DEFTAC is set to open a franchise in this city on Saturday, June 28, as part of its bid to expand its reach and share the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, promoting self-defense, discipline, and grit among sports-loving Filipinos.

“I am very excited to open our first DEFTAC Iloilo gym under the DEFTAC Franchise as we have created many national champions, including a 3rd place finish in the World Championship,” said Deftac founder and first Filipino Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Alvin Aguilar,

“This gym will produce many Champions from Iloilo,” added Aguilar, one of five big figures in the sport who will grace the grand opening of a gym on the third floor of LBS Bldg. on Jalandoni St., Iloilo City.

Bemedalled Jiu-Jitsu artists, including Prof. May Masuda, Aielle Aguilar, Zony Zaldarriaga, and David Zaldarriaga, will witness the grand opening, which regional TV news will cover.

Prof. Masuda is the first Filipino World champion and Asian Beach Games gold medalist. She also holds the distinction of being the first Filipina Black Belter.

Aielle Aguilar, on the other hand, is a three-time Youngest Filipina world champion. Zony Zaldarriaga is the chapter head of Deftac Iloilo, while David Zaldarriaga is a bronze medalist.

A seminar will precede the grand launch at 9 a.m. to be conducted by Chief Alvin, Prof. May, and Aielle Aguilar.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense system, martial art, and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds – something that Deftac stakeholders want to impart to as many Filipinos as possible

ANOTHER Filipino warrior will be seeing action in the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios fight card on July 19 as former world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo battles Mexican Jorge Mata Cuellar at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

EUMIR FELIX MARCIAL — one of the country’s top boxing talents — will be returning to the ring alongside the living legend Manny Pacquiao on July 19 as one of the undercards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ONE of the most thrilling experiences at Philippine Blockchain Week 2025 (PBW) is set to explode on June 10! Crypto Fight Night and ONCHAIN team up for a high-energy fusion of live boxing and Web3 culture that true boxing fans won’t want to miss. Held at Hall 4 of the SMX Convention Center Manila, this event brings together fighters, blockchain innovators, and digital pioneers.

DEFTAC – Southeast Asia’s pioneering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts elite group – celebrated its three decades of excellence in the sport at the Hilton by recently honoring those who have become champions in the world and Asian tournaments, as well the very people behind the organization and the contributors.

Make no mistake, jiujitsu is gaining headway as one of the most popular sports in the world today.

A personality known for his patronage of the Jiujitsu in Guam will attest to this.

“With the sport growing, going bigger, jiujitsu has just formulated into a world-renowned sport and the thing about it is that Guam is also growing out of the sport’s popularity in the Philippines,” declared Steve Shimizu, President of Marianas Open International and sports tourism in Guam.

Shimizu even went to as far as citing what he described as the growing popularity of this Japanese combat sport in the Philippines.

“Most importantly, (jujitsu) it has grown on popularity among Filipinos as well as the Guamanians who love to compete here,” the Guam visitor said.

Shimizu also issued kind words for the Filipino jiujitsu athletes whom he considers as one of the toughest.

“One of the awesome things about the Philippines is its athletes who are very well tact, very renowned, and I competed alongside with them in Japan, in Philippines and I tell you they are tough, and the reason why we're here,” Shimizu narrated.

Shimizu, in an utter show of love for the sport and admiration of the Filipino jujitsu athletes, had come to town to grace a jiujitsu Marianas Pro Manila tournament in Alabang, which came to a close on Sunday, April 6.

He also lauded the tournament organized by Asian Sport Jiu-Jitsu Federation (ASJJF) led by its Manila president Alvin Lee, and Edison Kagohara, the ASJJF Overall President of Asia.

“Our partners here, Alvin Lee, put up a great event. He (Lee) has some great experiences, and all of us too,” said Shimizu, who expressed optimism on opening the door and bridge the gap between the Filipino and Guam jiujitsu competitors.

Shimizu is hoping more Filipino athletes would compete in the Marianas Pro Taiwan from April 26 to 27, and Marianas Open International on October 18 in Guam for the grand finale where a prize pool of $50,000 will be at stake.