MMA Toronto Universal | Mixed Martial Arts

For the first time in Toronto, Canada, Masters and Instructors of Kali-Eskrima-Arnis are cordially invited to come together in the spirit of brotherhood, help build camaraderie in the local FMA community, increase awareness and appreciation of other FMA styles/systems and promote the “Warrior Arts of the Philippines.”

This is a challenging, yet exciting and rewarding event for all of us who are passionate about the Filipino Martial Arts. The purpose and objective of this informal event is to gather Instructors and practitioners of the Filipino Martial Arts in our city in spirits of brotherhood and friendships. We truly believe that although we each stand firm and loyal to our particular style/system, we can cordially and warmly meet and gather as friends and allies and learn from each other through workshops.

If you are an FMA Instructor and would like to support and be part of this important event, please send information about yourself and your style/system to: makata.yan@gmail.com. Presenters can choose to do a demo or a workshop.

No fighting or Politics. Be part of history. Salamat & Mabuhay!!

Host:

Guro Ramon Villardo, Bakbakan International, Canada

647-500-1023

Bakbakan-Sibukan Kali Ilustrisimo/Tagaan Arnis Team competed in Buffalo, New York on May 8, 2010 at Datu Tim Hartman’s Kali/Arnis Open Tournament. Teams from Hamilton, Toronto,  Buffalo, N.Y., Virginia and Minnesota competed in Full-Contact Continuous sparring, Point sparring and Sword Fighting. The Team won 4 Gold Medals; 5 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze.  Our team won the most medals. Congratulations on a job well done!

Judo or Jūdō (柔道, jūdō?, meaning “gentle way”) is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century.

Learn traditional KODOKAN JUDO at Universal Mixed Martial Arts taught by International Judo Federation Certified Instructor. Classes weekend mornings- Time: Sat. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Beginners welcome. Judo is a great way to be physically and mentally active!!!

For more information, please call 647-830-1681.

Are you looking to run your own martial arts class, dance, personal training program, or yoga class but don’t have a place or facility to do it? Look no further! Please contact Kru Paul Tudlong at (905) 201-6431 or (647) 882-6607 to inquire.

2010 BAKBAKAN KALI-ILUSTRISIMO -  “OPEN WORKSHOP”

At the completion of the workshop, a certificate of participation will be issued to each participant. Please call 647-500-1023 to reserve your space for this workshop which will change the way you train.

Note: The following is an excellent article written by Mr. Bill Cole, MS, MA, that everyone, regardless of martial art discipline they practice, should read (Guro Ramon Villardo).

What does it mean to be mentally tough? Why do top achievers and performers revere it? Does mental toughness imply being insensitive, uncaring and rude? Does it mean being cold, selfish, unethical and overly aggressive? Not at all. An individual with mental toughness can be quite well mannered, ethical, friendly, helpful, affable and warm. The quality of mental toughness means that an individual has the ability to master the naturally unmanageable desires of the body and mind and bring them under a discipline to achieve and sustain demanding goals and performance under pressure.

Mental toughness is something championship athletes possess. Any military person should have plenty of it. Police and fire personnel personify it. Disciplined musicians, theater actors and public speakers have it. Sales people and leaders display it every day.

This article describes these 69 characteristics of mental toughness. Use it to discuss the nuances and seeming paradoxes of this highly desirable quality.

