Dec. 31) or lifetime membership fee of P1, 000.00

·         Membership ID card fee P200.00

·         Muay Thai, Wrestling, Grappling, Boxing, & FMA rates:

For members:         per session P150.00       8 sessions per month P1, 000.00       12 sessions per month P1, 500.00

For non-members: per session P250.00        8 sessions per month P1, 500.00       12 sessions per month P2, 300.00

Schedule for Muay Thai, Boxing & FMA: Mon to Sun walk-in anytime for a two hour session

Schedule for Wrestling: Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM (1:00 PM to 7:00 PM one hour sessions for walk-in/ by appointment clients, MWF 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM regular class sessions)

Schedule for Submission Grappling: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM & Sat 2:00PM to 9 PM one hour sessions for walk-in/ by appointment clients, Tue & Thu 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM regular class sessions

·         Mixed Martial Arts rates:

For members: per session P250.00       8 sessions per month P1, 500.00      
12 sessions/month P2, 300.00

For non-members: per session P350.00        8 sessions per month P2, 500.00      
12 sessions per month P3, 500.00

Schedule is a choice between a & b:

a)      one session of MMA is actually a 2 in 1 package of one striking (Muay Thai or boxing) session and one  grappling (wrestling, submission grappling or judo) session. You can take both sessions in one day or one each on two separate days. Choose from the schedule above. (We highly encourage learning the skills separately first before mixing them all up.)

b)      one session training with our fighters who are preparing for amateur or professional MMA fights, usually Mon to Sat 7:00 PM to 9 PM.

• Instructors:

              Muay Thai – Kru Sulpiano Laurio, Kru Art Pantinople, Kru Swing Ellar, and Trainer        Bobot Mercurio

              Boxing – Trainer Bobot Mercurio (former amateur boxer with 7 -1 win-loss record)

              FMA – Kru Art Patinople and Trainer Bobot Mercurio (Doce Pares Arnis)

             Wrestling – Philippine Wrestling Team (PWT) Coach Violeto Agustin & former PWT Coach Karlo Sevilla

            Submission Grappling – Gilbert Ombao (Team Fabricio BJJ blue belt), Kru Art Pantinople (Japan Paraestra BJJ blue belt) & Karlo Sevilla (Many time submission grappling medalist)

             Mixed Martial Arts - Kru Sulpiano Laurio, Coach Karlo Sevilla with consultant Coach Jerry Legaspi and the rest of the instructors mentioned above

·         All fees are non-refundable

2010 Colt 45 - URCC University Challenge Results and Bits

(This has got to be this article's final version, revised today, September 22,2010 at 1:03 AM)

Here are the results (first name mentioned per match is the winner's) of the 2010 Colt 45 – URCC University Challenge held last night at the A-Venue , Makati City, along with my brief comments.

Match no.1 (pinweight 110-119 lbs)

Jojo Tabang (Hybrid Yawyan/DLSU) won by rear-naked choke submission in the 2nd round over Emielle Macalinao (Yawyan Buhawi/PATTS). It was a pretty even first round with a couple of reversals on the ground positions. Macalinao was the more visibly tired fighter at the start of the second round. Tabang took him down, eventually transitioned to backmount and finished him with the rear-naked choke.

Match no.2 (bantamweight 130-139 lbs)

Charles Lubrica (Strike and Shoot/Manila Central Univ.) won by TKO in the 1st round over Reyvan Mejia (Fist MMA Club-Team Underdog/Olivares College). Lubrica came out firing at the sound of the bell with accurate leg kicks. With barely 30 seconds into the match he connected with a kick on Mejia's left thigh followed by the fight ending right hook.

Match no. 3 (flyweight 120-129 lbs)

PJ Barrios (Toughguys Int'l/Our College of Fatima Univ.) won by arm bar submission in the 2nd round over Jay-R Bermoy (Yawyan Kampilan/Univ. of Perpetual Help-Data System). Perhaps Barros' victory could have come sooner in the very first round: twice he grounded and pounded on the supine Bermoy and once he was about to attempt a rear naked choke, but in each instance Bermoy's headgear slipped off. Consequently the ref stopped and reset the action every time. His victory proved fated though; he finally sank an arm bar in the second canto.

Match no. 4 (bantamweight)

Jessie Jurial (Yawyan Kampilan/ Emilio Aguinaldo College) won by TKO in the first round over Jeorge Turmon (PMMA Club/Olivares College). Turmon must have taken a longer time singing the national anthem than fighting as Jurial tranquilized him right away with a knee to the head very early in the first round (maybe Jurial didn't like Turmon's rendition of "Lupang Hinirang").

