a filipino aikido teacher

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[carlo pagal]

Hello aikidokas,

we would like to share with you a brief history of the roots of our filipino aikido teacher to whom we are thankful for sharing with us the art of aikido.

I've seen hard copies of old authentic certificates, old Instructor's Idenification Cards, old clips original copy of Guam local newspapers and old photographs of persons who started Aikido in Guam. Harry Eto Sensie, who started the Guam Aikido Club under the umbrella of Hawaii Aiki Kwai, as early as 1956, and Kalama Sensie and Sasaki Sensie were the 2 top ranking Insructors of Guam Aikido Club as reflected in the Rooster of Hawaii Aiki Kwai of 1965 - these respectable persons awarded a rank of Shodan to a Filipino - he was the first ever Filipno blackbelt of Guam Aikido Club, Hawaii Aiki Kwai. The date was 23rd of May 1965. September of the same year, the marked visit of Tohie Sensie in Guam wherein he actually chose this Filipino as his sparring partner during demo and seminars, Tohie Sensie conducted for couple of months he stayed in Guam before he went to Mainland U.S.A. In 1974, this humble Filipino went home to the Philippines with a 4th Dan under his belt in Aikido. He remains to be a Filipino Citizen to this date.

(we have photographs of persons synonymous with Philippine Aikido..photos were in black and white but you can tell they wore colored belts, and their instructor is no other than Valencia Sensei. pls visit aikiloilo.bravehost.com)

[raul rodrigo]

I have to ask: What is Sensei Valencia's affiliation? Did he leave the Aikikai along with Tohei in 1973? Or did he stay with Hombu dojo?

[Larry Cuvin]

+ 1 to Raul's question.
The only Ki Society affiliated dojo in the Philippines is located in Cebu which does not help me since I normally stay in Quezon City when ever I visit. The only person I know off and have trained with is Ernesto Talag Sensei who trained under Tohei Sensei long time ago. He has since formed his own aikido style to adapt to escrima techniques and such. Ki training was not in his curriculum but still excellent training. Since you're in Iloilo, am I correct to assume that your sensei is Ki No Kenkyukai affiliated?

[carlo pagal]

i'll ask him if i have time. but i beleive its with hombu dojo.we have a brief history about sensei valencia at www.aikiloilo.bravehost.com. if u have time, pls. check it out.

[raul rodrigo]

i'll ask him if i have time. but i beleive its with hombu dojo.we have a brief history about sensei valencia at www.aikiloilo.bravehost.com. if u have time, pls. check it out.


I did. It doesnt clarify his current status with regard to hombu dojo or with ki no kenkyukai.

[villrg0a]

Is his affiliation still important? He is a legit 4th Dan instructor, and received his ranking from a legit Sensei, who was the Chief Instructor of Aikikai at that time. He can promote his students up to at least 2nd Dan - Aikikai style.

Furthermore, the poster is only trying to thank his Sensei, and at the same time let the rest of us know that there is somebody else aside from the famous names in Philippine Aikido.

There's another one, established Aikido in 1956, a direct student of Gozo Shioda, but that's another subject :):):)

[Bronson]

The only person I know off and have trained with is Ernesto Talag Sensei...

Hey, a name I know. My Sensei travels to the Phillipines on business and will go to Talag Sensei's dojo while there. Talag Sensei also came here to Michigan to teach a seminar for us.

Bronson

[jacktentia]

romeul you are right his affiliation is not important coz that time there is only one aikido, sensie valencia is affiliated with guam aikikai which is affiliated to marianas aikikai. sensie valencia'a name was publish in the novemeber 1965 issue of blackbelt magazine where all promoted to the rank of shodan were also published.

[jacktentia]

I have to ask: What is Sensei Valencia's affiliation? Did he leave the Aikikai along with Tohei in 1973? Or did he stay with Hombu dojo?


raul maybe you are a bit confused of sensie valencia's affiliation. sensie valencia's was affilaited with guam aikikai whose mother club is marianas aikikai which is affiliated with honbo dojo in japan.he never left aikikai and even received his 4th dan promotion in 1974. he studied with sensei tohei in 1965 when tohei is still with akikai. sensie valencia's blackbelt certificates were issued by honbo dojo and all text were written in japanese character saved the dates and numbers. for the record galarpe and omar kamar studied with sensie valencia in guam. also sensie valencia'a name was published in the november 1965 issue of blackbelt magazine together with those who were promoted to the rank of shodan and he is the only filipino.

