01/09/2026
Congratulations Sensei Dennis Mangatam. Ossu!
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A 71-YEAR-OLD SENIOR CITIZEN COULD STILL STEP INTO THE COMPETITION FLOOR AND BRING HOME THE FINAL GOLD?
Karate, a martial art we often watch in movies, where strength, discipline, focus, and courage are tested.
But here in the Cordilleras, we have our very own Cordilleran Karate Master, a native of Mountain Province whose remarkable journey began at the young age of 15 and continues to inspire generations.
Meet Sensei Dennis Mangatam, born on October 26, 1954, a proud son of Mountain Province, a 5th Dan International Black Belt, and a man whose life proves that passion, perseverance, and discipline do not retire with age.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
At only 15 years old, in 1969, Dennis Mangatam started practicing Karate at the Baguio Health Club under the leadership of Sensei Arsenio Bawingan Jr, Northern Luzon Head of the JKA (Japan Karate Association) Philippines.
In 1970, he left Baguio City and went to Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet, to continue his high school studies.
But life was not always easy.
Due to financial difficulties, in 1974, he returned to Baguio to continue practicing the martial art he had grown passionate about while continuing his education.
From 1974 to 1978, he balanced school and Karate, refusing to let financial challenges stop him from pursuing his passion.
In 1978, he returned to Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet, this time as an employee, working to support his education while continuing to teach Karate.
A STUDENT, WORKER, TEACHER AND DREAMER
The JKA Philippines – Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet was organized under the leadership of Bryant Pongad, with Dennis Mangatam serving as his assistant instructor.
Together, they started Karate classes and trained numerous students, many of whom successfully earned their promotions.
Imagine the dedication:
Working to support his studies.
Studying to build his future.
Teaching Karate to share his passion.
And he did all three.
While studying and teaching Karate, he continued pursuing his education and eventually graduated from Lepanto High School in 1980.
THE JOURNEY TO HIS FIRST BLACK BELT
In 1984, after years of training and dedication, Sensei Dennis decided to challenge himself further by going to the JKA Philippines Headquarters in Manila.
He made that journey together with Sensei Edgar Kapawen Sr.
It was during this period that Sensei Dennis earned his first Black Belt, successfully completing eight successive promotion examinations.
The physical demands of the examination were intense.
After the examination, he returned to Baguio and went to Asin Hot Spring to soak his bruised and exhausted body.
But the pain did not stop him.
Because for Sensei Dennis, discipline meant continuing even when the body wanted to rest.
KARATE NEVER STOPPED
While employed at Lepanto Mining Company, Sensei Dennis continued teaching and sharing his knowledge.
His Karate journey expanded beyond Lepanto. He taught and trained students in Mt. Data, Mountain Province, and Sinipsip, Buguias, Benguet.
His life was becoming more than simply learning Karate.
He was building a legacy.
RETIREMENT DID NOT MEAN THE END
In 2009, Sensei Dennis retired from Lepanto Mining Company and returned to his homeland in Maligcong, Mountain Province, hoping to enjoy a peaceful retirement.
But some passions simply do not retire.
And Karate was one of them.
THE TEACHER WHO CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT
While enjoying retirement and the fresh breeze of the rice fields of Maligcong, another chapter of his Karate journey opened.
From 2018 to 2020, Sensei Dennis was called to teach Karate at PMMA Academy, serving as a Karate Instructor.
This became one of the highlights of his teaching journey—a testament that even after retirement, his experience and knowledge were still being sought after and valued.
Then came 2024, another important milestone.
The 1st Gasshuku and Promotion held in Bontoc, Mountain Province, was proudly hosted under his leadership as he had by then become the JKA Philippines Head Instructor for the CAR Region.
From a young Karate student in Baguio to a respected instructor leading a regional Karate community in his own homeland, what an incredible journey.
THE RETURN OF THE CHAMPION
Also in 2024, Sensei Dennis was chosen to represent JKA Philippines in the World SHOTO Cup, competing in the Senior Category, ages 71–74.
He placed 5th in KATA with his performance of Kankudai.
