Volume 5 September - October 2016 Number 5

SIKARAN DEFENSIVE TACICS FOR THE FIRE-FIGHTER

SIKARAN TALIBA© IS PUBLISHED BY THE SIKARAN PILIPINAS PUBLICATIONS. IT IS

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EDITORIAL OFFICE

P.O. BOX 6332

ALAMEDA, CA 94501

sikarantaliba@gmail.com

Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo

Honorary Editor Emeritus

Mantas-Marangal Emmanuel es Querubin

Editor in Chief

Mantas-Dalubhasa Elpidio Seletaria, Jr.

Managing Editor

Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo, Jr.

Editor-at-Large

ERP

Art Editor

Contributors:

Mantas-Marangal Louelle Lledo, Jr.

Mantas-Marangal Andy Sanano, Jr.

Janeth Geronimo

Giner Arendain Burabod

Goldie Albino

Aramis A. Balde

Fernando “Nanding” Garay

SIKARAN PILIPINAS PUBLICATIONS

Republic of the Philippines Certificate of Copyright No. A 2009-102

Department of Trade and Industry Certificate of Registration 00706053

United States, Library of Congress Copyright Registration No. TXu 1-612-682

Sikaran Style Defensive Tactics for Firefighters

By: Aramis Aristhedes A. Balde, MPA, 5th

DBB, WSBP Reg. no. 2420

Faced with the challenge to train fire recruits and regular firefighters-

rescuers-emergency-medical responders on self-defense, this author refuses

to deviate from the concepts and philosophies of Sikaran by creating a system

of circular defense, in which the player has to maintain his place in order to

win victorious over any adversary, liken to the Sikaran sphere of dominance

or ‘pitak’ played by the farmers in Baras, Rizal the home of Sikaran.

Sikaran Historian and expert Elpidio Seletaria Jr 8th DBB more appropriately described the

‘sphere-of-dominance’ in the Official Website of Seletaria Sikaran Arnis

http://www.sikaranarnis.com/whatissikaran.html. He wrote “traditionally, Sikaran was being played by

the farmers during the dry season while they were getting the field ready for plowing. Within the

perimeter of a rice paddy called ‘pitak’ they would form a circle about twenty-five foot circumference.

Anyone driven out of the pitak through kicking lost the match and the last man standing inside would be

the winner.” In this circular defense version, a firefighter’s pitak is a perimeter of about 3 feet or less and

he or she has to defend the right to stay inside the circle through patulak (body push), pawalis (leg sweep)

, pasalok (scooping techniques) and sipang mababa (low kicks) to survive an attack at the fire scene.

Guided by Grandmaster Meliton C. Geronimo’s, evolutionary progression of the centuries-old art

of Sikaran, this set of circular-defense requires the usual being light on your feet, fast, changing angles

with a realistic sense of the fight - but with more arms and body techniques with less focus on striking

and more on manipulation of the balance and integrating throws into the system that consists mainly of

tripping the opponents.

The ‘system’ was originally designed for firefighters who, weighted by their fire coats, fire boots,

fire helmets , gloves and troublesome fire boots, that customarily are sizes bigger than the wearer’s foot

restricts their movement to being sluggishly slow and other times clumsy. The new defense system was

introduced in 2009 to fire recruits in Bicol, and since has been adapted as a practical defense for

firefighters to include those non-responding fire personnel exempted by age, gender and physical

conditions from extraneous activities. In 2015 the system became more relevant and sought after when

the responding firefighters of the March 18, 2015 Malabon fire incident were clubbed and knifed by the

by-standers-residents that compelled the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government HON. MAR

ROXAS to pronounce that we cannot afford to sacrifice the personal safety and security of our

responders. Below is an excerpt from the Manila Times, written by Jing Villamente:

2 die in Malabon fire; Firemen attacked, March 18, 2015 9:41 pm

A seven-hour fire killed two residents and burned over 200 houses to the ground rendering 500 families

homeless in Malabon City on Tuesday. Arson probers said the fire started at around 8:20pm at a house in

Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City. The conflagration spread rapidly through houses built with light

materials. Fatalities were identified as Virginia Ytac, 62 who was left inside their burning home trying to

save some valuables while the body of a certain Lolo Erespe, 80, was recovered inside a drum. Bureau of

Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) director Sr. Supt. Sergio Soriano Jr. said that four

firemen were injured, among them Eden Santos, who took a blow to the head from a fire hose while

another fireman, Michael Tubalinal, was smacked across the forehead by residents who attacked him. A

still undetermined number of firefighters were injured, some allegedly stabbed after some irate residents

allegedly assaulted them at the height of the fire. Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary

Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Wednesday ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and

the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) to immediately launch a joint

investigation on the alleged attack by fire victims on firemen. “These are individuals who put their own

lives on the line in the name of duty,” Roxas said. According to reports, four firefighters were injured while

they were extinguishing the fire. Two of them were Eden Santos, who received a blow to the head from a

fire hose, and Michael Tubalinal, who was smacked across the forehead. Residents also reportedly threw

rocks at the fire volunteers. “Indeed, we cannot afford to sacrifice the personal safety and security of our

volunteers,” Roxas said.

This unique system of circular defense is practicable for firefighters as a defense style even while

in full gear. A basic firefighter gear, consisting of a helmet, pants, a coat, gloves, boots and an air pack,

weighs 45 pounds. Once this gear gets wet, it adds even more weight. During firefighting operations, a

firefighter has both arms and hand on the nozzle or axe, of which one-hand acting as third arm for quick

adjustments of balance. Thus, once faced with an aggressor, the ‘third-arm’ comes into play, blocking,

parrying at the same time shutting-off the nozzle and dropping it while turning away from the line of

attack or ducking under the blow to perform ‘losig’ (inner forearm strikes) and ‘papatid’ (tripping)

techniques and finishes it with a ‘sipang tadyak’ (thrust kicks) and ‘sipang tapyak’(stamping kicks).

The firefighters ‘pitak’ is a mere two - three feet circumference, that only a quick judgment of the

aggressors foot and body position thru a smoky visor and the appropriate evasive move can perfectly

make him or her victorious.

Basic hold release pamamaraan ng pagkawala and pagbali ng hugpungan (joint reversal

techniques) were also introduced as basic techniques to anticipate arm grab, lapel grab and bear hugs of

angry residents who wish to take the fire hose from the firefighters. Outside leg sweeps and ankle sweeps

or pawalis are major papatid or tripping techniques, while elbow bends and wrist-twists with bargaining

positions are major techniques in application of ‘tantamount-force’ required by Article 11-Justifying

Circumstances of the Criminal Law to be qualified as self-defense. Pushing or patulak and body-bumps

or patulak sa pamamagitan ng balakang are skills to create space for pasalok (scooping techniques),

sipang mababa (low-kicks) to the ‘lulod’ (shin bone), tuhod (knee) and hita or thighs. Sikaran is known

for its almost exclusive focus in kicking, with 90% use of legs, and 10% using the hands for blocking -

thus even in this close-quarter-battle like defense, Sikaran’s distinctive kicking style is ever present,

minus the famous ‘biakid’ (cycle spinning back kick) due to the impracticality of fire boots as a footwear

to engage an enemy.

The Sikaran discipline and values during training were witnessed by Kapisanang Sikaran Ng

Bicol Regional Director, Romy Paje, 9th DRWB, Alfredo Nierva, 7

th DBB and Xavier Paje, 6

th DBB ,

them as evaluators during the skills assessment of the 130 firefighters last June 9-10 & 16-17, 2016 held

at the ANST Building, F. Aquende Drive, Legazpi City.

The reason to propagate:

Once introduced to the Art of Sikaran with its sense of history one can realistically feel a

sense-of-belonging, it becomes the center of all things as a-way-of life. From the psychology of

sharing, the propagation of the art of Sikaran as the only Filipino Martial Art is to bring that

valuable and self-preserving content to others, and to define ‘Sikaranistas’ to give people a better

sense of what we care about and create meaning not just conceptual but practical reality.

