FMA Informative Newspaper Vol1 No.

Vol 1 No 6 - 2012
Newspaper
Propagating the Filipino Martial Arts and the Culture of the Philippines
Interview with Guro Dino Flores of Kapisanang Mandirigma
By Christof Froehlich, Frankfurt, Germany
Guro Dino, please introduce yourself.
Guro Dino: I am Guro Dino Flores and I am
a member of the Organization Kapisanang
Mandirigma. I was a member of the late
Punong Guro Edgar Sulite’s Backyard Group,
also known as the Lameco SOG (Sulite Orehenal Group). I am also a practitioner of Ilustrisimo taught primarily by the late Master
Christopher Ricketts.
How did you first start in the Warrior Arts of the
Philippines?
Guro Dino: I was first introduced to the existence of the Philippine Warrior Art in 1975 by
my father. As a child, my father would tell me
stories about the battles against the Spanish
and Americans during the struggle for Philippine independence. Some of the stories he
told were of his grandfather, Segundo Morato Flores, who was a Katipunero in the Bicol
Province during the Philippine Revolution. His
grandfather would proudly celebrate Philippine independence day by putting on his Katipunero uniform. He would dress my father
in a matching outfit and wooden sword. Then
with great pride they would march to the
town square and meet with other veterans.
Other stories involved my paternal grandfather, as a decorated Captain
in the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East). He was also a guerilla
fighter after the Americans surrendered
with the fall of the Philippines to Japan.
On my mothers side, my grandfather fought on the Island Fortress of Corrigador as a staff sergeant in the USAFFE
where he was in charge of a unit of 50 caliber water cooled machine guns. He survived the infamous Bataan “Death March”
and numerous solo recon missions.
One day during story time, my father showed me the sword my paternal
grandfather used in World War II. It was in
a leather scabbard and had a water buffalo horn handle (Kalabaw). He held it
proudly over his head pointing to the sky
telling me these swords were used in “Filipino Arnis”! He did a few fighting stances,
and that was how the seeds of the Philippine Warrior Arts were first planted in me.
My first instruction was in the early 80’s
as a young teen in my mother’s province of
Laguna, Philippines. I had bought my first
Balisong knife and would practice with it
constantly. The town of Balisong where the
knife was invented was less than 30 miles
away in my maternal grandmothers province
of Batangas. Laguna was known for practitioners of the balisong knife and there was an
abundance of these knives available at the
traditioal outdoor market (Palenke). One day,
I way fooling around with the knife in front
of my uncles who were having a “Tagay” or
loosely translated, a serious drinking session.
They yelled at me that the balisong wasn’t
a toy and that relatives have been seriously injured in knife encounters. One of their
friends showed me his scar from a knife fight.
This began my “informal lessons” in the
knife arts. One of the first lessons was to “never
brandish that thing unless you plan to use it”.
When I moved to Los Angeles in the
late 80’s, my cousins, Ariel Flores Mosses and
Choy Flores and I would train with each other. Our first “formal studies” in Eskrima were
with Grandmaster Henry Bio in Sikaran Arnis
and Grandmaster Conrad Manaois in his family system of Ninoy Cinco Teros.
Can you tell us some things about your training with Punong Guro Edgar Sulite and Master
Christopher Ricketts?
Guro Dino: They were both in love with the
Philippine Warrior Arts. Both were very attentive and respectful of the proper form
and function of the fundamental and original movements taught to them. From my
first day to my last day of training with
them, we always began with the basic
foundations. They were both at the conclusion that real fighting must be kept simple.
One of the primary things Punong
Guro focused on with the Backyard Group
was sparring at various levels of intensity.
Frequently with live stick with full punching, kicking, elbows, knees, takedowns and
grappling permitted. Even though he acknowledged that the sword was the soul
of the art, he found sword techniques did
not always work with a stick in these conditions, especially with headgear. It was
an amazing learning opportunity for me.
Master Ricketts’ primary focus became
the perfection and preservation of the origi-
Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis
By James U. Sy Jr.
Article
The History of Tapado
By Joe Tan
Article
The Art of
Rapido Realismo
By Isagani C. Abon
Article
Question & Comments
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2 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 3
nal ways Grandmaster Ilustrisimo actually moved with his
sword. He constantly sought to
master these techniques even
further, and this is what he
wanted me to perfect. When I
first met Master Ricketts in the
Philippines, within minutes I
was sparring some of his senior
students. He was a big believer in the importance of physical conditioning and sparring.
It was an honor and
privilege to train with these
Grandmasters and I miss my
friends dearly. I miss being
their student. I will always do
my best to conduct myself in
a way that they would make
them proud and do my part
to keep their legacy alive.
For the people that have not
had an introduction to Kali
Ilustrisimo: What is so unique
about it?
Guro Dino: Ilustrisimo is a
sword fighting method of
Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo. Its among the finest
blade systems to come out of
the Philippines. To illustrate
the point, Master Ricketts told
me of a NARAPHIL tournament held in Manila in 1979.
The tournament had numerous well known Grandmasters
in attendance. Grandmaster
Ilustrisimo suggested that
there should be a Grandmaster’s division using real blades.
Grandmaster Ilustrisimo was
the only one to enter the Division and won by default.
Punong Guro Sulite
travelled throughout Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao to research his beloved art. He interviewed and trained with
many incredibly masters of Eskrima. He even went to Grandmaster Ilustrisimo’s home of
Bantayan Island to seek the
roots of that art. When Punong
Guro got back to Manila, Master Ricketts asked him who
the best was. Punong Guro responded that even the original
Ilustrisimo family system on
Bantayan Island “was not the
same as Tatang’s”. He said that
when it came to the blade, no
one could compare to Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo.
The art of Ilustrisimo is a
truly refined sword art system.
This is where it’s true beauty
and effectiveness dwells. It is
efficient, direct and functional.
It is full of subtle movements,
strategic positioning and superior timing. It can appear
simple, but when attempted,
seems complex.
What is Kapisanang Mandirigma all about?
Guro Dino:
Kapisanang
Mandirigma was founded
by members of the Backyard
Lameco Group who continued training together after
the passing of Punong Guro
Edgar Sulite. Kapisanang
Mandirigma also recognized
Master Ricketts as the heir of
Lameco Eskrima after Punong
Guro’s passing and began
training under him in Ilustrisimo. At the same time, other
Backyard members trained
with the other “Five Pillars” of
Ilustrisimo while continuing
training with each other in the
“Lameco Backyard Tradition”.
Why the seperation between
Lameco SOG, Backyard Eskrima
and Kali Ilustrisimo?
Guro Dino: Both, Punong
Guro Sulite and Master Ricketts, were firm believers in
giving credit where credit
was due. My interest is preserving and continually seeking deeper understanding
of the original techniques.
Punong Guro Sulite
had a method of training us
in the Backyard. It was functional and practical and this
method will be preserved. We
will continue to do this, just as
we have for the last 15 years,
since Punong Guro’s passing.
Master Ricketts’ objec-
tive was to preserve the “pure”
Ilustrisimo sword movements.
We will do our part to help
continue his wishes. Before
Master Ricketts passed away,
he put together a strict curriculum with the objective of
preserving his beloved teachers art. We are assisting the
Ricketts family who are in
the process of implementing
Master Ricketts Ilustrisimo
Legacy so it will continue to
be preserved and continued in an honorable manner.
Backyard Eskrima is
how Kapisanang Mandirigma
continues the backyard tradition. At our teachers request,
we were instructed not to
teach certain techniques and
concepts to the “general public”. Backyard Eskrima allows
us to honor this request and
continue training with carefully selected members.
What are your plans for the future?
Guro Dino: I will continue to
honor my teachers and the
lineage.
Read the original interview: Click Here
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Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis
By James U. Sy Jr.
One style of Arnis that
always stands out when Arnis
is talked about in Bacolod City
is the Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis
system, which was founded
by the late Great Grandmaster Jose ‘Joe’ Lamayo Vinas
(1906 - 1991), in 1932, the
same year that Doce Pares
was established in Cebu
City. This would make it perhaps the oldest established
style/system of Arnis in Bacolod City in the modern era.
The governing body
for the Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis
system came to known as the
Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis Affecionados (later affixed with “Association” and recently changed
to the English Aficionados),
although it had various name
changes in its 72-year history,
such as Gym of Arts of Self
Defense (Lapu-Lapu Original),
Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis Club,
Lapu-Lapu Arnis Cultural
Group, Lapu-Lapu Art of SelfDefense, Lapu-Lapu Gymnasium. Lapu-Lapu School
of Arnis Afecionados LapuLapu Sports Gym, School of
Arnis Afecionados Lapu-Lapu
Sports Gymnasium and Vinas
Arnis Afecionados Association.
The civilian Andres Javellana, who was a native of
Lloilo Province, had several
life and death encounters
with the Spanish authorities
during the Spanish era. In the
course of these encounters
he had killed several Spaniards, which prompted the
conquistadors to hunt him
down. Javellana fled to Mana-
pla, Negros Occidental where
he got married and changed
his surname to Vinas so he
could not be tracked down
by the Spanish authorities.
Javellana sired four
children and it was Joe Vinas
who inherited his fervor for
the self-preservation arts. Joe
got his father’s guts and skills
as well as his puno “roots” in
the fighting arts. These puno
would later become the basis
of his Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis.
Javellana told his son to seek
out his own truth and to test
the effectively of his puno.
Unbelievable as it may
seem, Joe Vinas did not have a
teacher. Certain Arnis groups
had invited him to join them
in their training sessions but
he declined because he found
their methods to be wanting. He did his own training,
although he admits to observing other martial artist.
He started the practice of the
martial arts when he was 25. A
year after, he traveled into the
mountains of Cebu, Mindanao,
Negros, and Panay in search
of Kalaki (Kalaki are famed
gifted mountain men skilled
in hunting and survival with
the use of the sticks and bladed weapons as well as healing
knowledge and in some cases,
supernatural powers. These
men would often have skills
not accessible to city men because of the natural environment), with whom he pitted
and tested his skills. Vinas refined his methods in this manner. It was more like the way
of the wandering samurai.
After his search for the
truth in combat and enlightenment, Master Joe Vinas started
teaching when he was 35. The
original members of the LapuLapu Vinas Arnis Affecionados were skilled Arnisadors
in their own right. Because of
this Great Grandmaster Jose
Vinas did not have a set plan
of instruction. He taught what
he felt like teaching and adopted the problem solving
Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association
Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” Viñas
65 Lacson St., Bacolod City, Philippines - (034) 708-0912
approach. He would give a
combat situation to which his
student would give a solution
then he would show them a
more efficient response.
There was little or no explanation of how his techniques worked (as was similar in teachings from other
old Arnisadors of the time).
Students
of
Great
Grandmaster Vinas would really attest to this. For the old
man, if a student got what he
taught, it was his; if not … This
would explain why each former student of Great Grandmaster Vinas had his own interpretation of the old man’s
teachings and techniques.
Each one interpreted them
according to their own understanding and experience.
Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis
rose to prominence in the
years to come. Great Grandmaster Vinas had taught many
students among them Grandmasters Dominador Ferrer (Kalantiaw Defense Society), Joe
Kam (Sultan’s). Jerson ‘Nene’
Tortal (Dekiti Tirsia Siradas),
Leo T. Gaje Jr. (Pekiti Tirsia), etc.
Foreigners, particularly Americans, also found their way into
the Lapu-Lapu Vinas Arnis system. The most popular visitor
was renowned martial arts researcher/writer and Doce Pares
Master Dr. Ronald A. Harris.
In 1991, about a year
after Great Grandmaster
Vinas (85 years of age) visited
the United States he passed
away due to prostate cancer. A power struggle then
ensued as to who would be
the successor to the founder
and the association. At one
side were former students of
the Great Grandmaster and
on the other was his only
son Wilson ‘Nonong’ E. Vinas.
The students of the
Great Grandmaster soon left
because they did not have
faith in the son. They reasoned that they were doing
Arnis years ahead of the son
Wilson Vinas and they be-
lieved they were worthier
successors. Wilson stood firm
in his birth right as the bloodline successor of the Founder
and assumed the position
of President/Chief Instructor, even if his father’s students left. He started to form
his own group from scratch.
In spite of the claims
of some former students of
Great Grandmaster Vinas
that his son, Wilson ‘Nonong’
E. Vinas, was not capable of
heading and representing
his father’s system, the fact
remains: Wilson Vinas is the
grandmaster’s only son and
as tradition would have it, it
was him that the late founder
left the puno “roots” of his art.
With the help of some
loyal students of his father,
foremost were Irving P. Elefante of Villadolid and Servante P. Largo Jr. of Bacolod,
the younger Vinas started to
formalize his father’s art into
a more comprehensible system with progressive stages
and explanation of each and
all techniques taught. He presented his lessons in a more
academically acceptable format where each movement
and technique is broken
down into its finer components and its corresponding
principle or puno examined.
He used terms from geometry, physics, physiology, etc.
to explain the scientific basis
of the art. No other instructor
of Lapu-Lapu Vinas had done
this before. This evolutionary
teaching methodology attracted not only high school
and college students but also
even professions and businessmen, as well as American, British, Swiss, Chinese
and other foreign nationals.
During the early days,
the usual backgrounds of the
Founder’s students were in karate and/or judo, the predominant styles during the time.
Headmaster Vinas time posed
more challenges because of
the diversity of the arts flood-
4 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
ing the martial arts community. Headmaster Vinas students
had backgrounds in many
other styles other than Karate
and Judo, to mention a few;
Arnis, Aikido, Kickboxing, Pencak Silat, Wushu Sanshou, etc.