That same year, he joined the JKA Philippines International Gasshuku and Tournament and won 1st Place in KATA – Kankudai.
His first GOLD in this remarkable chapter of his journey.
In 2025, during the 2nd JKA Tournament, he did not compete because he served as one of the officiating officers.
But his service to Karate continued.
HIS STUDENTS CARRY THE LEGACY
In April 2026, six of his yellow-belt students joined the JKA Friendship Games in Lipa, Batangas.
They competed, gained valuable experience, and proudly returned home with medals.
For Sensei Dennis, this was another kind of victory not only seeing himself succeed, but seeing his students carry forward the lessons he had spent decades teaching.
🥇 DAVAO: ANOTHER HISTORIC CHAPTER
Then came the recent JKA Philippines International Tournament in Davao.
For the first time, Sensei Dennis joined the tournament together with his students.
And they made their presence felt.
Their team brought home:
🥇 3 GOLD MEDALS
🥈 5 SILVER MEDALS
🥉 6 BRONZE MEDALS
But there was something even more inspiring.
🥇 AT 71 YEARS OLD… HE DID IT AGAIN!
At the age of 71, Sensei Dennis once again stepped onto the competition floor in the Senior Category.
He performed the KATA “UNSU.”
And after more than five decades of training, teaching, working, sacrificing, and remaining faithful to his passion...
HE WON HIS 2ND GOLD MEDAL! 🥇
Think about that.
A man who began Karate at 15 years old was still competing and winning at 71.
More than five decades of dedication.
That GOLD medal represents much more than a competition victory.
It represents every bruise.
Every training session.
Every sacrifice.
Every challenge.
Every student he taught.
Every year he chose not to give up.
MORE THAN A KARATE MASTER
Today, Sensei Dennis Mangatam is a 5th Dan International Black Belt.
But perhaps his greatest achievement is not the rank around his waist.
It is the legacy he continues to build.
And beside him in this journey is his successor and son, Gichin Mangatam, a 4th Dan International Black Belt.
Gichin is also a Licensed Instructor, Judge, Examiner, and Coach.
Both father and son are Licensed Instructors, Judges, and Examiners.
What a remarkable picture of a family legacy.
🥋 From father to son.
🥋 From teacher to student.
🥋 From one generation to the next.
The knowledge continues.
The discipline continues.
The passion continues.
And the legacy continues.
❤️ A FAMILY BEHIND THE WARRIOR
Behind every champion is also a family that shares the journey.
Sensei Dennis is happily married, blessed with 10 successful children and grandchildren.
His story, therefore, is not only about Karate.
It is also about family, perseverance, service, and the values that can be passed from one generation to another.
Perhaps that is why his journey feels even more meaningful.
The medals may belong to Sensei Dennis, but the legacy belongs to the family, students, and generations who continue to learn from him.
FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE COMPETITION FLOOR
Sensei Dennis Mangatam’s story is not simply a Karate story.
It is the story of a 15-year-old boy who discovered a passion.
A student who faced financial challenges.
A worker who supported his education.
A teacher who continued teaching while working.
A graduate who never abandoned his dream.
A retiree who found another purpose.
A mentor who now trains the next generation.
And a 71-year-old senior citizen who still had the courage to compete—and win.
Age is a number.
Passion is a choice.
Discipline is a lifestyle.
And Sensei Dennis continues to choose all three.
From Mountain Province, his journey has reached Baguio, Benguet, Manila, Batangas, Davao—and soon, hopefully, Cebu.
🥋 The next tournament is another chapter waiting to be written.
And who knows?
Another medal may be waiting for this Cordilleran Karate Master.
Congratulations, Sensei Dennis Mangatam, Sensei Gichin Mangatam, and all their students who continue to carry this incredible legacy.
Your journey is a source of pride not only to your family and students, but to the entire Cordillera Region and Mountain Province.
At 71, you are not simply proving that you can still compete. You are showing us that a true warrior never retires from his passion.
Source || Mikay Lhen MP
Photo Courtesy || Mikay Lhen MP
