Alvin Aguilar
Arthur Alvin A. Aguilar is a Filipino martial artist and mixed martial arts promoter better known as "Alvin Aguilar". He was born on April 28, 1974 in Bacolod, Philippines. He is the president and founder of the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC, 2002–present);[1] He is also the founder and head coach of DEFTAC Ribeiro Jiu-jitsu Philippines (DEFTAC, 1996–present.) and is currently serving as the president of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines. He started training in martial arts at the age of 9, first in karate, Arnis and Greco-Roman wrestling. Having spent over 30 years of his life to the study of multiple martial arts forms including Sari-an, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Yaw-Yan, Pekiti etc., he has developed his own unique fighting style specialized in grappling, knife and street fighting. He is also known for being the first home-grown Filipino Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black belt.[2]
Arthur Alvin A. Aguilar | |
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Born | Arthur Alvin A. Aguilar |
Other names | Alvin Aguilar |
Nationality | Filipino |
Style | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Shotokan, Yaw-Yan, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, Greco-Roman wrestling |
Teacher(s) | Royce Gracie, Saulo Ribeiro, Rob Cousart |
Rank | 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Notable students | Maybelline Masuda |
Website | http://www.alvinaguilar.com |
Medal record | ||
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Representing Philippines | ||
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | ||
Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
2016 Tokyo | -73kg |
Biography
Alvin Aguilar is only son of Arthur Aguilar and Madeleine Aguilar. Growing up, Alvin was considered by his parents, teachers and peers as a very hyperactive child. He was very athletic so his parents were forced to keep him immersed in various extra-curricular activities just to keep him busy. At the early age of nine he began to show much interest in martial arts, an interest that both his parents supported all the way. His father would even drive him around as he explored different gyms and systems. He had an early exposure to Arnis through his father and later on he learned Shotokan Karate, and Greco-Roman Wrestling throughout the 80s.
He earned his college degree in Behavioral Science at De La Salle University Where he went on to become the leader of his fraternity (Tau Gamma Phi). His involvement in fraternity violence[3] rapidly increased and so did his thirst to seek out the most effective forms of combat. He would later join a group called Sari-An, or Sariling Pamamaraan,[4] a martial arts group founded in the 1980s that was geared towards underground street fighting under the tutelage of the system's originator Robert Cousart. He also started training his Sticks and Knife Fighting skills with Sixto Carlos of Carlos Hermanos and with Leo Gaje of Pekiti Tirsia Kali. His pursuit of martial arts excellence is guided by three main principles: authenticity, credibility, and combat effectivity.
Starting his Gracie Jiu-jitsu training at the Gracie Academy in Los Angeles, California in 1993, he became one of three existing certified International training representatives to the Gracie Association. The other two come from Nassau, Bahamas and Canada. In 2006, he was promoted to black belt by Brazilian Black Belt Kazeka Muniz. [2] In 2009, he became a member of Gracie Humaita under Royler Gracie. He now trains under Saulo Ribeiro of Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu. In May, 2010, he was promoted to 1st degree black belt by Royler Gracie.[5]
Fighting and Grappling career
Aguilar is a decorated fighter and grappler. He is a 3-time Undefeated Fighter, Sari-An Annual Sparing Meet, and he won in many underground fights. His first notable accomplishment was winning silver in 1999 Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Tournament at Detroit Michigan, United States. Four years after earning the title as the first Filipino BJJ black belt in 2006, Aguilar achieved the record for being the first homegrown Filipino BJJ black belt to win a match at the Mundials.[5][6] In the same year, Aguilar competed in the Philippine Wrestling National Open where he recorded the fastest pin (17 seconds) in Philippine wrestling history.[7] He settled with a silver in the competition. In September 2016, he won gold in Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Tokyo, Japan[8]
Court Cases
In his younger days, he was known to roam bars in Manila looking for fights in bars or clubs in order to test his fighting skills. He has been involved in numerous street fights including a case involving fraternity violence through which he was expelled by the administrators of De La Salle University due to injuries inflicted on a member of a rival fraternity. He filed a lawsuit against the university and the court eventually ruled in his favor.[9]
In 2003, he fell victim of a drive-by shooting in front of Olive Bar in Makati Ave, the gunman opened fire at Emiliano Familar and Aguilar. Familiar was pronounced dead on arrival while Aguilar survived three M16 bullet shots with 2 exit wounds and 1 bullet still lodged near his spine to this day.[10]
Controversy
URCC promoter Alvin Aguilar chokes out fighter for attacking the referee during the event at his own promotion, URCC Baguio 3: Invasion. This incident remains the only time a promoter took physical action against a competitor, in defense to the referee being attacked by the fighter.[11]
DEFTAC Pilipinas
In the year 1996, Aguilar formed DEFTAC Philippines[12] a Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team and is known as one of the biggest BJJ academies in the Philippines.[13] Under Aguilar's complete and direct guidance, DEFTAC has trained and produced martial arts champions in BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, Wrestling and FMA including first Filipino World BJJ Gold Medalist: Maybelline Masuda, National and International MMA and BJJ Champions: Marcus Valda, Richard Lasprilla, Allan Co, Fritz Rodriguez, Louie Sanggalang, Ali Khatibi, Vince Ortiz, Justin Ceriola, Myron Mangubat, and Red Romero.
B.A.M.F. Mixed Martial Arts Center
In October 2008, Aguilar opened an MMA school, the B.A.M.F. Mixed Martial Arts Center.[14] His MMA gym, located in Paranaque, Philippines, offers instruction in Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling and Boxing. Professional fighters like Royce Gracie, Saulo Ribeiro, and Mauricio "Tinguinha" Mariano have conducted seminars at the center.
Personal life
Alvin has three children (Liam, Lucas, and Lucho) with his ex-wife, former URCC marketing director, Bubbles Bermudez. He's currently running his businesses with his partner, BJJ black belt phenom and first Filipina BJJ Worlds (Mundials) Gold Medalist, Maybelline Masuda with whom he shares his only daughter Aielle.[15]
References
- "About Us". urcc-mma.com.
- First Filipino Gracie Barra Black Belt, YouTube
- "Philippines: The Baddest Man in Manila - Full Length | Worldwide". Fightland. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- "Gangs of Manila". philstar.com.
- "The Man Who Lives With A Bullet In His Spine". www.saichi.ph.
- "Alvin Aguilar". ProjectLifestyleManila.com.
- "Wrestling FASTEST PIN: Philippine Record - Alvin Aguilar". youtube.com.
- "URCC founder Alvin Aguilar claims gold medal BJJ tournament in Japan". sports.abs-cbn.com.
- "NAGTATAGIS sa kasong ito ang karapatang mag-aral ng apat na estudyante na nasangkot sa away ng dalawang fraternity at ang karapatang akademiko ng isang pamantasan". sc.judiciary.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- Salaverria, Leila. "Olive Bar gunman identified". news.google.com. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- Tabuena, Anton (February 22, 2011). "URCC Promoter Alvin Aguilar Chokes Out Fighter for Attacking Referee". BloodyElbow.com.
- Hilado, Jerome. "Mixed Martial Arts MMA Philippines". Deftac Pilipinas. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- Hilado, Jerome. "About MMA Philippines". DeftacPilipinas.com.
- "B.A.M.F :: The #1 Mixed Martial Arts Center in the Philippines | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) | Boxing | Muay Thai | Wrestling". www.bamfmma.com. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- MUNDIALS 09': Awarding - White - F - Pluma, YouTube