This atmosphere gave
Headmaster Vinas the chance
to test the puno his father
gave him against the various forms of martial arts in
existence. Practitioners of
these arts were amazed at the
depth with which Lapu-Lapu
Vinas Arnis could relate to the
mechanics of the other arts.
In 1998, Headmaster
Vinas retired from active teaching. By this time he had already
produced a head full of senior
students who would become
the future bearers of the art.
In 2002, the senior students of Headmaster Vinas got
together and decided to revive the art. Training resumed
at the Alojado residence in
Mt. View, Bacolod City under
the supervision of the founder’s son. At this pointing time,
there were a handful of senior
students of Great Grandmaster
Vinas that were teaching his
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 5
art, among them Grandmaster Dominador ‘Doming’ Ferrer, who set up Kalantiaw Defense Society, the first school
authorized by the Founder.
Head Master Vinas commissioned yours truly (James U
Sy, Jr.), to organize Lapu-Lapu
Vinas Arnis into a progressive
syllabus and standardized
ranking system. Headmaster
Vinas senior students, with his
direct supervision, facilitated
the systematization. Those involved were:
Narciso ‘Hansy’ Alojado,
Joeffrey S. Deriado, Lafayette
A. Diamante, Sahlee E.
Magsipoc, Raymund Antonio
Maguad, Moises Nifras Jr.,
John Owen F. Ong, Victorio C.
Perez, Dante L. Robles, And of
course James U Sy, Jr.
The systematization
under Headmaster Vinas
was the first such effort to
totally organize the art into a
sophisticated system with a
base connecting all branches
in a systematic structure.
Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association Core group (November 2, 2004)
From Left - Right: Dante L. Robles, Joeffrey S. Deriada, Headmaster Wilson “Nonong” E. Viñas,
John Owen F. Ong, James U. Sy Jr., and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado
The History of Tapado
By Master Joe Tan
Tapado is an Original Filipino Martial Art which came
from a Hiligaynon (a Filipino
dialect) word ‘Tapat’ or ‘Tapos’
which means – finished or
done in english or to finish the
job in one strike. This art was
founded in 1960 by the late
Grandmaster Romeo ‘Nono’
Mamar of Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
‘Nono’ as he was fondly called,
was an accomplished stickfighter specializing in lagas, sinamak and oido arnis systems.
But despite his proficiencies
in these various arts of arnis/
kali/escrima, he found them
wanting because according
to his actual experiences during matches among his peers,
he could still be hit by his opponent. As in a boxing match..
where even the champion
could still be pummeled de-
spite his experiences, training
and exposures, Nono didn’t
like the idea of taking hits at
all. So after experiencing these
various hits and a few times,
even defeats, he decided to
take a break from stickfighting
for a couple of years. But due to
his undying love of this art, he
continued his personal search
along the line of other arts
in relations to stickfighting.
He noticed that a sword
with its longer length has an
advantage of reach and power.
And so this prompted him to
Grandmaster Nono Mamar and Grandmaster Mike Vasquez
experiment with longer sticks
of various sizes and length.
After his rigid testing and re
testing, he finally settled for
a longer stick 43 to 47 inches
long. The length is based on
the height of the person. But
then again, he started thinking : what if the opponent has
the same size and length of
stick.too?. Thru persistent research and self discovery, he
came up with the solutions.
He developed various unseen
hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and
body movements, that jibed
with the law of Physics, that
generated a lot of power to
his strikes and always resulted
in overpowering all incoming strikes. Not content to just
the overpowering strike, Nono
wanted to add a simultaneous
offensive hit at the same time
thereby rendering the oppo-
nent incapacitated with just
one powerful and speedy blow.
And thus the birth of Tapado.
Tapado ,in its early inception, was secretly propagated and practiced only by
relatives and family members
of the clan. There was an early
Tapado Association formed
in 1980 but it was still limited
and exclusive for members
of the family , close relatives
and associates. In 1983, Tapado was formally organized
and introduced to the public. When the founder died on
February 15, 2005, the leadership of the original tapado organization was handed down
to his nephew Grandmaster
Benefredo ‘Bebing’ Lobrido .
It took on the official name of
Original Filipino Tapado Longstick Fighting Association. Inc.
Another Tapado group was set
up under Grandmaster Mike
F. Vasquez, the Founder of
Vasquez Modified Martial Art
International. An undefeated
heavy weight Karate champi-
on of the Philippines , a Master
Arnis practicioner and a top tapado student of Nono Mumar.
Grandmaster Mike introduced modifications in the
tapado system and called it
Modified Tapado. Grandmaster
Mike had discussed his ideas
of modifications with the original founder while he was alive
and was given the authority to
do so. The author Master Jose
Valencia Tan, has the privilege
of having studied under both
Grandmasters, Grandmaster
Nono Mumar and Grandmaster Mike Vasquez and including Grandmaster Lobrido
(when the latter was the Chief
Instructor of Original Tapado ).
The author is recognized and
Certified as Master of Tapado
by both Organizations. Currently, Master Joe is propagating Tapado in the US and is an
authorized Sole representative
of Modified Tapado Organization in the State of California.
www.mastertapadoarnis.com
Courtesy of: mandirigma.org
Conceptual Modern Arnis
By Bram Frank
A seldom seen view of
Arnis/Modern Arnis the Filipino fighting art of Professor
Remy Pesas as seen by 1st
Generation student... More
> Bram Frank. Modern Arnis
is seen through the perspective of the family art of the
Bolo and knife,(edged tools)
rather than a stick. Some history of Modern Arnis in the
USA is told.
File Download: $40.00
Paperback: $69.00
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of the star quality Filipino martial art equipments/products. Our goal
is to give the best quality products to our valued customers around
the globe. Our rattan and wooden products are carefully picked,
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The Art of Rapido Realismo
By Guro Isagani C. Abon
Rapido Realismo Martial
Arts (RRMA) is a Filipino fighting
system, which was christened
and officially founded on April
of 1997, Punong Guro Henry
Espera’s form of self-defense
made for modern times. A
combination of two Filipino
adapted words from Spain,
Rapido means rapid, quick,
and fast; and Realismo means
realism or realistic, when
combine means rapid realism
fighting arts: an art designed
to work fast and realistic
under stressful condition filled
with the ferocious aggressor.
RRMA consist of two
fighting systems, the Rapido
Realismo Kali/Arnis or Espera
Kali/Arnis for weaponry and
Rapido Realismo Sabakan
or Espera Sabakan for hand
to hand. Most modern day
martial artist tend to focus
more on a combative sport
aspect of the art, they ignored
and have totally banned or
replaced those technique
that are brutal, aggressive, to
simple techniques which are
yet street effective against
hostile
attackers.
RRMA
concept differs and it is a
combative art intended to
combat hostile situations
against you and your love ones.
As a street defense realist,
Punong Guro Espera doesn’t
like to come out with a fighting
system that lacks personal and
character development. He
doesn’t believe this system
lacks these components “ It’s
just the same as designing an
art or program of self defense
for brawlers or hoodlums and
not for those ordinary law
abiding citizens who are in
need and who only want to
walk and live in peace in their
environment, safely. He wants
to help preserve God’s greatest
gift to us, our Life. Master Espera
wants to teach his students
the necessary fighting skills as
well as the discipline. Artistic
movements and methods are
added to capture the eyes of an
audience for demonstrations
but
the
effectiveness
is
still
most
apparent.
He believes in a private
or semi private method of
teaching (one on one or
limited students). This has been
done normally by the great
Grandmasters and Masters so
to impart their full knowledge
and skills to their students.
Punong Guro Espera preserves
this method of teaching in his
system and has added a bit
of modern scientific teaching
in his training. Every student
who has trained and learned
with Punong Guro Espera has
had the same lesson but in a
personal perspective to fit that
students personality. Every
student is free to explore,
add his own techniques and
move freely in accordance
to RRMA’s principles and his
body structure. This could
be a reason why Rapido
Realismo has not become
popular up to this day, a noncommercial, street effective,
combative art in its own right.
Punong Guro at Nagtatag
(Chief/Master instructor and
Founder) Henry Espera, of
Rapido Realismo was born in
Barrio Tagdon, Sorsogon, and
Bicol Region, Philippines on
December 1, 1953. Born the
fourth of thirteen children to
the couple Ramon Espera and
Encarnacion Evasco, Henry
Espera is a Master of his own
fighting system. An innovator,
leader, and a humble teacher,
he is known as loving and
6 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 7
caring person not only to his
students, friends, and family
but as well as to other. He
doesn’t belong to any known
organization; he is not famous
like most Filipino martial art
masters in western countries.
He is a non-commercial low
profile teacher who loves to
teach and share his knowledge
and wisdom to anyone who
would like to learn his system
of the Filipino martial arts.
Punong Guro Espera owes his
Filipino martial arts background
to his three great mentors
which
are:
Grandmaster
Antonio Ilustrisimo of Kali
Ilustrisimo, Master Andrew
“ Andy “ Abrian of Orabes
General Eskrima, and Master
Juan (sorry that Master Espera
forgot the last name of this
maestro) of Automatic Arnis.
He has based his weaponry
system from the best of these
systems.
He complement’s his fighting
system by researching and
formulating his own method
of hand to hand fighting. He
has gathered principles and
theories, and then has created
his own techniques that are
his signature and are unique
in execution. Integrating Kali/
Arnis empty hand movements,
Boxing (Suntukan), Trapping
(Tapik-Patibungan),
Kicking
(Sipaan),
Grappling
and
Wrestling (Buno) system, which
he either formulated or based
from other existing martial arts
system.
Question & Comments
Personally what do you think of the state of Filipino martial
arts today and what do you think would bring the Filipino
martial arts to greater recognition throughout the world?
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spirit & country. The Logo is broken down in three parts, a flag
representing tribal spirit, three weapons of traditional heritage
and the company name which all combine to create the logos
of TRIBAL FIGHT WEAR. The products are made from high quality materials that proudly reflect the heritage and culture of the
tribe or country. The first shirts and hats are reflecting the Pacific
Islands Tribal Spirit.
Visit: www.tribalfightwear.com
www.angelfire.com/art2/rapidorealismo
Cebuano Eskrima
Beyond the Myth
By Ned R. Nepangue, M.D.
and Celestino C. Macachor
Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth boldly unravels with compelling and provocative hypothesis on
the Hispanic origins of the Filipino Martial Arts known as eskrima, arnis and estokada.
The last vestiges of the extinct European medieval fencing could be found indirectly linked to Filipino
eskrima.
The authors present prima facie evidence on the fraud of the supposedly precursor art called kali.
A more plausible theory on the origins of eskrima are presented in startling detail from its early
beginnings as a defense against Moro pirates and slave traders and its later fusion with Spanish
fencing through the Jesuit warrior priests during the pivotal years 1635-1644, the height of Spanish
rapier fencing in Europe during the Renaissance.
It also presents a comprehensive chronology on the development of eskrima in Cebu, a meticulous
commentary of Cebuano pioneers and innovators of eskrima and elucidates the pre-eminence of
Visayans in the art of eskrima / arnis / estokada.
As both authors are practitioners of this martial art, technicalities in eskrima never before detailed in
other materials on the subject are carefully discussed in the book.
Other interesting topics related to eskrima like the esoteric practices and healing modalities are also explained in fascinating detail.
To Order Visit - Amazon.com
Buy Direct from the Philippines and save money!
We are committed to bringing you the best FMA Equipment at the best possible prices. If there’s anything
at all you would like but don’t see when visiting the website please contact us! We are always improving our stock
range and listening to our customers.
If you have any questions at all about our products or anything related just drop me a line at: info@eskrimakaliarnis.com and I will do my best to answer them.
All the best with your training,
Simon McMahon.
eskrimakaliarnis.com
Guro Ollie: Here in Alberta, Canada, FMA seems to be on a downward
trend. More and more people are suggesting I trade the “F” in for an
“M” so I can get more people through the door. Even within the Filipino
community, all of the young Filipinos do not even know that there is a
Filipino martial art, nonetheless how effective it is. I have talked with
the other instructors around here and they have experienced the same
thing. The numbers are dwindling, and it may become an extinct art
here up north.
Myself and the other instructors up here believe that a fighter
who has been trained specifically in the Filipino arts needs to be entered
into the mainstream martial arts competition circuit (MMA) and do well.
This would bring greater recognition for the arts as a whole throughout
the world.. With respect always,
Mataw-Guro David Battaglia: It seems movies and televised competitions (media) tend to bring greater recognition to any martial art. Steven Segal aikio movies made aikido flourish in the 90’s. Televised MMA
competitions keep MMA flourishing today.I think the state of FMA today
is improving. This site (MyFMA.net and others like it, have some really
good contributors. I believe there is more open-ness among FMA people
to help each other grow. FMA egos seem to be shrinking. I don’t see the
FMA as main-stream. In some ways this makes me happy. I like knowing
an effective and practical self-defense art, most don’t (my selfishness).
On the other hand, I love to teach and spread the FMA to those reputable
people seeking practical self-defense (maybe my ego).
Aside from media, adding FMA to willing TKD and karate schools
is another way for it to gain world recognition. Although, I feel FMA is
recognized throughout the world, just not main-stream as TKD. We need
to keep working hard to educate others, and be good citizens to show
others we are not weapon wielding neanderthals.
BTW, I wouldn’t like to see FMA turned in to a big business martial
art like TKD.
