CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Only last April, SM Supermalls in partnership with BSM (Body Spirit & Mind) Taekwondo launched mall based face-to-face taekwondo classes in SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Tarlac, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Pampanga, SM City Marilao, and SM City Baliwag.
Taekwondo, a well-known Korean form of martial art characterized primarily by kicking and punching techniques, has since attracted many students from mall goers and local residents.
On September 24, a successful F2F promotional test was organized at SM City Pampanga event center.
“We had a total of 55 participants, including 38 white belts, 11 yellow belts, two blue belts, and four red belts. Hard work paid off and we are proud to have our first batch of students to be promoted in person here in Region 3,” said head coach Ermin Janoras.
Janoras noted that the belt promotions are rich in meaning and philosophy: “As a learner advances from white to black belt, it signifies the knowledge and power obtained and experienced. This teaches practitioners how to fortify their spirits and lives through physical and mental exercise.” Aaron Montenegro, mall manager of SM City Pampanga, shared that he was a taekwondo scholar during his college days in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.
“Taekwondo has a special part in my heart. It helped me in many ways. Aside from the championship trophies and free education it developed my focus and proper discipline,” he said.
According to Janoras, to advance from one belt to the next, students must demonstrate competency through a grading system in front of judges or an instructor.
“Breaking boards or wood to illustrate the use of methods with power and control, self-defense, and sparring to demonstrate the application and control of techniques are all examples of patterns,” he said.
Aside from physical test, students have to undergo oral test about history and methodology to pass the promotional test. This will exhibit the understanding of the students of taekwondo.
For enrollment or other details follow or PM facebook page at Body Spirit & Mind Taekwondo or call 0916-7484727.