[raul rodrigo]

Okay, thank you for that clarification. I asked the question because Tohei took quite a few of his students with him when he left Aikikai, including Talag and Galarpe. So its seems a logical question to ask of another Filipino student of Tohei. I am also interested because even Mr. Camar no longer has an Aikikai affiliation. By that I mean that his yudansha no longer receive the "Aikikai passport" signed by Moriteru Ueshiba.

[raul rodrigo]

Is his affiliation still important? He is a legit 4th Dan instructor, and received his ranking from a legit Sensei, who was the Chief Instructor of Aikikai at that time. He can promote his students up to at least 2nd Dan - Aikikai style.

I wasn't questioning the legitimacy of Sensei Valencia's fourth dan ranking. Just clarifying the current status of his dojo with regard to Hombu Dojo. Its important to know if an aikido organization has a certificate of Hombu recognition because Hombu's regulations state that: "Dan grades are awarded to Aikido practitioners who belong to Aikido organizations with Hombu Recognition...Dan grades must, in all cases, be applied for to the Hombu. Dan grades become valid after they have been registered at the Hombu."

R

[Kenneth Bañares]

Where does Cacoy Cañete fit in? i know he is a Sandan...

[villrg0a]

Once certified, you are forever certified regardless of current affiliation, including those who are now currently independent. Bloodline is more important, it tells you their heritage.

[raul rodrigo]

Once certified, you are forever certified regardless of current affiliation, including those who are now currently independent. Bloodline is more important, it tells you their heritage.

Of course you're certified forever. But you can't promote someone to an Aikikai dan grade unless you're affiliated with Hombu dojo.

[villrg0a]

Of course you're certified forever. But you can't promote someone to an Aikikai dan grade unless you're affiliated with Hombu dojo.


Just thinking outloud Raul. Let's say for example in 2000 I became a 4th dan, and Aikikai HQ affiliated. This title would normally allow me to grade, recommend and promote students up to 2nd dan at the most.

Now, in 2001 I decided to break off with the HQ, if what I understand from you is correct this means I could no longer promote students? That what I will teach them would not be valid anymore because I dont have the paperworks that says I am?

If so, what happened to my 4th dan ranking?

[raul rodrigo]

Romuel, the rules are clear. Aikikai dan grades are only valid if confirmed by Hombu Dojo. Even a fourth dan who stays with the Aikikai cannot by himself make someone a second dan. All he can do is give an exam for nidan. And then at that point he informs Hombu dojo that an exam was given and that he would like a nidan ranking for X. That X is not a nidan until Hombu says he is. That's the rule.

Now if you leave Aikikai, you can take your fourth dan with you, but you cannot create another dan ranked student. Because Hombu Dojo will not confer that rank on your student. Because you left. If you choose to re-affiliate then Hombu will be willing to discuss the certification of your yudansha. But they are not Aikikai yudansha unless Moriteru Ueshiba has signed their yudansha cards.

[Peter Goldsbury]

Hello,

I think you are mistaken. My answeres are flagged PAG.


Just thinking outloud Raul. Let's say for example in 2000 I became a 4th dan, and Aikikai HQ affiliated. This title would normally allow me to grade, recommend and promote students up to 2nd dan at the most.
PAG. No it would not. Your 4th dan would allow you to conduct dan examinations in an organization recognized by the Aikikai Hombu. You could not award 2nd dan ranks solely on your own initiative. I am 6th dan and I cannot do this.

Now, in 2001 I decided to break off with the HQ, if what I understand from you is correct this means I could no longer promote students? That what I will teach them would not be valid anymore because I dont have the paperworks that says I am?
PAG. You could not promote students and have the promotions recognized by the Aikikai. The promotions would be your own, solely. What you teach them would still be valid to the extent that it is based on your own knowledge and experience of aikido. However, it would no longer possible to promote dan ranks based on this knowledge and have these ranks authorized by the Aikikai, since you have renounced your Aikikai membership.