Match no. 5 (lightweight 150-159 lbs)

Kevin Dela Cruz (DEFTAC/DLSU) won by RSC in the 1st round over Aliecarl Tolentino (PAMA/EAC). Tolentino appeared to be the stronger of the two physically as he scored the first takedown and attemped long and hard for an unsuccessful kimura lock. For the best of the first three minutes, he ably maintained or regained the top position on the ground. But Dela Cruz' superior grappling skills soon leveraged against Tolentino, and the latter found himself on his back pinned beneath the former's full mount and initial ground and pound assault. Then Tolentino made the rookie mistake of turning prone on his belly, convincing the ref that he had had enough and stopped the fight 3:49 into the first round.

Match no. 6 (lightweight)

Patrick Angelo Gambe (DEFTAC/UE) won by arm bar submission in the 1st round over Alvin Solinap (Team Square/UPH-DS). Claiming the fight 26 seconds into the first round, this was the fastest submission victory of the night - or maybe even in the Univ. Challenge's relatively young history.

Match no. 7 (middleweight)

Bong Garchitorena (Yawyan Buhawi/AMA East Rizal) won by TKO in the 1st round over Michael Yap (Tricks MMA/NU). Garchitorena dislayed a fleeting flashback of an Igor Vonchanchin in his PFC prime by connecting with the set-up leg kick and the knock-out right straight all in the first 10 seconds, period!

Match no. 8 (bantamweight)

Fadi Alhamoui (Team Konstriktor/University of Regina Carmeli) won by split decision over Myron Myles Mangubat (DEFTAC/Olivares College). The closest match as evidenced by the split decision, after it coursed through the full three exhausting rounds. It was also for me the most exciting and technical, with both fighters about even in inflicting their over-all MMA proficiency against the other, with each having his shining moments. Well someone's got to win, and last night was Alhamoui's. (Their fight will make great material for an MMA 101 instructional video.)

Match no. 9 (welterweight 160-169 lbs)

Isiah Ordiz (S.P.R.A.W.L.*/STI) won by unanimous decision over Glenn Ranillo of Tricks MMA/UE). It lasted the whole three rounds yet it appeared that they still needed more time to to cause considerable damage against the other. This in spite of all the taunting and provocative gestures, mostly initiated by Ordiz. Maybe between two seemingly equal fighters, the one with more personality deserved to win. Honestly, I agree with the judges anyway that Ordiz accomplished more between the two anyhow-really. (It must have been his couple of knee strikes to Ranillo's head, from the muay thai clinch at the start of the second round, that clinched him the decision.)

Match no. 10 (middleweight)

Dennis Castro (Submission Sports/Letran) won by arm bar submission in the 1st round over Carlos Aljama (Aljama Mano-Mano - FMA). It didn't take long before Castro put Aljama in his pajamas with a smoothly executed arm bar, 1:29 into the fight.

Match no. 11 (lightweight)

Mesha'al Al Khazeem (Strikes and Submission/DLSU) won by RSC in the 1st round over Hani Ho (UP/S.P.R.A.W.L.). Thrice Ho attempted to wrestle Al Khazeem to the canvass, and thrice they fell, but every time it was Ho prone on the ground unintentionally. The first two times Al Khazeem full-mounted Ho and launched downward blows, then Ho turned on on his stomach, then squeezed out narrow escapes and brought the fight back on their feet. The third time almost the same sequence transpired, like a bad dream for Ho, except that it turned out for the worst as there was no more escape: when he turned on his belly again he was too tired and Al Khazeem, now secure on top and astride, relentlessly pummeled him until the ref mercifully woke him up from his nightmare. (Ho remained semi-conscious until the the wee hours past midnight.)

Match no. 12 (featherweight)

Carl Rodriguez (DEFTAC/Entrepreneur School of Asia) won by RSC in the 1st round over Marvin Ofracio (Lyceum/Team Dungeon). Entering the ring for the main event, Ofracio looked supremely confident with a cat's grin on his face until the bell signalling the start of the bout rang. It was all downhill and downcast from there as Rodriguez hit him with a two to three punch combo, wrestled him down and pounded him until the ref halted the action 3:15 in the first round.

　

　

*For the sake of full disclosure, yours truly is the founder and president of S.P.R.A.W.L.-MMA, Inc.

Hail to Venus!

