Napolcom Judo Club holds opening rites

The newly formed NAPOLCOM Region-7 Judo Club held its inauguration rites the other day at the Ecotech in Barangay Lahug, this city.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, the club is exclusively for NAPOLCOM employees.

“The NAPOLCOM Region-7 Judo Club concentrates more on self-defense more than the sport, as part of their job as NAPOLCOM employees”, said Napolcom Region-7 Judo Club consultant Atty. Vicente Fernandez.

Fernandez further told The Freeman that all NAPOLCOM Region 7 employees are required to learn the sport and at the same time be part of the Judo club. Once they are part of the club, they can register as a member of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association, Inc. (PAJA).

1958 Asian Games gold medal winner Peter Calibo, now 80 years old, supposedly would give the founding speech during the inauguration ceremonies but his doctors advised against flying to Cebu.

Calibo, however, wrote a letter to the club, which was read by one of the club’s directors Atty. Maximo Lasaca. In his letter, Calibo said, “Judo is not just a sport, but is a way of life… I am sure that Judo will be an enjoyable sport besides enabling you to disarm any offender who may have a knife or gun. I congratulate you on deciding to put up a Judo club as a martial art suited for your profession.”

Calibo threw his Japanese rival named Abikasan during their Asian Games Judo final in Tokyo for the gold. He holds two black belts: 6th Dan (International Judo Federation) and 8th Dan (Philippine Amateur Judo Association).

Jaek Ik Lee of Korea and Holger Horn of Germany, two other consultants of the club, demonstrated some moves in their respective martial art specialties. Lee showed advanced grappling techniques while Horn did Karate and Taekwondo stunts.

NAPOLCOM Regional Director Atty. Bernardo Calibo, nephew of Peter Calibo, heads the judo club.

The directors are, Ramon Rañeses, Rhodora Arellano, Gemma Arreglo, Salvador Belo III, Helena Caga-anan, Archie Cometa, Mercedita Concepcion, Atty. Maximo Lasaca I, Elvira Lim, Desita Maria Medillo, Teresita Alburo, Vilma Pedralba, Pamela Peñalver, Atty. Aloha Peñaranda, Florecelia Quiñanola, Atty. Risty Sibay, Catherine Somoza, John Paul Anquillano, Alan Caumeran Jr. and Cecilio Pañares.

Aside from Atty. Fernandez, Lee and Horn are the other consultants of the club.