ARTICLE ON SIKARAN
New article 12/27/07:
Partial Official Roster of World
Sikaran Black Belts
Karate in the Philippines - The Golden Years
(With Permission from FMA Digest)
SEC on Sikaran
THE SIKARAN GRAND MASTER/SUPREMO AT 80
By Elpidio Seletaria Jr.
7th Degree Black Belt
On March 10, 2007, Sikaran Grand Master/Supremo Meliton C. Geronimo celebrated his 80th birthday. Upon the invitation of his son, Meliton Geronimo Jr., I went to the Philippines to be with the Supremo and be part of this special day.
 At 8:30 in the morning of that day, my elder brother, Rodolfo, also a 7th Degree Black Belt, picked me up from my house in Imus, Cavite. I drove a Mitsubishi Adventure borrowed from my sister-in-law. I forgot that in the Philippines, week-ends and holidays were the most traffic congested days. I called the Sikaran Grand Master (GM) and he told me they would wait for us in his house in Antipolo City before heading to Baras, Rizal, "The Home of Sikaran." We got stuck in a snail-paced traffic along Aguinaldo Highway towards EDSA. If you are a modest driver in the U.S., obeying all traffic rules, try to adapt yourself with the driving condition in the Manila and suburbs area, otherwise everyone would overtake and you might end up drifting out of your lane.
With some smart maneuvering and minimal aggressiveness, we were able to get to Antipolo by 11:30 AM. Unfortunately, we were told by June, GM's daughter, to just proceed to Baras, as the father and son Geronimos got tired waiting for us. When we got to Baras, they were already gathered in a "carenderia" owned by Sikaran Master Jimmy C. Geronimo. We were offered to take our lunch. Thereafter, an informal meeting, presided by Meliton, Jr., took place. Everyone was required to say something about him/herself and his/her vision about Sikaran. After the meeting, I was invited to Jimmy Geronimo's Sikaran Gym to observe the Seminar on Officiating, participated in by the senior Sikaran Black Belts present at that time. The Seminar was personally conducted by Jimmy. It lasted for an hour.
 The seminar was followed by the second phase of the meeting at the house of Meliton, Jr. located at the outskirt of Baras. I believe this is the biggest house in the entire Baras with so much space to offer. This is an ideal place for convention or gathering of about 200 people, such as the Presidents/Chief Instructors of the different Sikaran Chapters in the Philippines or even worldwide. Before the meeting took place, the Sikaran GM/Supremo blew the candles and cut his birthday cake, followed by some refreshments for everybody.
It was a simple gathering, but I could feel the sense of World Sikaran Brotherhood . The occasion gave me an opportunity to exchange views, ideas, and pleasantries with some senior Sikaran black belts in relation to Sikaran, its past, present and future. Jimmy Geronimo raised the issue pertaining to someone who was claiming to be the king of Sikaran who, in reality, was their (GM/Supremo Geronimo and Master Geronimo) former student and had been expelled from the organization for gross and inexcusable violations of its rules and regulations.
The question was directed to me by Jimmy what I can do about him. I suggested that we would do nothing. For when we do, especially if we mention his name publicly, we will in effect giving him a free publicity. However, I told them I would publish the Roster of Sikaran Black Belts. In this manner, the credit will be given to where it is due. Further, I explained that sooner or later, the truth will prevail and the world will know that he is not what he claims to be.
The following were present during the 80th birthday of the GM/Sikaran Supremo, aside from me and Meliton Geronimo Jr.
 Sikaran Master Jaime C. Geronimo, 9th Degree Black Belt; Venancio M. Segui, 8th Degree Black Belt; Ens Rodrigo M Espiritu PN (Ret), 7th Degree Black Belt; 2Lt. Rodolfo Seletaria PM (Ret), 7th Degree Black Belt; Alex S. Bartolata, 6th Degree Black Belt; Patricio Capistrano, Jr., 6th Degree Black Belt; Sofronio M. Ga, 6th Degree Black Belt; Randy Buban, 5th Degree Black Belt; Boyet Samonte, 5th Degree Black Belt; Tito Singson, 4th Degree Black Belt; Earickson G. Bartolata, 1st Degree Black Belt; and Leony P. Pilar, Secretary.