                                                Photos courtesy of Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

Congratulations to my kababayan from Albay! She must have prepared more for a socially or politically relevant question like "Do you think President Noynoy was on laughing gas the night of the tragic hostage-taking crisis?" Anyway Venus Raj still made our country proud by winning 4th runner-up in the recent Ms. Universe beauty pageant. Credit also goes to her for the now famous redundancy which is undeniably already more popular than "Take it! Take it!" (God bless the former Ms. Mauritius' soul).

How MMA can save your life - a basic self-defense technique

First a disclaimer: I of course cannot guarantee that the self – defense technique featured here will be effective against a violent physical attack on the street, in the workplace or at home. Mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions take place in highly organized and controlled environments. Factors like venue, schedule, fight cards and the approval and enforcement of rules and regulations, within and immediately outside the ring are meticulously planned (well, most of the time). The fighters know beforehand whom they are facing, that it will be a one – on – one and no weapons affair. They know that violating rules like using illegal holds or a baseball bat can cost them their victory. Most significantly, their confrontation is witnessed by hundreds or thousands of spectators who expect them to obey the ref’s “command at all times” and engage in a “good, clean fight.”

Criminal acts of violence, on the other hand, are more often than not random and unpredictable on the part of the target victim. The same rules do not - or rather no rules - apply. Criminal elements may be armed or unarmed. The malevolent act could be planned or random, by one individual or multiple attackers. Prior threats may have been communicated, or it could be a complete surprise. Nevertheless, knowing a basic self – defense technique or two – especially from a sport with the most comprehensive skill set in empty hand, one – on – one fighting - will definitely enhance your chances of survival.

When the bad guy got you cornered and it has come to a fight and no–more–chance–for–flight situation, I recommend the following MMA technique against the lone attacker (emphasis on “lone”). This is a variation of setting up and successfully executing the “ground – and – pound” attack. Please refer to my illustration below to make the following instructions clearer.

1. Grab one of your attacker’s wrists, either wrist if unarmed or the wrist of the hand holding a weapon if unarmed.
2. Maintaining your hold on his wrist, step closer and wrap your other arm underneath his free arm and secure the clinch by pressing your hand and forearm against his back.
3. Leaning forward (to keep your balance and apply pressure on your attacker), move your foot which is on the same side of your clinching arm over and behind his far foot.
4. With a powerful sweeping motion, kick your active foot backward to take him down to the ground. What’s good about this take down is you can keep yourself on your feet and stand above your fallen opponent, without getting dragged to the ground.
5. When he is lain on his back, you can land a punch or two with either fist, or if he is still clutching his weapon, keep your grip on the armed hand and pound him with the fist of your other hand.
6. Now you have the chance to run like crazy before his partners in crime appear and make it more complicated for you. If you are certain that he is all by his lonesome, you can rush to a nearby weapon (maybe his) or heavy object like an anvil and finish him off, while he is still dazed by your, ahem, devastating takedown and strikes. Screaming your lungs out, if you are sure that only benevolent souls can hear you, might help. Otherwise, shut up.

The best self – defense tips would still be 1) maintain harmonious relations, 2) avoid notorious places and 3) secure your home and belongings. But in case a dangerous predicament arises that leaves you no choice but to defend yourself, we hope this basic MMA technique, coupled with your will to survive, will prove valuable.

Mariella Castillo crowned Teen Queen of Asia and Oceania

                                                                 Photo by Melvin Sia

“I'll show to the world what a Filipina Batangueňa is made of,” Mariella “Ella” Castillo confidently asserted during her send-off party last June 22, 2010 at the Bliss Bar and Restaurant on Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City and she made good on her word. The 18-year old charmer from Mabini, Batangas represented the Philippines, reached the semi-finals and was crowned "Teen Queen of Asia and Oceania" in the very first Miss Global Teen Pageant held last June 28 to July 3, 2010 in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Winning the crown as the first Miss Global Teen is Dominican Republic's Mayte Brito Medina, who was also crowned as Teen Queen of the Caribbean. First runner-up is Tara Emad of Egypt (Teen Queen of Africa) and 2nd runner-up is Chelsae Durocher of Canada (Teen Queen of the Americas).

Held at the home of the world famous samba and Mardi Gras celebrations, the first Miss Global Teen Pageant's mission is to gather young women from different countries, aged 15 to 19 years old,who will do their best in realizing their personal goals. It aims to "produce a world-class winner who will be able to inspire and serve as role model to teenagers everywhere.”

The finals of Miss Global Teen 2010 was staged at the Rubens Gil de Camilo Convention Center in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul on July 3, 2010.

Aside from winning the pageant's crown as Miss Teen Queen of Asia and Oceania, Ella also enjoyed the very rare chance of touring this scenic spot of Brazil.

