Tae Kwon Do Matters

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the best Hollywood-made martial arts film Taekwondo Matters has seen so far. In this episode, we conclude the first season of Taekwondo Matters by tackling the different disciplines of martial arts seen in this latest Marvel film. To help us out, my daughter Bronte Lacsamana, a film enthusiast, Taekwondo redbelt, and journalist at BusinessWorld, gives her take on some of the best action scenes to date in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,, while I throw in my two cents worth on the variety of martial arts styles shown.

World and Asian Poomsae champion Jean Pierre, or JP, Sabido believes that none of his championships can come close to his current life as husband to fellow TKD instructor Pauline, and as hands-on dad to hyperactive toddler Chap and baby sunshine Beau. As Covid 19 figures continue to surge in Bacolod City, JP and Pauline teach, train and send young members of the Negros Taekwondo Union-Tigers to national online competitions, where they have been bagging free-style kicking and poomsae medals since last year. Complaints? A little, but JP and Pauline won't have it any other way. All dreams may be on hold, but for these two martial artists, this is exactly the life they've been training for.

In the sprawling hierarchy of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA), martial arts legend Stephen Fernandez easily elicits respect due to his approachable personality, emphatic listening and diplomatic skills to get even the most intransigent fellow to meet him at least halfway. A former collegiate and national champion, two-time Olympian, and university as well as Philippine team coach, Master “Pen” remains as down-to-earth as he was 38 years ago when he first learned the Korean martial art at a small, suburban dojang in Metro Manila. Today, he faces daunting challenges while helping manage the PTA to ensure that Taekwondo remains busy and relevant to the changing times.

Twins Rhezie and Rheza Aragon, nicknamed Zing and Zang, believe that as long as they got each other, everything would be right as rain. The Lanao del Norte-born martial artists only started practicing taekwondo in 2016. After being scouted at Cagayan de Oro, they were recruited by National University, and the rest was history. The martial art that only started as a high school PE class, paved the way for the irrepressible duo to bag triple UAAP championships, representing NU from 2014 to 2018, and in the Philippine Taekwondo Team from 2017 to the present.

Dave Cea, a 22-year old taekwondo athlete, does not let COVID-19 get him down or derail his dream for more wins with the Philippine team. "At the end of the day, the biggest challenge that I face is from my own mind," says the Butuan native. His weltenschauung (philosophy) is to believe in himself and do what he loves.

Bobby and Dean Vargas, Taekwondo legends in the 80s-90s, now teach a more family-oriented version of the Korean martial art in sunny Southern California. But underneath the friendly suburban exterior, Quest Taekwondo produces future champions and martial artists with indomitable spirit and integrity.

Filipino siblings Dustin and Rico Mella are martial artists whose lives, like millions of millennials the world over, are “engulfed” by social media. More so during the Covid-19 pandemic. But the two Taekwondo international champions have a way of keeping themselves calm, and grounded. They share the secrets of their success, both on the mat, and in real life.

“You can't just show up, and expect to win,” says Roberto Cruz, a six-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games. Coach “Kitoy” knows whereof he speaks. He also bagged gold, silver and bronze metals in the Asian Championships, plus three silvers and two bronze plums in the World Championships. Now a successful coach in the Philippines, Coach “Kitoy” talks about the stifling effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on his country and the local Taekwondo scene, and where things could (and controversially, should) be headed from here.

Ernesto Guzman, Jr., does not just practice martial arts, but lives the life of a martial artist way up in the northeastern Luzon province of Cagayan, some 12 hours from Manila. Here, in the currently locked down city of Tuguegarao, he runs the Guzman Taekwondo Academy where he teaches young kids to be champions of life. “Buboy”, as he is fondly called by friends and family, is truly a master at “building champions”.