PARTIAL ROSTER OF SIKARAN BLACK BELT HOLDERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Jaime C. Geronimo - 9th Degree Black Belt, Sikaran Master
138 Constantino St. Barangay Santiago, Baras, Rizal, Philippines
Cell phone - 0920-506-9819
Venancio M. Seguie - 8th Degree Black Belt
41 Arcaya St. Gumaca, Quezon, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0921-796-4846
Rudy Concepcion - 7th Degree Black Belt
107 Fernando Ave. Marikina City, Metro Manila Philippines
Home Phone – 903-9296
Fredie Jismundo - 7th Degree Black Belt
F. Enriquez Rd. Estanica, Kalibo, Aklan Philippines
Cell Phone – 0921-799-8822
Ens Rodrigo M Espiritu PN (Ret) – 7th Degree Black Belt
Blk 80, Lot 48, Sweet Orange St, Brgy. Rizal Makati City, Philippines
Cell Phone -0918-429-7199
Daniel C. Fuentes - 7th Degree Black Belt
#0242 Lower Dike St., Poblacion, Baliuag, Bulacan, Philippines
2Lt. Rodolfo S. Seletaria Sr. PM (Ret) – 7th Degree Black Belt
25 Horseshoe St. Signal Village, Taguig City, Metro Manila Philippines
Cell Phone – 0919-301-9848
Alex S. Bartolata - 6th Degree Black Belt
119 H Constantino St. Barangay Santiago Baras, Rizal, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0920-506-1362
Patricio Capistrano, Jr. – 6th Degree Black Belt
Phase II, Lot 17, Sta. Maria Balara San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0914962663
Rommel Guiveses – 6th Degree Black Belt
Morong Sikaran Arnis Morong, Rizal, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0920-215-9792
Sofronio B. Ga – 6th Degree Blacl Belt
Block M-18, Lot 5 Brgy. Emmanuel 2, Dasmarinas, Cavite Philippines
Cell Phone – 0926-495-0293
Melvin Narral – 5th Degree Black Belt
Cell Phone – 0921-579-1246
Home Phone – 531-5035
Eugene T. Posedio – 5th degree Black Belt
Materials Management Department Philex Mining Corp Padcal, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0919-294-3786
Randy Buban – 5th Degree Black Belt
Daang Maharlika, Pinugay Road Baras, Rizal, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0920-854-5823
Ferdinand Ababa – 5th Degree Black Belt
#3 Josefina Subd. Mambugan, Antipolo City Philippines
Cell Phone #0921-292-8671
Boyet Samonte – 5th Degree Black Belt
Brgy. San Jose, Baras, Rizal Philippines
Cell Phone – 0921-466-0521
Rolando Labos – 4th Degree Black Belt
#22 Cutleya St. Bahayan, Pag-asa, Valenzuela City Philippines
Cell Phone – 0928-229-1408
Antonio Salas – 4th Degree Black Belt
Phase I Package, Block II, Lot 3, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City Philippines
Cell Phone – 0928-318-5070
Tito Singson – 4th Degree Black Belt
Antipolo City, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0916-247-9789
Roberto Gaza – 4th Degree Black Belt
Sitio Crossing, Brgy. 62 Homapon, Legazpi City Philippines
Cell Phone – 0919-358-9067
Resty Badilles Jr. – 4th Degree Black Belt
75 Airport Road, Ramirez Drive Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Earickson G. Bartolata – 1st Degree Black Belt
119 H. Constantino St. Baras, Rizal, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0920-290-1081
Erlina G. Bartolata – Plain Black Belt (Asst. Secretary)
119 H. Constantino St. Brgy. Santiago, Baras, Rizal 1970 Philippines
Cell Phone – 0918-463-4014; 0920-506-1362
Leony P. Pilar – Secretary
168 Interior, Brgy. Evangelista Baras, Rizal, Philippines
Cell Phone – 0916-715-1399
Nelson B. Millare
85 Int. Balacbac, Baguio City Philippines
Cell Phone – 0927-797-5033
- top |
