The 1st Shoshinkan Invitational Tournament + Life Lessons from Karatedo.

Still on a high from last week's belt promotion, the kids of Demuraha Shito-Ryu Genbukai Laguna (aka our kids) took on another challenge - their first invitational karatedo tournament.

Demuraha Shito-Ryu Genbukai Laguna, represent! 

Hosted by Shoshinkan International Philippines, this event is also a first for the Quezon-based organization. The inaugural tournament was held last Saturday (June 1), at the Sentrong Pangkabuhayan in Pagbilao, Quezon.

The 1st Shoshinkan International Philippines Invitational Karatedo Tournament.

More or less 100 karatekas, mostly from Calabarzon, participated in the event. Most of the karatekas were Shoshinkan practitioners, while some were Shotokan practitioners. Our kids were the only ones who practiced Shito-Ryu, and the smallest delegation at that.

The Voltes V of Demuraha Shito-Ryu Genbukai Laguna. :)

Participants listening to the rules and regulations of the tournament.

They say you should 'keep your circle full of quality rather than quantity' - well, these kids proved just that. They may be few, but all of them won medals in the Kata competition. All those grueling hours, days, and weeks of fine-tuning their moves and stances and practicing their kata definitely paid off!

Sensei Louie giving the kids a pep talk before they hit the mat. 

Yue preparing for his turn.

Winners, Kata Intermediate Division, 9-11 years old.
Yue won bronze, while his teammate Kal-el won silver.

Lance, the oldest in their team, also won a silver medal in Kumite (sparring), Intermediate Division.

Medalists, together with Senpai Jolan, Sensei Danny, Sensei Louie,
and Teacher Digbay of Kaleidoscope Kids Learning Center.
L-R: Daniel won silver in Kata Novice Division, 9-11 years old;
Kal-el won silver in Kata Intermediate Division, 9-11 years old;
Mark won gold in Kata Novice Division, 9-11 years old;
Lance won silver in both Kata and Kumite Intermediate Division, 12- 14 years old.
Yue won bronze in Kata Intermediate Division, 9-11 years old.

It was a very proud moment for all of us, especially the coaches, who devoted their time and effort in training these kids.

With Sensei Ramil Abragon, head of Shoshinkan International Philippines.

But what makes me even prouder is how Yue has completely embraced the karate lifestyle. There came a point in time when he wanted to quit karate because the training was 'tiring him out', but now, he never misses out on training, even if it meant going to the dojo thrice a week for the past two months.

Yue's achievements this summer - his Green Belt in Shito-Ryu Genbukai,
and his Bronze Medal from the 1st Shoshinkan Int'l Philippines Invitational Tournament.

Karate has also instilled in him these valuable lessons, which has become his guiding force throughout the years and hopefully, for the rest of his life:

1. Never stop learning.
When you practice karate - or any other form of martial arts - you will come to realize that learning is a lifelong process. Learning all the different katas, for instance, will take years; all the more if you're a Shito-Ryu practitioner, which has 90+ katas in the syllabus.

2. Patience is a virtue.
The road from a white belt to a black belt is long and arduous. The kids' latest belt promotion took almost two years to happen, but they patiently learned all the kihons and katas and practiced their kumite skills until they were finally able to prove to their senseis that they are ready to be promoted and are worthy of their new belts.

Yue during his kumite competition.

3. Confidence is key.
By learning their strengths and working through weaknesses, these young karatekas were able to build their self-confidence. As they gain mastery over their skills, they have a deeper understanding of their capabilities, and can assimilate things beyond it. They become empowered, which gives them the confidence to overcome not only their opponents on the mat, but also the toughest situations in life.

4. Hard work brings great rewards.
For the past two months, the kids have been training really hard for their belt promotion test and this tournament. At times, they would even extend their training by an hour or so just so they could nail their katas to a T. 'You reap what you sow' so goes the old adage, and these kids finally reaped the fruits of their labor with their new belts and medals.

5. Discipline is everything.
Some people think that karate is all about kicks, punches, power, and technique, but one of the first and the greatest thing that kids from learn from it is discipline, which is critical for success in any field. Whether you want to be a black belt karateka, a pastry chef, a professional gamer, or even a make-up artist, you must invest a serious amount of time and effort to do so. It’s not always easy, but being disciplined will allow you to weather the storms and keep you focused to achieve your goals.

