Meeting an Online Friend Friday, Jun 5 2009

This trip happened almost two months ago and only now that I will be able to make a post about this  (which only goes to show how messed up my calendar is lately, which in turn, leads to my firm belief that life is too short to have a full time job).  But I sincerely think that I should write about  the memorable visit my family made to a friend I first met via the internet.

It started last year with a certain Rayzor Matthews who kept on posting comments in this humble blog.  First, I was impressed by his English writing skills, then I was awed by his diverse range of knowledge.  The comments he made led to several exchange of ideas which also led me and Rayzor to discover that we have lot of things in common.    Last December my family planned to have a Luzon road trip which includes visiting Ray and his wards in San Fernando La Union, taking advantage of the long Christmas break (Our original idea is to spend Christmas with the children in their orphanage).  It was, however, postponed due to Beck’s winning in the Mrs. Philippines pageant and with my work load (one of the hazards of working for a US company is that although there’s a holiday in the Philippines, on the other side of the globe, business continues).

Last Holy Week, part of our itinerary is to pass by San Fernando, La Union (on our way to Vigan) and to finally meet Ray and his nak muays and pay a visit to their children’s home.

Ray’s father , Pastor Abraham Duclayan is the Senior Pastor of Christian Praise Fellowship Int’l, in San Fernando La Union.    Part of their church’s ministry is running a children’s home called Christian Praise Children’s Home.  This “home” was established by Pastor Duclayan in 1987 where they initially cared for 30 neglected children from the Cordilleras.    Some of the kids are orphans, foundling or fatherless.   For more than 20 years, Pastor Duclayan and his family has nurtured and took care of more than 300 children who grew up and became good Christians and productive citizens of this country.  Some are already working abroad and some have answered God’s call and worked in a ministry.

Pastor Duclayan and his church are some of the true heroes of our country.  They selflessly work for the welfare of abandoned and neglected children and gave them hope, dignity and chance to grow.  The Duclayans work without expecting any praise or recognition.   I never felt so humbled meeting people like Pastor Duclayan and Ray.

To know more about the children’s home, please visit their website:

www.christianpraisechildrenshome.org.

This is the facade of Christian Praise Fellowship church and the orphanage.   Pastor Duclayan built this from donations and support of good samaritans.

Pastor Abraham Duclayan, my friend Ray and his young muay thai warriors.  One of the programs of their children’s home is developing kids through sports.  And Ray’s chosen sport is muay thai.   These kids are the future of muay thai in the Philippines and it is my desire for them to continue what they have started and see them compete in international muay thai competitions and bring home medals, honor and glory to the country.  With their able instructor, Kru Ray, they are not far from that dream.

To Ray,

With all sincerity, I am deeply honored to meet you and your father.

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AAK Summer Sports Clinic Graduation Friday, Jun 5 2009

The premier Karatedo organization in the Philippines, AAK or the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo held its 2009 General Practice and Milo Summer Sports Clinic Graduation last May 31 at the Main Activity area of the SM Mall of Asia.

My daughter, RP made the jump from being the muay thai panda to being the karate panda (she attended the Milo Summer Sports clinic for muay thai last year) and participated in this event.  If RP does good and becomes a colored belt or a blackbelt in this martial art and hopefully be able to compete in an international tournament, my life will do a full circle because its my father who introduced me to karate when I was still a child and practiced this sport (including judo and tae kwon do) until I graduated in college.   Though admittedly, I leaned more into TKD and became member of my university’s varsity team.

The instructors and blackbelts of the AAK, led by its founder Pocholo Veguillas Shihan, front row wearing sunglasses.

Students from various AAK chapters participated in this annual event.   The main activity area looked like a sea of white clothes from an advertisement of a laundry detergent.

RP, second from right, practicing the inward block with her fellow AAK whitebelts.

Rebecca Cyril Torres, a consistent international medalist, is one of RP’s favorite instructors.  Here, she leads RP and other white belts practicing their kata.    RP, sort of idolizes her not only because they share the same first name but also  Ms. Torres is an international karate champion at the age of 12.

Part of the program are demonstrations done by colored belters from different AAK Chapters.

Here, two karate practitioners are doing a bunkai or a demonstration of the application of a kata.   Kata is like shadow boxing for muay thai.  In shadow boxing, you do practice techniques while visualizing an opponent.  A karateka does the same thing with kata, though with kata, the movement and techniques are set.  Whereas in shadow boxing, the movement and techniques are up to the nak muay.

AAK female blackbelts gave a demonstration of women’s self defense to the delight of the crowd.

RP’s favorite instructor, Sensei Rex Resureccion.   Initially, RP abhorred karate and even told her sensei that she preferred muay thai (I think she got her guts…or her tactlessness from me.  But hey, I’ve mellowed down).  Now, she said she favor karatedo from muay thai.  Thanks, to her Sensei Rex, which she has a nickname, Sensei T-Rex.

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