In the heart of the Philippines, where tradition meets grit, a retired U.S. Navy Chief named Ferdinand Munsayac—better known in the fight world as “Papa Goat”—is leading a quiet revolution. It’s not political, but cultural, martial, and deeply personal.
“Papa Goat” is no ordinary moniker. It blends the Navy’s nickname for its Chiefs—“goats”—with the Filipino custom of calling respected elders “Papa.” After serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, including during the Persian Gulf War, Papa Goat returned home 17 years ago not to retire, but to rebuild something forgotten: the soul of Filipino martial arts (FMA).
From Gloves to Sticks: The Evolution of a Vision
Papa Goat began as a boxing promoter in Marikina, reviving the local scene and offering young fighters a way out of poverty. But what he saw brewing in the shadows of MMA caught his attention—Filipino martial arts were fading, trapped in tradition, underfunded, and underappreciated.
“I wasn’t really interested at first,” he admits. “The fighters were fully armored. It looked more like a medieval reenactment than a martial art.” But that changed in 2014 when he decided to evolve the sport—stripping away bulky gear and bringing it into the modern arena: the MMA cage.
That decision gave birth to Juego Todo, a full-contact FMA format blending tradition with modern sport rules. Fighters wear light protective gear—headgear, gloves, mouthguards—and wield rattan sticks with real force and strategy. It’s not just a spectacle; it’s a proving ground.
UGB MMA and the Rise of FMA
Juego Todo operates under UGB MMA Corporation, Papa Goat’s parent promotion company that has hosted 131 events across the Philippines in the past 12 years. It’s the only promotion of its kind that travels the country—north to south—bringing the fight, and the opportunity, to rural and urban communities alike.
Both UGB MMA and Juego Todo share a singular mission: to fight poverty through combat sports.
“We don’t just build fighters. We build lives,” says Papa Goat. “That’s the purpose I found when I retired—to give back to my community.”
In 2018, he launched the first-ever Juego Todo Grand Championships, where 16 fighters battled through elimination rounds for real prizes—a house and lot, motorcycle, cash, and even livelihood packages. It was grassroots, raw, and full of heart. And it didn’t need celebrity flash—just grit and passion.
Beyond the Cage: Honoring the Grandmasters
Juego Todo isn’t only about the fighters. It’s also a cultural movement to honor and support the aging masters of FMA—many of whom live and die in poverty despite decades of contribution to Filipino heritage.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Papa Goat says. “You’ll see Facebook posts from families asking for donations just to bury a grandmaster. That should never happen.”
That’s why Juego Todo includes advocacy work. With a council of masters and grandmasters—they’re creating structured opportunities for these elders to teach, guide, and continue living with dignity.
From the Philippines to the DMV: Lex and His Father Join the Fight
Thousands of miles away in the U.S., a father and son team—Lex and his father Wesley—were watching.
Longtime Filipino martial artists based on the East Coast, they had been following Papa Goat’s work for years, quietly admiring from afar as Juego Todo transformed from an idea into a full-blown movement.
Wesley, a seasoned FMA practitioner and community leader, saw something powerful in what Papa Goat was building: a structured system, a real pathway for fighters, and a deep respect for Filipino cultural identity. When the time was right, he reached out.
“Whatever you say, you deliver,” Wesley told Papa Goat during their first real conversation. That trust became the foundation of a new alliance.
In 2023, Papa Goat gave his blessing: Lex and Wesley would become the first official U.S. promoters of Juego Todo through their organization P.A.S. – Pinakatay Arnis Sigidas.
More than just an affiliate, PAS is a grassroots movement that shares the same DNA as Juego Todo. Together, they’re planting seeds of Filipino pride and martial discipline throughout the East Coast.
“Lex and his dad are passionate not just about fighting—but about preserving and elevating our heritage,” Papa Goat says. “They understand this is about more than combat. It’s about dignity.”
Building a Council, Building a Future
Lex has taken the East Coast chapter to the next level by assembling a Council of Seven—respected martial artists from across the U.S. who each bring a unique perspective. Some specialize in FMA, others in Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, or Sanda. The goal is diversity in approach, unity in vision.
“We want to bring in not just Arnisadores,” Lex says, “but anyone with a serious martial background who sees the value in adapting to this format and growing with it.”
Below the council is a rising network of ambassadors—community leaders and instructors being trained to host workshops, share knowledge, and grow the sport locally. Each ambassador helps educate new students while representing the shared values of Juego Todo: community, respect, and warrior culture.
DMV Events, Cultural Crossovers, and a New Wave
Lex and PAS have already launched workshops, demos, and cross-discipline collaborations—including a partnership with DMV Sumo for a July 26 event in PG County. And on August 9, PAS will host a major showcase at Crescendo Studios in Falls Church, VA—featuring full-contact stick fights, cultural education, and a reintroduction of Filipino martial arts to a generation that barely knows its name.
“We want people to understand FMA is more than sticks,” Lex says. “It’s storytelling, discipline, cultural memory. If you’ve trained in Muay Thai or BJJ, you’ll find your skillset has crossover potential. This is a living, breathing tradition. We just needed to evolve it.”
Fighting Poverty, Preserving Identity
The work of Papa Goat, Lex, and Wesley doesn’t stop in the cage. One of their most important missions is to support the aging masters of FMA—many of whom live in poverty despite their cultural significance. PAS and Juego Todo aim to create systems of financial support and recognition to ensure that no master dies unnoticed or uncelebrated.
“There’s no reason a master should need to crowdfund his own burial,” says Lex. “We’re here to change that.”
A Final Word from Papa Goat
“There is life after being an arnisador,” he says. “We want to show young Pinoys and Pinays—here and abroad—that your heritage can feed you, elevate you, and give you purpose. FMA isn’t just sticks. It’s identity. It’s community. And it’s time we take it seriously.”
Want to get involved?
Follow Juego Todo on social media (@JuegoTodoUSAOfficial) for event updates, ambassador training, and international affiliate opportunities.
For inquiries about DMV events or coverage, email us at TheFilAmNews@gmail.com