That being said, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Yue's senseis and senpais for inspiring these kids to work hard and train harder and for helping them to achieve their goals.Thank you Sensei Danny, Sensei Kenneth, Senpai Louie, and Senpai Jolan! Our kids are so lucky to have teachers like you!

Yue is a proud member of the Demuraha Shitoryu Genbukai Laguna, training under Sensei Danny Bualan, Senpai Louie Gelizon, and Senpai Jolan Asia. Classes are held every Saturday at Kaleidoscope Kids Learning Center. Come train with us and join our dojo! :)

ISYMAG 2019, and the Importance of Tournament Competition in Martial Arts.

When I signed my son up for karate lessons four summers ago, I only had one objective in mind - self-defense, so my son can fight against bullies. Back then, Yue was a meek five year-old, who's been on the receiving end of several bullying incidents in his class. He could not fight back, mostly because he did not know how to, and would just end up crying.

But now, look at how far Yue has come!
Not only is he preparing for his next belt test (he's looking forward to becoming a 5th kyu green belt in Shito Ryu Karate), he also has a tournament experience to his name. Together with his teammates from Demuraha Shito Ryu Genbukai Laguna, Yue participated in his first-ever national karate tournament - the In-School Youth Martial Arts Games (ISYMAG), held last Sunday (March 31) at the Bonifacio Javier National High School in Mandaluyong City.

Demuraha Shito Ryu Genbukai Laguna, represent!

The kids trained long and hard for this event, which is already an achievement in itself considering that these kids had to juggle sports and academics, and excel in both. While some kids (and their parents) are often hesitant to enter tournaments, perhaps worried about the danger that it entails, these kids were quite eager to join ISYMAG and were more than willing to extend their training hours to prepare for the competition.

Together with karatekas from other teams.

And that's a good thing, because tournament competition in karate, or any other martial arts, for that matter, has a number of benefits that can not be understated. Here are some of them:

1.The learning experience.
For young karatekas, tournaments can provide great insight into their own strengths and weaknesses, both in terms of karate skills and their ability to perform under pressure in a competitive environment. They will be acquainted with karate practitioners from other teams/clubs, and in the process, they will be able to understand and assess their own strengths and weaknesses.

2. A test of skills.
All those months or years of training will be put to a test once you enter a tournament competition. Your physical fitness, technique, stamina, timing, and mental strength will all be tested in a way that regular karate training can not. Just like in belt grading, tournaments provide an opportunity to show  your skill set, and how it has improved over time.

A solemn moment before the competition kicks-off.

3. A step out of the comfort zone.
Training in the same dojo with the same people and sparring against the same senpai/kohei week in and week out makes you comfortable. However, it can also make you complacent.

Competing in a tournament – be it patterns (kata) or sparring (kumite) – puts you in unfamiliar territory, where you're forced to perform under the scrutiny of people you don't know. It's this aspect of stepping out of your comfort zone that will push you to work harder and do better.

4. A way to overcome fear.
Staying calm amidst stressful situations is an ability that any karateka must learn. And what better way to test this ability than to compete in a tournament - a nerve-wracking situation, especially if you're doing it for the first time. Learning to relax and stay focused in order to be able to perform at the highest level is a skill that is only developed over many opportunities to try it in practice.

Gearing up for battle!

5. Develop self-confidence.
Competing in a tournament is a great way to develop self-confidence, especially among young karatekas. Tournaments give them the opportunity to display their skills and knowledge and show everyone the results of their training and hard work. For some students, having their name shouted in encouragement during a noisy tournament, and understanding that there is a whole team of people eager to witness their success can be a turning point in building self-confidence.

6. Build team spirit.
Tournaments give you a chance to grow closer to your peers. When a team travels together, competes together, spends a couple of days in close contact with one another, cheers and encourages one another during the competition, the result is a more cohesive team spirit. We all want to 'belong' to something, and that sense of belonging is fostered by tournament competitions - you get to bond with people who share the same love for karate and/or martial arts.

Team huddle, with Sensei Danny looking on.