1. Self-discipline

2. Makes a commitment

3. Displays self-sacrifice

4. Loves the battle

5. Loves pressure

6. Loves competition

7. Handles mind games

8. Does not sabotage self

9. Has mature emotional control

10. Can perform injured

11. Does not beat self

12. Knows how to win

13. High self-esteem

14. High self confidence

15. Controls slumps

16. Controls burnout

17. Loves the game

18. Ability to handle pain and discomfort

19. More than adequate physical fitness

20. Has endurance and persistence

21. Bounces back from adversity

22. Uses challenges to grow

23. Realistic viewpoints and judgments

24. Uses reality checks

25. Take-charge mind set

26. Thinks like a winner

27. Takes calculated and bold risks

28. Controls what they can and lets the rest go

29. Assertive and aggressive

30. Killer instinct

31. Will to prepare to win

32. Will to win

33. Loves to win

34. Hates to lose

35. Self-motivated

36. Self-aware

37. Makes own luck

38. Raises game when needed

39. Gives 110%, but doesn’t try too hard

40. Leaves no regrets after a contest

41. Has mental discipline

42. Sees difficulties as challenges

43. Accepts the stress and pain of competition

44. Handles the paradox of success

45. Pushes self when necessary

46. Overcomes or pushes past fears

47. Has high standards

48. Loves hard work

49. Learns well from mistakes

50. Handles losing emotionally

51. Recovers quickly from mistakes

52. Learns from mistakes and losses

53. Adjusts tactics and performance mid-stride

54. Paces self, knows how to recover

55. Not sensitive to criticism and coaching

56. Unwavering concentration

57. Maintains focus

58. High achiever, not a perfectionist

59. Fair sportsmanship

60. Competes fully-no tanking

61. Controls momentum

62. Shows excellent personal image to opponent

63. Influences key players

64. Visualizes success

65. Stays centered

66. Sets realistic goals

67. Has an advance game plan

68. Has contingency plans

69. Controls the clock

10 Questions About These 69 Mental Toughness Characteristics

1. How can you TELL when someone is mentally tough?

2. How can you tell when someone does NOT have mental toughness?

3. What are the ADVANTAGES of being mentally tough?

4. What PROBLEMS arise when an individual is NOT mentally tough?

5. How does one ACHIEVE mental toughness?

6. In WHAT ARENAS is mental toughness desirable?

7. WHO would you point to as EXAMPLES of mental toughness?

8. What are some BARRIERS that PREVENT people from achieving mental toughness?

9. What are some MISCONCEPTIONS about mental toughness?

10. What about being mentally tough seems PARADOXICAL AND CONTRADICTORY?

Copyright © Bill Cole, MS, MA and web address (SportsPsychologyCoaching.com)

Ronnie Ricketts, Filipino Martial art expert, film actor & producer, Chief  Instructor Bakbakan International(Kali Ilustrisimo)

President Gloria Arroyo officially signed REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9850 “An Act declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines“ on December 11, 2009. According to Mr.Raymond Velayo, ARNIS PHILIPPINES President, the law will preserve part of our heritage and will instill in the minds of our people the sense of nationalism, patriotism, national unity and identity.

It was Arnis Philippines headed by President Velayo who painstakingly lobbied for the approval of the Bill in both houses of Congress since the time of former Senator Orly Mercado in 1995, the late Senator Robert Barbers and Cong. Miguel Zubiri(Note: Senator Zubiri is a Kali Ilustrisimo practitioner and member of Bakbakan International) in 2001 until its passage into law by action star turned Senator Lito Lapid, Senators Miguel Zubiri, Mar Roxas, Richard Gordon, Ramon Revilla, Jr., Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Congressmen Arthur Pingoy, Jr., Pryde Henry Teves, Cesar Jalosjos, Nanette Castelo Daza and Narciso Santiago III with the help of ARNIS PHILIPPINES Directors Servillano Padiz, Jr. (first President of Sepak-takraw and father of Sepak-takraw of the Philippines), Ramon Dizon (Businessman/ Sportsman), Medardo Quiambao (Businessman/Sportsman), Richmond Velayo (Jeweler/ Sportsman).

