Prof. Fernando S. Tinagan, faculty of the Department of Physical Education, College of Arts and Sciences, recently received a gold medal international award as an outstanding black belt practitioner/instructor and a rank promotion from “Lakan Isa” to “Lakan Dalawa” during the 3rd Modern Arnis Tapi Tapi MATTI Gathering and “Presas Arnis Legacy” (PAL) Lakan and Dayang Blackbelt Recognition on February 24-25, 2024, Manila, Philippines.
Prof. Tinagan was given the award of recognition for black belts and rank promotion after a rigid screening and evaluation as to his achievements in the local, national, and even in International Modern Arnis Competitions. He has received multiple awards, especially during the pandemic. He is an accredited judge during the First World Presas Arnis Legacy “PAL” and Trainer/Coach of a Gold and Bronze Medal UPHSI Student in the said World “PAL” Standard Anyo Virtual Competition.
Tinagan is also one of the instrumental PE professors in crafting the PE Arnis Curriculum for the inclusion of said subject both in the UPHSI Senior High School and in the College PE of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV). The said recognition and training participation of Tinagan was also realized through the support of UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano, university officials, the Department of Physical Education (DoPE), as well as the Directors of UPV-MATTI Miagao Chapter: Prof. Ruben Gamala, Prof. Rey Gonzales, and Mr. Mar Sencil.
Simultaneously, Arnis Instruction has been structured by different local and foreign Grand Masters and Senior Masters Instructors from MATTI. The gathering was actively participated in by more than 200 enthusiasts or “Arnisadors” coming from the various parts of the world on February 24-25, 2024 in Manila, Philippines.
A continuation of the training took place on 25 February followed by the demonstration of how traditional Arnis is being practiced and taught in the old days. The counterpart group, which is the Modern Arnis, aims to show participants from western countries how Arnis evolved from traditional practice or Lapu-Lapu style to modern and present times.
A solemn rank promotion to the deserving participants and giving of medals , rank certificates to the “Lakan” and “Dayang” Black Belts in different parts of the world who continuously promote and practice the teaching of the Filipino Martial Arts .
Modern Arnis is considered as a fast-growing martial art and sport not only in the Philippines but all over the world. Most Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) practioneers from other countries were eager to visit the hometown of Modern Arnis to show respect and receive a blessing from our very own Filipino Grandmaster, Prof. Remy Amador Presas, the founder and Father of Modern Arnis.
Senator Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, keynote speaker during the 2nd Bayanihan FMA Heroes Recognition Night congratulated the FMA Heroes both local and international. Senator Zuburi highly encouraged each participant, specially Filipinos, to actively participate and continue the passion for the art as it is our very own Filipino Martial Arts. He also hopes that it will eventually be recognized as an Olympic sport.
Arnis was declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport on December 11, 2009 through Republic Act 9850 signed by former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with now Senate President Miguel “Migz” Zubiri as the principal author of the said decree.
The FMA event was concluded with the unveiling ceremony of the monument of Grand Master Remy A. Presas.