Zach Jenkins: I believe the state of Filipino Martial Arts has not changed
among the dedicated Filipino martial artists. If we look at it from a business stand point then we need to study what the Tae kwon Do schools
are doing to keep their enrollment up. But I think treating FMA like a
business goes against why the art was created and developed in the first
place. There was a time when teachers of FMA kept their doors closed
and trained only family members and close friends. Now people are
so afraid that it’s fading away because very few people are training it
nowadays, well except for certain regions. The reason it seems this way is
because people have become very lazy these days. The emphasis today
is on the social scene... People, especially young people are more concerned with hooking up with the opposite sex. I went back to college recently and from where I sit in every classroom about 90% of the students
are on facebook during class. Even the young people that workout only
do it to impress the opposite sex.
As far as MMA is concerned, there are two types of people who
are interested in it, spectators and participants. Spectators just want to
see blood, they want to be entertained just like the era of the Roman
Gladiators. The people who want to participate are mostly ego driven.
They all want to be one of the “300” (hated the movie by the way)... The
popularity of MMA in America centers on ethnocentrism, egotism, and
arrogance. Everyone wants to be the “Bad A**” on the block. The only
thing is that everyone can’t be the toughest guy on the block. I was at a
sports bar a few years ago and there was a highly publicized MMA bout
that was about to take place. There was a lot of pre-fight hype to entertain the crowd of course... Then when the bout began, the fighter that
was showcased mainly in the pre-fight show was TKO’d in the first round.
He was so embarrassed that when he got his head together he ran out of
the ring, straight to the dressing room. People were stunned yet entertained... Yes, there was something to talk about on the social scene.
People in America that knock FMA and think that it’s limited base
there assumptions on what they’ve been exposed to. In my experience
with my instructor and fellow eskrimadors, I’ve felt and seen things that
I’ve never thought were humanly possible. But many will scoff at my
comments because they are convinced that they know it all and have
seen it all, ignorance at it’s worst.
At one point in my training, I really thought I was doing something... I was fighting all out full-contact with heavy sticks and minimal
protection like the Dog Brothers and the Black Eagle Society started a
few decades ago... I even have permanent nerve damage to prove it...
When I met my teacher from Cebu Philippines I didn’t think what he
was doing was impressive at all. Also there were many Modern Arnis
practitioners who felt the same way at this workshop back in the mid
90s. But there was something about this guy from Cebu, I just couldn’t
quite put my finger on it. Later on when I was accepted as a personal
student, everything came out. The skill of this man was so many levels
above my own I wondered if I even knew FMA at all. The only way I
could explain it is to compare intelligence between a scholar and a kindergarten student, it was that intense.
I’m sure I side stepped the original topic but I just felt the need
to get a few things off my chest.
Sorry for getting off topic :) and yes I do have an opinion on
how the Filipino Martial Arts could be recognized more in today’s society. What I’m about to say may turn a lot of hard core Eskrimadors off
but in order for FMA to be more recognized it will take more standardization. FMA is known for it’s diversity but there is so much diversity
that people don’t readily recognize it. Publicity is another factor... On
this site we hear a lot about tournaments but I’ve never seen a tournament televised like MMA. Imagine the impact that FMA would have if
there were a “no holds barred” full-contact tournament televised like
the UFC. There needs to be blood and knockouts, no padded sticks
and protection to the point of looking like the Michelin man. It could
also start a reality show, fighters training and showing some of their
specialized training methods... Will it work when they face their challenger? Now people can put their money where their mouth is... The
only exception would be the arts that are solely blade oriented, perhaps a flat stick could be used to simulate cutting strikes...
Just a note on my previous reply because I know it’s coming...
The probability of deaths in the ring would be much greater with
highly skilled Eskrimadors or a well timed or lucky strike, even with
face and head protection... Just one thing to consider... It would be bad
to see someone get killed in a tournament on national TV... That would
put an end to the publicity pretty quick.
Regards and much respect to all my fellow Eskrimadors
Master San Joaquin: Filipino martial arts usually exist in its adulterated form, which made it able to catch up with globalization as it
is recognized as a similar discipline, however it is my belief that our
Filipino martial arts may be purely extracted in its uniqueness is established through excellent performance and that would need the unity
of all practitioners, meaning disregarding personal aggrandizement,
in favor of the martial arts we profess to love so much. I advocate that
we all go by the battle cry, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall!”
Punong Lakan Nicolas: At this point, Filipino martial arts, is in a state
of divisiveness. One group tries to bring down another. One group
keeps on bragging they have the “ultimate” art. One group keeps their
art “exclusive” to a specific band of people. To get greater recognition,
we have to learn to accept each other that we are brothers and sisters
in the art. In this way, Filipinos would be at the forefront of promoting
the art and show to the whole world that we are the true authority in
Filipino martial arts.
Grandmaster Lopez: It is as fragmented as before that is why ARNIS
can never joined the Olympics. Although some Organizations tried
to join Arnis with one rule still it is a long journey to unify the Filipino
martial art will create lots or debate as group tried to outdo each other.
Unless all these hindrances set aside sit down on a table and organized
into one unified Filipino martial art then I believe the art could be a
great success for all Filipino practitioners. - Thank you and God Bless
Grandmaster Magdaraog: Personally I think the Filipino martial arts,
has gained its popularity in the martial arts community globally. But
it is only for those who have the access on the global community. But
here in the Philippines it is different. It can bring the Filipino martial
arts to greater recognition throughout the world by making it a world
class that there must be a one banner Filipino martial art and it must
be here in this country where it has been born. “The Philippines”.
Question for FMA Informative Newsletter for issue Vol1 No 7 - 2012.
Email your Answer or Comment by June 20, 2012. What is your Comment or Answer to the question? Send to: question_comment@
fmainformative.info
Question: In the Filipino martial arts and also martial arts
in general depending on the system there are belts, steps,
levels, and then some are just student and teacher. How
important is rank?
8 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 9
About ...
Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation
One of the world’s leading organizations in promoting the traditional Philippine martial art known
as Eskrima or Arnis (stick fighting).
“Doce Pares” is a Spanish term that means ‘Twelve Pairs’. However, the term has been given
several meanings. One, refers to the twelve basic strikes that are common in most Eskrima styles
and schools and their twelve basic block and counters to these strikes. Another more romantic
explanation is in reference to the famous twelve bodyguards of Emperor Charlemagne of France
(AD 768-814), who were all top swordsmen. They were known to have fought and killed hundreds of
their enemies in battles. The final explanation is that it was meant to honor the twelve Masters, who
originally formed the organization. And when the membership rose to twenty four at the time of
the inauguration, the term “Doce Pares”, indeed became more significantly fitting, indeed.
Since its founding, Doce Pares has enjoyed a special reputation among Philippine martial
arts organizations, as the developer and innovator of the newest styles and techniques in Eskrima
and has always been acknowledged as a great contributor in the promotion of the Filipino Fighting
Arts locally and abroad through tournaments, seminars, workshops, live demonstrations and other
martial art events.
In 2008, Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation created the Doce Pares Hall of Fame for the
purpose of giving recognition to deserving Martial Artists and enthusiasts for their efforts and valuable contribution towards the advancement and promotion of Doce Pares Eskrima and the Filipino
martial arts, in general.
docepares.com
World Eskrima Balintawak Arnis Federation
During the most recent trip to Cebu City, Philippines, home of Grand Master Guillermo O. Taboada (known to the world as GM Bobby), Mayor Butch Sepulveda hosted a despidida party for GM
Bobby’s honor on the evening of December 4, 2009 at the club house of World Nickelstick Eskrima
Club GM Nick Elizar. It was well-attended by notable Balintawak Grandmasters, Master, students, and
visiting students from USA, Spain, and France. The night was a feast with lechon, sinugbang isda, nukus, dinuguan, puto,etc, and unending flow of cold beer,rhum and wine.
During the party, Dong Butch (as Mayor Butch is fondly known) mentioned to the group that he
had just organized a Federation of Horse Rodeo Aficionados (with the funding support of Sen. Mig
Zubiri - an avid arnis practitioner and 1st WEKAF champion) to promote horse riding activities in the
province of Cebu. In the same light, Dong Butch suggested that the Balintawak Group could organize a
similar format to promote unity and camaraderie, and service among different Balintawak Groups, not
only in Cebu, but also throughout the Philip- pines and the World.
After discussion and exchange of ideas, GM Bobby Taboada, Chief Master Eddie Velez, GM Teofilo Romo, GM Nick Elizar, GM Max Cabelles,
MI Ben Jay-Ma, Dr. Ben Marapao, Mayor Butch Sepulveda all concurred that a legal, non-stock, non-profit entity be organized. They recognized that
such an entity could promote the vision and mission of Balintawak and allow succession to the next generation. They all pledged their support and
agreed to form a Balintawak Group Federation.
That night an ADHOC Committee was immediately formed:
•President: GM Guillermo (Bobby) Taboada
•Vice President: GM Nicmedes (Nick) Elizar
•Gen.Secretary: GM Maxino (Max) Caballes
•Treasurer: Mayor Butch Sepulveda
•Auditor: MI Oliver Maguyon
•PRO: GM Teofilo Roma
•Sgt. At arms: MI Ben Jayma
Dong Butch Sepulveda graciously offered to shoulder the initial organizational expenses. The very next day, GM Max Caballes wasted no time
and immediately proceeded to inquire from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On December 28, 2009, the application was filed, and
on January 6, 2010 WEBAF World Eskrima Balintawak Arnis Federation, Inc. was approved under SEC registration no. CN201025006.
On January 21, 2010 WEBAFEDERATION held its first open meeting at The Royal Concourse Restaurant, Gov. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City, Philippines. It was a very well-attended affair.
Among the matters taken during the first meeting was The Board’s ratification of the Elected ADHOC Officers as Regular Officers for the year
2010. The meeting and occasion was also dedicated to honor Great Balintawak Grandmaster Anciong Bacon. It was also graced by presence his descendants who were Special Guests during the occasion.
webafederation.com
Center for Practical Self Defense
The Center For Practical Self Defense was
established for and is dedicated to providing individuals, small groups, and Military/
Law Enforcement agencies with the ability
to establish, enhance, or supplement their
present combative mind and skill set. We
instruct our student in the use of awareness, and also the principles necessary to
recognize, analyze, and ultimately defend/
escape a physical attack should the worst case
scenario transpire.
CPSD will work with you should tuition/
finances be a deterrent to starting your journey
into the martial way. As it has been in the past
and will always will be the case in the future,
the first class is Free to observe and participate
provided the attendee come with the proper
mentality and attitude. Acquiring effective
defensive, offensive, combative, armed and unarmed fighting skills is serious business, which
requires serious training. Street survival is not an
accident! It is an acquired cultivated skill.
If you are interested in learning to defend yourself in the face of a hostile aggressor or
multiple attackers, please contact Okuiri/ Guro
Rudy Franco via email rudy@centerforpracticalselfdefense.com or at (909) 234-3015 for more
information on training schedules and tuition
costs for group classes, seminars, and private
instruction.
Teaching is our passion not our living
www.centerforpracticalselfdefense.com
The Malay Fighting Arts Academy
Is highly combative martial arts made up from the influences of Indonesian Martial Arts, Filipino Martial
Arts, and other arts that Guru James Hogue (Guru Jim) has studied over 35+ years of training. Guru Jim has
had to learn how to respond to violent, and sudden attack due to his 20+ years as an Law-Enforcement
Officer. MFA drops all the traditional ceremonies of most martial arts to get to the real reason for the
training; self-defense, self-confidence, and just to enjoyment of the art. MFA instructional methods will
allow the student to learn a method of defense at a surprisingly fast rate.
The Curriculum
The student will start off learning the basic “Foundation Building Techniques” such as Strikes, Kicks,
Jurus (Short Forms), Langkahs (Footwork), Basics of Panantukan (Filipino Boxing Called “Dirty Fighting”),
Nerve Center Striking (Kilpap), and how to build flowing combinations in the appropriate ranges. Then
the student goes on to learn the short forms call “Jurus” and many different flowing drills to build a good
foundation for combat skills. The student will first learn Panantukan (Filipino Boxing), while later learning
the quick takedowns of Pentjak-Silat along with the footwork to bring it all together.
The student starts their training in weapons such as stick fighting (single and double), knife fighting (single and double), stick and knife
fighting, and many others. This type of training will teach you to use improvised weapon and fight with them in the same fashion as traditional
weapons. Weapons training will also help you to improve your empty hand skills.
Finally, the student will round off their training while learning how to fight from the ground. The student will learn Harimau (Ground Tiger),
this will help you to fight no matter if your attacker is standing or on the ground with you. MFA grappling is taught from the standing position,
kneeling position, and on the ground.
www.pukulan.net
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Global Organization (PTKGO, LLC)
Is the leading authority and organization for the preservation, propagation and instruction of the
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system. PTKGO is the senior official representative organization of Grand Tuhon Leo T.
Gaje, Jr. and the only source for the complete and authentic system of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. PTKGO recognized
Instructors set the standard for technical knowledge, instructional ability and execution of the Pekiti-Tirsia
Kali system. PTKGO is led by the Chairman, Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr., Supreme Grandmaster of PekitiTirsia Kali, and its President, Tuhon Tim Waid.
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is the most complete, advanced, and effective system of Filipino Martial Arts in existence
today. Pekiti-Tirsia is a true combat Bladefighting system of authentic Filipino Martial Art that employs all
edged and impact weaponry, empty-hands combat, and integrates seamlessly with the use of modern
firearms.
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is a close-quarters, in-fighting combat system based upon the use of the blade which
provides protection from all strikes and attacks, destruction of opponent’s weapons, and domination of any
combat or self defense situation.
