Striving through the Years: Karatedo Marshalls Devour the Local and International League…

History

Karate is an unarmed martialarts discipline that employs kicking, striking, and defensive blocking with arms and legs, which began as a fighting system known as Te, among the Pechin class of the Ryukyuans. Karate, like other Asian martial arts, stresses mental attitude, rituals of courtesy, costumes, and a complex ranking system (by the color of the belt). There is are overlapping of technique with other fighting styles.

From 2017 to 2022, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) Karatedo Marshalls have constantly brought fame and glory to the university. The team currently has 49 active members. The Karatedo team has consistently earned more or less than 500 medals in recent years.

PLMun Karatedo Marshalls originated as PLMun Kung Fu Club, intended for students who want to learn self-discipline. Later, the university encouraged the Kung Fu Club to join Karate Tournaments all over Luzon. The team participated in such competitions as PLMun Karatedo Club.

The Karatedo Club became official in 2017, with GrandSifu Rev. Fr. Daniel T. Ibañez as the PLMun Karatedo Marshalls Coach. The club started with only four (4) members. They are Henry Padang, Lery Tomines, Vicente Teraza, and Annie Haylar. Eventually, PLMun Office of Student Affairs (OSA) encouraged Karatedo Team to participate in the Association of Local Colleges and University (ALCU) National Games.

The Karatedo Team did not disappoint. They went home as the overall champion of the tournament in the ALCU National Games on March of 2017. And it was the beginning of their domination in the local and national competitions.

Culture of Excellence Through the Years

“I gave my very best. My desire is to give honor to my team, school, and family. As athletes, we always struggle with time management and financial problems. My first competition felt like I was an innocent newbie, but through my experiences, as of today, I’m very confident in my ability to fight my opponent in every competition,” Edrian Josh Ramonel, a Black Belter, a three-year martial artist from PLmun Karatedo, said in an interview with The Warden Publication. He is the Ace player and President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMUN) Karatedo Marshalls.

He participated in a total of 16 competitions during his journey as a member of the team. He has already explored competitions at local and national levels. And like any other student-athletes, his worst experience so far is getting injured in the competition. However, it was all worth it seeing the honor he brings to his team, family, and university. He proudly reveals that he bagged a 10-game winning streak during his journey as a martials artist.

“Losing is always part of a game. You will never appreciate the happiness of winning if you don’t experience the feeling of being a loser,” Daniela Marie Gatbonton Tabares, a 2nd Dan Black Belter, said during the interview. She is the President of the PLMun Karatedo Marshalls. She mentioned that during her journey as a martial artist, she is used to winning gold medal. But there are also times when she only brings home silver or bronze. However, she acknowledges it as part of the journey—possibility of losing.

She revealed her worst experience in the university during her four years as an athlete receiving no support from the university. She does acknowledge the allowances they received three times in 4 years, but she demands support during their training.

“...what we need is support in terms of training, like a proper training venue and proper training equipment and gear,” she wants to emphasize that what they need is athlete care, like how a team with a winning streak should be treated.

Daniela treats “every time, [she cheers] for the whole team” as her best experience. “We know that we were able to become champions without the aid of the school. that even though we don’t get support, we can lift ourselves and introduce the name of the school [Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa] to those who are fighting against us.”

Not only are the team and its members known for their culture of excellence, but the PLMun Karatedo Marshalls Coach too.