After a highly-successful run in 2015, Commercenter Alabang once again partners with Triumvirate Fighting for Artesuave Manila, the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event of its kind staged in the Philippines. Slated on October 29-30, 2016, this year’s most-anticipated local BJJ competition and lifestyle expo will gather fighters and coaches from different BJJ and MMA clubs and teams, as well as martial arts enthusiasts and groups all over Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
“We are proud to once again bring Artesuave Manila to the local BJJ and MMA community,” says Leslie Tagle-Dinglasan, Vice President for Marketing of Philippine Allied Enterprises Corporation, holding company of Commercenter Alabang. “We were overwhelmed at how warmly the 2015 event was received, and we really look forward to hosting these athletes again this year.”
In its debut year, Artesuave Manila made history by being one of the first local BJJ competitions to open its doors to grapplers of the MMA community. Phenomenal young fighter Eddie Estrada of Yaw-Yan Buhawi was discovered in this event, turning pro just a few months thereafter. He got signed by Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), the longest-running MMA promotion in Asia.
The event is also the first to introduce superfights in BJJ competitions, with a stacked fight card headlined by URCC and Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) alums like CJ “The Golden Boy” de Tomas, Bernard “The Hitman” Soriano, Gab “Dy Incredible” Dy, and Drex “The T-Rex” Zamboanga. Assembled by former URCC Matchmaker Alfred Johannes Gealogo, the elite MMA fighters battled it out in heart-stopping ten-minute all-submission bouts.
For the main competition, Rulloda and team tweaked the International BJJ Federation (IBJJF) tournament scoring for the event by removing advantage points to reduce stalling.
This move impelled more aggressive play from all competitors, a number of whom showed true mastery of technique.
“Artesuave Manila is a league by fighters, for fighters,” shares Franco Rulloda, co-founder of event producer Triumvirate Fighting and himself a Purple Belt under DEFTAC-Ribeiro Jiu-JItsu Philippines. Continuing with its mission growing the sport through competition, the event will now welcome Purple Belts.
“The sport is growing in the country really fast, and so we’re expecting to see high-level jiu-jitsu displayed on the mats again this year.”
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to mount an event like this for our local fighters,” adds Rulloda. “It was the creative agency Stratminds Events who actually introduced the Triumvirate Fighting Team to Commercenter Alabang, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Registration will begin on September 10, 2016 and will continue until October 23, 2016. The fee of Php1,500.00 per competitor already covers both gi and no-gi events. A 4+1 Group Rate will be offered from September 10 to October 7. For 2016, the event will also introduce an “OG Division” for male competitors aged 35 and over.
About Artesuave Manila
Artesuave Manila is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition and lifestyle expo. Presented by Commercenter Alabang, in partnership with Triumvirate Fighting. Artesuave Manila is supported by Samsung (Official Technology Partner), Functional Fitness Performance Center, BAMF Mixed Martial Arts Center, and Marc Pro, together with Media Partners Rappler, WhenInManila.com, DojoDrifter.com, Purveyr.com, Psst.ph, and StyleMNL. The event is slated on October 29 to 30, 2016 at Commercenter Alabang. Artesuave Manila is on Facebook (facebook.com/artesuavemanila) and Instagram (@artesuavemanila).
About Commercenter Alabang
Commercenter Alabang is a community mall located in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa. Owned and operated by Philippine Allied Enterprises Corporation, Commercenter Alabang is a new lifestyle hub that caters to the distinct tastes of the South. Like them on Facebook (facebook.com/commercenter) and follow them on Instagram (@commercenter).
