Volume 2 Number 52013

Review of 2012 - A Year of Achievements

Sikaran Taliba

Supremo Meliton C. GeronimoEditor Emeritus

Emmanuel QuerubinEditor in Chief

Elpidio SeletariaManaging Editor

Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr.Editor-at-large

ERPArt Editor

Sikaran Taliba© is published by the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philip-pines. It is the only internet magazine 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 or the editors. The Sikaran Taliba is not a forum for grievance. The management reserves the right to edit contributed materials for derogatory remarks 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 world Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philip-pines nor the management of Sikaran Taliba assumes any responsibility in the misuse or abuse of all techniques in this newspaper.

Contents

Review of 2012 - A Year of AchievementsJanuary February March April May June July August September October November December

Important Projects for 2013

Editorial Office P.O.Box 6332 Alameda, CA. 94501 sikarantaliba@gmail.com

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2012 A Year of AchievementTo the doomsayers, the year 2012 will be remembered as the year when the world did not end - twice - on may 21 according to the prediction of Harold Camping (a bible scholar) and on December 21, according to the “conclusion” based on the Mayan calendar, and the “calculations” of Nostradamus.

To the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines, 2012 is a year of achievements.

January Elpidio Seletaria, the WSBP International Coordinator, started updating and upgrading the By-laws of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philip-pines. “WSBP By-Laws was amended to adapt to the current times and reflect the salient provisions essential to the organi-zation. Added were necessary provisions responsive to the current needs of the WSBP. Among which are Article I, Declaration of Principles and Policies, a new provision that lays down some doctrines that guide the members’ behavior, particularly Section 4 which states: “All members shall observe courtesy and cooperation to everyone, loyalty and respect to their instructors and clubs/chapters where they belong, and loy-alty and respect to the WSBP as a whole. Likewise, Article XVI, Grievance Pro-cedure and Disciplinary Measures, provides for the process how a complaint by a member or officer against another member or officer shall be handled and resolved. Pursuant to this Article, the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) was created which will take cognizance of all cases involving members or officers that has something to do with their membership with the WSBP. Under Article XVII, FUND, the WSBP has provided some provisions that alleviate the morale and wel-fare of its members, such as the Sikaran Scholarship Program granting scholarship to deserving members and children of members, the Emergency Fund which is used to assist any member who needs emergency medical assistance and/or other emergencies, and the Mortuary Fund to be used in rendering assistance in case of death of a WSBP member or an immediate member of his family. Depending on the availability of fund, some or all officers of the WSBP may be provided with reasonable remuneration, allowances or hono-raria with respect to the services they rendered to the WSBP.” The World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines (WSBP) has recently restructured its framework, which paved the roadmap for the culmination of numerous developments, while notching up the prestige and honors it had preserved since its inception. At present, the WSBP has earned another 50 years of corpo-rate life as a non-stock and non-profit sports organization, as reflected in our Security and Exchange Com-mission (SEC) registration, with more definitive composition of set of officers.

Reviewing the upgraded By-kaws of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines. From left: Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr., CEO, Emily Samillano, Treasurer, Jaime Geronimo, Vice-President and Glen Sapo, Corporate Secretary.

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February Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr., Jaime Geronimo, Leonila Pilar, Emily Samillano, and Elpidio Seletaria (via internet communication) deliberated with WSBP Corporate Secretary Glen Sapo of the Securities and Exchange Commissioner’s Office the revised By-laws of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines, leading to its approval and adoption.

Some of the participants in the Sikaran Festival and Tournament.

Some Black Belts performing Sikaran Balangkas ng Suro-suro during the festival.

WSBP officers paid a courtesy call on Senator Ferdi-nand “Bongbong” Marcos (center in dark suit) led by Master Jaime Geronimo on the Senator’s left.

Smiles after the approval and adoption of the upgraded By-laws. From left: Leonila Pilar, Secretary, Emily Samil-lano, Treasurer, Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. CEO, Jaime Geronimo, Vice-President and Glen Sapo, Corporate Secretary.

March The second book of Emmanuel Querubin, entitled “Original Balangkas of Sikaran” was copyrighted and published. The book deals with the original formal exercises instituted and developed by Grandmaster Meliton C. Geron-imo as in the 1960’s but never saw publication. A get-together banquet of the seniors, officers and members was held in Baras, Rizal, hosted by Mantas Henry L. Bio of the USA Sikaran-Arnis Brotherhood. The 12th Sikaran Festival was held in Baras, Rizal, hosted by the Mu-nicipality of Baras, Rizal, sponsored by Chow King Eateries, and presided by Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. 5th from left).

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AprilMeliton Geronimo

Recipient of Grandmaster Icon and Pioneer Awards

There is only one true Sikaran Grandmaster and that is Meliton Geronimo. There are nu-merous self-proclaimed Sikaran Grandmasters but only Meliton Geronimo was granted the title Grandmaster and the rank of 10th Degree Red Belt by an interna-tional martial art entity, the Asian Karate Association. Meliton Geronimo is also the only person vested the ap-pellation of dignity and honor as Sikaran Supremo (Sikaran Leader) by the Sikaran elders of Baras, Rizal. Under the leadership of Meliton Geronimo, the Philip-pines garnered seven gold med-als in six Asian Karate Champion-ships, an accomplishment that stands unchallenged and un-equalled. The World Sikaran Broth-erhood, 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 thou-sands 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 Munici-pality 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 designat-ed the last Saturday of March as Sikaran Festival Day. Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo’s influence extends outside the Philip-pines. Two Malay-sians who were in-troduced to Sikaran in the 1960’s have upwardly evolved to create their sys-tems. Clement Soo (Reg. No. 257) now the President of the Karate League of Malaysia cre-ated the Malaysian Goshin Ryu Karate System, which is recognized by the World Karate Fed-eration. 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 Icon and Most Dis-tinguished Filipino Martial Arts of Sikaran 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 Boni-facio 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 cen-tury art into the 20th century and now the 21st century. Through his dedication and efforts, Sikaran was introduced outside the coun-try and became an international martial art. In 1958, Meliton Geronimo founded the Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines (then referred to as Philippine Karate for inclu-sion in the Asian Karate Associa-tion). 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 as referred to is 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 rep-resenting the Philippines won the Most Courageous Fighter Award. Through Meliton Geroni-mo’s untiring efforts on Novem-ber 6, 1966, the Asian Karate Association recognized Sikaran as a distinct Filipino Fighting Art and Meliton Geronimo was awarded the rank of 10th Degree Red Belt with the title Grandmaster. In 1967, four students of Meliton Geronimo introduced Philippine Karate (Sikaran) in Malaysia and in 1969 through his efforts, Malaysia became the fifth

member of the Asian Karate As-sociation. Under the leadership of Meli-ton Geronimo, the Philippines gar-nered seven gold medals in different weight classifica-tions in six Asian Karate Champion-ships. In 1970 when the World Union of Karate-do Organizations was established after the dissolution of the Asian Karate Association, Meliton Geronimo, representing the Philippines, became a signatory member of the Charter of WUKO. Meliton Geronimo is in-deed the SIKARAN PIONEER. Mas-ter Jaime C. Geronimo (second from left), was awarded Sikaran Grandmaster of Year Award. Other Mantas (Seniors) of the World Sikaran Brother-hood of the Philippines who were honored by the First Philip-pines Martial Arts Hall of Fame,

On May 26, Mantas Henry Bio of the United States Sikaran Re-gional Chapter hosted a grand reunion of Sikaran seniors and a belated birthday celebration of Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo, center in light blue shirt on wheel chair.

The First Philippines Martial Arts Hall of Fame vested on Grandmaster Meliton C. Geronimo two awards:

Grandmaster Icon Award in the Martial Arts of Sikaran and the Pioneer Award of Sikaran.

were extreme left: Mantas Louelle Lledo who was vested the Dangal ng Karunungan Award for his contribution in the Development and Propagation of Arnis de Mano by founding the Matawguro Asso-ciation Filipino Martial Arts Edu-cation for Arnis de Mano. Third from left: Mantas Andy Sanano who was vested the International Grandmaster Award for Arnis de Mano, for co-founding the Mataw-guro Association. Extreme right is Mantas Emmanuel Querubin , who was vested the Platinum Lifetime Award of the Philippine Martial Art of Sikaran.

May

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Prior to the grand reunion Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo gave a workshop attended by senior instructors.

Aila Marie Villamor

JuneAn invitational Sikaran Tournamnt was hosted by the City of Marikina Sikaran Chapter.

