Manila Aikido Club
(formerly Philippine Aikikai Headquarters)
About
Class Schedule
Chief Instructor
Affiliated Dojos
Contact Us
Excerpts from www.aikiweb.com
General Information about aikidoCombat effectiveness
Thoughts on Aikido in Life
The Founder's Teaching
The Memoir of the Maste
About TOP
Manila Aikido Club (formerly known as Philippine Aikikai Headquarters) was founded in September 13, 1963, and a duly recognized member of the "Sekai Aikido Hombu" (Centre Mondial D'Aikido, World Aikido Center) in Japan. Aikido was brought to the Philippines by Sensei Benjamin Galarpe.
Philippine Aikikai practices the traditional style of Aikido. Because of this foundation, every practitioner could easily switch to the soft and hard styles in Aikido.
Recently Aikido has been included in the academic curriculum of the cadets (all year levels) at the Philippine National Police Academy at Camp General Narciso Castaneda, Silang, Cavite.
Other government institutions where the services of Philippine Aikikai instructors were extended:
Philippine National Police, Camp Crame (for Police personnel and their dependents)
Philippine Public Safety Department
Class Schedule TOP
Manila Aikido Club (formerly Philippine Aikikai Headquarters)
Chief Instructor:       Shihan Manuel "Omar" Camar
Address/Contact#:  649 Quezon Blvd., Quiapo Manila, Philippines / (632) 733 75 69
Class Schedule:      Monday to Friday - 2pm to 4pm & 6:30pm to 8:30pm
                                     Sunday - 9am to 11am
Chief Instructor TOP
Shihan Manuel "Omar" Camar
8th Degree Black Belt
He is also the chief instructor at the Philippine National Police Headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
In 1968, he was an aikido instructor at the Guam Police Academy, Guam, USA. He represented the Philippines in the annual convention of the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace on March 1997 in Washington DC, USA and on November 23, 1999 at the Manila Hotel, Philippines.
Sensei Camar (as he is commonly called), is an awarded Aikido master and movie action star here in the Philippines. He got married to Luzviminda Padanas and blessed with a daughter, Mary Christine. During his heyday, he was a local as well as an international actor having appeared with Chuck Norris, Fernando Poe Jr., Tony Ferrer, Jun Aristorenas and many others.
To name some of his movies are:
"The Miracle of Joe Peril"
"Golden Triangle" with Shogi Karada
"Black Kompo" with James Eaglehart
"Tatlong Mukha ng Daigdig" where he was the lead actor
Affiliated Dojo TOP
OZ Fitness Gym
Instructors:  Sensei Jun Carandang
Address: 3rd Floor, Lites Bldg., Holy Spirit Drive, Don Antonio, Quezon City, Philippines
Class Schedule: Saturday - 1pm to 3pm
Power Sports
Instructors: Sensei Jun Carandang
Address: Ground Floor, Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
Class Schedule: Sunday - 1pm to 3pm
Excerpts from www.aikiweb.com  TOP
General Information about aikido
Although aikido is a relatively recent innovation within the world of martial arts, it is heir to a rich cultural and philosophical background. Aikido was created in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Before creating aikido, Ueshiba trained extensively in several varieties of jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting. Ueshiba also immersed himself in religious studies and developed an ideology devoted to universal socio-political harmony. Incorporating these principles into his martial art, Ueshiba developed many aspects of aikido in concert with his philosophical and religious ideology.
Aikido is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of self-cultivation and improvement. Aikido has no tournaments, competitions, contests, or "sparring." Instead, all aikido techniques are learned cooperatively at a pace commensurate with the abilities of each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not the defeat of others, but thedefeat of the negative characteristics which inhabit one's own mind and inhibit its functioning.
At the same time, the potential of aikido as a means of self-defense should not be ignored. One reason for the prohibition of competition in aikido is that many aikido techniques would have to be excluded because of their potential to cause serious injury. By training cooperatively, even potentially lethal techniques can be practiced without substantial risk.
It must be emphasized that there are no shortcuts to proficiency in aikido (or in anything else,for that matter). Consequently, attaining proficiency in aikido is simply a matter of sustained and dedicated training. No one becomes an expert in just a few months or year
Combat effectiveness TOP
Many practitioners of aikido (from beginners to advanced students) have concerns about the practical self-defense value of aikido as a martial art. The attacks as practiced in the dojo are frequently unrealistic and may delivered without much speed or power.The concerns here are legitimate, but may, perhaps, be redressed.
In the first place, it is important to realize that aikido techniques are usually practiced against stylized and idealized attacks.; This makes it easier for students to learn the general patterns of aikido movement. As students become more advanced, the speed and power of attacks should be increased, and students should learn to adapt the basic strategies of aikido movement to a broader variety of attacks.
