Philippines, 08 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GM Bobby Taboada steals thunder in Day 2


PhilBoxing.com





Chantilly, VIRGINIA. Grand master Bobby Taboada, they say, is the Michael Jordan of arnis.

I beg to disagree.

Michael Jordan, I think, is the Bobby Taboada of basketball.

As soon as the great Bobby entered the Dulles banquet room of the Comfort Suites on Saturday night, excitement filled the air. And sure enough, Taboada didn't disappoint, stealing the thunder in Day 2 of the 4th East Coast FMA Gathering Balintawak Legacy: A Gathering of Masters.

In an impromptu performance, Bobby wowed an adoring crowd of delegates with his expertise in marital arts. He moved with effortless grace, his hands were faster than a pickpocket, and he wielded the fighting stick as though it was a natural extension of his arms.

Watching Bobby was like watching Picasso paint.

In a day teeming with highlights, Taboada's appearance easily takes the cake.

But Taboada wasn't the only grand master who thrilled the delegates. GMs Ver Villasin, Ising Atillo and Nene Gabucayan also rendered one-hour clinics that were educational and extremely entertaining as well.

Day 2 of the Gathering of Masters also featured eight hours of a seminar workshop at the Nova Field House, a state-of-the-art sports facility along 14810 Murdock street, not far from the expressway that leads all the way to downtown Washington D.C.

This historic event in which representatives from six lineages of Balintawak arnis have gathered, is a terrific way of promoting the sport and fostering camaraderie among its devoted participants.

"It's massive and historic. And it's amazing to see six grandmasters in one event," lead organizer Jhun Occidental, who himself is a sublime martial artist, told PhilBoxing.com.

Day 3 is Sunday at the Nova Field House. Come back to see and read more highlights. This baby is getting better and better.


Photo: Grand masters Ver Villasin, Ising Atillo and Nene Gabucayan conduct instructional classes before the participants while group photo shows grand master Bobby Taboada (far right with from L) with Eugene Nepangue, Rino Balinado, Zack Taco and Cyrus Bongon.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Donaire awaits WBA order
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
    , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
    , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.