2009 Original Filipino Tapado Reunion Part II: Tapadistas Reassures Support for OFT By: James U. Sy Jr.

Tapadistas who are related to the Mamar and Lobrido Clans of Brgy. Taloc, Bago City reaffirmed their undying support and loyalty to Original Filipino Tapado and its Una nga Tigsubli (1st Generation Inheritor) Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido during the 2009 Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. Reniuon and General Assembly last March 1, 2009 at the Shelton Beach, Brgy. Pta. Taytay, Bacolod City.

The old timers of Original Filipino Tapado (OFT) took center stage and gave their respective messages to the more than 46 attendees of the gathering. Jenny Mamar, a cousin of GM Lobrido, remembered their late uncle, Founder/Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar (1938-2005), offering him to continue the legacy of his art after his passing. He, however, declined, knowing too well that such an honor would require a lot of responsibilities and expectations. Besides, GM Lobrido was the most experienced of the tapadistas next to the Founder, having been his assistant since his teen years and ultimately the Chief Instructor of his art up to the Founder’s passing. Jenny Mamar, who is a Senior Instructor in Original Filipino Tapado, ended his message with this, “Kami nga pamilya, ginatugyan namon ang pagpalakat kag pagdumala sang Original Filipino Tapado sa kay Bebing (Our family is assigning the management of Original Filipino Tapado to Bebing).”

Master Joe Pamilanco, another relative to the Mamars and Lobridos and a retired military man, expressed his continued support to the association and GM Lobrido. As a member of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) and the Philippine Army (PA), he had traveled to Luzon where he had pitted his skills in Tapado against the other extant systems there and succeeded each time. Pamilanco is one of only four individuals to be promoted to Master in Original Filipino Tapado by the Founder during his lifetime.

Another pioneer exponent of Original Filipino Tapado, Ernesto Jacinto, said that his practice of the art was put on hold because of family life but his support is still with the group. He expressed his joy to see Original Filipino Tapado still flourishing 49 years after its founding and 4 years after the passing of the Founder.

Master Nelson G. Carmona (B: 1948), a cousin to the late Founder, narrated his experiences in Original Filipino Tapado, beginning with the start of his training under GM Mamar in 1969. He went on to become one of his sparring partners and at times assistant. In the early days, when he was still employed with State Theater, Carmona facilitated for the group to be able to practice at the back part of the theater. Later, Edilberto “Bing” leong, proprietor of the Golden Country manokan, offered his place in Libertad for the group’s training venue.

Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal of the KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA), one of the special guests of OFTLSFA, Inc., expressed his thanks for being invited to the family affair and for being received with a warm welcome. He related that he too is a teacher of Arnis yet he still appreciates the uniqueness of Original Filipino Tapado. He revealed that GM Lobrido shared with him the basics of the art when the latter went to his home the night before as a gift from one grandmaster to another.

GM Lobrido, on the other hand, announced that he will be teaching a batch of about 20 teenagers in Brgy. Taloc this coming summer and invited old timers to review their techniques and assist in teaching.

2009 Original Filipino Tapado Reunion Part I: A Time For Brotherhood By: James U. Sy Jr.

The Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. successfully held the 2009 OFTLSAI Reniuon and General Assembly last March 1, 2009 at the Shelton Beach, Brgy. Pta. taytay, Bacolod City.

More than 46 members of the Mamar and Lobrido Clans and association members together with invited guest instructors from the Martial Arts community were in attendance to rekindle memories and camaraderie.

It was the fourth reunion of the association to be held under the presidency of Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido, the nephew and Una nga Tigubli (1st Generation Inheritor) of the late Founder/Grandmaster Romeo "Nono" C. Mamar (1938-2005).

The reunion also marked the 25th Year Anniversary of OFTLSFA, Inc., having been founded as the first and official governing body for Original Filipino Tapado in 1984 in Bago City. Original Filipino Tapado (founded 1960), on the other hand is now on its 49th year.

The gathering was more of a family affair with everybody interacting with each other. The serenity of the beach provided an atmosphere where the attendees could relax, chat, and update each other of new developments in the "family."
Those in attendance were Narciso "Hansy" L. Alojado, Jake Bugna, Warlito Caniamo, Master Nelson Carmona, Joeffrey S. Deriada, Lafayette "Laf" A. Diamante, Rufino Fernandez, Joy Gallos, Pastor Romeo N. Gumban, Maica Jacinto, Master Clodualdo "Budoy" Lobrido, Cory Lobrido, Ernesto Jacinto, GM Benefredo "Bebing" M. Lobrido, Robie P. Lobrido, Rosenda P. Lobrido, Kyle Ray B. Maguad, Dr. Raymund Antonio A. Maguad, Dra. Saja marie B. Maguad, Hernando Mamar, Jinny Mamar, GM Elmer V. Montoyo, Elmer "Don-Don" P. Montoyo, Ronnie Ngalongalay, Eduardo Octavio, Glicerio Paloma, Master Joe Pamilangco, Cesar Perez Jr., Dependo Perez, Eliseo Perez Jr., Roleto Ruilan, James U. sy Jr., Phoebus "Junby" Teruel, Hieroteo "Didoy" Villarosa,
Rodolfo Zambales, and others who had not signed in the attendance sheet.

Special guests from other Martial arts schools include Master Joery C. amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main), Grandmaster Danilo "Danny" Cardinal, Master Elizalde Aspan, Danny John Cardinal, and Danver Cardinal of the KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA), Founder/Chairman Abraham Ganzobn Jr. and his student of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA), and Grandmaster Jose "Joe" Mancesa and his student of Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA).

New Member of the Group

(Sr. Instructor Joeffrey Deriada with Mr. Phoebus Teruel, Jr)


Starting Last January we changed venue in our Saturday practice of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Art. From the YMCA Building in Burgos St., Bacolod City, we transferred to the Universal Caregivers School at #83A Cor. Rosario-Locsin Sts., Bacolod City, home of the Universal Defensive Tactics Academy under the instructorship of Master Instructor Abraham Ganzon.
For almost a month now, new member, Mr. Phoebus Teruel, Jr, has been practicing with us at the UDTA venue. Before he had a session with the chief instructor/1st generation inheritor GM Benefredo Mamar Lobrido, he had several sessions with the core group members namely: GM Elmer Montoyo, Sr, Senior instructors Jame U. Sy, Jr, SI Hansy Alojado and SI Joefrey Deriada.

libreto sang OFT

This is the manual of OFT in movie form. It is in ilonggo.

talok practice

Video clips of our (OFT) core group practice session with headmaster GM Bebing Lobrido at his rice farm. It is located at purok langka, bgy. taloc, bago city. negros occidental.



Aside from the long stick that we used during practice, there is also a short stick which is being used during exhibition and demonstration. it is based on the long stick accroding to the headmaster GM Bebing Lobrido.



new linyadas were being practiced during our visit to the headmasters' residence.




Aside from treating us to the smell of burning coffee sticks due to its impact during practice, lunch was also served to us, as part of our relaxation in between practice.