By Tong-il Moo Do Federation Philippines
The World Tong-il Moo-Do Federation Philippines Inc., held its 2023 TONG-IL MOO DO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in City Mall, Cebu City from July 21-25, 2023, with the theme “One Mind, One Body, One Tong-il Moo-Do!”. The event was hosted by the WTMF-Region-VII Westen Visayas.
The presence of the Great Grandmaster, Dr. Joon Ho Seuk, the founder of Tong-il Moo-Do, made the event more meaningful as all the delegates are looking forward to seeing him in -person. Other Tong-il Moo-Do International leaders were also present during the event: Master Raffy Ablong-Secretary General WTMF-International, Master Seong Hee Cheol- President of WTMF-Korea, Dr. Choi Jong Kyun-Professor of Sun Moon University, Sahbumnim Lee Kyeong Nim and Harumi Matarai -Il Won Do Instructors and Paster Park Gu Yong of Boeun Church.
The event was participated by 13 regions in the Philippines. A total of 400 delegates attended the event which comprised 263 players and 137 guests. It was one of the most anticipated events of Tong-il Moo Do Philippines, as practitioners prepared for a year to showcase their skills in Bon Competition, Gichoom Competition, and Sparring Competition. It also aims to showcase the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie among players and coaches. It also became an avenue for all the practitioners to meet their co-practitioners from different parts of the country. Delegates were accommodated in Abellano National High School, where the school head showed full support to the event. A total of 400 delegates were accommodated including other guests.
The event was supported by the Local Government Unit of Cebu City, headed by Hon. Michael Rama, City Mayor of Cebu, who provided the transportation of delegates from the airport and seaport to the accommodation area (and vice versa) and the medical team.
Hon. Michael Rama, delivered an inspiring message of hope for all the young practitioners in the event. He even sang the song “The Greatest Love of All”, where everyone sang together in chorus. The venue was filled with so much happiness as everyone felt the message of the song in relation to the message of hope delivered by Hon. Michael Rama. He then received the honorary blackbelt personally signed by Dr. Joon Ho Seuk, and it was handed to him by Dr. Song Hee Cheol and Master Raffy Ablong along with other Tongil Moo Do key leaders.
Tong-il Moo Do is indeed a great way to save our young people. With this kind of martial art, our young people will find their purpose and will become true examples of a champion. A champion who will become a role model of purity, peace, and hope for the next generation.
The 2023 TONG-IL MOO-DO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP became an avenue for all the practitioners from across the country to showcase their hard work in training, their fighting spirit, and their discipline, and it also became an avenue of peace. Players have shown that, win or lose they are all brothers and sisters, by showing respect and love for one another.
With these, Tong-il Moo-do pledges to continuously save young people with its technical skills and moral values centering on our three life goals; to become a man and woman of good character, to establish an ideal family, and to contribute to a world of lasting peace and prosperity.