If so, what happened to my 4th dan ranking?
PAG. It would stay as it is, recorded in the Aikikai Hombu, but you could not do much with it. This is because the Aikikai's ranking system is tied to the organizations it recognizes.

Best wishes,

[Charlie]

I reserve the right to be completely wrong here but I think Mr. Villareal's comments are based on the guidelines created for the International Branch of the Yoshinkan (IYAF) that can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page found >>> HERE (http://www.yoshinkan-aikido.org/contents/iyaf_information/by_laws?language=english).

I know that he has corresponded with members of the Yoshinkan (including myself).

If these are the Bylaws that he is referencing then he is only partially correct in his statement. Just because you have been awarded a 4th degree in Yoshinkan does NOT mean that you can promote up to 2nd degree. You must also apply for AND be approved for a separate Teaching Certificate that allows one to grade to various levels on approval.

Cheers,

Charlie

[villrg0a]

Raul: Hello Raul, I'm not starting a fight here, I hope you dont have that impression...but I got your point. What I am really trying to say is that does it really matter? At the end of the day the question would be, is affiliation more important than what Valencia sensei has to offer?

Peter: Thanks, I was wrong - what I meant was really the same thing as you said, conduct exam and recommend. :o

Charlie: Hi - sorry, but it was not based there. I raised those questions on my own and honestly have nothing to do with our affilation, group, IYAF or Yoshinkan. My correspondence with members of the Yoshinkan community is purely educational in nature and has nothing to do with this subject. Cheers ;)

To close, I am just happy to know that there are other high ranking filipino teachers in the Philippines who have studied authentic Aikido and have been ranked. I am happy to know that they are passing on whatever they have learned to the new generation of pinoys. I am happy to know that there are other teachers other than those famous names back home.

[alex padilla]

Hi Romuel,

History questions:
Benjamin Galarpe - 1959 shodan

Francisco Valencia- 1965 shodan
Omar Camar - 1967 shodan

All three are Aikikai's.
Regarding the pinoy who was an aikidoka since 1956, can u tell us more about him? Benjamin Galarpe started in1957, so he started aikido a year before Galarpe?
Is he the same person that taught at the Black Panther Dojo?

I'm just curious about the history of our Aikido lineage.
Thank you for your time.
-Alex

[villrg0a]

Hi Alex

Yes the same person who taught the BP. Shodan in 1953/1954, and established his own school in Manila - 1956. A direct and one of the senior students of Gozo Shioda Kancho, just about the same time when the famous demonstration was taking place attended by 15000 people in Japan including the emperor where Kancho received the best exhibition award.

The same person was a Police Captain, Manila's finest and was sent to Japan for training. When he saw Kanchos exhibition, and challenges to include bone breaking movements against karatekas and wrestlers (I was told) he said this is the art I am looking for and immediately joined.

Yes it is YOSHINKAN AIKIDO. I understand that Omar Kamar sensei and Gavileno sensei know this person, you can ask them.

[jacktentia]

Romuel, the rules are clear. Aikikai dan grades are only valid if confirmed by Hombu Dojo. Even a fourth dan who stays with the Aikikai cannot by himself make someone a second dan. All he can do is give an exam for nidan. And then at that point he informs Hombu dojo that an exam was given and that he would like a nidan ranking for X. That X is not a nidan until Hombu says he is. That's the rule.

Now if you leave Aikikai, you can take your fourth dan with you, but you cannot create another dan ranked student. Because Hombu Dojo will not confer that rank on your student. Because you left. If you choose to re-affiliate then Hombu will be willing to discuss the certification of your yudansha. But they are not Aikikai yudansha unless Moriteru Ueshiba has signed their yudansha cards.


you are right raul if you leave aikikai you cannot promote students in aikikai standard because you are bounded by akikai policy, but does it matters? what is imporant is that we practiced aikido religiously and deligently, for me these all that matters. what we learned from our sensie is only a fraction of what we should know in aikido, the rest is up to us to practiced and improved what we learned. certificates are just pieces of papers.

[jacktentia]

Hi Romuel,

History questions:
Benjamin Galarpe - 1959 shodan

Francisco Valencia- 1965 shodan
Omar Camar - 1967 shodan

All three are Aikikai's.
Regarding the pinoy who was an aikidoka since 1956, can u tell us more about him? Benjamin Galarpe started in1957, so he started aikido a year before Galarpe?
Is he the same person that taught at the Black Panther Dojo?

