New aikido club welcomes members

WITH the objective of teaching effective ways and the art of self-defense and to develop physical, moral and social fitness among its practitioners and increase disciplined and responsible among individuals, a new martial aikido club opened in Baguio City.

Ferwin Nampunan, chairman of the Philippine Buddokan Aikido Federation Inc. Baguio, said the club was organized in order to teach enrollees techniques and ways of self-defense, especially in situations like hold-ups, harassment (especially among women), knife attacks and resisting arrest (specially for law enforcers).

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However, Nampunan said aikido is still considered a non-combative sport because of its nature adding it does not use excessive force to neutralize an opponent.

“The stronger the attacker, the stronger the defense. Aikido is suited for all ages from children, young adult, adult and aged people,” he said.

“Ang Aikido ay walang pinipiling edad kahit matanda basta nakakatayo pwede,” Nampunan said.

The Philippine Buddokan Aikido Federation Inc. Baguio has at least 30 enrollees including four women both at main branch YMCA Baguio City and Kilometer 6 Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The club has seven instructors who teach everyday at different schedules. The club also opens lifetime membership and monthly membership.

“Ang kaibahan nito sa ibang martial arts ay makontrol mo yung tao na hindi mo gagamitin ang malakas na force. Kahit gaano kalakas ung kalaban mo, makokontrol mo parin siya na hindi pa masasaktan,” Romel Himmiwat, one of the enrollees of the club, said.

The club was established in 1993 with the inspiration of Seinsi Jun Moises, director and founder of the club. It was also legally registered with the Security Exchange Commission.

The club has a branch in Brikstone Mall, Tuguegarao, Cagayan. At present, the club is affiliated with the Musubi Aikido Practitioners of the Philippines based in Manila and recognized by the Hombu Dojo world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

PBAFI has also its training programs that are built on the belting and promotion ceremonies. These ceremonies are conducted quarterly and promotions of any member to the next rank or belt are done after accumulating a regular attendance 32 to 80 hours.

Enrollees who acquire regular attendance with the completion of 32 hours will be promoted from white belt to yellow belt. Passing the exams given by the instructors and seniors will also be promoted a yellow belt to purple belt.

First class crown is the next higher promotion which enrollees after completing the 80 hours of regular attendance. After promoted as the first class crown, enrollees are entitled to be endorsed to the higher position which is the Honorary to Official Black.

After passing the examination, the enrollee will be assisting the instructors and seniors in teaching.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morehi Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy and religious beliefs. It is translated as the way of unifying (with) life energy or as the way of harmonious spirit.

It is also performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than the opposing it head-on. The techniques are completed with the various throws or joint locks. It has 20 attack and 15 defense techniques and 20 exercises.