7-Day Tong-il Moo Do National Training, Philippines

In connection with this a 7-day Special Training was successfully conducted last December 22-28, 2004 at the Unification Theological Seminary-Asia, Antipolo City, Philippines with the perennial theme "Advancing Bravely Forward with Discipline." The said training was designed in order to update the instructors and practitioners with the latest techniques and forms, to standardize forms, ballets, training procedures and guidelines for promotion based on the new manuals coming from World Headquarters, and to introduce the latest TMD Philosophy lectures manual.

It was not just a mere tiresome and challenging training because it included TMD Philosophy lecture. Dr. Edgar T. Tanate the President of TMD Philippines was the main lecturer emphasizing to the participants the great role of TMD in developing one's character and heart through the training. Moreover, he told them the position of TMD in the worldwide providence of restoration. Hopefully, it would be easy for every participant to understand the lectures and impart it in their respective areas of responsibility since each of them was provided with the latest TMD lectures manual.

The presence of our TMD Asian President, Dr. Venus Agustin during the training as the training director helped a lot to elevate the performance of the practitioners. He showed the standard and proper ways of performing the TMD techniques. And since he was able to check the forms and ballets we can now see a big difference in their execution. This training, indeed, made the surest way to standardize TMD in the Philippines. And these young martial artists will soon be the country's best if they will continuously practice and polish in their own way what Master Venus has taught them. With him was Mr. Ronald Raba?o, one of the National Instructors, assisted by UTS Black belts. Together, they showed their best efforts for the participants to acquire best skills from this training.

On the fourth day of the training something very important happened, the practitioners had the opportunity to meet the pioneer of TMD Philippines, Master Gerry Servito. His visit all the way from USA was a memorable part of the training because he gave an inspiring message for both instructors and practitioners. In the same way as the participants and instructors were so inspired to see him, his inspiration was doubled to see these young martial artists as well as his students some 20 years ago who are now masters. Of course Master Venus is one of them. He expressed his hope that someday he can meet new TMD Masters from this crowd of martial artists in front of him.

The training went smoothly, and it is expected that these participants as they return home will be responsible to uplift the TMD standard.