I'm just curious about the history of our Aikido lineage.
Thank you for your time.
-Alex

my salutations alex, you said that benjamen galarpe started aikido in 1957 but sensie valencia started aikido training in 1956, prior to aikido he was already a judo blackbelt. filipinos in guam are into judo before aikido was introdused in guam. if you visit our website we posted old photos of filipinos aikidoka in guam, a 1962 photo shows sensie valencia in brown belt while galarpe is still in purple belt.in the 70's kamar when in iloilo always extending his respect and regards to sendie valencia by visiting him at home.

[villrg0a]

[Alex] I forgot to tell you, he was already teaching Judo, Tactical Defense among other things at the Manila's Finest HQ, and NBI prior his departure to Japan in 53/1954. Just like Jack said, pinoys and the rest of the world where into Judo or Karate mostly prior to Aikido. Gosh I wasnt even born yet....

[Jack] Hi - when in Bacolod, please look for Kyokan Dojo headed by Stella Fuentes sensei they have good training there, and good people...

[Peter Goldsbury]

I do not want to be involved in any local aikido politics here.

My earlier post relates solely to those who consider themselves affiliated to the Aikikai: no more, no less.

[Rupert Atkinson]

If you want to grade your students, just invite a teacher in who can do it. What's the big deal?

[alex padilla]

Romuel,
You forgot to mention his name. I know that BP is handled by the Azarcon brothers and besides that I know little of their history. Camar Sensei has been with the military and the police so whenever I get to go back home I will ask Camar Sensei about him. With Gavileno Sensei I can not ask him about it.
So, What is his name?

I know this has been ask of you, so generally you are in Yoshinkan with that wealth of knowledge? just asking.

I will throw in politics for this story: I practiced with a group of yoshinkan here in Malaysia. One of the first questions asked was if I know the Black Panther. I said they are also yoshinkan and was immediately answered with, they are not IYAF affiliated. I am not digging for any answers here just relating a story. BTW, I enjoy the practice don't matter with me much about politics.


Jack,
Greetings, aikido brother. I will ask Camar Sensei about Valencia Sensei when I get home. I only know that since 1969 he has been travelling a lot.

[raul rodrigo]

As I have explained to Romuel in a PM, I didn't intend my posts in this thread to be adversarial or antagonistic, and I hope you didn't think I was, Jack. I merely wanted to clarify a valid question (to my mind, anyway) about Sensei Valencia. I meant no disrespect to him or to you, Jack. And yes, it is the diligent practice of aikido that matters most.

best,

RAUL

[villrg0a]

So all ends the aiki way, we are all friends :D

I understand that we are all interested in the history of Aikido in the Philippines, and this thread has been very instrumental in exchanging opinions and facts related to the above subject, thanks to aikiweb.

Alex,

He is the late Captain Luis Gavieries. Yes, the Azarcon brothers are handling the BP now and are very active. Please do ask Camar sensei about him.

Yes, we do train Yoshinkan Aikido, and have trained under BP and will continue to train with them.

Wow, politics - I have to excuse myself on that, I'm out. But regarding their IYAF affiliation, I do not have the authority to speak on their behalf, maybe you can ask them or honbu dojo. To recap, Mr. Gavieres' name was only brought up to inform you he did in fact established an aikido school back in 1956, and is a part of Philippine Aikido history.

Just like I said, it is really nice to know that there are filipinos who have trained earlier even before Aikido became popular. As for me, I am only interested in history and basic training.

Peace,
Mel

[Steven]

One of the first questions asked was if I know the Black Panther. I said they are also yoshinkan and was immediately answered with, they are not IYAF affiliated.


... and the point is? You do not need to be IYAF affiliated to be considered a Yoshinkan Aikido affiliated school. It is my understanding that the Black Panther group has relations with Takeno Shihan, Yoshinkan 8th dan. Therefore, there is no need for IYAF affiliation. End of story!

[alex padilla]

Romuel,

"He is the late Captain Luis Gavieries. Yes, the Azarcon brothers are handling the BP now and are very active. 'Please do ask Camar sensei about him' ."

-you keep pointing that out. Yes, i will ask him.


