While he still looks 55 today, Master Bing Grandeza is actually, very much retired as sports director of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC). In other words, he has been a senior citizen of the City of Davao for a number of years.
I first met Master Bing in one of our early sports coverages of the Philippine Moo Duk Kwan-Tang Soo Do Tournaments at the Almendras gym, many moons back. This was like in the early 1990’s.
But, I think it was only in the early 2000’s, that me and a few sportswriters started working closely with him because of the annual Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) city, regional and national competitions.
We took rounds in covering the PRISAA National Championships. Either it will be Marianne Saberon of Sunstar, Peter Magbanua of the Times or me.
I would like to mention that there were also three sports directors who thought of us at that time, that we should be part of the sports delegation. William “Butch” Ramirez of Ateneo de Davao University, Joaquin “Boy” Sarabia of the University of Mindanao and Edgardo “Bing” Grandeza of UIC.
So, there’s a little background for you. During those early years, we have to carry our own manual typewriters and look for the nearest PT&T to fax our stories.
But I am here to honor the 55 years of devotion of Master Bing as a teacher of Moo Duk Kwan-Tang Soo Do.
Can you just imagine that number of years? 55 in their chosen martial art.
I did not ask the number of students they have throughout those years but you will have a basic idea that the once young Dabawenyos and Dabawenyas, who are now in their senior years, have gone through training under the Grandeza family of martial artists.
The Philippine Moo Duk Kwan-Tang Soo Do Inc. has been a pillar in sports development in the city of Davao and in other parts of the country.
I have seen how devoted their students are to this type of martial art and despite not being a local National Sports Association (NSA), it has thrived and grown tremendously all these long years.
And that is because they have Integrity.
If you notice in Davao, those who occupy key positions in either government or the private sector, have gone through the Moo Duk Kwan-Tang Soo Do training. And I have not heard of any foolishness. Mga tarong gyud.
To Master Bing Grandeza, congratulations sir!
And may your Legacy continue for the next 55 years.
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