The town of Bonito, the eco-tourism capital of Brazil, welcomed the planet's most beautiful teenagers last June 29 and 30. Ella had the chance to see and experience the amazing Waterfalls' Park, the Blue Lagoon Cavern, and Formoso River. She and the other contestants were billeted at the Marrua Hotel.

Then in Campo Grande City Ella and the other candidates took an official tour in a double-decker bus and visited the city's main tourist attractions such as The Indigenous Nations Park, the Poderes Park, the Central Market and the Araras Plaza.

The third of four children, Ella is an alumna of San Juan Sto. Nino Elementary School in Mabini, Batangas and Sta. Teresa College High School in the town of Bauan, also in Batangas. Ella is currently a Fashion Design student at the De La Salle University College of St. Benilde.

Statuesque at 5 foot 8,  Ella's credentials in beauty contests are: finalist in Bb. Pilipinas 2010, 1st runner–up in Miss Bikini Philippines 2009 and 1st runner-up in Bb. Batangas 2008. She also participated in the 2009 International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Convention in New York.

Before leaving for Brazil last June 25, Ella charmed the press at her send–off party hosted by Kristine Caballero, 2002 Mutya ng Pilipinas first runner-up. Lamberto Ricalde, National Director of Miss Global Teen, introduced Ella to her well–wishers and expressed his pride in the young lady “who will represent flag and country in a new international beauty pageant.” Ella gracefully thanked “Mega Star Production, OPMB Worldwide, Paul San Juan of Print Mode Photography, makeup artist Yani Garcia, Lamberto N. Ricalde, Rodgil Flores, Gio Flores, Cliff Dimaala, George Garrido, Arnaldo de Leon, Jay Patao, Sonny Boy Lindo, Paul Refol and BLISS Tomas Morato.” Saving the best for last, she tearfully expressed her most profound gratitude to her “exceptionally kind and supportive parents Mr. and Mrs. Marcelo and Clemencia Castillo.”  

With her intelligence, gentleness, and distinct and dusky Filipina beauty, Ella  definitely proved that she is of Miss Global Teen caliber.

Fightin' Faingason (or why a Third World athlete's quest for glory descended into a sad case of "for God, for country, forgotten")

August 16, 2021 UPDATE: Coach Jerry Faingason recently passed away due to COVID-19 last August 13, at age 58. Rest in peace, Coach Jerry. +

Former Philippine Wrestling Team Head Coach Jerry N. Faingason (August 16, 1963 to August 16, 2021)

Coach Jerry could have been one of the country’s Olympic medalists. Under more favorable circumstances, maybe he would have won the country’s first and only Olympic gold medal. He “could’ve been a contender,” to quote the line uttered by Marlon Brando’s classic movie character, as far as winning what has become the Holy Grail of Philippine sports. (August 16, 2021 update: Female weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz finally won the country's first Olympic gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.)

Still, non-participation in the world’s most prestigious sporting event notwithstanding, Coach Jerry Faingason’s athletic achievements are nothing to scoff at. More so that in the beginning, he had the odds stacked against him—growing up with a build unfit for one of the world's toughest sports: wrestling.

Born the seventh of eight children on the 13th of August, 1963 to a farmer and housewife in the rural town of Miag–ao, Iloilo, Jerry Faingason in his childhood was one of the thinnest in the neighborhood. His friends and classmates teased him “payoy,” short for “payatot” (thin) for his small and vulnerable frame. When he was in first year high school, one of his teachers called him “malnourished” and said that he “would be of no use to the government.” Worst of all, he was always picked on and pushed around by the neighborhood bully.

It was when his father died in his second year high school that he decided to improve his lanky physique. Having lost his protector and inspired by his idol, comedian/action star Ramon Zamora (who mimicked Bruce Lee), he committed to a stringent personal training regimen. For weeks, he woke before dawn and jogged across farms and streets, swam along the river and lifted the rocks strewn on the riverbank to improve his endurance, strength and size. He also began honing his combative skills by practicing on improvised training equipment: he tied a rubber slipper to a branch of a bamboo tree and struck repeatedly on its exposed sole like a punching pad; hung a ball of cloth up in the ceiling of a nipa hut as his target for high kicks; and played “dumog,” as the Ilonggos called pastime wrestling, on the soft earth of the riverbank with his friends. All these he accomplished in between his daily chore of tending to his family's herd of cows in the fields.

His self–taught training program eventually paid off and he developed a lean and muscular build. It also proved its functional effectiveness on the basketball court: when his pesky tormentor the neighborhood bully threw the ball at him during a game, he dodged and punched him in the jaw, knocking the bigger guy out cold.