Wow, politics - I have to excuse myself on that, I'm out. But regarding their IYAF affiliation, I do not have the authority to speak on their behalf, maybe you can ask them or honbu dojo.

-i have no intention of asking them or honbu dojo. it is just the history i am asking for, i'm not into politics.


"To recap, Mr. Gavieres' name was only brought up to inform you he did in fact established an aikido school back in 1956, and is a part of Philippine Aikido history."

-you did not need to just inform me, i think advance pinoy aikidokas need their history, and again not politics.




Steven,
"... and the point is? You do not need to be IYAF affiliated to be considered a Yoshinkan Aikido affiliated school. It is my understanding that the Black Panther group has relations with Takeno Shihan, Yoshinkan 8th dan. Therefore, there is no need for IYAF affiliation. End of story!"

-i already answered this one in advance.
"I am not digging for any answers here just relating a story."



The purpose of my questions was for Philippine Aikido History only, as I will again reiterate I am not into politics.
I asked Romuel about the BP because he seems knowledegable about early history, there is nothing attached to those questionings.

[Steven]

Alex said:
I will throw in politics for this story

Then said:
i'm not into politics

eh? If not, then why bring politics into it?

[alex padilla]

Steven,

I already PM you.
that's it.

[raul rodrigo]

As the person who began asking questions about affiliation in this thread, I'd just like to say that its going to be hard for us to move forward if someone's factual question about a dojo's affiliation is going to be treated with suspicion about his motives. As long as the person asking the question is properly respectful and makes no insinuations or comments about a sensei's or a dojo's character or worth, then (my thinking is) it should be all right to ask questions about affiliation. Lets put the facts out there. What do you guys think?

best,

RAUL

[bleepbeep]

[Alex] I forgot to tell you, he was already teaching Judo, Tactical Defense among other things at the Manila's Finest HQ, and NBI prior his departure to Japan in 53/1954. Just like Jack said, pinoys and the rest of the world where into Judo or Karate mostly prior to Aikido. Gosh I wasnt even born yet....

[Jack] Hi - when in Bacolod, please look for Kyokan Dojo headed by Stella Fuentes sensei they have good training there, and good people...

thanks for the recommendation Mel. If you are around this December, February and March, we might have some visiting teachers. I'll let you know as soon as its all final. ;)

[rulemaker]

I agree with Raul that affiliations and true historical facts should be out in the open. why don't we formulate a history of aikido in the philippines in this forum that all of us can agree upon? this way we can honor the contributions of the pioneers and weed out those who have no relations to aikido in any form. Raul and I can share our knowledge of present Aikikai Hombu Dojo affiliated organizations.

If you want to train with a filipino yoshinkan instructor I suggest that you train with Romy Ballares (Ballares Itaku Shidoin) He is currently an instructor at the yoshinkan hombu dojo in tokyo, japan. He regularly visits the Philippines.

By the way, I would like to share with you my collection of Aikido Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melmiel

Mel

[shadowedge]

Hi everyone,

I don't mean to break the current train of thought.

But getting back to the original post, Let me say, dude, thanks for sharing. I'm from Iloilo City (Jaro, Tabuc Suba). I've been looking for these teachers for a long time.

Unfortunately I started learning Aikido here in Metro Manila. Once in a while tho, when I get back to the province I train Unred Sensei Roland Villanueva who teachen in the (i forgot the name) gym behind Robinson's Place.

Anyway, really really nice photos rulemaker. Thanks for Sharing!

I have aa question tho, I hope this does not stir up any political issues, Over the last 5 years I've trained in different dojos under Different Sensei. Most of them did not have any formal Affiliations. My question is, do the Affilitations, recognize us as practitioners even if we aren't members?

thanks.

[villrg0a]

[Alex] I will be in Malaysia these coming months. Perhaps you could PM me your number and I will get in touch with you and maybe we can discuss this subject further over a cup of coffee.

[Stella] You're very welcome. Please say hi to Noel.

[Rommel] You are right, if somebody from the Philippines could spare some time to investigate and do some research work regarding Aikido pioneers in the Philippines that would be nice.

It's very diffucult to get in touch with Ballares Itaku Shidoin, I was looking for him when I was in Shinjuku this year but unfortunately he was not around that time. It would be nice to actually train with him, but it's kinda difficult for our kababayans unless they have some extra money to go to Tokyo and train. If only he had a duly registered dojo in Manila it would be nice, the La Salle Dojo I believe is no longer in operation.

