about our dojo 
The Sacred Heart Aikido Center-Cebu is dedicated solely to the propagation of Traditional Aikido as practiced at Aikikai Foundation Hombu Dojo. Not only affiliated with the Filipino Federation of Aikido, It is also recognized by the Aikikai Foundation Hombu Dojo, the world’s center of Aikido in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
The Sacred Heart Aikido Center-Cebu is interested exclusively in sharing the beauty and enjoyment of Aikido with the youth and the not-so-young of Cebu. It aims to develop world-class practitioners who will be role models for their communities, and whose lives will be enriched by the physical and spiritual benefits of Aikido. The Sacred Heart Aikido Center-Cebu, teaches Aikido as a way to promote health and physical fitness, a mind-expanding cultural sensitivity, and a value system that enshrines hard work, personal productivity, and respect for others.
Its chief instructor is Benson Rafanan Sensei (4th dan, Aikikai), and assisting him is Atty. Graeme June Y. Elmido (2nd dan, Aikikai). The instructors are respectable, educated Filipinos who discovered Aikido years ago and would like to share the art unselfishly with others. They are typically people with good jobs or businesses, who therefore do not expect to make a living out of teaching Aikido.
our sensei 
Benson Rafanan Sensei was born on June 17, 1968. He graduated from the University of the Philippines – Cebu City campus with the degree of Bachelor in Business Management. He started taking up Aikido lessons under Tadashi Komenoi Sensei at the Makati Aikido Club, YMCA, Makati City. He became a "true beginner" in the art of Aikido, --- as several Aikido masters would say---, when he received his 1st dan in 1994. He was promoted to 2nd dan in 1996 and 3rd dan in 2000. In 2006, he earned his 4th dan. Royce Reyes Sensei (5th dan, Aikikai) the present chief instructor of Makati Aikido Club, Makati YMCA, calls Benson Rafanan Sensei an in-born talent.
schedule of practice & fees
Regular Aikido practice sessions are done every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
One-time Membership Fee ........................................................ Php 300.00
Monthly (12 sessions) ............................................................... Php 500.00
Per session
(for guests or non-members) ...................................................... Php 60.00
Inter-club Mat Fee ....................................................................... Php 60.00
(only when SHACC hosts the inter-club practice)
the program
5th kyu
45 days of practice from start of training
Ikkyo - Shomenuchi
Shihonage - Katatedori
Iriminage - Shomenuchi
Kokyuho - Sitting
4th Kyu
60 days of practice after obtaining 5th kyu
Ikkyo - Shomenuchi
Nikyo - Katadori
Shihonage - Yokomenuchi
Iriminage - Shomenuchi
Kokyuho - Sitting
3rd Kyu
75 days of practice after obtaining 4th kyu
Ikkyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing)
Nikyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing)
Sankyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing)
Yonkyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing)
Shihonage - Ryotedori, Yokomenuchi
Iriminage - Shomenuchi, Tsuki
Tenchinage - Ryotedori
Kokyuho - Sitting
2nd Kyu
75 days of practice after obtaining 3rd kyu
Ikkyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing)
Nikyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing)
Sankyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing)
Yonkyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing)
Shihonage - Katatedori (Hanmi-handachi)
Iriminage - Shomenuchi, Tsuki (Standing), Katatedori
Kotegaeshi - Shomenuchi, Tsuki (Standing), Katatedori
Kaitennage - Katatedori
Tenchinage - Ryotedori
Jiyuwaza - Katatedori
Kokyuho - Sitting
1st Kyu
90 days of practice after obtaining 2nd kyu
Ikkyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Yokomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing), Ushiro Ryotedori
Nikyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing) , Yokomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing), Ushiro Ryotedori
Sankyo - Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Yokomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing), Ushiro Ryotedori
Yonkyo Shomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Yokomenuchi (Sitting & Standing), Katadori (Sitting & Standing), Ushiro Ryotedori
Gokyo - Yokomenuchi
Shihonage - Katatedori, Ryotedori (Hanmi-handachi & Standing)
Iriminage - Shomenuchi, Tsuki, Katatedori
Kotegaeshi - Shomenuchi, Tsuki, Katatedori
Kaitennage - Shomenuchi, Tsuki, Katatedori
Tenchinage - Ryotedori
Jiyuwaza - Katatedori, Ryotedori, Morotedori
Kokyuho - Sitting, Standing
Sho Dan
105 days of practice after obtaining 1st kyu
Unarmed techniques (sitting, sitting vs standing, standing techniques for strikes, thrusts, all forms of grasping shoulders, elbows, collar, wrists and hands, all techniques from the rear)
Ni Dan
Minimum of 2 years since sho-dan with 200 days of practice after sho-dan
Same as above plus Tantadori and Futarigake
Submit an article on some Aikido-related subject.
San Dan
Minimum of 3 years since Ni-dan with 300 days of practice after Ni-dan
Same as above plus Tachidori, Jodori and Taninzugake
Submit an article on some Aikido-related subject (Topics will be assigned).
Yo Dan
Mimimum of 4 years since San-dan with 400 days of practice after san-danJiyuwaza for all of the above plus a short essay