Today, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is trained and executed in combat and survival by military operators, law enforcement officers, and citizens across
the free world. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is the official martial arts combat system of the Philippine Marine Corps and is the only Filipino Martial Arts system
instructed to all Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is also the official martial arts system of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of
the Philippine National Police (PNP).
www.ptkgo.com
survive against modern aggressor/s in many
contemporary/realistic settings using both
armed and unarmed training methodologies.
CPSD’s training methods are rooted in
Classical (Combat) Jujutsu and Kali-Eskrima
(Filipino Fighting Methodology), in addition to
a diverse array of personal experiences in street
survival/self defense/self preservation. The ability to carry a weapon does not mean you can effectively fight with a weapon, nor does it mean
that you understand how to defend against
a weapon without training it its use properly.
Self Defense is a lifestyle not something that is
learned twice a week, don’t let anyone fool you
on this point.
CPSD emphasizes the use of quick reflexes, sound training methods, and a calm mind
as the tools for true self-protection. It is not
always a good idea to use physical tactics; your
mind is your greatest weapon. If you use your
mind strategically along with proper tactics, you
should never have to physically defend yourself
in the first place. CPSD teaches the mental tools
required to avoid becoming a victim or statistic,
as well as the physical skills needed to defeat or
Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima
Decuerdas Diestro Fighting Systems is
based on the system from the late Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio. Decuerdas Eskrima
is a close quarter combat system which is
especially proficient at fighting multiple
opponents.
Single and double stick, knife, emptyhands, rope and cane are some but not
all of the weapons employed within
the system. Real mugging scenarios are
employed using empty hands, knife and
gun attacks. Gun retention techniques
are explored for the military and law
enforcement communities, as well as arresting
procedures.
The Tenio Decuerdas Fighting Systems is
located in Acampo, California. Private and group
programs are available
Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima is from the late
Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio. His system is from the
island of Bohol in the Phillipines. Grandmaster
Gilbert Tenio incorporated 19 systems into Tenio
Decuerdas Eskrima. Professor John Eliab was the
next inheiritor but passed during a seminar in
Hawaii. Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio then bestowed
upon his son Richard Tenio to be the inheritor and
the next Grandmaster. Grandmaster Richard Tenio
gave permission to Arthur Gonzalez to create his
own system which is called Decuerdas Diestro
Fighting Systems. Grandmaster Gonzalez had studied directly under Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio and
John Eliab for 20 years before Gilbert Tenio’s passing.
Grandmaster Arthur Gonzalez teaches by
concepts and principles. In this way his students are
able to quickly adapt and comprehend advanced
movements. Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima is a complete
martial art, encompassing but not limited to: Hand
to Hand, Hand to Knife, Knife to Knife, Single Stick,
Double Baston, Espada y Daga. Other less known
areas are the Staff, Rope and the Cane. Mugging
scenarios, gun retention and arresting techniques
are also part of the system. Six key words that
comprise the system are: Striking, Choking, Locking, Throwing, Sweeping, and the Grabbing arts.
These techniques can be employed in the standing, sitting and prone positions against single and
multiple opponents. The forte of Decuerdas is in
the Corto or close range of combat.
www.decuerdas.org
10 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 11
Maestro Jaime C. Paclibar
Paclibar Bicol Arnis is a system of drilling by which students master all body movements, such as bending, rotating, pushing, balancing by learning to move limbs and moving the body backwards and forwards, left and right, and also dodging
up and down, freely and uniformly. The techniques of striking must be well controlled with power directed at the target
accurately and attack directed to the target using the appropriate technique and maximum power in the shortest time
possible, hurting the opponent momentarily following up with a lethal technique.
A unique system in which one learns to adapt to the combat self defense by acquiring the important skill of transitioning from one technique to another, smoothly and instinctively.
Maestro Paclibar is dedicated to train others and to help propagate the growth of his system of Paclibar Bicol
Arnis and Otso Tiradas systems. Maestro Paclibar focuses on every aspect of fighting from long range, medium range and
close range, grappling, stickfighting and knife fighting. Training his students for realistic street fighting, which is different
than fighting in a tournament, however he does teach his students the principles of tournament sport fighting for this
also has its values.
He has turned Paclibar Arnis with Kaikijutsu into a hard and soft style with an avenue of response to any kind of
attack. The Saia and Otso Tiradas system is the system or form of fighting which uses the natural weapons of the body
from striking, kicking, throwing and joint reversals.
Maestro Paclibar is a firm believer that the basics are the foundation of any art, and when learning and practicing
correctly will give the student a firm foundation in techniques, speed and power. Forms are just another training method
in learning basics. Paclibar Bicol Arnis builds towards the unity of the mind, body and the heart, bringing confidence and
peace within ones self.
Future Events
June 2012
4th Annual Vallejo Goodwill
June 2, 2012
Pista sa Nayon Festival
Vallejo Waterfront
Vallejo, CA.
Contact: Mataw-Guro Michael Giron - (707) 853-2477
or Master Mel Orpila (707) 477-1159
Flyer
July 2012
Legacy Seminars SoCal
Queen Mary
Long Beach, California
July 14, 2012
Contact: Darren Tibon: (209) 471-1198
Email: angels.disciples@sbcglobal.net
Sponsored By: Kidd D. Jason - West Coast Eruption
(951) 243-0960 Email: coachkidddjason@gmail.com
Flyer
Senkotiros Tour
UFMAC/WEKAF Philippine Trip
July 15, 2012 to July 31, 2012
Leaving SFO (San Francisco): July 15, 2012
Arrive Cebu International Airport: July 17, 2012 (A.M.)
Itinerary and Travel Information: Click Here
Teaching and Learning the ABECEDARIO
Objective: The BALANGKAS NG ABECEDARIO is a compilation of techniques and maneuvers consistent with
the principles and laws of motion explained in the handbook Fundamentals of Arnis de Mano. For a more
effective teaching and learning of the balangkas, each individual technique must be expounded as to its logical
development and relationship with each other. The transition from forehand to backhand, from overhand to
underhand, from linear to circular, from pushing to pulling, from turning to twisting, and vice-versa, must be
clearly understood.
For a better appreciation of Abecedario, the balangkas is presented herein in both regular and reverse
orientation. Likewise, possible applications of each maneuver, both in regular and reverse orientations are
shown. The applications of techniques are intended as informational and not prescriptive. There is a myriad of
applications that may be administered, select the ones that will work best for you. Understand the practical
inference that may be derived from each individual technique and their relation with each other.
At the printers and to be published and available soon.
This Handbook has been approved by the Matw-Guro Association.
Check the Educational Material section at: www.matawguro.com for price and availablity
Filipino Martial Art Education
Teacher’s Training Handbook
Fundamentals of Arnis de Mano
Objectives: This handbook contains ready reference data for use in planning programs in teaching Filipino
martial arts or Arnis de Mano. Although all the lessons in this handbook are also practical for live blades, sword
and a knife, other alternative weapons or even empty hands, the main scope is the use of double sticks or doble
baston. Use of double sticks is not only encouraged but also mandatory in learning Arnis de Mano in order not to
be a one-sided fighter.
Filipino Martials Arts is not a means to an end, Filipino Martial Arts is both the Means and the end... Education is a
movement from darkness to light, Martial Arts Education is a journey from ignorance to understanding... excerpt
from the books FMA Education Teacher’s Training Handbook 1. Fundamentals of Arnis de Mano and book 2.
Balangkas ng Abecedario. - By Mataw-Guro’s Andy Sanano jr. and Louelle Lledo Jr.
At the printers and to be published and available soon.
This Handbook has been approved by the Matw-Guro Association.
Check the Educational Material section at: www.matawguro.com for price and availablity
12th WEKAF Championship
July 18-24, 2012
Cebu, Philippines
Itinerary / Schedule / Travel Information
Click Here
6th FMA Grand Gathering
July 22-29, 2012
Mambucal and Bacolod City, Philippines
Purposed Agenda: Click Here
MACE FMA Summit
July 28, 2012
VEA Martial Arts Academy
17978 Ideal Parkway, Manteca, CA.
Information Contact
Grandmaster Gonzales
[209] 263-5801 / grandmaster@decuerdas.com
Master Magana
209] 688-0753 / maganajorge14@gmail.com
Website
Flyer
August 2012
In-Tents Kun Tao Dumpag 3 Day Camp Out
Conducted by: Ron Kosakowski
August 3 - 5, 2012
571 Quaker Farms Road
Oxford, Connecticut
Contact: info@psdtc.com
Website Registration
Flyer
Leo Fong and Adam James present:
The Sky Dragon International
Festival of Integrated Martial Arts
August 10, 11, and 12, 2012
Woodland Hills (Los Angeles Area), California
20% Discount for registering by July 1, 2012
To Register or for more information call (818) 269-4548
Flyer
www.pmasupplies.com
Senkotiros Videos
Basic
Advanced
Intro to Free Style
Lost Years
The Deadly Style of Filipino Arnis: E-Book
Balintawak
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Balintawak
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Shipping and Handling
To obtain full details on Ordering - Click Here
Filipino Tattoos: Ancient to Modern
By: Lane Wilcken
Tattooing is a very old and spiritually
respected art form that has existed in
many different cultures around the
world. After many centuries of not
being practiced in Europe, tattooing
was re-introduced to the Western world
through the inhabitants of the Pacific
Ocean. Beginnning in the 16th century,
European explorers came across many
people who practiced tattooing as an
integral part of their cultures. This is the
first serious study of Filipino tattoos,
and it considers early accounts from
explorers and Spanish-speaking writers.
The text presents Filipino cultural
practices connected with ancestral and spiritual aspects of tattoo markings,
and how they relate to the process and tools used to make the marks. In
the Philippine Islands, tatoos were applied to men and women for many
different reasons. It became a form of clothing. Certain designs recognized
manhood and personal accomplishments as well as attractiveness, fertility,
and continuity of the family or village. Facial tattoos occurred on the bravest
warriors with names that denoted particular honor. Through the fascinating
text and over 200 images, including color photographs and design drawings,
the deep meanings and importance of these markings becomes apparent.
Available at: Schifferbooks.com and Amazon.com and Borders.com.
mandirigma.org
backyardeskrima.com
www.allthingsfilipino.com
October 2012 Heritage Camp 2012
October 8 - 14 2012
Nature’s Village Resort
Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Contact: genfil@gmail.com or smtortal@yahoo.com
Website: dekititirsiasiradas.blogspot.com/2012
12 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 13
Summer Camp Registration Form: Click Here
Zenway Digital Concepts & Design Center with Independent Creative Concept Photography is a small and
independent private digital concepts & design center consultancy and contractor with current specialty
Product Development ranging in and Trademark Specialist with Creative Unique Photography in Bicol Region. March 2007 the Zenway Digital Concepts & Design Center was established, with a small design group
and a trained designers on their specialized fields of expertise. Our clients are within the Bicol area regional,
national and international, but we are expanding thru e-commerce for our expertise in the field of designs.
Using state of the art equipment and tools for our designers as a result we have made a great impact on our
designs. We are located in the heart of Bicol - Legazpi City, with a view of the beautiful and Majestic Mayon
Volcano, and the church of St. Raphael Archangel as it was used to create this company.
Visit: zenwaydigital.weebly.com
Ready and Custom Made
Visit: www.mybarong2.com
Barong is actually short for Barong Tagalog, which describes the formal men’s wear of the
Philippines. It is properly referred to as the ‘Baro ng Tagalog’ (dress of the Tagalog). Contracting
the first two words produces ‘Barong,’ which literally means ‘dress of.’ So, if we want to be correct,
we wouldn’t say just ‘Barong.’ But, the slang way of referring to one of the beautiful formal shirts is
simply Barong. Yes, the Barong Tagalog is a dress, a garment, a coat in itself. It is not merely a ‘shirt’. If
it were, then it would need a coat or a jacket over it to qualify as formal wear and would have to be
worn tucked inside the trousers.
FMA Direct is a UK-Filipino company formed back in 2006 as a subsidiary of Ramin Sports.
Our Philippine manufacturing operation is modest with a 10000 sq ft shop situated 30
minutes drive from ‘Manila International Airport’ in Kamias, Quezon City (25 mins walk from
the famous ‘Araneta Coliseum’ - where Muhummad Ali fought in the ‘Thrilla in Manila’).
Our primary focus is the manufacture of bespoke sports and leisure garments.
We don’t just manufacture FMA equipment. We manufacture t-shirts, hooded tops, sports
clothing etc. and can also make unique designs to customer specification. We generally only
prefer to manufacture bespoke provided the minimum order is 50.
FMA Direct
16 The Pines
Cringleford, England NR4 7LT
0207 1939 560
|Email: sales@fmadirect.co.uk
Website: www.fmadirect.co.uk
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Mambukal Resort, Bacolod City
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Organized By: Henry “Bobong” Burbano, Ginalyn Relos, Rene Tongson and Samuel “Bambit” Dulay
The Event:
- Modern Arnis Camp
- FMA Camp
- Gala Night/Awarding
- 2nd World Invitational Sports Arnis Tournament
Phone: Bambit Dulay, Manila - Mobile: +63 (927) 466-5434
Ginalyn Relos, Dubai - Mobile: +97 (150) 102-2708
Henry “Bobong” Burbano, Bacolod - Landline: 0063 (034) 435-0434
Mobile: +63 905 224-4758
Website: www.fmafestival.com
Email: fma_secretariat@yahoo.com or wfma.member@gmail.com
Information - Click Here
Invitation - Click Here
Remy Presas Modern Arnis Vision - Click Here
14 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 15
Past Events
Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite, Philippines
April 13-14
By Mataw-Guro Alexander Bayot France
Mataw-Guro Louelle Lledo, assisted
by his senior students in Amara Arkanis,
started the workshop with a general
discussion on the duality of nature. With
that lead-in, he went to the dualities
found in the Filipino martial arts: offense/
defense, forward/backward, linear/
circular, centripetal/centrifugal, forehand/
backhand. He then went in-depth with a
hands-on practice of forehand/backhand
in slashing, thrusting, blocking, and
parrying.
Mataw-Guro Andy Sanano, a
retired police officer from the United
States, showed police auxiliaries and
barangay tanods how to effectively
subdue and control suspects without
anyone getting hurt in the process. The
participants particularly liked this as it was
essential to their work.
With Mataw-Guro Louelle Lledo
having showed the basics of the Filipino
martial arts, and Mataw-Guro Andy
Sanano working with law enforcement, Mataw-Guro Alex France opted to interact with the students, CvSU varsity, and members of the Filipino
martial arts clubs, sharing with them some of my tactics and techniques for sparring: force-to-force “blocking” - & - striking with footwork, linear and
circular striking, disarms, locks, and takedowns.
Gala Awards Night at Diamond Hotel - April 21, 2012
During the Gala Awards night at Diamond Hotel on April 21,
2012 the program starts at Opening Prayer by Grandmaster Dannie
San Joaquin then National Anthem, Welcome Remarks by Prof.
Armando Soteco, Inspirational Talk by Mrs. Audrey Zubiri wife of former
Senator Miguel Zubiri, Message of the Guest Speaker Justice Manuel
Pamaran and Monsour del Rosario and follow by awarding of Plaque of
Appreciation to Grandmaster, Master and International delegates who
attended the said occasion, Awarding of Top 10 and the Hall of Famers
awarding.
The said Event was attended by
different Organizations all over
the world like: Grandmaster Bernd
Hoehle of Martial Arts Association
International Germany, Master
Christian Mayer from Haidung
Gumdo Switzerland, Billy Mamaril
from Philippine Basketball
Association, Granmaster Juerg
Ziegler from World Kombatan
Brotherhood, Sally Moore from
British School of Manila and many
more.
Sixty-four martial artists
from around the world were
inducted into the first Philippine
Martial Arts Hall of Fame last
Saturday at the Diamond Hotel in
Manila. Punong Lakan Garitony
Nicolas, Executive Director of
the First Philippine Martial Arts
Hall of Famer said the inductees
were chosen through peer review
and by the significance of their
contribution to the martial arts.
Chosen to present the
token of recognition to the
inductees were Audrey Zubiri, wife
of former Senator Juan Miguel
Zubiri (the father of Arnis Law)
and Hon. Monsour Del Rosario,
former tae kwon do champion and
now member of the Makati City
Council, Mr. Ricardo Cepeda, and
Justice Manuel Pamaran.
Seminar Training Workshop at Ramon Magsaysay Hall - April 22, 2012
USFMAF Legacy Tournament - Stockton, Ca. - April 14, 2012
A group pics with Grandmaster Darren Tibon, Guro Chez Tibon, Guro Gelmar Cabales, Darlene Tibon, Master Tasi H. Alo, Master Jerry Preciado, Master
Mateo, Bryan Callahan, Bryan Everret, J-bone, and a whole gang of Angels Disciples. Awww yeah - with Darren Tibon, Mateo Soriano Masellones Jr,
Tasi H. Alo, Gelmar Cabales, Gordon Brown and Derek Kj Moon.
The Iron Dragon: Richard Bustillo
By David & Kevin Lumsden
An authorized biography of International Martial Arts and Boxing Founder, Filipino Kali Academy cofounder, and original student of the legendary Bruce Lee. Learn the story of The Iron Dragon: Richard
Bustillo and be inspired at the discipline and legacy of this passionate martial artist.
This book is a story written for all of his students. Always the teacher, Bustillo specifically instructed
authors David & Kevin Lumsden to write this book as an educational tool. The Lumsdens hope that this
release will be such an instrument, allowing and provoking thoughtful meditation for the reader in his
or her own personal journey.
This book follows Bustillo’s life as a martial arts student, teacher, and fighter. Although it is about him
and his life, it is the authors’ sincere hope that they have done his story justice in reflecting his love of
life and martial arts and of his individual pursuit to seek truth and find his own way. With this, The Iron
Dragon: Richard Bustillo will let readers find their way within the world of martial arts and in daily life.
Order Now: www.imbacademy.com
The Second day event on April 22, 2012 was held at Ramon Magsaysay Hall, Roxas Boulevard Manila Philippines. Different Organizations attended
the seminar workshop they learned from different Grandmasters and meeting different martial artists. The lecturers were: Grandmaster Rene Latosa,
Grandmaster Rene Tongson, Grandmaster Henry Espera, Grandmaster Antonio Diego, and Master Ronaldo Baxafra for Sports Arnis.
Forums
The leading destination for Filipino Martial Arts discussion.
Established September 2005
www.fmatalk.com
fmaforum.org
16 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 17
Tid-Bits (Fact, Fiction, Fantasy or Gossip?)
Salute to the Philippines all the Month of May 2012
Orpheum Theatre 203 S. Main Street Memphis, TN
The Philippines! Live from the Islands Filipino Cultural Performance:
May 18, 2012
The magic of Manila hits the stage with the
Bayanihan the National Dance Company of the
Philippines. Bayanihan, the world-renowned and
award winning troupe epitomizes the spirit of
Filipino folkloric dance and traditions but translated
into the modern stage.
The dramatic world of Filipino martial arts
unfolds on the stage with an exciting showcase from
the Worldwide Family of Modern Arnis. See the
evolution of one of the best known martial arts in
the world filled with beauty, grace and lethal power.
Brennan Blades
By Guro Scott Brennan
P.O. Box 2331 Friday Harbor, Washington 98250
(360) 378-9732
Email
Books by Garitory Nicolas are still available: Modern Sinawali, The Official Anyo of MAMFMA, The Principles of a Good Arnisador, Freestyle,
Eagle, The Philosophy of Arnis Nicolas System, Sistemang Pang-oran, Espada Y Daga and Arnis for Kids
All books published and distributed by Central Books Supply - Website: central.com.ph/centralbooks
Or order directly from Grandmaser Garitory Nicolas, Email:filipinomartialarts@hotmail.com
Note: No portion of any book or MAMFMA information may be copied and reproduced in books, pamphlets, outlines or notes, whether printed, mimeographed, typewritten, photocopy, or in any form, for distribution or sale, without the written permission of Punong Laken Garitory C. Nicolas. All rights
reserved.
What is Dumog?
By Guro Ollie
Rutano Estokada Federation
response is one of the following:
choking (to-ok, lo-ok), joint locking
(trangkadas), dislocation (pagkalisa), tearing (paggisi) of muscles
and tendons, throws (labay, itsa,
ihaboy), and takedowns (panumba)
designed to break bones and
incapacitate opponents, as well as
pressure point and nerve attack
(pamislit). Its takedown techniques
and body manipulations are base
on the principles of physics and
geometry.
Source & Origin Of Dumog Techniques
“Combat judo is popular, Dumog is
Dumog
is
not
a
separate
not known, therefore it is easier to
art, contrary to what some Filipino
The Filipino grappling and
attract student.”
martial art practitioners led you
wrestling art called Dumog has
“I was not taught Dumog, I have to
to believe. It is an extension of
existed as long as any weapon and learn judo, jiu-jitsu, and/or aikido to
the weapons techniques. All the
empty hand arts in the Philippines. round up my stick fighting art”
techniques in dumog, were all
Due to the popularity of the
taken from weapons techniques,
grappling arts nowadays, the art of This clearly shows a lack
movements, and handling.
Dumog has come to the scrutiny
of understanding of the Filipino
To have a good
of some grappling enthusiasts,
martial art.
understanding as to where dumog
especially those that practiced
Traditional Filipino martial
techniques actually came from,
Philippine based arts. Some has
art disciplines are complete system What is Haribon Dumog?
you need to breakdown the many
doubted the existence of the art
Haribon is composed of
by themselves. It teaches the use of principles and concepts found in
because of the lack of available
two words: Hari (king) and Ibon
various kinds of weapons (sword,
various sub-systems within the
information. Some has concluded
(bird). By combining these words,
dagger, stick, etc.), punching
that if ever it existed, it has now
(sinumbagay), and kicking (sikaran), you get “Haribon”, meaning “king of Filipino martial art.
Grappling and/or wrestling
died, forgotten, or lost. Some say
bird”. This is the term used to refer and grappling/wrestling (dumog/
are
a
natural
progression from
that the art never made it to the
layug) skills. If you , as a practitioner to our National Bird, the MonkeyNorth American continent.
eating Eagle. I use this term to refer long (largo), medium (medio), to
of the Filipino martial art have
close (corto) quarter fighting. It
These perceptions about
to my interpretation of Dumog.
to go somewhere else to learn
is a given that once you bridge
the art is due in part to the fact that grappling to supposedly “round up The reason for this is I would like
into into the close quarter range,
most practitioners of the Filipino
to draw attention to the fact that
your present system”, then you do
clinching, grappling, and wrestling
martial art were drawn to the art for not understand your system.
Haribon or the Monkey-eating
techniques can not be avoided. It is
the effective weapons training that Eagle is an endangered species.
Dumog is a generic word
no surprise that each “sub-system”
it offers. Another reason that adds
Just like Dumog, if we neglect
used in Central Philippines that
in the Filipino martial art includes
to the confusion is that well known refers to wrestling and grappling. In our responsibility to perpetuate
grappling techniques in their
practitioners of the art, those that
some part of Aklan Province in the and preserve it, Dumog will be
arsenal.
are considered to be masters and
Island of Panay it is known as opas. lost forever. Also, the techniques
grandmasters of the art calls their
of Dumog is always described as
Dumog is a complete
grappling art as “combat judo”.
similar to an Eagle tearing and
grappling and wrestling art. Its
breaking its prey.
When queried about this, their
techniques are composed of
PhilippinesYawyan to Holds Clinic
By Edri K. Aznar
Sun.Star Cebu newspaper March 30, 2012
The enrolment of this year’s Summer Clinic of the original Filipino martial art Yaw-Yan Ardigma is still ongoing at its gym at the fourth floor of the
Coast Pacific Downtown Center in Sanciangko St. across the University of Cebu main campus.
The first batch of the Summer Clinic starts on Monday, while the second batch begins on May 2.
Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.
Yaw-Yan Ardigma offers five courses for this summer – Arnis, Boxing Fitness, Yaw-Yan Combat (self-defense), Yaw-Yan Ardigma System and
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Yaw-Yan is an all original Filipino martial art derived from the words “sayaw ng kamatayan” or “dance of death,” which was introduce by its
founder GM Napoleon ‘Nap’ Fernandez in Sta. Cruz, Manila in 1972.
Yaw-Yan Ardigma, headed by its founder and CEO Benigno Caniga, is full-contact martial art, which uses the body as weapon. It teaches its
students in techniques of using punches, kicks, headbutts, elbows, knees, takedowns and ground fighting, which are effective in the ring and the
streets..
Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions By Virgil Mayor Apostol
After Hollywood screenwriter and script analyst, the late John Sherlock, took the author’s earlier manuscript copy back to his home in Ireland and pored over it, he wrote to the author commenting that he
read the pages with “great interest” but thought the book should take the form of a personal odyssey.
Taking Sherlock’s advise, the author interweaved his captivating healing and spiritual experiences,
years of historical research and collection of photographs, along with information on the roots of healing from their cultural, shamanic, and spiritual origins. What manifested was his unique magnum opus,
Way of the Ancient Healer, a book that intermeshes esoteric and metaphysical beliefs with scientific
explanations of healing practices, based on an indigenous science and culture.
Way of the Ancient Healer provides an overview of the rich tradition of Filipino healing practices, discussing their world influences and role in daily life. Enhanced with over 300 photographs and illustrations, the book gives readers a rare look at modern-day Filipino healing rituals, including personal examples from author Virgil Apostol’s own experiences with shamanic healing and dream interpretation.
The book begins with an explanation of Apostol’s Filipino lineage and legacy as a healer. After a brief
history of the Philippine archipelago he describes the roots of traditional Filipino healing and spirituality, and discusses the Indian, Islamic, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and American influences that have
impacted the Filipino culture. He presents a thorough description of Filipino shamanic and spiritual
practices that have developed from the concept that everything in nature contains a spirit (animism)
and that living in the presence of spirits demands certain protocols and rituals for interacting with
them. The book’s final chapter thoughtfully explores the spiritual tools used in Filipino healing - talismans, amulets, stones, textiles, and other natural symbols of power.
Published by North Atlantic Books: www.NorthAtlanticBooks.com
Distributed by Random House Distribution Services, to order: www.RandomHouse.com or call (800) 733-3000
18 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 19
2012 SUMVAC National Arnis Encounter
By Jayson Vicente
Sun.Star Baguio newspaper April 20, 2012
Current State of Affairs in Kombatan
By John R. Malmo
Chief Instructor of Kombatan and
Modern Mano Mano and President
LAST April 13-14, the City
(Weight category for boys and
of I.P.M.A.F.