[rulemaker]

I think I have Romy's japan calling card. I'll look for it tonight and post the details tomorrow.


mel

[raul rodrigo]

I have aa question tho, I hope this does not stir up any political issues, Over the last 5 years I've trained in different dojos under Different Sensei. Most of them did not have any formal Affiliations. My question is, do the Affilitations, recognize us as practitioners even if we aren't members? thanks.

You would be welcome to train in an Aikikai dojo, but you wouldn't be considered to have the rank you had in your old dojo. Which isnt a problem for some people. They just want to train. But if you would like to achieve dan ranking in Aikikai after being a yudansha in your original style, you would have to start over again. One of the top dojo heads in our federation was once a blackbelt in Combat Aikido who left and then had himself recertified as an Aikikai yudansha, going up through the kyu ranks just like any other beginner. He's about to test for sandan under Aikikai, if I am not mistaken.

R

[shadowedge]

Thanks Raul! :)

[jacktentia]

[Alex] I forgot to tell you, he was already teaching Judo, Tactical Defense among other things at the Manila's Finest HQ, and NBI prior his departure to Japan in 53/1954. Just like Jack said, pinoys and the rest of the world where into Judo or Karate mostly prior to Aikido. Gosh I wasnt even born yet....

[Jack] Hi - when in Bacolod, please look for Kyokan Dojo headed by Stella Fuentes sensei they have good training there, and good people...


hello romuel... thanks for theinfo regarding kyokan dojo. you are right they are good people i met stella and noel twice, first in bacolod city in 2003 when were invited in a fellowship there and just last month when sensie jun nomoto ( a 7th dan blackbelt)hold an aikido clinic here in ilolo. its great sharing with us about this person who studied aikido in 1956. if he is into judo too then maybe he knew sensie vevincio ticao, a co founder of philippine amateur jodo association (PAJA).

[jacktentia]

As I have explained to Romuel in a PM, I didn't intend my posts in this thread to be adversarial or antagonistic, and I hope you didn't think I was, Jack. I merely wanted to clarify a valid question (to my mind, anyway) about Sensei Valencia. I meant no disrespect to him or to you, Jack. And yes, it is the diligent practice of aikido that matters most.

best,

RAUL


my greetings. you were not antagonistic raul, we are all brothers in aikido, we believe in the same philosophy... what we had here is friendly discussions. thanks a lot.

[raul rodrigo]

HI JACK;

Hope you had good sessions with Nomoto shihan and Macapawa sensei. I was with them during the Cebu leg of their seminar, October 28-30. Mariel Macapawa was my first aikido teacher. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to Iloilo for the sessions with your group, but I hope the sessions were productive and fun. Maybe I can make it there some other time. One of my dojo mates is doing research on the history of aikido in the Philippines and he is thinking of interviewing sensei Valencia.

R

[carlo pagal]

Rmuel, Alex, Raul and brothers in the art,

Greetings from Iloilo Aikido Dojo,

Sensie Valencia would like to extend his regards to all aikidokas.

Sensie Valencia started practicing aikido in the early 50s in Asan Point Base in Guam under Sensie Harry Eto, with Sensie Kalama and Sensie Sasaki as other instructors. Sensie Valencia was the only Filipino promoted to a rank of Shodan, date was 23rd May 1965, later that year Sensie Tohie visited Guam and noticed the large number of enthusiastic Filipinos practicing the art. Henceforth, with the mandate to propagate the art, Sensie Valencia was chosen to officially introduce the art of aikido to the Philippines, considering he was the only Filipino Shodan at that time. Apparently Valencia Sensie declined, and this prompted the Board of Directors of Guam Aikido Club( Sensie Valencia was one of the members) to promote another Filipino to an Honorary Blackbelt. and thus, the seed of aikido in the Philippines started. In 1974, Sensie Valencia went home with a 4th Dan under his belt.

Hope the brief history we shared will help us all find our true lineage in Philippine Aikido. Our deepest regards.

