January 30th-February 4th, 2008
Mindanao State University (MSU IIT) Officially Adds Aikido to its Curriculum.
January 31st, 2008
Explaining martial art origins to students.
MSU IIT has been the State University in Illigan City, Mindanao Island, Philippines since 1938 and has a student population of about 5000. This semester, Aikido was officially added to the curriculum due in large part to the efforts of Instructor Ava Yancha who has been working in Mindanao since Homma Kancho’s last visit to the Philippines in February 2007 to bring further study of Aikido to the university. Homma Kancho was invited by Prof. Marzania M. Bucad to return to Illigan City this past January to introduce Aikido to the University staff and students.
Over 600 students and staff members joined in Homma Kancho’s Aikido introductory seminar. More students than expected were interested in participating in this event which surprising and delighted everyone. Homma Kancho gave an introductory demonstration to new students and also taught two sessions of practice for the MSU IIT University Aikido Club. In total, Homma Kancho scheduled to spend 4 hours teaching staff and students, spent an extra 3 hours teaching students that day. Since we were all surprised by the number of students interested in this demonstration, a wireless microphone had not been arranged for Homma Kancho to use for such a large audience. It was not a problem however as Homma Kancho’s strong presence and voice carried his message to all who had gathered to meet him.
So many students line up to register for class.
A dinner was scheduled with the Mayor of Illigan and the MSU IIT Administrative Staff that evening but Homma Kancho gently declined the invitation saying, “At this point, dining together with dignitaries that are not familiar with Aikido will not help the practice of Aikido develop here and improve. We have a lot of work to do to improve the teaching and practice of Aikido in Illigan. Once we have achieved these goals, then we can celebrate with a dinner with the Mayor. I came to the Philippines to help further your practice here. It is not quite time to celebrate yet!” Homma Kancho stood by his words, and spent a tremendous amount of time with all of us doing what he does best; teaching, sharing and practicing the martial art of Aikido.
-
- Homma Kancho and Instructor Ava Yancha.
-
- At the head table.
-
- Homma Kancho’s speech.
-
- With students.
-
- Instruction by Kancho.
-
- University PE Professors.
-
- MSU IIT University Aikido club.
-
- Practice with homemade bamboo jo.
We also would like to thank our own instructor Ava Yancha for her dedication and tremendous efforts in bringing Aikido and Homma Kancho to Mindanao and working so hard to have Aikido introduced as part of the MSU IIT curriculum.
Written by
Prof. Marzania M. Bucad
MSU IIT PE Professor
Lao Espinsa Aikido Club Advisor
Introductory Aikido Demonstration and Class at Illigan National City High
February 1st, 2008
With high school students.
Illigan National City High School has about 7000 students, so two demonstrations were held at the Illigan National City High School to accommodate the large number of interested students. One demonstration was held in the morning and a second demonstration was held later that afternoon. One subject Homma Kancho addressed with attending students was the problems of violence among young people. Homma Kancho pointed out that many young people had the wrong idea especially about the martial arts from negative information they had received from movies and television. With an emphasis on non-violence and non competition in Aikido, the introduction of Aikido philosophy was welcomed as an alternative in conflict resolution for young people.
Performance of a popular Philippine dance before the singing of the national anthem.
-
- Explaining Aikido to high school students.
-
- With high school teaching staff.
With close to 300 students surrounding him, Homma Kancho approached his teaching of Aikido with humor, jokes and stories that kept everyone in rapt attention and the students seemed to thoroughly enjoy Homma Kancho’s introduction to Aikido. After practice Homma Kancho noted, “To be able to capture and hold everyone’s attention today with positive results is a real life tateki no kurai (attack by multiple attackers). I have to admit however that being surrounded by 300 high school students at one time is definitely a challenge!
Later, after an exhausting day at Illigan National City High School, Homma Kancho instructed students at St. Peters College until late in the evening. It was a long but wonderful day.
Written by
Mindanaou Aikido Instructor
Ava Yancha