Upon graduation from high school in 1981, at 17 years old Jerry left his hometown for Manila to seek for the proverbial “greener pastures.” He first found work as a stevedore in Valenzuela, then as a household help and carpenter’s apprentice in Marikina. On his eighth month of toil in the city, he was found and fetched by his uncle Rogelio Famatid. Mr. Famatid was a soldier–athlete of the Philippine Navy and wrestled in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. It turned out that his uncle had been looking for him since the former heard of his arrival in the big city. Mr. Famatid, who was also then coach of the International School–Makati wrestling club, picked the young man as his personal assistant.

As personal assistant to the wrestling coach, Jerry assumed the roles of bagboy, water boy, and most significantly, sparring partner to the mostly American high school wrestlers. Early on he showed potential in the sport, beating the best wrestler in the team who also happened to be a flyweight (48 kilograms) in just three months.

In August of 1982, Jerry tried out for the Philippine team that would see action in that year’s Asian Games in India. Although he did not bag the flyweight slot, he remarkably placed fourth among twelve aspirants, in spite of his being a novice with barely a year of continuous training. Encouraged by his auspicious debut, he strongly resolved to train harder and be the best wrestler he can be and someday proudly represent the country in the Olympics—just like his uncle. On August 1983, he finally qualified for the Philippine wrestling team by winning gold in the flyweight class of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Olympics.

The ensuing years saw Jerry successfully defend his title as the country’s top flyweight wrestler consistently. National tournament after tournament he wore the gold medal around his strained neck. Unfortunately, it was wrestling against injustices committed beyond the borders of the wrestling mat that dealt him his severest losses as an athlete.

In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Philippines was represented by a wrestler who was beaten by the wrestler beaten by the wrestler beaten by Jerry. Ranked no. 4, the undeserving grappler was favored by the Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP) officers over the most logical choice: the nation’s no. 1 flyweight and undeniably then the best pound–for–pound wrestler who was Jerry Faingason. It was no surprise that wrestler no. 4 returned empty handed. (Allegedly, the erstwhile officers dropped Jerry because he was vocal in his opposition to the former's transgressions, i.e. pocketing a huge chunk of the athletes' subsidies, favoritism, and negligence in promoting the sport.)

Frustrated but unbowed, Jerry persevered and continued to own and dominate the flyweight division. Finally, in 1990 he was picked to participate in the annual World Wrestling Championship in Tokyo. He split his matches by winning the first pair and losing the last two. He ended up 11th among more than 40 of the top wrestlers in the world. His feat was recognized as a breakthrough by local sportswriters and rightly so—with Philippine Olympic-style wrestling being underdeveloped by international standards, he was seeded at the bottom of his weight class. He was not even expected to reach the top 20. If his left shoulder was not injured in his penultimate match versus the eventual world champion, he claims he would have had a strong chance of winning his last fight and barging into the top 10.

It was in these top–level international competitions that Jerry realized how far ahead the other countries were (and still are) in the development of his chosen sport. He rues that he would have developed into a far better athlete had he been rightfully provided foreign exposure and training in the early years of his career–were it not for financial constraints and excessive politicking in Philippine sports.

He shared this conversation that transpired before the competition proper began in the 1991 World Championship in Hungary:

Mongolian wrestler: “How many did you beat in the Philippines for you to qualify here?”

Jerry Faingason: “Four.”

Mongolian wrestler: “Huh!? In Mongolia, I beat 42!”

Jerry wrestled for the Philippine team until 1998. He retired at age 35 an undefeated flyweight in the nationals for 15 years. Along the way, he won gold in the 1993 ASEAN–Oceania Cup, a bronze in the 1995 Asia–Oceania Open, and a silver each in the 1997 SEA Games and SEA Wrestling Championship during his last year of international competition. A year later, he hung up his wrestling shoes and finally bid his Olympic dream goodbye–a dream that he had a chance to achieve in 1988 when he was at the peak of his athletic prowess but bypassed by the sport’s powers that be.

In May of 2009 the new officers of WAP appointed Jerry Faingason as the head coach of the Philippine wrestling team–a position many in the association felt was long overdue. In the 24th SEA Games in Laos, December of last year, he led the Philippine wrestling team to a three gold, two silver and four bronze medal finish. It was a vast improvement to its previous performance when it did not win a single gold in the biennial games.

Jerry Faingason has revived his Olympic dream–this time as head coach–and works hard to train and inspire the new generation of national wrestlers to someday win a sweet historic first for the Filipino people.