Arte Suave Manila - The aftermath

As the final roll of mats got strapped, wrapped and ready for transport, I found myself standing in the middle of everything – a vast space where history was made.

The pillars and hallways of Commercenter Alabang will never be the same.

Its walls have heard screams and chants of adoration for the victors who fought on its surfaces. Its windows bore witness to the joys of victory and the tears of defeat.

Through the efforts of like-minded and passionate people, what was once a dream became a reality. After so much planning and organizing – Arte Suave Manila was born.

The first of many.

Triumvirate Fighting had a vision of cultivating a grass roots program to develop talent and provide exposure for white and blue belts in the local Brazilian Jiujitsu scene. They are, after all, the future of this martial art. 

Personally, I wanted an avenue for the young guns to take center stage and show people what they got. Most BJJ tournaments are focused on watching Purple – Black belt divisions that the first two belt levels are often ignored, which shouldn’t be the case. I love watching whites and blues go at it for the simple reason that they are at the stage wherein everything they do is driven by their passion for the sport.

From the spazzy-adrenaline enhanced-spur of the moment scrambles to the look of relief after each conquest. The frustrations after getting bummed out and the breaking down of people in the sidelines due to exhaustion all lead to creating an experience that everyone will carry for the rest of their lives. Nothing beats the feeling of overcoming obstacles that react and fight back. The lessons from joining a tournament (whether you win or lose) helps the person improve both as a competitor and as a human being.

We wanted to keep the fire burning. We wanted to keep the passion alive. We wanted more stories to be shared. We wanted more names to be discovered. We wanted to make everyone feel that what they are practicing was worth it. We wanted to change the landscape on how things are done.

 We wanted to make it better.

Whatever we nervously did for two days exhibited what we are all about. We were able to pull in competitors from all BJJ academies, gave them good competition, have them compete on the best mats possible, a nice venue and winners got more than a medal.

The smiles, laughter, high fives and hugs shared during those days made all the trouble worth it. This is what Jiujitsu is all about – sharing each moment with the people you love.

As I stood there, in that vast empty space as they rolled out the rest of the mats, I ended up telling myself - We’re going to do this again ;)

The team behind the success of Arte Suave Manila.

Keeping the Rollapalooza vibe

Philippine Brazilian Jiujitsu is fairly on its toddler years as far as I am concerned. The growing years of the art and the sport has been a steady pace. There are different schools now that people can sign up based on location, style and preference. These schools shape up not only their students but the competition landscape as well. As far as the local competition scene goes; it does not lack the artistry, flamboyance, drama and highlight reel worthy moves that are present elsewhere around the globe.

If you are one of the few right now addicted to BJJ and you plan to join any of the tournaments within the year, make sure you go to Rollapalooza.

Next tourney date (2015) *image from their Facebook page

Prof. Ali Sulit (Atos Black Belt) and his team were able to create that merry mix of chill vibe, upbeat tracks and warm environment that exhibits the lifestyle of every Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioner in the country. It is like entering one big dojo where people just line up and wait for their turn to roll.

However, let not the image and the atmosphere fool you into thinking that competition will be easy.

I have fought many great matches against game individuals. Most of my more memorable fights were in Rollapalooza. Everybody wanted to win.  This only ensures participants that there are no walks in the park matches here.

Agianst one of Atos' finest - Aldo Vergel De Dios
(my first taste of a well executed foot lock)

From its humble beginnings at the Ateneo Martial Arts center with only one big mat area split in half by long punching bags (sometimes competitors end up overlapping during attempted takedowns or throws), Rollapalooza is held either at the Fisher Mall along Quezon Avenue or at the Blue Eagle Gym inside Ateneo de Manila campus. The growing number of supporters led to major improvements and expanded tourney formats. A recently concluded boracay leg of the tournament is a testament of Rollapalooza’s growth and significance in the local BJJ scene.

Rollapalooza 2010

Our team has always been a big supporter of this event

Francis Uy of Submissions Sports PH and the flashy Carlo Laurel

With my coaches Jerome Lepiten and Richard Lasprilla

This is what NOT to do while waiting for your brackets (I have the best teammates)

What I admire the most is the driving force behind the movement. They are a bunch of passionate individuals who just want to share the lifestyle and spread the love that unites us all. Joining “Rolla” provides each participant the tournament atmosphere but with that unique sense of camaraderie present in our respective gyms.

Everybody is all smiles during the day. We slap and bump hands. We fight like there’s no tomorrow.  We raise each other’s hands in victory and walk off the mats letting the good vibes roll.

Keeping that cool vibe. With Andrew Laxa, Prof. Ali Sulit and Pons Ponce, 

12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub

Artistry has yet to be defined thoroughly.

Craftsmanship is dependent on the art or the person.

Taste is subjective on palate and preference.

Recognition – expressed by both friends and foes.

Yet all of these words are necessary to achieve one goal – Success.

All of these can be found entering the doors of the hippest and nicest establishment to ever grace the grounds of Makati City – 12 Monkeys Music Hall.

A small flight of steps welcomes guests to a multi-colored wall of music memoirs that doubles up as a gig guide for patrons on who will play for the week. The main door of the pub provides a panoramic view of the entire hall. The bar is on the right, dining and cocktail tables all over; the stage is on the left corner and the DJ’s booth on its opposite side. Several couches are available at the foot of the stage while al fresco lovers need not fret because an access door on the left side leads to the balcony area giving you a picturesque view of the city after the sun sets and the lights go up.