7. Build character.

Winning and losing is part and parcel of any competition; and healthy competition is good. Not only does it help build mental strength and determination, it also offers a chance to learn about humility. In tournaments like ISYMAG, you will come across different kinds of competitors - some even stronger and more skilled than you are. This gives you the opportunity to test and hone your skills, recognize your weaknesses, and congratulate others for their successes regardless of how you fare in the competition.

8. Set goals.
Contests of any kind provide valuable motivation for you to work hard and achieve your goal. By entering a karate tournament, karatekas find additional motivation to hone their craft and be better in what they do. They get that 'extra drive' to train harder, become stronger, and be more resourceful as the tournament draws near. It is often in the weeks or days leading up to a tournament that karate students make enormous progress in their training.

Flexing... at 6 in the morning. :)

9. Be inspired.

For karatekas like my son who are still moving up through the belt ranks, watching top level black belt competitors and meeting shihans from across the country can be very inspiring. It motivates you to continue with your training, and take it up a notch to be at par with the black belters and grand masters that you admire.

10. Show your skills... and shine.
Entering a competition for the first time can be quite daunting, but at the same time, it can be very rewarding. You get the chance to display your skills, and show how hard you've worked and how much you have improved. Being able to show the world what you can do and what you're good at is already a rewarding experience, even more so when you get recognition for it.

Receiving his bronze medal for kumite from Ms. Teresita Biscaro,
President of Jendo Philippines Association.

Receiving his bronze medal for kata competition
from Grand Master Jonathan Abaya, founder and originator of Jendo,
and the Founding Chairman of the National Martial Arts Games Committee (NMGC).

Two bronze medals for his first national karate tournament - not bad! :)

The In-School Youth Martial Arts Games is an annual sports event organized by the National Martial Arts Games Committee (NMGC).

NMGC Philippines is a private, non-profit martial arts sports organization dedicated to the promotion and advance of Arnis, Jendo, Karate, Kuntaw, Sikaran, and Taekwondo under the umbrella of the International Martial Arts Games Committee (IMGC).

Yue is a member of the Demuraha Shitoryu Genbukai Laguna, training under Sensei Danny Bualan, Senpai Louie Gelizon, and Senpai Jolan Asia. Classes are held every Saturday at Kaleidoscope Kids Learning Center. Enrollment is ongoing for their summer martial arts classes, which includes karate and taekwondo.

Martial Arts 101.

Martial arts is a popular type of self defense that emphasizes discipline and focus. Today, it's taught primarily as a tool for physical fitness, sports, confidence and mental discipline, but it originated as a method of self defense that was taught to soldiers and used in combat.

Bruce Lee.

What is Martial Arts?
The term “martial arts” includes various types of fighting techniques that are used primarily for self defense. Martial arts originated thousands of years ago within the cultures of China, Japan and India. China is home to one of the oldest types of martial arts, called Oigong, thought to have been practiced as long as 5,000 years ago. Qigong, which means "energy cultivation," is a martial arts technique that was developed to increase the flow of energy in the body. According to Chinese philosophy, a person's life energy is responsible for strength and health throughout their lifetime.

What are the Types of Martial Arts?
Some types of martial arts are practiced without self defense weapons, while others include weapons like swords, knives and daggers. Whether armed or unarmed, the desired result of all types of martial arts is to achieve physical power over an opponent. The different types of martial arts fall into categories that include striking arts, joint lock arts and throwing arts.

Lyoto Machida, Shotokan Karate black belter.

Striking Arts
The striking arts method of martial arts is one of the oldest techniques. Striking arts techniques focus on striking the opponent in vulnerable body parts in order to defeat him. Striking arts include Karate, Tae Kwon Do and boxing. While Karate and Tae Kwon Do employ various punches and kicks to the body, boxing focuses on hitting the opponent in the upper torso using boxing gloves.

Photo credit: Aikido Auckland.

Joint Lock Arts
In joint lock arts, you must learn how to push and manipulate your opponent's joints past their normal comfort zone. This self defense technique is especially helpful when a small person is pitted against a larger person. Aikido, a disciplined type of martial arts, uses joint lock techniques, but these techniques require years of study and are extremely hard to master.