Many aikido techniques cannot be performed effectively without the concomitant application; of atemi (a strike delivered to the attacker for the purpose of facilitating the subsequent application of the technique). For safety's sake, atemi is often omitted during practice.It is important, however, to study atemi carefully and perhaps to devote some time to practicing application of atemi so that one will be able to apply it effectively when necessary.
Aikido is sometimes held up for comparison to other martial arts, and aikido students are frequently curious about how well a person trained in aikido would stand up against someone of comparable size and strength who has trained in another martial art such as karate, judo, ju jutsu, or boxing. It is natural to hope that the martial art one has chosen to train in has effective combat applications. However, it is also important to realize that the founder of aikido deliberately chose to develop his martial art into something other than the most deadly fighting art on the planet, and it may very well be true that other martial arts are more combat effective than aikido. This is not to say that aikido techniques cannot be combat effective - there are numerous practitioners of aikiddo who have applied aikido techniques successfully to defend themselves in a variety of life-threatening situations. No martial art can guarantee victory in every possible circumstance. All martial arts, including aikido, consist in sets of strategies for managing conflict. The best anyone can hope for from their martial arts training is that the odds of managing the conflict successfully are improved. There are many different types of conflict, and many different parameters that may define a conflict. Some martial arts may be better suited to some types of conflict than others. Aikido may be ill-suited to conflicts involving deliberate provocation of an adversary to fight. While there are some who view this as a shortcoming or a liability, there are others who see this as demonstrating the foolhardiness of provoking fights.
Since conflicts are not restricted to situations that result in physical combat, it may be that a martial art which encodes strategies for managing other types of conflict will serve its practitioners better in their daily lives than a more combat-oriented art. Many teachers of aikido treat it as just such a martial art. One is more commonly confronted with conflicts involving coworkers, significant others, or family members than with assailants bent on all-out physical violence. Also, even where physical violence is a genuine danger, many people seek strategies for dealing with such situations which do not require doing injury. For example, someone working with mentally disturbed individuals may find it less than ideal to respond to aggression by knocking the individual to the ground and pummeling him or her into submission.  Many people find that aikido is an effective martial art for dealing with situations similar to this.
In the final analysis, each person must decide individually whether or not aikido is suited to his or her needs, interests, and goals.
Thoughts on Aikido in Life TOP
Over the years I have been involved with the "martial arts" in one manner or another. I have found Aikido to be a singularly unique experience for me. That is why for the past three decades, I have concentrated my efforts on understanding its application to my life.
From near death (Myasthenia Gravis) to spiritual happiness, Aikido has always been an integral part of my life. Through thirty years of marriage, two children, two grandchildren, and& three dogs, Aikido has always been a part of what I am to those I love. I could not say I "do" Aikido, for that would be separating part of me from myself. Aikido is as much what I am as is my heart.
When we are interacting with others on the mat, we are not doing something other than what we intend to be doing. That is, each technique is full and 100% that which we intend to do. We are not involved with little "life and death scenarios" played out by some arts, nor are we involved with the psychodynamics of the "victor" and the "vanquished." In Aikido I do not pretend to kill or injure you and you do not pretend to kill and injure me. We are involved with Aikido -- not pretend war.
From my own experience if you practice a combat art and are not injured to the point of needing medical attention at least once a year, then you're playing a game. There is nothing wrong with this as long as you know it's a game and don't think it's something more. When I; was involved in war or preparing for war, I studied war arts. When I lived in places where the streets were mean enough to cause concern for my life and well being, I practiced such arts. Thank God I no longer have a need for that and I have found an art with the principle tenet being life not death.
The Founder's Teaching TO
The following are some of the founder's teachings concerning the essence of aikido.
Aikido is a manifestation of a way to reorder the world of humanity as though everyone were of one family. Its purpose is to build a paradise right here on earth.
Aikido is nothing but an expression of the spirit of Love for all living things.
It is important not to be concerned with thoughts of victory and defeat. Rather, you should let the ki of your thoughts and feelings blend with the Universal.
Aikido is not an art to fight with enemies and defeat them.It is a way to lead all human beings to live in harmony with each other as though everyone were one family. The secret of aikido is to make yourself become one with the universe and to go along with its natural movements. One who has attained this secret holds the universe in him/herself and can& say, "I am the universe."
If anyone tries to fight me, it means that s/he is going to break harmony with the universe, because I am the universe.; At the instant when s/he conceives the desire to fight with me, s/he is defeated.
Nonresistance is one of the principles of aikido. Because there is no resistance, you have won before even starting. People whose minds are evil or who enjoy fighting are defeated without a fight.
The secret of aikido is to cultivate a spirit of loving protection for all things.
I do not think badly of others when they treat me unkindly. Rather, I feel gratitude towards them for giving me the opportunity to train myself to handle adversity.