As an art, Sikaran must continue moving not mere decorative to awe people but

'communicative' as a tool to enhance abilities to create images and communicate ideas for social

engagement. This circular defense concept taken from the Sikaran sphere of dominance

propagates the art of ‘sikad’ in self-defense of firefighters and their unique vulnerable situation at

the fire ground.

About The Author

Author is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Bicol University (BU) Karate Club, which evolved

into the BU Sikaran Club in 1983, which later on became the Black Armor Sikaran Club. He was a 1st Dan

BB in Kuntaw Ng Pilipinas under BU Teacher Kyud Jaymalin, then tournament team leader of Kyud Val

Garcia in 1983-84. He was also an Aikido practitioner and a guest instructor with the Bicol Amateur

Kickboxing Association (BAKBA) under Mr. Lubiano 6th DBB. He was considered the youngest

instructor in 1983 at the age of 21 and was a guest instructor with the YMCA Sikaran Club, founded by

Charlie Neo 8th DBB, under Roberto Gaza 8th DBB. His students earned praises from Grandmaster

Meliton C. Geronimo’s team sometime in the 1990’s during the Kata Seminar conducted by the Grandmaster himself hosted by

Kapisanang Sikaran Ng Bikol, held at the Black Armor Sikaran Club dojo, Francisco Munoz Memorial Academy , (now STI

College) Multi-purpose hall located at Rizal St, Legazpi City. He was a one-time substitute defense instructor for PCI

Granadillos 8th DBB Criminology Students at Bicol College. In 2000, a Shodan (1st DBB) in Judo under Sensei Garcera of the

Albay Reservist Judo Club, he co-founded the Taurus Judo Club (TauJuDoc) with Senior Superintendent Jose De Guzman Jr,

under the supervision of PAJA President Jaylo.

This Sikaran guided Defense Tactics for Firefighters, changes the name Black Armor Sikaran to DEFTAC Sikaran in honor of

the concept and root of its beginnings. Author is presently the Bureau of Fire Protection, 5 Regional Chief Intelligence and

Investigation Branch / Public Information Service. Email : ara2420@gmail.com, 0933 155 2791.

Tiger Fist Sikaran 2015 Competition Report:

The purpose of this Tiger Fist Sikaran 2015 competition report is to communicate the progress of

our young Sikaran club as we strive to improve ourselves in the disciplines of Sikaran while

learning from others, so we can become strong participants in the future.

Last year, on November 21, 2015, the Tiger Fist

Sikaran club launched the Sikaran Tourney, as we

called "fairing events" held at the Valley Cathedral

Children's Home located in Labac, Naic, Cavite,

Philippines.

The purpose of this event was to give the members of

the Tiger

Fist

Sikaran

club (who are children from the Valley Cathedral

Children's Home) the opportunity to test their skills

and have close camaraderie with other Sikaran

clubs here in the Philippines. The interaction

which happened among all the participants was

rewarding and will enhance the exciting journey in

the coming years.

The following Sikaran clubs were invited to participate in the fairing matches; Sikaran Marikina with

Coach Giner Burabod, Sikaran Baras with Coach Emily Samillano along with Coach Pats Geronimo,

Sikaran Tanauan with Coach Sherwin Vilaga, and last but not least Sikaran Taguig with Coach Edgar

Mingo.

The events consisted of two minute bouts using the

knock down system rules. There was a total of 16

fairing matches with just one bout at a time. The winner

of the match was awarded a gold medal and the loser

received the bronze medal.

A total of 10

gold medals

were awarded

to various

participants

from the

visiting clubs

of Markina, Taguig, Tanauan, and Baras Rizal while six gold

medals were awarded to students from the Tiger Fist Sikaran,

Naic. Carlo Quilantang (Tiger fist) faired against Edmon

Bartolata of Baras Rizal and Raphael Phoenix G. Dela Cruz

(Tiger Fist) against Earvin Bartolata. Carlo and Raphael won the main event for the men's categories of

the light weight division and were given the Tiger Fist "best fighter" certificate.