The law mandates Arnis as a physical education course for the DepEd and will be one of its priorities come 2010 Palarong Pambansa according to Cong. Teves. According to Mr. Velayo, Arnis is being practiced in all five clusters of the Philippine Olympic Festival (POF) and in all 17 regions in the Palarong Pambansa, the National-based Sports Program promulgated by the Department of Education, all in coordination with the ARNIS PHILIPPINES, 33rd Official Member of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

ARNIS PHILIPPINES has successfully lobbied for the inclusion of Arnis in the last 1991 & 2005 SEAGAMES. Now it would be easier to lobby for its inclusion in all international sports events like SEAGAMES, ASIAN GAMES, and ultimately, the OLYMPICS. Mr. Velayo expects more support from all sectors both public and private.

President Raymond Velayo, ARNIS PHILIPPINES Board of Directors Medardo Quiambao and Ramon Dizon were paying a courtesy call to the Authors of Arnis Bill at the House of Representatives in Q.C. The Board of Directors of ARNIS PHILIPPINES congratulated and handed out Presidential Citations for having demonstrated their nationalism and patriotism by sponsoring and having it approved in the Halls of Congress of the Republic of the Philippines a REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9850 “An Act declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines”.

What would you do after you have been forced to defend yourself or your loved ones against an attacker? Let’s take, for example, that after you have been attacked or assaulted in the street, you seriously injure your assailant. Legally speaking what you choose to do after an attack can affect your future. On the other hand, morally speaking, to help or assist your attacker who a moment ago was trying to kill you is debatable.

The following is a list of some thoughts on what you, as a responsible martial artist, may or may not choose to do in the aftermath of an attack.

CALL THE POLICE. If an attack happens to take place outside your home, one thing you should do is call the police. You may even have to leave the scene to reach a phone. However, before you leave the scene, you should make note of street names and other landmarks to enable you to provide accurate directions for the police. If, on the other hand, the attack takes place inside your home, it is important for you to tell the police that you have an injured stranger/attacker in your house.

CALL THE AMBULANCE. If you call an ambulance after you injure your attacker, it will be a point in your favor and will look good in a court of law. Just because you “finished” the fight does not necessarily mean that the incident is over. There is the LAW to contend with after. Morally speaking, to call for an ambulance is the humane thing to do for your attacker. Again, not all would agree with this line of thought. Many people including martial artists would find it hard to seek help or provide assistance for someone who just a moment ago was trying to inflict harm and injury upon one’s person.

Whether the attack happens outside or in your own home, it is very important that you take steps to help protect your situation should your attacker decide to ‘battle it out’ a second time in court. Also, being an expert or a practitioner of martial arts can turn out to be a disadvantage for you. This fact could be easily twisted and manipulated making you the ‘bad’ guy! It is the possibility of such cases that it is indeed to your advantage to call for an ambulance to provide medical care and assistance your attacker.

DESCRIPTIONS. Take careful note of all details regarding your attacker. You will probably be asked by the police for a description of your assailant. How tall? What was the color of his eyes? His hair? What ethnic origin? What does he look like? What was he wearing? Do you recall any distinguishing marks, such as tattoos, scars, birthmarks or any easily discernible physical characteristics or defects? The way you answer these questions will provide the interviewing officers with a favorable or an unfavorable impression that may influence the police report on the incident.

CLEANING UP. If an attack happens, especially for women, as distasteful as it seems, you should not attempt to clean up. For example, if a woman has been a victim of rape, her physical condition after the attack is an important evidence in court. Instead, she should proceed immediately to a nearby hospital for examination and treatment.

If an attack takes place in your home, you should not attempt to clean up your house after defending yourself there. For example, if you clean up the broken glass around a broken window through which your attacker gained his access, it may be challenged in court whether your window was broken that evening. Your attacker’s lawyer may argue that your ‘evidence’ (i.e. broken window), may have been broken a few days ago. Your lawyer, on the other hand, must then prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the evidence holds true. The point here is that do not attempt to destroy or alter any type of evidence that may be useful and necessary if you go to court.

STAY AWAY FROM YOUR ATTACKER. Remember just because you injured your attacker, it does not necessarily follow that he is no longer capable of hurting you. He may be playing injured in hopes that you will come close enough for him to grab you while your defenses are down. The simple rule to follow is keep your distance and to stay alert .