Government, University of Baguio, Girls with age 14 – 17) and the
Baguio Arnis All Star, Baguio City
seniors (Men and Women 18 years
Furthermore I would like
Arnis Federation, in partnership
old and above) categories.
to take this opportunity to clarify
with STIX Arnis Equipment,
The organizers have set
my stance regarding the “World
staged the 2012 Baguio Summer
its objective not only to hold
Kombatan Community”. It is
Vacation (SUMVAC) National Arnis
tournaments for players to test
true that my father approved the
Encounter.With the theme “Laro
their skills but as stated “Ang
creation of this forum prior to his
ng Lahi” the arnisadors of different patuloy na pagdaraos ng mga
passing as a group that could assist
clubs, schools and organizations
torneo at iba pang programa
in unifying I.P.M.A.F. members
from the Cordilleras converged
ng Arnis ay isang paraan upang
globally and appointed GM Juerg
in another momentous event.
bigyan daan ang pagpapalawig
Ziegler as its chairperson in good
With Grandmaster Ernesto
Aside from the arnis fighters of the nito sa kabataang Pilipino
faith. The intention was not for
Presas Jr.’s permission, I am
region, teams from Manila, Iloilo,
na syang magmamana at
this group to be an alternative
posting a letter addressed to
Capiz and other regions were
mapagpapasaalangalangan ng
organization and or be able to
all International Philippine
invited to join although several of
kinabukasan ng Sining Arnis,
promote I.P.M.A.F. members to
Martial Arts Federation members
them were unable to attend.
ito po ay mabibigyang daan
senior ranks without permission
concerning some recent events.
The event was scheduled
lamang at maisasakatuparan
from HQ in Manila, Philippines.
Below is the wording of the letter
Friday and Saturday to give the
sa pamamagitan tulong
The art of Kombatan will always
as well as an image of the letter
visiting teams to have Sunday as
tulong nating pagsisikap at
be governed by the I.P.M.A.F.
itself.
their leisure day to go around and
pakikipagkaisa sa mga aktibidad
and more importantly the Presas
--enjoy the sites that Baguio has to
na ang adhikain ay para sa lahat.
Family. To reiterate no rank,
The “World Kombatan
offer and buy some “pasalubong”
Ito rin po ay iniaalay sa mga
position and or title issued by the
Community”,
Grandmaster
Juerg
for their love ones back home.
nagsakripisyo upang makarating
World Kombatan Community will
Arnis as a sport in the
ang Arnis sa kung saan ito ngayon Ziegler and Recent Promotion
be recognized by I.P.M.A.F. or its
To
All
I.P.M.A.F.
members,
City of Baguio is new but is up
at sa kabataan na pinagaalayan
global members.
Recently as you may have
and rising proving its worth as a
nila ng sakripisyong yaon.”
Finally I would like to
read
on
Facebook
GM
Juerg
medal hauler in the past Caraa
As said in the objective
address GM Juerg Ziegler and
Ziegler promoted both Senior
and Palarong Pambansa meets
of the event, the art of arnis is
his status within the I.P.M.A.F.
Master
Allan
Fami
and
Senior
wherein arnis contributed a
being passed on to the Filipino
unfortunately given recent events
Master Michael Ermac to the
handful of medals for Baguio.
youth to carry on its legacy and
it has become clear to me that he is
rank
of
8th
Degree
Black
Belt
in
With the slated “2012 Palarong
cultivate it to its growth and make
not working in the best interest of
Kombatan and Modern Arnis and
Pambansa” in Lingayen,
it as an instrument to hone the
the I.P.M.A.F. and more importantly
bestowed
upon
them
the
title
of
Pangasinan in May players
character of every Filipino. The
in the best interests of the art
Grandmaster. These ranks and
see the national arnis encounter
art of arnis embeds in it the rich
of Kombatan (my late father’s
titles
were
issued
without
my
as a tune-up to further hone
Filipino culture of our forefathers
legacy to us all). As such effective
their skills and test their prowess
and its existence through the years consent and knowledge.
immediately I remove from him
As
the
heir
of
Kombatan
to prepare for the games. This
is brought about by its undying
the title of Chief Instructor of
(as bequeathed by my Father GGM Switzerland and remove all rights
is while the seniors are also
potential to teach the Filipino to
Ernesto A. Presas) and the current
keeping in shape preparing for
be nationalistic.
for him to use the name Kombatan,
President of the International
the National Prisaa and the POC
The next quest for the
Modern Mano Mano and or
Philippine
Martial
Arts
Federation
PSC Nationals in Cebu and in
Baguio Arnis Team is the National
promote any association to the
and Chief Instructor of Kombatan
Dumaguete, respectively.
Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen,
I.P.M.A.F. and or the “Presas” family
and
Modern
Mano
Mano
I
would
As a result Baguio again
Pangasinan and the Philippine
name.
like to unequivocally state that
emerged as the overall champions National Games in Dumaguete
I would ask that we
these
ranks
as
bestowed
by
GM
in the two day event. According
City where preparations and
continue to look at the positives
Ziegler are held invalid by I.P.M.A.F. e.g. a successful recent world
to the coaches of the teams the
training is in full blast in order
for the following reasons:
tournament was a good tune-up
to ensure an exceptional
camp in Finland and plans afoot
for players seeing action in the
performance and in Gods will
1. Both Senior Master Fami and
to confirm our bi annual World
Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen,
with the support and prayers of
Senior Master Ermac are currently
Training Camp in Hinigaran,
Pangasinan, wherein arnis is one
the people of Baguio, the relatives not members of the I.P.M.A.F.
Negros Occidental in 2013 and
of the sports which could make a
and supporters of the team we
fraternity and as such are not
our first World Camp in Spain in
difference in every region’s overall
could bring home the “bacon” so
eligible for promotion within
2014. The I.P.M.A.F. is thriving
standing.
let us support our athletes not
Kombatan or I.P.M.A.F.
and I am sure my father would be
The tournament
only in arnis but the whole Baguio 2. Promotion to Grandmaster
very proud of all those who have
attracted around more than 150
delegation, Mabuhay ang Sining
status must be initiated and
worked to effect positive change
participants who vied for the
Arnis! Mabuhay ang koponan ng
approved by HQ in Manila,
for the organization and the art.
kids (Age category for boys and
Baguio Arnis! Mabuhay ang buong Philippines and endorsed with my
girls), elementary and high school
Delegasyon ng Baguio!
signature on the current I.P.M.A.F.
Yours in Kombatan,
certificates (both of which did not
Grandmaster Ernesto Presas Jr.
occur in this case).
Arnis Master Gets Award from Obama
President / I.P.M.A.F. Kombatan
3.
The
right
to
promote
to
this
By Mei-Lin Lozada
Chief Instructor Kombatan &
rank is solely mine alone as the
The Manila Times, April 29, 2012
Modern Mano Mano
Arnis Master Mataw Guro Louelle Lledo Jr. received the President’s Volunteer Award from United
States President Barack Obama for his selfless act of teaching Filipino martial arts to various groups and
communities in America.
“It’s a great honor to receive an award from the US President,” said Lledo.
An emissary of the US government presented a pin and a letter of commendation from Obama to Lledo
at the Cavite State University on April 14, 2012.
A part of the letter from the White House signed by Obama reads, “Your volunteer service demonstrates
the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise.”
Lledo described the growth of Filipino martial arts in America as dynamic and he wants the same thing
to happen in the Philippines, “We want to be of help in the development of arnis in the Philippines, after
all, it started here and it is just right that we should strengthen the sport in its country of origin,”
Lledo is the Founder of Amara Arkanis and the man behind the Mataw Guro Association, an international
organization promoting Filipino martial arts education. Before he migrated to the US, Lledo taught arnis
extensively to civilian, law enforcement and military organizations in the Philippines.
Sikaran Master Releases Latest Book
By Mei-Lin Lozada
Manila Times May 6, 2012
Arnis Attracts Huge Number of Participants in Palaro
By Josef T. Ramos
Manila Times - May 9, 2012
Filipino martial arts
master Emmanuel Espiritu Santo
Querubin announced the release
of his latest book on sikaran,
the native Filipino sport of foot
fighting. Sikaran originated as a
pastime of farmers in Baras, Rizal
long before the arrival of the
Spaniards in 1521.
Querubin, 72, now the
holder of 9th degree red and
white belt in sikaran, said that
during those days, farmers would
engage in foot fights after their
long day in the farm. From a rough
pastime, sikaran evolved into a
formal sport and martial art. It was
in 1958 that the system’s grand
master Meliton Geronimo began
teaching the art to the public.
Geronimo was once a mayor of
Baras and was known then as
‘Mayor Latigo.’
Sikaran’s first global
exposure came through Qurubin’s
writings. The famed Black Belt
Magazine appointed Querubin
as foreign correspondent for the
Philippines in 1965. His first article
published in the magazine was
Sikaran - a Dying Art (April 1966
issue) followed by It All Began 800
Years Ago (June 1966 issue).
It was also during this
period that he commenced writing
manuals on sikaran, “I started to
write manuals way back 1966,”
said Querubin. “But during that
time less than a hundred a copies
were published because of limited
resources.”
In 2007, after serving as
an animal control officer in the
Oakland Police Department for 30
years, Querubin started writing a
detailed book on sikaran. It was
titled Sikaran - The Fighting Art
of the Filipino Farmer and was
published in 2009.
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: Arnis, the
Philippines’ national martial art
and sport by the virtue of Republic
Act 9850, attracted a huge number
of participants in this year’s
Palarong Pambansa.
More than 220 young arnis
players from the 17 regions of the
country came to compete in this
year’s edition of the multi-sporting
event according to Al Pelgone,
president of the Department of
Education Arnis Association of the
Philippines (DEAAP).
“We are complete right
now because all 17 regions have
participated and it is a good sign
for our native sport of arnis,” said
Pelgone.
The two categories open
to all participants are the anyo
or forms competition and the
labanan or sparring contest. The
anyo contestants display their
“It’s about the history
and origin of sikaran,” he said. “I
finished writing the manuscripts
in the United States but have
them brought and published here
in Manila.”
Two years later he
finished another book titled Mga
Balangkas ng Sikaran that deals
about the original patterns of
sikaran.
“During that time there
were no Filipino translations
for the foreign words that were
used in sikaran. So in the 50’s
and 60’s, 10th degree red belt
Grand Master Meliton Geronimo
and I made the balangkas or the
formal exercises. A balangkas is a
logical arrangement of defensive
and offensive maneuvers in a
particular sequence. We coined
words referring to the actions
and technicalities of sikaran,” he
narrated.
Querubin sees his books
as an expression of his devotion
to the martial art and sport of
sikaran, “I do not expect to make
money out of this, I only do it
for my love of the sport. And
this I dedicate also to Grand
Master Meliton Geronimo for he
is my inspiration for doing this,”
Querubin said, concluding, “I want
sikaran to live forever and I want
to make it known for the next
generations to come.”
SIKARAN “The Fighting Art of the Filipino Farmer”
By Emmanuel del Espiritu Santo Querubin
The author was appointed by Grandmaster Melton Geronimo as Director
for Research and Standards. This is
the only fully authorized book about
Sikaran authorized by Grandmaster
Meliton Geronimo.
This book neither intends nor claims
to reveal any mysticism or secret of
Sikaran. This is solely because there
are neither secrets nor mysteries
involved in Sikaran. Sikaran is composed of purely offensive and defensive maneuvers systematically
organized as an effective fighting
art and an exciting sport.
This is a must for all practitioners
whether practitioners of Sikaran.
To Order: Click Here
If any FMA martial arts group or martial artist
from any FMA martial arts style would wish for
Zena Sultana Babao to write about them/him/
her, you could contact her by:
Email: zenasultana@hotmail.com, or by Facebook, or by calling her on her cell number:
(619) 316-5742.
fighting skills in solo baston (single
stick) and doble baston (double
sticks) in a prearranged manner. In
labanan, the competitors engage
in a sparring match mediated by a
referee while using padded sticks
and wearing protective armor.
“In previous years, the
total number of contestants
number only to about 100
players nationwide,” Pelgone said.
“Actually, we made an effort to
really encourage players from all
the regions to participate in this
year’s Palaro.”
Pelgone added that they
are actively promoting arnis
nationwide through seminars. He
clarified though that DEAAP is not
connected in anyway with Arnis
Philippines, which is under the
leadership of Raymond Velayo, “We
have our own way of promoting
arnis,” he said.
This is the Filipino Martial Arts Database service, provided to the
FMA community in support of its growth and advancement.
www.fmadatabase.com
www.stickman-escrima.com
Voices of the Masters: Warrior Arts of the Philippines
Taking a comprehensive look
at an entire martial art and the
culture and tradition behind it
is a daunting task. Punong Guro
Myrlino P. Hufana decided to
take on the challenge when one
of his students, independent
filmmaker Barclay Powers approached Hufana in early 2010
about traveling to the Philippines to meet with and film several highly respected masters.
By March 2010, Hufana and a
film crew had arrived in the Philippines, ready to document the
rich history and the promising
future of the Filipino martial arts
with Voices of the Masters: Warrior Arts of the Philippines.
Voices of the Masters is the first feature-length film that captures
the magic of the Filipino Martial Arts. The film will be available for
purchase as a download, on DVD, and Pay-Per-View. Learn more
about the film and where to see it at:
www.VoicesoftheMasters.com
20 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 21
Rutano Estokada Kali: Practical and Tactical
By Guro Ollie
5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Self Defense Knife
By Joel Huncar
As a long-time martial
arts practitioner/instructor,
security consultant, use-of-force
instructor and former private
security contractor, I have had
many opportunities to “field-test”
elements of the wide variety of
martial arts that I have studied,
especially the Filipino martial arts.