Flag Ceremony and Parading

Tiger Fist Drill Presentation

Carl Quilantang (right) vs. Edmon Bartolata

Raphael Dela Cruz (right) vs .Earvin Bartolata

In addition, the Jr. class (12-13 years old) was won by Tiger Fist students David Cruz and John Mark

Villanueva. There were 16 bronze medals given as consolation prizes for those who lost the fairing

match.

The events were administered by the

following Sikaranista Leaders: Badjao

Geronimo, nephew of our Pantas Meliton S.

Geronimo Jr., Emily Samillano, Sherwin

Vilaga, Pats Geronimo, Giner Burabod and

Edgar Mingo. To further promote Sikaran

in the area, Tiger Fist Coach Nanding Garay

invited the following guests to attend the

special event; Hon. Mayor Jun Dualan of

Naic, Cavite who sent one of his councilman

as a proxy, Pastor Pete Dagasdas, Director of Valley Cathedral Ministries and his wife Lita

Dagasdas, Executive Director of the Valley Cathedral Children's Home, Former Mayor of Ternate

Lamberto D. Bambao and several other local officials. Other attendees included Lyn Paz (Social

Worker at Valley Cathedral Children's

Home), Dave and Madeleine Carter, Tim

and Becky Adams, and Don and Molly

McAlvany who are missionaries from the

US and Canada.

All of the gold medals, bronze medals and

official Sikaran certificates were generously

donated by Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo Jr.

with the full support back up by his sister

Janeth Geronimo.

A closing statement from Coach Nanding Garay (Coach of Tiger Fist Sikaran Club):

I first want to express my sincere thanks to Pantas Meliton S. Geronimo Jr., Janet

Geronimo, and the Leaders and staff at GHQ along with all the visiting Sikaran Coaches and

their students that made this event possible. I believe the occasion was both beneficial and

enjoyable for all.

As a final word, we want to express our commitment to the World Sikaran Brotherhood

of the Philippines to propagate the Sikaran Way with professionalism, virtue, and with the

graceful skill of martial arts that we have been taught by the Grand Master to the benefit of those

in our club, our community, our country and to the Sikaran Brotherhood as a whole.

Coach Nanding Garay

President and Chief Instructor

5th DBB

Award Presentation

Announcements by the Leaders

BALANGKAS NG Ika- 2 SIKARAN

WITH APPLICATION OF TECHNIQUE

NOTE: For the sake of clarity we have made front angle shots from this technique to technique No. 26

START BUNYAW

END

BUNYAW

Members of the Sikaran Pilipinas with

Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo

MAY THEIR SPIRIT REST IN PEACE

VICTOR LAXAMANA – PASSED AWAY IN 2015 –

8TH

DEGREE BLACK BELT # 144

RODRIGO ESPIRITU – PASSED AWAY IN 2016 –

8TH

DEGREE BLACK BELT # 348

BOOK TWO

COMING SOON

RELEASED IN 2011….

SIKARAN INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO VOLUME 1 WRITTEN, PRODUCED, AND DIRECTED BY:

ELPIDIO SELETARIA JR.

8th DEGREE BLACK BELT (#1487)

Hercules, California, USA

www.sikaranarnis.com

COMING SOON…!!!

SIKARAN INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO VOLUME 2 (ADVANCED SIKARAN WITH DEFENSIVE TACTICS, ETC…)

To Order Contact:

ELPIDIO SELETARIA - jseletaria1542@yahoo.com

ARNIS BOOKS BY LOUELLE LLEDO, JR., 9th Degree Red and White Belt #326

To Order Contact: matawgurolou@yahoo.com

ARNIS DE MANO FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS EDUCATION

TEACHER'S TRAINING HANDBOOK

By: TWO SIKARAN MANTAS

LOUELLE LLEDO, Jr. (# 326) and ANDY SANANO, Jr. (# 844)

TO ORDER CONTACT:

Louelle Lledo, Jr. - matawgurolou@yahoo.com

Andy Sanano, Jr. - matawgurosanano@gmail.com

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SIKARAN builds 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

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“SIKARAN journey starts and ends with a sign of respect”