I’VE been hooked on mixed martial arts (MMA) for the past many years since I discovered the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) series on local TV. My favourites were an American Japanese fighter and Ronda Rousey, the pretty, female American who kept winning every fight until she met female boxer Holly Holm. After that defeat, she was no longer as active.
Then several years ago, I found local MMA fights being televised and I watched Eduard Folayang perform like an international pro! Another surprise was he comes from Benguet, and Baguio is where he works, teaching PE at the University of the Cordilleras.
Another surprise: there were many other Cordillera fighters who were on TV matches: Danny Kingad, Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio etc. There I saw the agility, the speed and the strength, the bravery and the professionalism that each showed. I was hooked this time on shows that presented these warriors of the Cordillera. Since then, I’ve been following their fights; and their skills have really made me cry...they were admirable!
I was a proud Baguio citizen! I could not believe that among the people in Baguio, Benguet, would emerge a batch of fighters, WARRIORS to my mind. Sadly though, each fight I witnessed where these warriors won the championship was not announced so much nor was the winning given sparkling recognition, on TV or in the newspapers, local or national.
Note their successes: Folayang won URCC welterweight champion, Banario, URCC lightweight champion, Dave Galera, URCC bantamweight champion, Belingon, URCC flyweight champion, Docyogen, URCC pinweight champion, Crisanto Pitpitunge, PXC bantamweight champion and Banario is the former ONE FC featherweight champion.
My observation: the Cordillera warriors are strong. Folayang is not easily unbalanced by side kicks. He has the stamina of a bull. On the other hand, Belingon is fast and what I admire most is his ability to get out from being grappled on the ground, which is a very difficult position for most fighters.
Last month, on July, the success of Kevin Belingon was captured by media, but not enough. Edward Folayang and Joshua Pacio share the limelight with Belingon. Each of them won in their categories! Three Cordillerans in one day’s event! Imagine that?
I wonder at times where the fighters get their strength. Is it the Baguio air, the altitude which many say defines the respiration capacity of the fighter, or is it the food? Hiking the mountains, eating Benguet camote, rice, potatoes, veggies etc? Or perhaps it is the heart of the Cordilleran, which flows with bravery since they have been warriors in ancient history.
Being a warrior is common in the blood of the Cordilleran, but now, they have to fight only for what is right and limited to the ring of the MMA. Their training is under Team Lakay, which is often announced when the fighter wins. Congratulations to the people behind this team. You’ve done excellent work and you can expect a lot of appreciation from the fans of MMA and that includes me.
An example of bravery: During World War 2, the Cordillera guerrillas helped push away the Japanese who made Baguio their camp, their prison and their offices. Dennis Molintas was the leader of the guerilla group under the 66th Infantry Division. They attacked and shoved away from Baguio the Japanese who made their official quarters in the former Pines Hotel, Camp John Hay, etc. Those were warriors of the first degree.
A corollary thought, should we not have our Cordillera warriors of the mixed martial arts in the Philippine military? Their leadership can protect and save our nation!
It is only this year that attention is being given to these excellent Cordillera warriors. Let’s give our own champions the honor they deserve.
Viva Cordillera MMA fighters! The Montañosa is behind you!
I love you Baguio!