On April 30, 2011, the country’s biggest gathering of tai chi and qigong enthusiasts happens at the Valdes Hall of Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on North Avenue, Quezon City. The World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) celebration is an annual event that is celebrated across 70 countries all over the world. Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society (Peace Blossoms), a recreational club founded in 2008, has been hosting and organizing this global activity for four years now. Its predecessors, Spring of Harmony Internal Arts Club and Blue Dragon Society, in partnership with the Chevalier Monks of Christ, have been organizing the WTCQD celebrations since 2003.
Antonio Delgado, President of Peace Blossoms, says “We are celebrating World Tai Chi and Qigong Day to express unity and radiate positive energy towards our environment; at Peace Blossoms, our focus is to radiate peace, love and harmony through the practice of tai chi.” Delgado adds that the celebration will also put the Philippines on the map of countries that practice tai chi. “Starting at 10am on April 30, different countries from all over the world will be doing tai chi together, so because of the different time zones, the effect will be such that the whole world will be doing tai chi together for 24 straight hours,” Delgado explains.
Like Delgado, Irene Chia, Director of Peace Blossoms, also stresses that the group aims to promote peace, harmony and unity among diverse groups through the practice of tai chi and qigong. Peace here pertains to peace on all levels, be it physical, mental, emotional, psychological, economic, or spiritual.
Chia adds, “Peace Blossoms sees its role as an agent of change that moves people from diverse backgrounds towards the transformation of their consciousness.” The organization believes that there can only be real change in society if there is change in consciousness. She also adds that the more people who have transformed their consciousness, the quicker this process of change will be. “We want to help people become better, more caring, more loving persons, and to become more ‘evolved’ beings for the greater good of humanity,” Chia says. By hosting this event, the group also hopes to educate the general public about the health and healing benefits of tai chi and qigong.
This year’s celebration will revolve around the history and development of tai chi, including the evolution of different tai chi styles and lineage. Chia will give a lecture on tai chi and qigong’s rich history. Her talk will be highlighted by live demonstrations from different tai chi groups and individuals, mostly coming from members and affiliates of Peace Blossoms. Program will showcase different Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun routines, including demos of Wudang Tai Chi, Kung Fu Fan routine, and Tai Chi for Health demo (diabetes). Finally, the Senior Citizens Group from Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal will lead the group shibashi, accompanied by live electronic music courtesy of Blend:er.
To give the opening remarks and read the opening statement of this year’s WTCQD celebration will be Karen Tanada, one of the organization’s officers. Tanada is the Executive Director of Gaston Ortigas Peace Institute, an NGO that works on peace issues. Dr. Edgardo Uyehara of VMMC will talk about tai chi’s role in rehabilitation therapy. Delgado will expound on the science and application of the group’s Tai Chi for Health Programs: Tai Chi for Diabetes, Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Back Pain. Jundio Salvador, owner of Pan De Amerikana Bakery and Garden Restaurant and supporter of Peace Blossoms’ efforts in promoting tai chi and qigong for health, will give the closing remarks.
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese form of movement which integrates mind-body coordination, proper breathing and cultivation of internal energy (chi). It is considered to be the melting pot of the internal arts, and one of the earliest sources of the different martial art styles that we know today. Tai chi relaxes the mind and body and helps fight stress, improve balance, flexibility and posture. Regular practice generally leads to better mind and body health. Qigong, on the other hand, is defined by the National Qigong Association in the US as “an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.” Tai chi, specifically, is a form of qigong. Millions of people from all over the world practice qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds and reconnect with their spirit.
This year’s celebration is made possible with the help of our sponsors (in alphabetical order) and donors: AquaHealth, Big Banners, Blend:er, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (Veterans Memorial Medical Center), Rosanna L. Duavit, Dulcofiber and Boehringer Ingelheim (Phil.) Inc., Hilot Pinoy, Rey Jose, Jugno’s Monster Pizza, Kebab Fil-Sian Grill, Julie Lim, Pan de Amerikana, Richard Paredes, Premium Gift Center, Inc., Premium Graphics Asia Center, Inc., and Sassa Activewear.
The program will run from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday, April 30, 2011. It is free and open to the public. Hilot practitioners from Hilot Pinoy will be present during the event to offer massage therapy for a minimal fee. For inquiries about the 2011 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, please contact Irene Chia through 0917-845-6856 (mobile), 436-1860 (landline), or email her through peace.blossoms.society@gmail.com. For more information on tai chi and Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society, visit the website on peaceblossoms.weebly.com
*”Smile, breathe and go slowly” is a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh.
Note: Thank you Peace Blossoms for this article.
Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly*: Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society Organizes the 2011 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the Philippines
A Message from Earl
First of all, I would like to thank the people who are constantly visiting and promoting the site. The Philippine Tai Chi Network, although small, has helped a few people who have been searching for Tai Chi mentors in the Philippines.
It gives me joy to read people's emails and queries. This just proves that the Tai Chi community in the Philippines should continue to come together to promote this art. In this regard, I am opening a new link where we can post queries, announcements, etc... we are a community now and with that, I would like to provide a place where everyone can participate and exchange ideas. In the new PTN forum, not only can we post and answer questions but also give each other support. For the practice of Tai Chi is not something detached from ourselves... the practice of Tai Chi sinks and is manifested in the way we live.
Tai Chi is more than what is seems to be... it transforms one's heart, one's mind, and one's soul. This blog site cannot offer the people what Tai Chi really provides... this site however, provides the gateway to put the seeker's quest to the next level.
Would you like to take the red pill or the blue pill? The choice is yours.
Click here to view the PTN FORUM
Train with Master Giezi Miranda
Master Giezi Miranda is a certified Tai Chi Teacher who studied under Master Fung Jun Li, disciple of Wang Xian. He won many Tai Chi competitions, among these are the most prestigious China & HK Tai Chi Competition, and the HK Master's Game Competition. He lived in Hong Kong for 19 years, and now resides in the Philippines. You can contact him directly at 09152856003.
Email: sanpablopang@yahoo.com
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The gentle and strong way of Tai Chi
Below is an article by HENNESSY JEAN RANGAS last November 2010
It was 6 a.m. on a Sunday but instead of sleeping in, I was up early and walking briskly to attend my morning session of Tai Chi. Though I was only accompanying a friend, I wanted to observe and see for myself if the moves are really as elegant as the ones depicted in images and videos I saw online.
I had always wanted to practice a martial art both for fitness and for self-defense but I was too scared to break any bones. The fact that Tai Chi (literally translated "Supreme Ultimate Boxing") was actually a fighting style that employed gentle movements got me even more interested. It made me think about old kung fu movies and the cool moves of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
The instructor that morning was Antonio "Ton" Delgado. His unassuming nickname and pleasant demeanor hides the fact that he is a Tai Chi and Qi Gong Instructor from the Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society. According to their website, the society “is a non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-political recreational club with the mission of promoting and integrating peace and harmony in the myriad activities of daily life since a life lived in radiant peace blesses one with the natural treasures of health, wealth, success, and prosperity."
To read more, click on the link below:
The gentle and strong way of Tai Chi - Lifestyle - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News
Thank you Irene Chia for the email.
A Message from Dr. Paul Lam
Hello Everyone,