Martial artist Noelyn Rose Campos is running for 2021 Miss Universe Philippines. Long shot? Who cares! What counts is that she inspires women, children and those going through mental health issues that they can weather life's storms, and achieve their dreams. To vote for Noelyn: Download the Miss Universe Philippines app. Android - https://bit.ly/3rxx5pv iOs - https://apple.co/3i6bxNI

Ricky Santiago gives a sneak preview of the new technological developments that will be unveiled at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The end goal, he explains, is the holy grail of transparency which began after the judging controversies which beset the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"It's all in God's plan, and in His time." Jojo and Jocel Ninobla reveal the secrets of their success, both in and out of the dojang, competition mat, and at home. It is an inspiring story. A tale where a father and daughter's competitive fire, indomitable spirit, love of God, and closeness as a family, continue to sustain them during these dark, depressing days of Covid-19.

Filipino taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez tells “Taekwondo Matters” how she continues to train, keep in shape, and pick up where she left off from her interrupted university studies. Missing the Tokyo Olympics still rankles, of course, but Pauline is more philosophical about her loss nowadays. “I know one thing for sure is that anytime adversity comes my way, I bounce back,” she assures. #standwithgirls #girlsgotthis #girlsempowerment #girlseducation

We interview two Gen Z taekwondo black belts, Niko Macasaet and Lucas Llarena. Niko and Lucas are among the two thousand jins participating in the first ever 2021 Smart/MVP Sports Foundation Asian Taekwondo Poomsae and Speedkicking Championships from July 10-11.

Breaking off from their 10-day quarantine at the Linden Suites Hotel, Filipino TKD Poomsae standouts Juvenile Crisostomo and Rinna Babanto talk about their martial arts passion, embrace of failure, team focus, and personal growth. One is a poker-faced introvert of few words, with a mind of steel; the other is an adventurous, socmed-savvy Cebuana, who believes in “going for it” when the window of opportunity is open.

Interview with Jeordan Dominguez, Darius Venerable, and Marvin Mori, three poomsae champions who believe in living in the moment and firing up their dreams. Get to know these young guys as they describe how they transitioned from their kyorugi days to poomsae, which is now giving them successes in the national and international circuits. Along the way, they reveal how taekwondo has improved their outlook to shape their future lives.

Interview with former Philippine team Kyorugi flag-bearer Japoy Lizardo, and his wife, world poomsae champion Janice Lagman. The most recognized Taekwondo couple in the country are now applying the lifelong lessons they've picked up from the martial art to raising their own family.

Interview with Jade Zafra, grounded PAL stewardess and taekwondo champion. She talks about winning and losing, a dream job that turned into a nightmare, teaching, family, a masters at AIM, and living life with a greater purpose.

Interview with Allain Keanu Ganapin, a Philippine martial arts para-athlete and a man with a mission. He will not let any physical disability get in his way to his dream of martial arts glory. Follow Allain's journey in this episode. This is our second episode of Taekwondo Matters. Expect more exciting stories up ahead.

Interview with Kurt Barbosa on his journey to realize his taekwondo dream. We tackle the origins of his first taekwondo lessons, from his long, arduous road through the taekwondo school system, palaro, and regional games to his National University UAAP championship run, from his first years with the national team and his first international matches on to Amman, Jordan, for the Tokyo Olympics qualifier. Join us in this interview as Kurt maps out his strategy for the coming Tokyo Olympics. This is our first episode of Taekwondo Matters. Expect more exciting stories up ahead.

Joel Lacsamana shares his passion for Tae Kwon Do and other martial arts.Feeling down because of the Covid-19 pandemic? Don't be: Tae Kwon Do teaches us the martial spirit, and a fighting mindset which is crucial for these trying times, and challenges up ahead. Whether you're a sabumnim currently juggling virtual classes and training sessions for your students; young jins missing the dojang and training with your fellow gym-mates; teacher and parents seeking ways to keep your wards to be sound in mind and spirit; or young and now-so-young martial artists struggling to keep your competitive and martial spirits alive...this podcast is for you. Join us in this special journey to explore and enjoy our passion - Tae Kwon Do!