You should realize what the universe is and what you are yourself. To know yourself is to know the universe.
The Memoir of the Master TOP
As ai (harmony) is common with ai (love), I decided to name my unique budo Aikido, although the word "aiki" is an old one. The word which was used by the warriors in the past is fundamentally different from that of mine.
Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat the enemy. It is the way to reconcile to world and make human beings one family.
The secret of Aikido is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself. He who has gained the secret of Aikido has the universe in himself and can say, "I am the universe." I am never defeated, however fast the enemy may attack. It is not because my technique is faster than that of the enemy. It is not a question of speed. The fight is finished before it is begun.
When an enemy tries to fight with me, the universe itself, he has to break the harmony of the universe.; Hence at the moment he has the mind to fight with me, he is already defeated. There exists no measure of time -- fast or slow.
Aikido is non-resistance. As it is non-resistant, it is always victorious.
Those who have a warped mind, a mind of discord, have been defeated from the beginning.
Then, how can you straighten your warped mind, purify your heart, and be harmonized with the activities of all things in Nature? You should first make the kami's heart yours. It is a Great love, Omnipresent in all quarters and in all times of the universe.
There is no discord in love. There is no enemy of love.; A mind of discord, thinking of the existence of an enemy is no more consistent with the will of the kami.
Those who do not agree with this cannot be in harmony with the universe. Their budo is that of destruction.; It is not constructive budo.
Therefore to compete in techniques, winning and losing, is not true budo. True budo knows no defeat. "Never defeated" means "never fighting."
Winning means winning over the mind of discord in yourself. It is to accomplish your bestowed mission.
This is not mere theory. You practice it. Then you will accept the great power of oneness with Nature.
Don't look at the opponent's eyes, or your mind will be drawn into his eyes. Don't look at his sword, or you will be slain with his sword. Don't look at him, or your spirit will be distracted.; True budo is the cultivation of attraction with which to draw the whole opponent to you. All I have to do is keep standing this way.
Even standing with my back toward the opponent is enough. When he attacks, hitting, he will injure himself with his own intention to hit. I am one with the universe and I am nothing else. When I stand, he will be drawn to me. There is no time and space before Ueshiba of Aikido -- only the universe as it is.
There is no enemy for Ueshiba of Aikido. You are mistaken if you think that budo means to have opponents and enemies and to be strong and fell them.There are neither opponents nor enemies for true budo. True budo is to be one with the universe; that is to be united with the Center of the universe.
A mind to serve for the peace of all human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one who wishes to be strong or who practices only to fell an opponent.
When anybody asks is my Aiki budo principles are taken from religion, I say "No." My true budo principles enlighten religions and lead them to completion.
I am calm however and whenever I am attacked. I have no attachment to life or death. I leave everything as it is to the kami. Be apart from attachment to life and death and have a mind which leaves everything to Him, not only when you are being attacked but also in your daily lives.
Love is the guardian deity of everything.Nothing can exist without it. Aikido is the realization of love.
I do not make a companion of men. Whom, then, do I make a companion of? The kami. This world is not going well because people make companions of each other, saying and doing foolish things. Good and evil beings are all one united family in the world. Aikido leaves out any attachment. Aikido does not call relative affairs good or evil. Aikido keeps all beings in constant growth and development and serves for the completion of the universe.
In Aikido we control the opponent's mind before we face him. That is how we draw him into ourselves. We go forward in life with this attraction of our spirit, and attempt to command a whole view of the world. We ceaselessly pray that fights do not occur. For this reason we strictly prohibit matches in Aikido. Aikido's spirit is that of loving attack and that of peaceful reconciliation. In this aim we bing and unite the opponents with the will power of love. By love we are able to purify others.
Understand Aikido first as budo and then as the way of service to construct the World Family. Aikido is not for a single country or anyone in particular. Its only purpose is to perform the work of the kami.
True budo is the loving protection of all beings with a spirit of reconciliation. Reconciliation means to allow the completion of everyone's mission.
The "Way" means to be one with the will of the kami and practice it. If we are even slightly apart from it, it is no longer the Way.
We can say that Aikido is a way to sweep away devils with the sincerity of our breath instead of a sword. That is to say, to turn the devil-minded world into the World of Spirit. This is the mission of Aikido.
The devil-mind will go down in defeat and the Spirit rise up in victory. Then Aikido will bear fruit in this world.
Without budo a nation goes to ruin, because budo is the life of loving protection and is the source of the activities of science.
Those who seek to study Aikido should open their minds, listen to the sincerity of the kami through Aikido, and practice it. You should understand the great ablution of Aiki, practice it and improve without hinderance. Willingly begin the cultivation of your spirit.
I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind. This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission.