SEVERAL martial arts have been established and the common ones are taekwondo and karate but in San Matias, Sto. Tomas, a unique martial art surfaces, which is helmed by a black belter.
Aikido is a form of self-defense that uses the opponent's force and balance in applying a technique far from the said martial arts that uses strength. It was pioneered by O Sensei Morehei Ueshiba.
The 4th Dan Aikido Brotherhood Club (ABC) head, Richard Manabat, passionately teaches calmness, respect and the essentials of aikido to Kapampangans in San Matias dojo.
"Gusto ko na maintindihan nila na ang martial art na 'to ay ginawa para sa self-defense and discipline at hindi para maghanap ng away," Sensei Richard said in an interview.
Students have fun as they play aikido every Tuesday and Thursday and learn new set of techniques on Sundays at the third floor of the Miracle Building.
A father with his youngsters are some of the regular students who are committed in completing sessions as they believe in the expertise of Sensei Richard and they also believe it is the topmost martial art.
They are thankful that aikido was established in Sto. Tomas, having them enlightened with the routines of the activity and its useful purpose in life.
The Sensei said that he is teaching aikido after falling in love with the art when he was a former student of Sensei Omar Camar in Quiapo in 1991 under the Manila Aikido Club (MAC).
Camar had seen his potential and so Richard earned the black belt after several years of hardwork.
With this, he teaches in several schools like the Philippine National Police Academy training school in Magalang, Pampanga and hold special sessions at Camp Olivas for high-rank police officers.
Eventually, the ABC sprouted the first dojo in Mandaluyong when several martial artists of MAC clustered and formed their own group.
As Sensei Richard resides with his family in Pampanga, he wanted to share his knowledge through his San Matias Dojo to Tomasians and to all interested in continuing the legacy.
Some of the founding members lead and propagate the dojo in Mandaluyong and Pasig. (Arderl John Manabat, CEU-Malolos Intern)