In conjunction with Article XVII, of the new approved and Adopted By-laws, the first three members who were granted scholarship were:

Mary Rose SablanCielo Sinugat

July The World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines, represented the Municipality of Baras and partici-pated in the Palarong Panlalawigan ng Rizal.

Municipality of Pillilla called themselves “Energizer,” after the battery.

Municipality of Rizal contingent in their red and white uniform that reads “Baras Sikaran.”

Pass-in-review of the participants.

Bird’s eye view of the 2012 Palarong Panlalawigan ng Rizal.

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Danny Chu (in red pants) with other martial artists who participated in the First Riyadh Open Invitational Tournament.

Danilo Chu (left) briefing Emmanuel Querubin (center) and Elpidio Seletaria regarding the mission entrusted to him by Grandmaster Meliton Geronimo of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines.

Sikaran ladies cheer their team after winning the over-all championship, garnering the gold medal in almost all events.

August Danilo Chu, 8th Degree Black Belt arrived in the United States with a personal message from Grand-master Meliton Geronimo. Chu was formerly Regional Director for Saudi Arabia.

September On September 15, 2012, the Premiere Issue of Sikaran Taliba was released. The outstanding com-ments received indicated the successful reception of the only internet newspaper dedicated to the practitio-ners and followers of Sikaran.

Contents

Important Dates In Sikaran

1927 - Birth Of The Grandmaster 1958 - Founding of The Karate (Sikaran) Brotherhood of The Philip-pines

The road to the Red Belt

1966 - A Year to Remember: Sikaran an International Martial Art November 6, 1966 - Recognition of Sikaran and promotion to Red Belt 1967 - Philippine Karate (Sikaran) “Exported” to Malaysia 1969 - President Ferdinand Marcos Commissions Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines to train the Presi-dential Security Command 1970 Formation of the World Union of Karate-Do Organizations (Wuko) 1971 Graduation of the Sikaran Class of the\Presidential Security Command 1972 - Grandmaster Meliton Geron-imo relinquished membership from the World Union of Karate-Do Organizations (Wuko) and dropped all references to Sikaran as Philippine Karate 1977 - Meliton Geronimo retired from the Philippine Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after 30 years of service. 1980 - Meliton Geronimo was elected Mayor of Baras, Rizal and served 4 terms, after being released from prison for trumped up charges. A movie of his colorful life was made entitled “Mayor Latigo” (his moniker) with the vetran actor Eddie Garcia as Meliton Geronimo. His free time was devoted in teaching, developing and propagating Sikaran. 2001 - Official acknowledgement of Baras as home of Sikaran and designating a day for Sikaran Festival 2008 - Municipality ff Baras Designates date for Sikaran Festival. 2010 - Sikaran approved as Rizal Provincial Martial Sport 2012 - First Philippines Martial Arts Hall of Fame Sikaran Awardees

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October The First Sikaran Gathering in the United States was held in Fresno, California. During the gathering the International Executive Council was established. Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr., was named Chief Executive Of-ficer of both the International Executive Council and also the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines. On October 30, 2012, an Extra Edition of Sikaran Taliba was released to commemorate the gathering.

Appointed members of the International Executive Council were:

Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. - Chief Executive Officer Elpidio Seletaria, Jr. - International Coordinator Emmanuel es Querubin - Executive Technical Assistant to the Grandmaster Henry L. Bio - Regional Director, USA Regional Chapter Tom Sulit - Interim Regional Director, Canada Regional Chapter Danilo Chu - State Director, California State Regional Chapter Louelle Llledo, Jr. - State Director, New Jersey State RegionalChapter Andy Sanano, Jr. - State Director, Florida State Regional Chapter Moreno Villanueva - District Director, Northern California Regional Chapter Romeo Lladone - District Director, Central California Regional Chapter

November On November 15, 2012 the Christmas Issue of Sikaran Taliba came off the press.

Contents

The Modern Filipina is Now a Sikaranista

Teacher or Instructor?

On Saturday, 3 November 2012, a follow-up luncheon meeting was held in San Leandro, California to decide where the next get together strategy meeting will be held. Andy Sanano of Florida and Louelle Lledo of New Jersey recommended to hold it in the East Coast, possibly New Jersey. The meeting will coincide with a Sikaran and Arnis Workshop to be given by Lledo and Sanano. Lledo and Sanano co-authored four Arnis de Mano Teacher’s Handbook (see advertisement in this newspaper).