The idea of building something like this can only be conceived by those who are driven by passion, love for the craft and the unwavering belief that the local music scene must (and will) survive. Two of the “Monkeys” – Chito Miranda (Parokya ni Edgar) and Champ Lui Pio (HALE) believed that it can be done and brought to life an establishment that was once thought a thing of the past.

Upon completion, Chito wrote on his Facebook account that 12 Monkeys was the realization of a dream place where people could just chill and listen to bands play their music. Champ firmly believed that Pinoy Music will always have a place in everyone’s heart. Creating a place like “12” provides a venue for fans to relive the songs they grew up listening to, at the same time, offer an avenue for up and coming acts/indie bands to showcase their stuff to a wider audience.

The proprietors, being musicians, ensured that the stage and its sound system are up to par with their standards. The lights that accentuate the stage and the entire music hall blend in perfect harmony come show time – making sure that each night provides a unique eargasmic experience.

Great music is not the only thing this place can provide when people visit this institution. They also offer one of the best tasting food selections with catchy creative names that would definitely titillate all gastronomical senses.

Midnight in Pares

Based on the Pinoy rice staple viand, this masterpiece is a mix of soft meat in savory sauce. On top of a hearty serving of rice, this is a MUST on your “to eat list” upon visiting.

Sometimes pictures do not bring taste justice.

Nacho Ordinary Nacho

A delightful take on a finger food staple; each bite provides that tang of spice mixed with textures of meat, minced vegetables and creamy sauce.

Crunchy meaty goodness.

St. Peter's Egg

Not for the faint of heart. The Filipino classic “balut” gets a grand make-over in terms of flavor, preparation and presentation.

Other notable treats from the menu are: Spam Fries, Oyster Sisig and Killer Chicharones

Enjoy these delightful treats while bands like Side A, Rivermaya and South Border render oldie but goodie classics. Grab a cocktail and chill as Up Dharma Down, Freestyle and The Raes serenade all the stress away. It is time to grab a bottle and go hard when Franco, Urbandub and Razorback belt out their aggressive lyrical beats that make you forget that there is work the following day.

The resto-bar landscape is a diverse scene that is continuously evolving. It has become a hybrid of several concepts executed in the proper time with the uncertainty of success. Many who venture in such an endeavor will find the latest pop-kid formula and sell it as the new “in” thing.

HALE graces the stage and gets shrieks from the ladies.

The future of OPM - The Raes

Gabby Alipe of Urbandub sure knows how to electrify a crowd

Just one of them nights at 12 Monkeys

Sample gig guide on their Facebook and Instagram pages

However, there are those driven by memories, moved by passion and acted for the love of what they do. It takes a penchant for being sentimental to create a haven for re-living moments. A place for remembering heartaches and joys with each line of a song; Faces gushing through every breath on the mic by a band followed through the years and enjoying the company of friends that share the same sentiment(s) with the rest of the crowd.

12 Monkeys is located at the 5^th of the Century Mall Kalayaan Ave. cor. Salamanca St. Poblacion Makati City

follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Just type in 12 Monkeys Music Hall

We Fight Everyday (overdue-2)

“Everyone is fighting something” – Renzo Gracie

Our daily existence is based on struggle. The very strand of our human fiber is geared towards survival. From daily bouts with monotonous routines, battles with the stress of our daily grind, down to huge wars that either make or break us – we all have fights to deal with every single day.

Ingrained in all of us is that warrior, just waiting to be unleashed given a situation, or when pushed to the limit. We look at adversity in the eye and just say “f*ck it!” to the tune of hands flaring and bombs thrown.

In the end, we raise our hands victorious. Oblivious to the numbers in the stands, or the volume of witnesses in the crowd – what matters to us is we've won.

This is homage to the Filipino warrior and to the Philippine Martial Arts community

Filled within the pages and pages that will be scrolled, viewed, downloaded, grabbed, copied, and shared are the stories and events that unfolded that made us the people we are today – the modern Pinoy fighter. From weekend warriors, midnight athletes, thrill seekers, passion hobbyists, down to the professionals roaming the country.

This site will hopefully be the platform for their stories as well as ours - From the rigors of training, down to the pains of making weight.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all fighting something.

#BJJ #MMA #MartialArts

That First Step into everything (overdue-1)

A Chinese philosopher became popular by saying “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”



But what happens after taking the second? Or the third? What happens next when we reach the bend? How do we turn the corner?  - Questions even Lao Tzu probably didn’t have the answers to.
He just wanted to have a starting point. Like we all do.
 

Let me show you what happened when I did ;)



It starts with baby steps, a lot of hesitation, brought about by fear and uncertainty. Then the strides become longer, loose, relaxed and free flowing. Apprehensions have lessened and acceptance comes easier. Before you know it, you realize you’ve developed a pace and there’s no stopping from there.
 

Here are the steps that I take everyday

From the places we eat

The destinations we travel to

The people we meet along the way

Paired with the journey on which martial arts has taken me

It’s a journal - Pieces of me worth sharing in the hopes of making a difference.



Because at the end of it all, I want to look back and see how far I’ve gone since taking my first step ;)
 

#fighter #traveler #foodlover