Iloilo Aikido Dojo

[Raul Roldan]

hey there. i am please to finally know there's one in iloilo. i've been home a number of times but thought the nearest one was on in bacolod, under stella fuentes sensei. well, i guess i now have place to go to when i'm back in iloilo.. hopefully in april/may next year. cheers.

[raul rodrigo]

Sensie Valencia was chosen to officially introduce the art of aikido to the Philippines, considering he was the only Filipino Shodan at that time. Apparently Valencia Sensie declined, and this prompted the Board of Directors of Guam Aikido Club( Sensie Valencia was one of the members) to promote another Filipino to an Honorary Blackbelt. and thus, the seed of aikido in the Philippines started.



An honorary blackbelt? You mean without an exam?



R

[carlo pagal]

I'll try to ask Sensei regarding your query this weekend Raul. Please feel free to ask anything you would like to know about Sensei Francisco Villanueva. We will be posting more pics of Sensei in our website(www.aikiloilo.bravehost.com) soon. Please tell your friends about our website.

thank you!

[carlo pagal]

Carlo Paul Pagal]I'll try to ask Sensei regarding your query this weekend Raul. Please feel free to ask anything you would like to know about Sensei Francisco Villanueva. We will be posting more pics of Sensei in our website(www.aikiloilo.bravehost.com) soon. Please tell your friends about our website.


Hello!

I just would like to correct the clerical error made on my last post. It's SENSEI FRANCISCO VALENCIA and not Villanueva. Pls. let your friends know about our Sensei and our website (www.aikiloilo.bravehost.com).

Thank You!

[jacktentia]

An honorary blackbelt? You mean without an exam?



R


my deepest regards raul.... yes without an exam....

[Ritchie Martinez]

Hi Guys,

I myself have been trying to find out how Aikido really started here in the Philippines. A lot of info have been coming out, thanks to the net! Let's just all hope that one day all Filipino Aikidokas would gather under one common lead, so that all question would be answered.

Cheers...

[carlo pagal]

greetings filipino aikidoists!

The students of the Iloilo Aikido Dojo would like to inform you that Sensei Francisco Valencia passed away december last year. We hope that the facts we shared about our Sensei's history helped you in your search for the roots of philippine aikido. Pls. visit www.aikiloilo.bravehost.com. If you got questions pls email us. good day!

[gregstec]

Hello aikidokas,

I've seen hard copies of old authentic certificates, old Instructor's Idenification Cards, old clips original copy of Guam local newspapers and old photographs of persons who started Aikido in Guam. Harry Eto Sensie, who started the Guam Aikido Club under the umbrella of Hawaii Aiki Kwai, as early as 1956, and Kalama Sensie and Sasaki Sensie were the 2 top ranking Insructors of Guam Aikido Club as reflected in the Rooster of Hawaii Aiki Kwai of 1965

Hello Carlo,

I too was a student of Kalama Sensei on Guam during the mid to late 70's. Do you have any more history or information on Kalama Sensei or the Guam Aiki Kwai that you can pass along?

Thanks
Greg Steckel

[adriangan]

Steven,
"... and the point is? You do not need to be IYAF affiliated to be considered a Yoshinkan Aikido affiliated school. It is my understanding that the Black Panther group has relations with Takeno Shihan, Yoshinkan 8th dan. Therefore, there is no need for IYAF affiliation. End of story!"

-i already answered this one in advance.
"I am not digging for any answers here just relating a story."

The purpose of my questions was for Philippine Aikido History only, as I will again reiterate I am not into politics.
I asked Romuel about the BP because he seems knowledegable about early history, there is nothing attached to those questionings.

Hey guys,

Just want to share what I know...the BP group is not recognized by the Yoshinkan Hombu dojo, this is according to Romy Ballares Shidoin.

Regards,

Adrian

[Vincent Munoz]

Hello Guys,
In my opinion, he can promote but not under the name of Aikikai anymore where he is no longer affiliated(if i'm not wrong). Of course, defending on the by-laws of his current affiliation.

The best thing that we could do.. is honor sensei valencia to his contribution to aikido in the Philippines. All of us filipino aikidoka must be proud of him no matter what he is now. I vow to your sensei bro Carlo.

