Eduard Folayang, Joshua Pacio, Honorio Banario, and Jeremy Pacatiw recently achieved significant milestones in their respective careers, underscoring their commitment to continuous growth and the pursuit of excellence in mixed martial arts.
Folayang, Pacio, and Pacatiw were promoted to blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Prof. Gibran Langbayan on Sunday, June 11, at the Landslide Martial Arts Training Center in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Meanwhile, Banario received his second stripe in the same BJJ rank from Langbayan after earning his blue belt from Prof. John Baylon in 2018.
In an interview with Tiebreaker Times, all four had one thing in common when describing their individual achievements in the aforementioned grappling discipline: “It’s worth the wait.”
“Of course, we’re all pleased. But for us, this is simply the beginning of a never-ending learning adventure,” added Folayang.
Folayang, Pacio, Banario, Pacatiw, and even Kevin Belingon hold Langbayan in high regard. The 36-year-old Baguio City native has been a consistent podium finisher in various international tournaments since 2017, with an outstanding medal haul of six golds, four silvers, and two bronzes.
Moreover, Langbayan is recognized as the first black belt in the Cordilleran region after obtaining his promotion from Prof. Leonardo Fernandes in February 2022. He also presided over Belingon’s surprise moving-up ceremony to blue belt this past April.
“He has the credentials to coach and mentor athletes in jiu-jitsu,” said Folayang of Langbayan.
Folayang and Pacio returned home on June 3 after a two-month excursion in the United States, where they visited major gyms such as the Jackson Wink MMA Academy, Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Gym, Kings MMA Anaheim, and 10th Planet Oceanside Jiu-Jitsu and Training Center.
On the other hand, Banario and Pacatiw were part of the Philippine national kickboxing team that competed at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in May.
Pacatiw claimed silver in the 67-kilogram K-1 bracket, while Banario settled for a bronze medal in the 71-kilogram low-kick event.
They, along with Belingon, are eager to see action under the ONE Championship banner later this year.
Folayang is expected to make a huge announcement pertaining to their future as a stable later this month.