Roger Gracie, grandson of Carlos Gracie - creator of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Throwing Arts
Throwing arts, practiced in Judo and wrestling, focus on knocking your opponent off their feet. Hapkido and Braazilian Jiu-Jitsu use a combination of striking, joint lock and throwing arts performed with fluid movements that are meant to take an opponent quickly to the ground.

Wordless Wednesday #137 | Training the Dragon.

The little man enjoyed karate so much that he decided this is going to be a long-time thing and not just a summer activity. Which is good, since I want my son to be completely bully-proof.

Learning side kicks...

So now, our Saturday mornings are spent at K2LC, where the boy (still) trains with Sensei Danny and Senpai Louie.

And finally, a roundhouse!

The kids are now learning the ropes of front kicks, side kicks, and roundhouse kicks. I can't wait to see my little dragon do a proper spinning roundhouse in the future! :)

Senpai Louie, the Little Dragon, and Sensei Danny.

Karate teaches that the real enemy lies within. Get interested in the pursuit, not just the possession. The race, not just the goal. Effort is everything. - Chotoku Kyan

Foodie Goodie | Nacho Salad.

It's almost the weekend! And you know what I'm most excited about?
UFC 187!
The card is stacked with awesome fights - from the prelims all the way to the main card, and two - yes, not one, but two - titles are on the line!

Chris Weidman will defend his Middleweight title against top contender Vitor Belfort, while Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson and Daniel Cormier will square off for the Light Heavyweight title, vacated by the former champion Jon Jones. It's gonna be one epic night, I tell you!

Well in my case, it's gonna be morning. Sunday morning to be exact. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to cook a proper meal in the kitchen because I'll be glued to the telly, so I'm thinking of making a huge platter of Nacho Salad for us to munch on while watching the fights. Best paired with an ice-cold beer! :)

Nacho Salad

Ingredients:
1 pack baked tortilla chips
12 ounces ground beef
3 tablespoons lettuce, shredded
2 tablespoons tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon cucumber, chopped
1 tablespoon green onion, sliced
1 teaspoon fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cups salsa
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded

Procedure:
1. Cook beef and bell pepper in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned; stir to crumble.
2. Add salsa; bring to a boil.
3. Stir in cilantro; keep warm.
4. In a large platter, layer the chips, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion on serving plate.
5. Add the meat, then sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
6. Serve with sour cream or guacamole on the side.

Wordless Wednesday #132 | Oss!

Future blackbelter with his Sensei.
The boy is now wearing his very own gi! :)

Wordless Wednesday #131 | Musashi Wisdom.

Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) - ronin and expert swordsman.

Tales from the Dojo | How Martial Arts Can Help My Child.

Last Saturday, my son officially started his martial arts training. I signed him up for a two-month Karatedo Clinic at my friend's learning center, where he will learn basic karate and coordination drills as well as self-defense skills.

Following Senpai Louie's moves.

The latter is actually the main reason why my husband and I wanted Yue to practice martial arts (aside from the fact that we're a family of mixed martial arts fans). There have been quite a few instances when Yue would get hit by a classmate and he would do nothing but cry and tell the teacher what had happened. Not that I want my son to hit back, I just want him to be able to defend himself properly and be completely bully-proof.

A friend of mine once told me that getting Yue started into martial arts is one of the best gifts I could ever give him. I agree. Because aside from the self-defense aspect, martial arts can help my son (or any kid, for that matter) in so many ways. I've listed some of them below:

1. Encouraging Physical Activity.
Kids can stay on the couch watching TV or playing with tablets, and my son is no exception! Enrolling kids in a physically-demanding activity will encourage them to be more active and eventually give up on the sedentary lifestyle that they have been accustomed to.

Stretching with Sensei.

2. Promoting Self-discipline.
One of the main principles of all forms of the martial arts is self-discipline. Today’s kids are so pampered and highly accustomed to receiving instant gratification that lessons in self-restraint and discipline aren’t always easy to come by. However, kids with martial arts backgrounds are continually reminded of how important self-discipline is.

3. Instilling Respect.
Learning any martial arts style will require your child to show his/her instructor unflinching respect. Today’s kid culture doesn’t always include respect for adults and teachers, and even those in authority. But with martial arts, your child will learn to bow to the masters, and to their senpai who came before them. They will also learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated.

Learning the stances.

