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".