In the 20 years that I
had been in my profession, I
can honestly say that Rutano
Estokada Kali (REK) has turned
out to be the most practical and
tactically viable martial art I have
ever encountered. Its emphasis
on drilling hardcore basic skills
against any and all types of
attacks makes it perfect for the
street - any street. I have traveled
far and wide (Africa, Central and
South America, and the Middle
East), and have walked down
many streets, and I feel safer
now than at any other time in
my life due to the knowledge
and skill I have acquired from the
practice of REK. The thousands
of drills and combat simulation
training ensure that both the
body and mind are prepared
for the intense experience of
real-world close combat. The
frequent use of contact training
Knives and knife fighting have
seen a huge upsweep in popularity these days. Something that
was once taught in small secretive groups is now being taught
at your local YMCA by karate, Jiu
Jitsu and other “traditional” martial
arts instructors. Many people are
carrying “defensive” knives for self
protection, from all sorts of social
backgrounds. The art of the blade
is not just in the hands of street
punks and paramilitary types any
more. Now it is not uncommon
to meet homemakers, realtors,
stock brokers and bankers all carrying knives as part of their personal protection strategy. Many
of these people have excellent
instruction and are ready for the
world of martial blade carry but
many have had very little training
and are just ignorantly following
the latest trend. For those who
wish to make an informed decision
about buying and carrying a knife
for self protection there are some
things that you should consider.
enables practitioners to develop
an increased pain tolerance
which contributes greatly to
increasing the probability of
winning a combative encounter.
In addition, the constant weapons
training from the outset of martial
practice serves to inoculate REK
practitioners against the natural
apprehension that most people
feel when suddenly faced with a
weapon attack. It is this natural
apprehension that inhibits a rapid
combative response to this type of
threat. The stress inoculation with
weapons enables practitioners
to overcome this apprehension
and immediately respond with
effective countermeasures. With
the art firmly ingrained in my
head, I am able to confidently and
competently engage in unarmed
combat or improvise a weapon
out of almost anything. I have
been sucker-punched, slashed
at, stabbed at, swarmed and
ambushed on more than a few
occasions, and I am still standing
due to my training in REK.
As a knife combatives
instructor, I can say with
conviction that REK is perfect for
those who carry tactical folding
knives on duty, or as a lifestyle.
MARPPIO Instructional Video’s and Live Seminar Video’s
Grandmaster Remy A. Presas
Single video’s and sets
To Buy - Click Here
Since the art is based on the
principle that all combative
movements can be translated
from edged weapons to impact
weapons to empty hands, this
makes the art quite well suited
to those professionals who carry
an expandable baton as on duty
as well. In fact, as an Expert with
the Alberta Civil TriaI Lawyers
Association and as a former
advisor to the Criminal Justice
Department at Columbia College
in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I can
honestly say that practitioners
of REK have 20 to 30 times the
skills of most police defensive
tactics instructors!! In addition,
since REK practitioners are edged
and impact weapon trained,
they automatically know how
to defend against these types
of attacks, which makes REK an
excellent source of knowledge
for police defensive tactics
instructors seeking to increase
their skills in the area of edged
and impact weapons defense.
As you can see, REK
is both practical and tactical,
making it an outstanding
choice for those considering
the practice of a serious Filipino
martial art. With its simplicity of
absorption and ease of retention,
it is a “must-have” system for
martial arts enthusiasts, military
personnel and law enforcement
professionals.
“The Great Pinoy Boxing Era” By Corky Pasquil”
“The Great Pinoy Boxing Era” documentary is a 30 minute journey back to the days of Pinoy greats: Dencio
Cabanella, Pancho Villa, Speedy Dado, Small Montana, Little Dado, Ceferino Garcia, Dado Marino… and perpetual
Pinoy contenders: Lil’ Dempsey, Kid Java, Pablo Dano, Varias Miling, Johnny Efhan, Bernard and Maxie Docusen…
and so many more! Through this compilation of championship fight footage, illustrative oral histories, rare
photos, and historical research, you will experience the sights, sounds, emotions, and significance of what is
undoubtedly one of the greatest eras of Filipinos in sports. You will see the rise and fall of the great era, from the
introduction of boxing in the Philippines, to the days of Pinoy boxer dominance, to the gradual fading of the era
with socioeconomic changes in America and the Philippines. You will come to know an unheralded group of Pinoy
heroes who not only provided the Filipinos of the day with idols, but also gave them a sense of identity and hope for
equality in an unwelcoming America.
You can watch it:
The Great Pinoy Boxing Era - Low Bandwidth Version: Click Here
The Great Pinoy Boxing Era - High Bandwidth Version: Click Here
Video information provided by MyBarong.com:
www.mybarong.com or call toll free: 1-866-4BARONG (422-7664)
Fighting Art of Roberto Labaniego - 3 DVD Set
To Purchase - Click Here
Grandmaster Roberto Labaniego is the real deal. Highly skilled, humble, and incredibly generous with his
knowledge, the Grandmaster is the epitome of a Filipino Martial Arts master. Known affectionately by his
students as “Mang Bert”, he is the head of a unique and amazing system called Arnis Labaniego. Born on the
Philippine island of Panay, Grandmaster Labaniego first studied the art from his father, then later from various
instructors. Mang Bert has had to use his highly developed skills in many real-life encounters with the bolo
(long working sword), knife, ice pick, and empty hands. Because of his background, Mang Bert has developed
a very different approach to the art of fighting with the blade, stick, knife, or empty handed. He also explains
the philosophy behind his system which gives a greater understanding of combat effectiveness. And his
skills! When he demonstrates, jaws drop. At the tender age of 66, Mang Bert wields the stick and blade with
incredible speed and power. If you have never seen a Grandmaster swing a live sword all-out, watch these
DVDs and get ready to be inspired!
1) Are You Prepared?
Do you have the mental,
physical and emotional training
to be able to carry a blade for
self defence? Remember we are
talking about using a sharp instrument to cut up another human
being here. This is a very ugly and
brutal way to fight. Are you ready
to suffer the consequences of doing potentially lethal damage to
another person? Are you trained
well enough to keep your blade in
your hands instead of your attackers? Do you have enough control
of your temper to know you will
not use your weapon where it is
not appropriate? Are you willing
to take someone’s life to protect
your own?
If your answer is no to any
of these questions, then please do
not make the knife a part of your
defensive strategy. The sober truth
about bladed weapons is that they
maim and kill. While many knife
teachers say that you can use a
knife to disable an attacker, this is
not really very realistic in the high
speed adrenaline charged reality
of violence. Overkill is instinctive
once adrenaline kicks in, so if you
carry a blade you must be sure
that your life is in danger before
you pull it or you may find yourself
knives with macho names or
named after famous “knife fighters”. A lawyer will tear you apart in
court if you used a knife called the
“marauder” to defend yourself. You
will look like a psycho to the jury
2) Knife Quality:
and court. Do not buy a knife that
The thing I recommend
to my students is that when they will make you look bad in court.
Look for something with a harmare picking out a knife they get
less sounding name like the “voyone made by one of well known
ager” or “cricket” or “civilian” to just
manufacturers. Cold Steel, SOG,
name a few. Any name that makes
Spyderco, CRKT, Benchmade,
Timberline, Buck, and Camillus are your knife sound tactical, military
or martial should be avoided besome of the top manufacturers
of production knives. All of them cause if you every need to use your
blade you will probably have your
make very good folding and fix
actions judged in court.
blade knives that are reasonably
4) Deployment:
priced and have great warran
Your knife should be able
ties. Price range for these knives
should be from twenty five dollars to be brought into use quickly and
efficiently. It should be there when
on the low end up to a couple of
hundred dollars on the high end. you need it, not sitting in the bottom of a purse or a pocket. If it is a
An average decent quality folder
folding knife it is imperative it can
should be around fifty to one
hundred fifty dollars. CRKT make be opened with one hand quickly.
If it is a fixed blade it should be in a
some excellent low cost folders
sheath that allows for a quick draw.
but for myself I prefer Cold Steel.
If you can’t access your
If you want you could
knife swiftly it will be of little use
buy custom made knives from
in an assault. The other side of this
a famous knife maker, but these
you will need to practice getting
knives will perform just as well
your knife out quick while under
in a violent encounter and they
pressure. You need to drill your
won’t break your bank. Custom
draw. It is not enough to have a
made are great if you can afford
blade at your side but you must
them, but for me I simply do not
be practiced at getting it out in an
have the money for a custom
emergency situation.
knife.
There is yet another impor
Cheap knock offs on the
tant factor to deployment, if it is
other hand should be avoided
easy for you to draw your knife, it
like the plague. They are usually
poor quality and will break under will be easy for an opponent to get
any hard use. Remember you will to it if you are grappling or clinchuse your defensive knife as a tool ing. This means you need to train
at protecting your knife while in
first and for personal protection
combat. Many self defence situasecond and this should be your
first consideration when you pick tions can happen so quick that you
will be unable to access your knife.
it out. Stay away from low qualOr your knife may not be approity stuff that can be found at flea
priate to the situation, but once
markets and gas stations.
the fight is on your opponent may
Also one thing I have
go for your knife and escalate the
found is that quite often knives
situation. You need to know how
that are marketed with gun
to keep your knife in your own
manufacturer’s names are ofhands and not your opponents.
ten of poor quality. Let the gun
makers make guns and leave the Knife retention is often overlooked
knives to the knife makers. Quite by many knife practitioners and
often if you get a blade from one trainers but is very important to
your survival when it comes to self
of the big knife manufacturers
defence knife training.
you will have a companion that
with proper upkeep will serve you 5) Blade Style and Length:
all your days.
The type of blade you carry
spending a long time reflecting on your actions behind bars.
Knives can be great life saving
tools but only for the most extreme circumstances.
3) Model Name:
Try to stay away from
should suit both your life style and
self defence needs. You should
“Kali: Hard Core Proven Weightloss, Strength, and Agility”
By Datu Chris Diomampo
This book credits those in the Philippines who both
practice and created this devastating art. Not only will it show
but describe in detail how weight loss and strength is acheived
using simple devices incorporated in Kali training. This is Kali
from the rough streets of Olongapo/Subic Bay, Philippines. Easy
to read and straight to the point.
Send: $28 plus $5 S/H in the US. Check or money order to :
PKA
624 W. University Ave. # 152
Denton, TX. 76201
Visit : cebukali.com or Email: cebukali@yahoo.com
pick a knife that suits your personal fighting style, the environment
in which you live and your profession. A roughneck in northern Alberta would need a different knife
then a personal assistant working
in a posh office in downtown LA.
Also I train in a slashing intensive
system of arnis where as a person
who trains in a thrusting intensive
system will be suited to a different
blade then me. Tailor your blade
choice to your environment, training and life style.
Another side to this is that
you should know the local laws
and bylaws concerning knifes.
You do not want to defend yourself with a weapon that is prohibited in your area. This is very
important. You want to look like
a reasonable person to the police
and court, not some outlaw who
packs dangerous weapons and
looks for trouble. When it comes
to court image is very important,
if you are packing a prohibited
weapon you have taken the first
step in destroying your own credibility.
When it comes to picking
out a defensive blade you should
keep these things in mind. Pick a
knife that suits you, your training
style and your life style. Understand what you are getting into
when it comes to using a knife for
self defence. It is your responsibility to make good choices when it
comes to knives and weapons in
general. Do not make knives your
only choice of defensive training.
A knife is only a viable choice for
a severely limited amount of self
defence scenarios. You should
depend on your empty hand skills
as well and save deadly weapons
for situations where using deadly
force is a reasonable option. By
this I mean situations where your
life is in jeopardy, anything else is
morally and legally wrong.
There is a lot to consider
before one starts to carry a knife
for self defence. The more reflection and research you put into
buying the knife that is right for
you will not only keep you from
wasting your money but could
also save you from making a
choice that will change your life
forever.
Guro Joel Huncar
Ravenwood Combat Arts
The Guild of Combat Sciences
Cranbrook BC Canada
arnisador_1@hotmail.com
22 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 23
Filipino Martial Arts: The Ultimate Tool for Combative Self-Expression
By Guro Ollie
Iloilo Arnisador Cop Two Gold Medals
By Josef T. Ramos
Manila Times May 11, 2012
847 Hamilton Ave.
Waterbury, CT 06706
(203) 596-9073
Sandata4UsAll@aol.com
TraditionalFilipinoWeapons.com
Rizal Arnis Players Bag Gold Medals in Lingayen
By : Josef T. Ramos
Manila Times May 10, 2012
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: Mark
Andrew Orcena and Jessica
Cabano-Ang, both 12-year-old,
bagged the gold medals in the
boys’ and girls’ individual single
weapon anyo (forms) contest
in the arnis event of the 2012
Palarong Pambansa here.
Orcena and Cabano-Ang,
of Region 4-A are both Palaro firsttimers.
“It is nice to win a gold
medal especially when you are not
expecting it,” said Orcena, a grade
six student of Doña Nieves Songco
Memorial School, who garnered
44.8 points to beat John Lloyd
Salazar (44.7) of Region 6 and
Luke Galon (44.5) of Region 7.
Cabano-Ang, for her part, posted
46.7 to grab the gold medal
beating Marjolene Padadera
(45.9) of Region 6 and Kathryn
Mae Canizares (45.0) of Region
12. Padadera and Canizares
automatically clinched the silver
and bronze medals respectively.
“We are so thankful to our
coach,” said Cabano-Ang, referring
to their head coach Merdita
Pangan. “She trains us all the
time.”
In the two-man anyo
contest, John Lloyd Salazar and
Jasper Daliva of Region 6 snared
the gold with a score of 45.40.