Members from Chicago, New York, and Canada suggested New Jersey and Louelle Lledo accepted to host the gathering. Tentatively it will be in New Jersey sometime in late spring or mid-summer of 2013.

Mantas Henry Bio issued a stand-ing invitation to attend the 25th Anniversary of the USA Sikaran Chapter in May 2013. Please con-tact Henry Bio through Facebook if you are interested.

Mantas Ricardo Fornillos was appointed World Sikaran Broth-erhood of the Philippines State Director for Illinois State Regional Headquarters with headquarters in Chicago.

Mantas Arnold Turla was appoint-ed World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines Interim Regional Director for the Republic of Ire-land Regional Chapter.

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December On December 15, 2012, the New Year Issue of Sikaran Taliba was released.

Important Projects for 2013 The World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines is now finalizing plans for the Sikaran Teachers Academy, in conjunction with Province of Rizal Ordinance No. 002, s.2010, which reads:

“Section 5. Creation of The Rizal Sikaran Training Center; Supervision of The Rizal Sikaran Training Center (RSTC); The RSTC as herein established shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Office of the Gov-ernor with a Center Director as head / chief of office, who shall be appointed by the Governor for a fixed term of three (3) years, unless sooner removed for just cause;

Section 6. Rizal Sikaran Training Board; The Board of the RSTC shall be composed of the Governor as Chairman and SIKARAN Federation President as Vice-Chairman and five (5) regular members to be appointed by the Governor which shall be composed of rep-resentatives from duly accredited SIKARAN Organizations in the Province of Rizal which possess reputable stand-ing and two (2) representatives from the academe; The RSTC Board shall serve as the policy making body of the center to be vested with the authority to formulate appropriate SIKARAN training programs and modules and perform such other activities, projects and functions that will best attain the objectives of this ordinance; The RSTC Board shall be responsible in the allocation, disbursement, management and disposition of the SIKARAN Development Fund hereinafter created consistent with existing auditing rules and regulations; The RSTC Board shall likwise be responsible for the accreditation, training and certification of SIKARAN trainers, instructors, coaches and referees in accordance with the guidelines it shall hereinafter formulate and shall perform such other functions as may be provided for by law or ordinance;”

In connection with the provisions of the RSTC, the WSBP is now in the final stages of publication of the official textbooks of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines Teachers Academy and the DVD of the Original Balangkas of Sikaran. The textbooks, authored by Mantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr., are based on the teachings of Grandmaster Meliton C. Geronimo. Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr. is the Chief Executive Of-ficer and Vice-President for International Affairs of the WSBP. Assisting him in this project are Mantas Elpidio Seletaria, WSBP International Coordinator, Mantas Danilo Chu, WSBP State Director for California State Chap-ter, Master Jaime Geronimo, WSBP Chief Instructor and Examiner, and Mantas Emmanuel Querubin, WSBP Executive Technical Assistant to the Grandmaster. The Official Textbooks will be composed of:

Book One - History of Sikaran; Filipino Terminologies; Stances and Postures; Blocks and Deflections; and Targets of Sikaran. Book Two - Weapons of Sikaran (Hand Tecghniques; Leg Techniques; Throws and Take-downs; Joints Re-versal; Submission Techniques; Other Forms o Attack; and Fighting Techniques. Book Three - Sikaran Tournament Rules and Regulations.

To be an accredited Sikaran Teacher and Sikaran Tournament Official, a practritioner must complete the WSBP Sikaran Teachers Academy and must pass the examination for such as prescribed by the By-laws of the World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines.

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Book One

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Arnis de Mano Teacher’s Training Handbook Series By Two Sikaran Mantas

Louelle Lledo, Jr. (Reg. 326) And Andy Sanano, Jr. (Reg. 844)

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RELEASED IN 2011….

Sikaran Instructional Video Volume 1

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Coming Soon…!!!

Sikaran Instructional Video Volume 2 (Advanced Sikaran with Defensive Tactics, etc…)

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SIKARANBuilds 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 A More Peaceful World©

SIKARAN WORDS OF WISDOM “lahat ng palayok may kasukat na saklob”