| Also known as | MASA |
|---|---|
| Date founded | 1972 |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Founder | Romeo de Castro Mascardo |
| Practitioners | Master Reynaldo Postrado |
| Official website | http://www.lipingmaharlika.blogspot.com (due to the expiration of the website, the association use blogspot to have the website renewal) |
The Maharlika Arnis Sikaran Association (MASA) is a non-stock, non-profit organization. It was founded in 1972, with Romeo de Castro Mascardo as the association president. It is the biggest of the four associations forming the NARAPHIL.
It has five chapters – three in Cavite, namely; the Bacoor chapter (headed by Carlito Mendoza), Imus and Kawit chapters (headed by Amor Cuntapay); the Luneta or Rizal Park chapter (headed by Solomon Manzanilla); and, the Nayong Pilipino chapter (headed by Benjamin O. Capacete).
As the title of the association suggests, they taught both sikaran and arnis simultaneously in their program of instruction.
The association participated more in sikaran tournaments than arnis, in view of the fact that there were no arnis contests being conducted during those times. It was in 1973 when the "1st Grand Maharlika Arnis Championship" that a full contact competition came into reality. The Nayong Pilipino chapter hosted the first event and thereafter until 1975.
With the emergence of the NARAPHIL, all full contact arnis contests came into respite and they concentrated more on their efforts to propagate and revive it’s practice.
A research team was formed to make an actual study program and documentation among the old practitioners in the fields and remote areas of the archipelago. Romeo Mascardo and Ramon Obusan headed the team. That study group brought out the real "Grandmasters" of the art and later was given the proper recognition they deserved. (Excerpts from NARAPHIL history)
The emergence of the Maharlika Arnis System came into place when the MASA finally concentrated its practice in arnis. Sikaran was an optional martial art and taught only in the Instructors Course. Five modules came into place, namely; Basic course, Advance course, Instructors course, for Law Enforcers and as a Competitive sport.