4. Increased Self-Esteem.
Confidence comes with achievement, so your child’s self-esteem level will get a boost with every new move he masters and every belt he earns. The sense of accomplishment a child feels by mastering a new technique or graduating to a new belt follows him everywhere he goes.

Working it!

5. Learning to Focus, Set, and Achieve Goals.
Almost all forms of martial arts are based around an accomplishment system of colored belts that signify the wearer’s degree of skill. When your child strives toward each new belt, he’s learning valuable lessons about focusing on a goal, and setting ways to achieve it.

Cool-down huddle.

6. Learning Conflict Resolution.
No, no, no, martial arts does not promote violence! Thinking that martial arts promotes violent behavior is justified if your only experience with the activity comes from the stuff you watch on TV. In fact, many defensive styles teach kids peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasize the importance of avoiding a physical altercation.

Playtime with Jared after karate training.

7. Improving Socialization Skills.
Kids who usually feel awkward in highly social environments may find it easier to get to know people and make new friends when they’re in a room filled with peers who share a common interest. Aside from that, kids will also learn to treat their dojo classmates and teachers with utmost respect and courtesy.

As the great Bruce Lee would say, "The martial arts are ultimately self-knowledge. A punch or a kick is not to knock the hell out of the guy in front, but to knock the hell out of your ego, your fear, or your hang-ups."

How about you, have you considered getting your child into martial arts?

Yue trains with Sensei Danny at the Kaleidoscope Kids Learning Center.

Mousasi vs Philippou, Lim vs Magny added to UFC Fight Night Manila.

Oh yes, two more fights have been added to the much anticipated, first-ever UFC event in the Philippines!

Announced earlier today, Gegard Mousasi and Costas Philippou will meet in a middleweight matchup as the co-main event while in the welterweight division, Neil Magny will face-off against Hyun Gyu Lim.

Co-main event!

Mousasi, currently ranked at #7, is fresh off from a victory last January, where he punched out Dan Henderson in just 70 seconds. Philippou (ranked #12), on the other hand, is coming off a KO of Lorenz Larkin that ended his two-fight losing skid.

Lim vs Magny.

Neil Magny, who holds the longest current winning streak in the welterweight division, is aiming for his seventh consecutive victory. His current run includes wins over Tim Means, William Macario and, most recently, Kiichi Kunimoto, whom Magny submitted last February 14.

South Korean star Lim has a 3-1 Octagon record in his two years with the UFC, with all three of those wins coming by way of knockout. His most recent victory was last September, where he elbowed the lights out of Takenori Sato last September in just 78 seconds.

Stay tuned for more UFC Fight Night Manila updates! :)

Wordless Wednesday #123 | Bruce vs. Brandon.

Urijah Faber vs Frankie Edgar to headline UFC Fight Night Manila!

It's gonna be another thrilla in Manila as the UFC's first visit to the Philippines will feature a main event fight between two mixed martial arts superstars and former champions.

Here we go!

Former UFC world lightweight champion Frankie Edgar takes on former WEC featherweight champ Urijah Faber in a five-round featherweight main event which will air live on FOX Sports 1 from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. The event is set for May 16.

Frankie Edgar, who was the king of the lightweight division from 2010 to 2012, is now seeking gold at featherweight, where he has won three straight over Charles Oliveira, BJ Penn and Cub Swanson after a razor-thin decision loss to current champion Jose Aldo in February of 2013.

On the other hand, Faber, also known as the 'California Kid', ruled the featherweights in the WEC from 2006 to 2008. He went on to become an elite bantamweight since coming to the UFC in 2011. Winner of six of his last seven, Faber has never lost a non-title fight, an impressive record that could be tainted as he faces Edgar in the Philippines.

Five more match-ups have also been announced for the main card.
In the lightweight division, Tae Hyun Bang will be up against Jon Tuck while Zhang Lipeng takes on Kajan Johnson. At 125 pounds, Yao Zhikui squares off against Nolan Ticman and the Philippines' own Roldan Sangcha-an meets Jon Delos Reyes. In the welterweight division, Li Jingliang battles Roger Zapata.

Tickets will go on sale in March, launched in conjunction with SM Tickets at www.smtickets.com.
Stay tuned for more info and updates! :)