By Atty. Gerry Villaluz, 4th Dan

Sometimes history is created by a stroke of luck. In 1988, Kawasho Corporation sent a Japanese national by the name of Tadashi Komenoi to the Philippines for a five-year tour of duty.  By a fortunate twist of fate, Mr. Komenoi was also a 3rd Dan practitioner of Aikido. 

Shortly after his arrival, Mr. Komenoi resumed his practice at Makati YMCA Aikido Dojo, and eventually became their Chief Instructor. 

Not only did he impart his expertise at Makati YMCA Aikido Dojo, he also shared it with several other dojos such as the Red Tiger Aikido Club (now Takemusu), Quezon City Aikido Club (now Tachi Kaze Dojo), Shinbu Aikido Dojo and the Makiling Aikido Dojo.  He likewise visited the Pilipinas Aikido Propagation Association (PAPA), one of the pioneers in Aikido in the Philippines and the only Philippine Aikido organization accredited with the International Aikido Federation (IAF).

Because of Mr. Komenoi’s successful endeavors, he was appointed by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo as their official representative in the Philippines. It was then that Mr. Komenoi conveyed Hombu Dojo’s request; that all the Filipino aikidokas from all Aikido dojos and organizations in the Philippines to unify under one federation. 

In line with Hombu Dojo’s wish, Mr. Komenoi called upon all the heads of the different Aikido organizations to try to unify them.  However, he came to realize that unifying all Aikido organizations in the Philippines was just not possible.  He instead suggested to all the dojos under his tutelage to unify and form one organization and promised them that he would help the organization in getting accreditation with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

The different dojos under Mr. Komenoi took up the suggestion.  Heads of said organizations namely Royce Reyes of the Makati YMCA Aikido Club, Ipe Pelino of the Quezon City Aikido Club, Marielle Macapawa of the Red Tiger Aikido Club, Manolo Villegas of the Makiling Aikido Dojo and Abe Chavez of Shinbu held several meetings.  With the assistance of their legal counsel, Atty. Gerry Villaluz, they adopted a constitution and officially formed Aikido Philippines. 

On November 21, 1992, Aikido Philippines gained recognition as an accredited Aikido organization under the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.  The previous Doshu, the late Kisshomaru Ueshiba, signed the certificate of recognition.  In 1994, Kawasho Corporation recalled Mr. Komenoi back to Japan.  Aikido Philippines however relied on its own strength and flourished despite being orphaned by the departure of Mr. Komenoi. 

In 1997, Aikido Philippines, with Willy Li as its president, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became Aikido Philippines, Inc. (Aikiphil).  In November 30, 1997, Aikido Philippines, Inc. achieved one of its greatest milestones.  Through the intercession of Robert Soliven (4th dan) of PAPA and Atty. Gerry Villaluz (3rd dan) of Aikido Philippines, Inc., a memorandum of agreement was signed between PAPA and AIKIPHIL.  In said agreement, the two organizations vowed to bond together and assist one another in the learning and propagation of Aikido as taught by O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. 

In 1998, Japan Foundation gave Aikido Philippines, Inc. and PAPA a grant for the training of blackbelts of both organizations by a Shihan from Hombu Dojo.  In July 1998, Hiroshi Fujimaki Shidoin from Hombu Dojo came to the Philippines for this purpose.  From July 1 through December 15, 1998, Fujimaki Shidoin trained blackbelts from both organizations.  This training modernized and upgraded Aikido in the Philippines to its present level. 

Since its formation in 1992, Aikido Philippines, Inc. has grown into one of the strongest and most stable aikido organizations in the Philippines.  From its original membership of five in 1992, Aikiphil increased its membership to thirteen in 1999 and is currently composed of 15 clubs.