20 Bisdak (Visayan) attended the 4^th Tapok (Gathering) organized by BisdakSG group at Sembawang Park last June 21, 2008, Saturday. Typical stories, jokes, wits and antics were shared over local food delicacies such as adobong manok, “humba” and the spicy kinilaw.

It was a fun evening as we indulge ourselves in speaking our own dialect and telling stories about our experiences. BisdakSG is an independent Visayan egroup which has almost 200 members online has been organizing activities for our Visayan brothers and sisters to promote harmony in our community.

We would like to thank all who brought food and drinks. We would like to acknowledge the BisdakSG moderators who have been always active and enthusiastic in all our activities, every month.

Pictures -> http://www.pinoysg.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=41&catid=57

{mosgoogle left}In 1998, Guro Fred Evrard found Ni Tien Martial Arts Schools in Moorea and Tahiti (French Polynesia), teaching Filipino Martial Arts and Energy work. In 2006, a Ni Tien school was open in Singapore. Our latest school was open in Baguio city, Philippines.

Guro Fred calls the Kali system taught in his schools: Kali Majapahit. It is a synthesis of several Filipino Martial Arts, and some other fighting arts from the ancient Majapahit area in Southeast Asia.

The Martial Arts styles that have influenced the Kali Majapahit curriculum are:

- Kali Sikaran (Punong Guro Jeff Espinous)

- Inayan Eskrima (Suro Mike Inay)

- Panantukan (Lucaylucay style)

- Kali / JKD (Inosanto Kali)

- Muay Thai

- Pencak Silat

- Filipino Silat Kuntao

Guro Fred doesn’t look at his Kali Majapahit as another “style” of Kali, but rather as a “system”; a way of organizing and teaching the Filipino Martial Arts.

The training concepts of Kali Majapahit are multiple but simple. They are based on several sub systems:

- Stick fighting is one of the characteristics of the Filipino martial arts. The training is carried out with one stick (Solo Baston), two sticks (Sinawali), one stick and one knife (Espada y Daga), and at an advanced stage with life blades such as Barong, Kris and Kampilan (Filipino swords). Stick training is important in the development of empty hand skills and has a positive impact in balancing the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Any development in stick training leads to an immediate improvement in the empty hand aspects of Kali. Stick training improves the practitioner’s coordination and flow skills.

- Daga is the Filipino knife fighting system. Knife defence is a known specialty of Kali and Eskrima. Filipino knife fighting techniques have influenced police and military knife defence strategies all over the world.

- Kadena de Mano is the close quarter fighting system of Kali. Using hands, elbows, head butt, knees, simultaneous striking and blocking, striking combinations and reactive drills, Kadena de Mano is a realistic method of self-defense. Flowing and fluidity is a very important aspect of Kadena.

- Panantukan is the Filipino Boxing but also includes techniques and strategies taken from Western & Thai Boxing. Zoning, foot sweeps, foot trapping, pushing, pulling, and grabbing make Panantukan a special and effective form of boxing. The use of elbows, gunting, and trapping are also common characteristics of Panantukan.

- Sikaran / Pananjakman are the kicking styles of Filipino martial arts. Sikaran completes the Panantukan system with additional kneeing and kicking techniques, especially high kicks, which don’t exist in other Filipino systems. Pananjakman focuses on low line “dirty” kicks.

- Dumog is the Filipino grappling system. It includes wrestling, throwing, take down, limb trapping, immobilization, and submission.

- Largo Mano was originally a sword (Kampilan) system. For training, the Kalista uses a 1 metre long stick. The Largo Mano strategy is unique within the Filipino Martial Arts; most styles prefer the short to medium distance, while the use of the Kampilan offers the possibility to touch the opponent without entering the danger zone.

- Sibat / Bangkow is the spear, lance, and long staff system of the Philippines. It completes Largo Mano in the long range of fighting.

- Hilot is a word from the Tagalog dialect meaning “massage therapy” or “Healer”; it is the ancient Filipino art of natural healing which employs massage, acupressure, Chiropractic / Osteopathic manipulation, bone setting, energy, and dietetic for the diagnosis and treatment of physical or emotional health problems.

In Kali Majapahit, these concepts are woven together into a complete and very effective system. Any improvement in one aspect of the Art will accelerate progression in the others.

by Speedbiker

“Bringing paintball closer to the community…”

{mosgoogle left}SINGAPORE, 10 June 08 – Singapore’s first official paintball tournament, the Singapore Paintball Novice Series (SPNS) 2008 Leg 2 will be held on 22 June 2008 at Red Dynasty Paintball Field located in Bottle Tree Park, Yishun.

With a humble beginning of 7 participating teams in SPNS Leg 1, Leg 2 of the SPNS series will see at least 15 paintball teams battling one another, vying for the Champion title. “With a two fold increase in the number of participating teams as compared to Leg 1, there is a clear indication that paintball is picking up in Singapore” said Jane Koh, President of the Paintball Association (Singapore), PBAS and tournament director of the SPNS. She added, “With the support from the Singapore Sports Council in SPNS Leg 2, we hope that more people can be introduced to the game of paintball and recognize paintball as a sport for people of all ages.

Amongst the 15 participating teams is PSG Warfreakz Charlie, an all female team formed by a group of Filipinos who work in Singapore. This group of ladies practice paintball regularly and are definitely no pushovers during the competition.

For SPNS, teams can either choose to play in any leg or commit themselves to the entire series in which they will accumulate championship points to be crowned Grand Champion of the series. The competition will take on a 3-on-3 format where the field layout and rules are adopted from the Millennium Series, a highly popular and competitive paintball league in Europe. Prior to participating in SPNS, all participants must undergo a Basic Tournament Orientation (BTO) course which requires them to comprehend competition rules and safety regulations in the sport.

Benedict Chen, a member of the Red Sevens paintball team said “Paintball is a tactical game which helps to promote teambuilding and confidence.” The Red Seven was formed in 2006 and has been promoting paintball in Singapore and competing in regional competitions such as the World Cup Asia 2007 which was held in Malaysia.

The Singapore Paintball Novice Series 2008 is sanctioned by Paintball Association of Singapore (PBAS) and its supporting partners: Singapore Sports Council, Bottle Tree Park, RedDynastyPaintballPark, Botak Jones, Streetballax,, MPOC, Napshot and Red Sevens Paintball Team.

In addition, PSG Warfreaks the official paintball group of PinoySG.com is sending 3 teams to represent the Filipino community in Singapore’s first paintball tournament. The SPNS Leg 1 series was successfully held last March 30, 2008, with PSG Warfreakz capturing the 1^st runner up place. Currently PSG Warfreakz Alpha is number 1 in the ranking based on team points from Leg 1.

Here are the 3 teams that will represent the Filipino community of Singapore

1. PSG Warfreakz Alpha (Nabelrock, Blade, Speedbiker, Exhopek)
2. PSG Warfreakz Bravo (NaughtyIan, Wakoko, Archer, Franiboy, Ipoy)
3. PSG Warfreakz Charlie (Athena, Sweetleen, KitKatz, Bertha, Chel, Moe)

For those who want to watch the game please refer to the map below for direction