EXAMINE YOURSELF FOR INJURIES. In the heat of battle, you may not be aware of your own injuries. This is true especially if your injury is not life-threatening. However, once you are safe from your attacker, you should examine yourself for cuts, stabs, especially if a weapon (i.e. a knife) is involved.

LEAVE THE SCENE. If you are attacked and have successfully defended yourself, one simple option is to leave your attacker where he lies and never look back.

About the Author:

Guro Ramon Villardo is a Toronto, Canada based Filipino martial art instructor. He is a Regional Director of Bakbakan International, Toronto, Canada, Chapter (a martial arts fraternity specializing in the development and promotion of the “Warrior Arts of the Philippines”-Arnis/Kali/Eskrima). He currently teaches the Filipino Martial Art of Bakbakan-Sibukan Kali Ilustrisimo and Tulisan Knife Fighting System at UMMA.

Copyright © 2009 UMMA/Bakbakan International, Toronto, Canada, Ramon Villardo

Right click and save as to print the image. Please refer to “Our Schedules & Fees” to view the current Class Schedules.

We are pleased to announce our new addition of Martial Arts Instructor in the name of Guro Ramon Villardo.  It is our pleasure to introduce various forms of martial arts in our gym specially Filipino Martial Arts in the form of Weapons Instruction. This way the community will have choices defending on their goal and aspirations.  Whether you just want to improve your cardio for physical fitness or learn self defense in the form of karate, kung fu, taekwondo, muay thai, yawyan, judo, juijitsu, submission wrestling, sibukan mma, etc. May be you want to become a professional fighter or want to learn reality based mixed martial arts.  It’s all in here at our gym.  Our mission is to give people lots of choices.  In the end everybody wins.

Guro Ramon Villardo was first introduced to boxing when he was just 10 years old and since then he has been studying the martial arts. He is a full-fledged member and Regional Director of Bakbakan International in Canada (a brotherhood of martial artists head quartered in Manila, Philippines and New Jersey, U.S.A. dedicated to the propagation and proliferation of the Filipino Martial Arts). He was a former Weapon Instructor at Moni Aizik (Combat Krav Maga) gym in North Toronto, Impact Martial Arts. Currently, BAKBAKAN INTERNATIONAL, CANADA is Headquartered at Universal Mixed Martial Arts, North York, Ontario, Canada.

Guro Ramon was personally trained by Master Rey Galang, one of the “five pillars” of Kali Ilustrisimo, in the art of Bakbakan Kali Ilustrisimo, Sinawali and Tulisan Knife Fighting System. Guro Ramon also collaborated and trained closely with his friend, the late Master Fred Garcia founder of YawYan-Sibukan after Master Fred invited him to teach at UMMA. He currently teaches the highly revered Filipino Martial Arts of Bakbakan Kali-Ilustrisimo & Sibukan-Kali (aka BAKBAKAN-SIBUKAN KALI ILUSTRISIMO), Tulisan Knife Fighting System, Sinawali, “Dos Manos” and Knife Self-Defense.

Guro Ramon is also a martial arts journalist and seminar instructor. Aside from these qualifications he has attained blackbelt rank in Okinawan Goju Ryu and Sifu ranking in the Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. He also studied other martial arts such as Harimau (Tiger) Pencak Silat, Savate, Muay Thai, Tai Chi Chuan, Grappling, Filipino Boxing, and YawYan-Sibukan. He was mentioned in the book of Master Renaldo Galang “Classic Arnis.”

Rev. Mr. Ramon is also an ordained deacon.

(Note: If the martial art you practice is primarily “empty hand” (striking/grappling) but would like add weapons training or weapons self-defense to your arsenal, Guro Ramon is available to conduct seminars/workshops at your school. He can be e-mailed directly at ramonvillardo@gmail.com or reached at 647-500-1023).