I just have one question, where can we put Sensei Max Tian of Ki Society Cebu in history? Just curious. I have practiced with him for a month i guess before I transfered to Aikido Centrum Cebu which lasted also for maybe less than 3 months(not sure). Max Tian have claimed that he have practice with Tohei Sensei as well. I don't know if for a long period or in a seminar only.

domo,

shiete

[villrg0a]

Hey guys,

Just want to share what I know...the BP group is not recognized by the Yoshinkan Hombu dojo, this is according to Romy Ballares Shidoin.

Regards,

Adrian

Who cares?

[vencer]

No they are no longer listed in the IYAF dojo page but they used to be listed as of last year. At least 2 of the Azarcon brothers were accepted to the Senshusei Course but had to drop out because of what I am assuming is financial problems.

Pinoy Politics aside, To say that they are not Yoshinkan or imply that they do not teach Yoshinkan is intellectually dishonest. They were sponsored by IYAF to come to japan and they did start the instructor course. At least one student of the Azarcons' did end up going to japan and got a nidan from Yoshinan Hombu Dojo. Just speculation but there are other reasons why they are no longer affiliated with IYAF.

[carlo pagal]

our website is temporarily not accessible. we might make a new site for the iloilo aikido dojo club. we'll keep you guys posted. if you want to know more about Sensei Valencia you can email me at carlopagal@yahoo.com. and by the way, we have a new dojo at st. joseph school along diversion road. you can contact bonbon for more info @09067777785. thanks!

[Mannix Moya]

you are right raul if you leave aikikai you cannot promote students in aikikai standard because you are bounded by akikai policy, but does it matters? what is imporant is that we practiced aikido religiously and deligently, for me these all that matters. what we learned from our sensie is only a fraction of what we should know in aikido, the rest is up to us to practiced and improved what we learned. certificates are just pieces of papers.

jack sensei,

two thumbs up!

[Enrique Antonio Reyes]

jack sensei,

two thumbs up!

My respects to you Jack.

Thumbs up from me as well.

One-Aiki

Iking

[pietroignacio]

Where does Cacoy Cañete fit in? i know he is a Sandan...

i studied under sir Cacoy's doce pares system for a while and i also studied under Max Tian Sensei from 1990 up to present. as far as i know, sir Cacoy was awarded his dan ranking in ki aikido by Max Tian sensei. Likewise, Sir Cacoy awarded Max Tian Sensei his dan ranking in Cacoy doce pares system.
Max Tian Sensei is the founder of the Cebu Ki Society and is the only Instructor, Lecturer and Examiner recognized bu Ki no Kenkyukai in the Philippines. At this time, Max Tian Sensei is in his 80s and teaches Ki Aikido at the Baseline Gym in Juana Osmena St. in Cebu City.

[pietroignacio]

Hello Guys,
In my opinion, he can promote but not under the name of Aikikai anymore where he is no longer affiliated(if i'm not wrong). Of course, defending on the by-laws of his current affiliation.

The best thing that we could do.. is honor sensei valencia to his contribution to aikido in the Philippines. All of us filipino aikidoka must be proud of him no matter what he is now. I vow to your sensei bro Carlo.

I just have one question, where can we put Sensei Max Tian of Ki Society Cebu in history? Just curious. I have practiced with him for a month i guess before I transfered to Aikido Centrum Cebu which lasted also for maybe less than 3 months(not sure). Max Tian have claimed that he have practice with Tohei Sensei as well. I don't know if for a long period or in a seminar only.

domo,

shiete
i am a student of max tian sensei since 1990. here is what i know of his history with aikido. sensei max started aikido when tohei sensei was still master general of aikikai. i have personally seen his shodan and nidan certificates with o'sensei's signature mark on it. i am told that he also got higher dan gradings while o'sensei was still alive but that these certificates were lost in a fire that claimed max tian sensei's home in cebu.
after tohei sensei established the ki society and when tohei sensei decided to separate from aikikai, max tian sensei went with him and established the cebu ki society. as for his training, max tian sensei was a one on one student or uchideshi of koichi tohei sensei. his personal training under koichi tohei sensei was full time from sun up to sundown. as of this writing, the cebu ki society and max tian sensei are the only recognized affiliates of ki no kenkyukai in the philippines. max tian sensei teaches ki aikido at the baseline gym in cebu city.

[Teena Inayan]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150266286698642&set=a.10150266285253642.395881.796288641&type=1&ref=nf