Phase III JC-SOMA

                                                                        by Freddy Fajardo, UPLB'64

 

The Phase III Johnny Chiuten Pronus-Supinus School of Martial Arts (JC-SOMA) was again conducted in Cebu City from May 27 to June 5, 2008.  The curriculum of Phase III includes Pakua Zhang Basics, Kung-Fu Advanced Stances and Arnis (Balintawak and Pronus-Supinus Styles).


Resident Brods who participated in the training were: John Angelo A. Alejar, Felizardo Almarez III, Lou Ivan SJ Alo, Antipas  Criador V and UPLB GP Aurelio La Guardia III.  As usual, JC-SOMA Board Members who likewise participated in the training were Jojo Alejar, Freddy Fajardo and Ollie Jumao-as.


Aside from Brods Johnny Chiuten and Jopet Laraya handling the SOMA training, the Brods for the first time were introduced to Arnis or stick fighting, Balintawak style.  Experts in this arnis style, as handpicked by JC to train the Brods were Nick Elizar, grand master and founder of Nickelstick Eskrima Club, and Norman Elizar, chief master instructor also from Nickelstick.


In Balintawak Arnis, the student is taught the 12 basic strikes, basic blocks and counters to these strikes.  The teacher will then attack in the "12 basic strikes" and the student will block and counter this series.  Later, as the student's timing, control, speed and footwork combine properly, the teacher will then attack with "at random" strikes.  Then it will be followed by stronger and faster random attacks which are sometimes called Pak Gung.  The 12 basic strikes, at random, and Pak Gung are only the beginning. They are the basic foundation or platform of Balintawak and can be a very enjoyable free style, free flowing and free wheeling form of "play".

 

 

                                   

 

   

                                                   Brods during arnis training at Ayala Center grounds, Cebu City

 

   

 Speedy Freddy Fajardo (not to be confused with Freddy Webb, YCO point guard, for those old enough to remember) in action

 

 

   

 

   

                                                            Balintawak Arnis 12 Basic Strikes:
                                                               1. Left Temple                         7. Left chest thrust
                                                               2. Right Temple                       8. Left knee
                                                               3. Right ribs or elbow              9. Right knee
                                                               4. Left ribs or elbow               10. Right face/eye thrust
                                                               5. Stomach thrust                   11. Left face/eye thrust
                                                               6. Right chest thrust                12. Head or solar plexus

 

 

   

   Brods rehearse with Nickelstick Club members for exhibition         GP Third la Guardia rehearses Pak Gung with Nickelstick

 

    

    Female arnis members: June Babe Caballes, Abigail Alfon,              Brods Pido Almarez, Ivan Alo, Third La Guardia, John  

       Gigi Arellano, Elsa Alfon & and Winnie June Caballes               Alejar & Tomsak Criador, Jr. with their muse, Gigi Arellano

 

  

  Nickelstick Eskrima Club together with the Brods in an Arnis exhibition upon invitation of the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-do

  Association during their graduation rites and belting ceremonies at the Cebu City Sports Center on June 12, 2008.  After only

  four days of training, the Brods already display their proficiency in Arnis that Balintawak GM Nick Elizar decides to include the 

  Brods in the exhibition.

 


          

           Resident Brods after Arnis exhibition with Betan Stalwarts Ollie Jumao-as'73, Johnny Chiuten'60 & Jopet Laraya'63

 

                        

                                                    Jopet and Johnny with the Balintanwak Arnis grandmasters

 

 

   

      Brods Boya Macandog, UPD'62 (left pic) and former DENR Usec Rene de Rueda, UPLB'64 (right pic) visit Brods at hotel

 

                     

                          Brod Boya gives pep talk and jugalug to residents.  Brod Rene treats everyone out to dinner.

 

                           

                       SOMA training always starts with 10 rounds jogging at the Cebu City Sports Center oval at 5am.

                             This is followed by Tetada Kalimasada: one round of Duduk Nafas, Perdana and Dasar.

 

    

                                                                 Brods perform the Pakua Zhang basic stances

 

    

                 Arnis by Jopet Laraya (left) and SOMA by Johnny Chiuten (right) practice sessions at the hotel room till 9pm

 

    

             SOMA training at Cebu City Sports Complex                              Johnny never fails to meet the Brods every night

            

                     

                            Boya Macandog'62 from the '60's UP Beta Sigma Kung Fu Karate Klan pose with the Brods

 

       

               The old school Betan karatekas and the new breed of martial artists together: Tom Criador, Jr., Third La Guardia,

           Boya Macandog, Freddy Fajardo, Johnny Chiuten, Olie Jumao-as, Jojo Alejar, John Alejar, Pido Almarez & Ivan Alo.
 

                                                             

 


                        

                                         Now all relaxed and lapping it up at Graduation Dinner. CHEERS!!

 

                        

                              Boya congratulates GP Third during the graduation jug-a-lag as Ollie and Johnny watch

                          

       

                                   MABUHAY Phase III JC-SOMA Participants and Graduates !!!

         Seating:   Master Norman Elizar, Boya Macandog, Rene de Rueda, Johnny Chiuten, GM Nick Elizar & Freddy Fajardo.

         Standing: Ollie Jumao-as, Third La Guardia, Tom Criador,Jr., Jojo Alejar, Pido Almarez, John Alejar & Ivan Alo.