Honey Jed Catuyo and Christian
Torres of Region 12 (45.30) and
Joevanie Canta and Joebelle
Villanueva (43.90) of Region
10 finished second and third
respectively.
In the elementary (girls)
division of the same contest,
Kathryn Canizares and Al-Aira
Aloisa of Region 12 gained
45.10 points to grab the top
post. Chabelita Gonzalodo and
Marjolene Padadera (44.80) of
Region 6 and Cabano-Ang and
Leaine Joy Loayon (44.40) of
Region 4-A took home the second
and third honors.
Maximo Caballes of Region
7 topped the boys’ secondary
division single weapon anyo
contest with 92.50 points.
Region 4-A’s Regie Jet Sanches
(90.40) and Hans Oliver Magallis
(90.10) finished second and third
respectively.
The labanan or sparring
contests will commence today.
Arnis is the Philippines’ national
martial art and sport by the virtue
of Republic Act 9850.
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: Fersie Ann
Ramos of Iloilo City snared two
gold medals in the arnis event of
the 2012 Palarong Pambansa here
at the Narciso Ramos Sports Civic
Center yesterday.
Ramos, garnering 93.10
points, ruled the individual
double weapon anyo or forms
competition (secondary division,
girls). Region 10’s Desiree Quirog
(91.10) and Cordillera’s Mer
Bacyagon (91.00) finished second
and third respectively.
Ramos won last year’s gold
medal in labanan or sparring but
this year, she only bagged the
bronze medal in the event.
Ramos snared a second
gold when she teamed up with
Crystal Bartonico and Cyndy
Monde in the double weapon anyo
team contest (secondary division,
girls).
The trio posted 91.10,
beating Cordillera bets Shaira
Western Visayas Rules Arnis Event in Lingayen
By Josef T. Ramos
Manila Times May 11, 2012
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: The
Western Visayas region collected
nine gold medals to take home
the overall title in the arnis event
of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa
at the Narciso Ramos Sports Civic
Center here yesterday.
Cindy Abegail Monte, 14,
led Western Visayas’ onslaught by
crushing Juhaira Harim of Region
10, 7-3, for the gold medal in the
labanan or sparring lightweight
class (secondary division, girls).
“My opponent was too
aggressive but I refused to lose,”
said Monte.
Her coach Florence
Depositorio of Iloilo City said
that their strong performance in
the event is a proof of the sport’s
strong presence in the Visayas,
“We are here to prove that Western
Visayas embraces our indigenous
sport arnis.”
Western Visayas’ Crystal
AJ Bartonico also won the gold
medal in single weapon anyo or
Keith Roosa
Hand Made Wooden Weaponry
Keith Roosa hand makes many different designs including Kampilans, Kris, Bolos, Pinutes, and
many Indonesian blades. He also makes custom trainers for people that send him their own
design.
Keith Roosa prices vary because of availability and cost of the hardwoods he uses. The
Presas Bolos and the Abanikos will sell for $70. He makes a cheaper line that sells for about
$20 less, which have parachute cord wrapped handles. Keith Roosa’s prices sometimes scare
people off until they have the weapon in their hands and feel the balance and see the quality
the work. Each one is hand built and not off an assembly line.
Jane Sulingbay, Jeziel Bengtay and
Fel Ah-Ul (89.10) and Southern
Tagalog bets Geraldine Canate,
Mercy Aldeguer and Jenny
Sarmiento (87.80) that took home
the silver and bronze medals
respectively.
“Arnis is popular in Iloilo
and my players have responded
well against oppositions,” said
Western Visayas arnis coach
Florence Depositario. “I’m happy
with the three gold medals but
we’re still expecting more.”
In the anyo mixed double
weapon finals (elementary
division, boys), the quartet of Maria
Chabelita Gonzalugo, Marjolene
Padadera,
John Lloyd Salazar and
Jasper Jake Daliva earned 46.8
points to beat Region 12 (45.3) and
Cordillera (44.1).
Arnis is the Philippines’
national martial art and sport by
the virtue of Republic Act 9850
forms (secondary division, girls)
contest while Ferbie Ann Ramos
secured the gold medal in double
weapons anyo (secondary division,
girls) competition. The Western
Visayas girls’ squad also topped the
synchronized girls single weapon
and double weapon anyo team
contest.
The boys’ squad
(elementary and secondary) from
the same region also ruled the
single weapon, double weapons
and mixed double weapons anyo
contests.
The other gold medal
winners were Jeson Monterola of
Region 11 (pinweight, labanan),
Michael Brent Udal of Region
10 (bantamweight, labanan),
John Daryl Dacalos of Region
7 (featherweight, labanan) and
Bill Amper of Region 11 (extra
lightweight, labanan).
Arnis is the Philippines’
national martial art and sport by
the virtue of Republic Act 9850
Whenever people
talk about martial arts, the
conversation inevitably turns to
style. Almost every conversation
that I have participated in has
gone in this direction. I am often
asked, “Which style do you think
is the best?” To this, my usual
reply is, “What is a style?” This
seems to dumbfound people. But
nevertheless, the question must be
addressed: What is a style?
Ever since martial arts have
gone mainstream, the highlight
has always been on style. There
are many “styles” of martial art
- Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do,
Jiu Jitsu/Jutsu, Judo, Aikido, Kali,
Ninjutsu, Kempo, etc. Even within
the styles, there are styles. Take
Kung Fu for example, within this
style of martial art are various
styles - Snake, Dragon, Monkey,
Tiger, Eagle, Mantis, Crane, and
Phoenix. Within Karate, there are
various styles as well - Goju Ryu,
Wado Ryu, Shotokan, Shito Ryu,
and Kyokushin. But again – What is
a style?
That’s simple. A style,
with respect to martial arts, is
simply the way in which a person
(Master/Martial Artist) wishes
to express himself and his ideas
through combative movement
and combative interaction. But
which style is the best? Obviously,
my answer is Filipino martial arts
(FMA).
Why do I consider FMA
to be the best? That’s simple as
well. I believe that FMA is the
most unrestricted martial art
in terms of both philosophy
and training methodology, and
this enables its practitioners
to truly express themselves in
combative form. With FMA, it
is a well-known fact that all of
the empty-hand movements
are translated directly from the
weapons movements. And since
the training methodology is to
systematically explore all of the
progressions and variations of
combative movement - literally
testing everything against
everything in every range what results is a method in
which every practitioner will
develop differently, since no two
people are exactly the same.
As far as philosophy goes, only
one tenet exists - defeat the
opponent as quickly as possible,
permanently (This does not
just mean terminally. It can
also be interpreted to mean
incapacitating the opponent so he
can no longer continue fighting).
These two elements enable FMA
practitioners to remain openminded to explore any concept or
training methodology that they
may find beneficial in furthering
their combative proficiency.
In other styles, I have
observed that both Masters and
students are rigidly bound within
the parameters of their art, with
little or no variation allowed
because they are “traditional”
martial arts. I believe that this
rigid format hampers a student’s
personal growth both in terms
of martial skill, and as a person.
The term “Martial Art” has two
elements, martial - meaning “of,
or pertaining to war, war or warlike”, and art - which involves
unrestricted self-expression. In my
opinion, FMA is the only martial
art that has upheld the literal
meaning of these two elements
of the term. So when someone
asks me what style of martial art
is the best, I unequivocally say
FMA. It truly is the ultimate tool for
combative and personal growth
and self-expression.
Eskrimadores FMA
Dedicated to FMA (Filipino Martial Arts)
History, Techniques, Current Events and News.
eskrimadores.tumblr.com
Different Bolo’s and a few Abaniko’s designs.
www.eskrimador-supplies.com
The Presas bolos in the second picture are made
from macaucaba, which has the hardness of
kamagong. The left one has Birdseye maple
handles and the right one has cocobolo handles.
Bram Frank’s Abanikos are made from
Bolivian rosewood w/ zebra wood handles
(left) and purple heart w/ bubinga handles (right).
Inquiries: kempokroosa@yahoo.com
Facebook: Click Here
Welcome to ‘Eskrimador Supplies’ the Eskrima Kali Arnis equipment company that is run and owned by leading exponents of the Filipino
martial arts.
We specialise in supplying high quality Filipino martial arts training equipment at prices you can afford to train with.
Eskrimador Supplies has a simple policy. “If we do not use it, we will not sell it to you”. We import into the UK directly from the manufacturers
in the Philippines and our training equipment is used by many top eskrimadors and masters, national, international and world champions from
around the world including the Philippines.
Non-UK Customers: Please make sure if you are a non UK customer that you e-mail us for international post and pack rates before ordering
any products as all our products are listed with UK ONLY Post and Packing Rates. Failure to do this may result in your order being delayed and/
or being rejected.
24 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 25
3rd Martial Arts Festival Slated May 19, 2012
By Roderick Osis
Sun Star - Baguio - May 15, 2012
Legends clash in Ground and Pound
By Edri K. Aznar
Sun - Star Cebu - May 25, 2012
CLOSE to 500 martial arts
practitioners all over the Cordillera
and neighboring regions are set
to troop to the Summer Capital for
one day of non-stop combative
action.
Dubbed 3rd Martial Arts
Festival which was held on May 19,
is the only martial arts event in the
Philippines participated in by the
different martial arts disciplines
hatched by Bravehearts Martial
Arts Institute.
These disciplines include
tae kwon do, jiujitsu (grappling),
wushu (sanshou and taolu),
boxing, muay thai and arnis in a
friendly but highly competitive
atmosphere.
At least three playing
venues are being eyed in the day
long competition according to
event coordinator Danrey Velo
EXPECT the latest installment
of Yaw-Yan Ardigma’s “Ground
and Pound” series to be one for
the history books as it features
an exciting MMA clash between
two heavy-handed strikers and a
historic kickboxing bout between
two of Cebu’s kickboxing pillars.
“This will be a great fight.
Fans should expect a knockout
because both of them are strikers,”
Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu head
Benigno “Ekin”Caniga, the event
organizer, told Sun.Star Cebu
yesterday.
Ground and Pound
VI–Invincible will be at the Cebu
Coliseum on July 14 and pro
boxer-turned-MMA fighter Alde
de Zosa (2-1) will take on fellow
striker Jonathan Esquierdo (3-0).
“I won’t promise anything.
I’ll show everyone in the ring what
I’m made of. He should watch
out for my knees,” said the tall
featherweight.
De Zosa, who is the Idol
super featherweight champion,
also of the Bravehearts Martial Arts
Institute.
“We are inviting all teams
and clubs to join the martial arts
festival and we hope to have
bigger attendance this time,”
added Velo.
PFVR will be the main hub
of the event with competitions
in Arnis, Boxing, and Muaythai to
be played simultaneously while
tae kwon do will be played at the
Baguio Convention Center.
Wushu and grappling
competitions will be held at the
BCNHS Auditorium.
The very first martial arts
festival was held at the Philippine
Military Academy last May 30,2009
and the second was held at SM
City Baguio last April 22-26, 2010
watched by parents, supporters
and martial arts fanatics.
Raw and Ready
Bokers E F K
(Escrima Fighting Knife)
By Punong Guro Michael Blackgrave
Raw and ready,
those are the two
words that first
come to mind
when I handle
the new Boker E F K (Escrima
Fighting Knife). Boker has always
been known for producing top
quality blades, and with the E F K
they have in my opinion set a high
standard on what a tactical knife
should be. The first thing I noticed
when I handled the E F K was the
comfort, it literally fills my hand
allowing for functionality in both
sak sak (saber grip) as well as pikal
(ice pick grip) and the transition
from one to the other is as smooth
as can be, a trait crucial to those
of us who delve deeply into the
bladed arts.
One of the most important
features is the double edged 5.88
inch blade. In my opinion double
edged is the only way to go, it
allows for deeper penetration and
devastating back cuts. I put the
E F K through some grueling test
cuts in both sak sak and pikal grip.
I found the penetration factor is
high in both. In sak sak I was able
to penetrate the yellow pages with
a single cavity thrust measuring
1.5 inches this was achieved with
average power, when I upped
the power thrust I achieved 2.5
inches, not bad at all. In pikal the
results were amazing, I was able
to drive the E F K a full 4 inches
deep into the book with plenty
of power still available if needed.
The other feature that I truly dig
is the striking bezel at the bottom
of the handle. This little bad boy is
a keeper for
sure. I personally
love the aspect of being
able to not only cut but pummel
with my blade and anyone who
knows eskrima understands
that this is a crucial element
that unfortunately some knife
designers leave out when building
a tactical fighter, so kudos to Boker
for getting it right.
The E F K comes with a
zytel sheath which I definitely like,
while tight at first it loosened up
after a bit of play yet still remained
firm enough so the blade rode
snuggly in place. The design of
the sheath is excellent I was able
to attach the blade as a hip carry,
cross draw, boot carry and my
favorite a lower back concealed
carry. It definitely rides light and is
easily concealable under a loose
shirt or jacket.
Over all I give the Boker E F
K four big shiny stars, it is without
a doubt a true tactical fixed blade
right up there with the best of
them. If you are looking for glitz
and glam then I would say look
elsewhere but if you are about
functionality and simplicity then
by all means get yourself a Boker
E F K it is a high quality baby that
will hold up under any conditions
and definitely get the job done
in the right hands. Two big
thumbs up to Boker for getting
it right, obviously Mr. Newmans
experience in the bladed arts paid
dividends here… great job Boker!
Visit: www.pvk.com
was impressive in his previous
MMA bout last February. He
beat veteran Adamson Torbiso
with an unusual leg lock in the
second round to earn the vacant
Fight Ground Championship
featherweight belt.
Two founders of respected
kickboxing clubs in Cebu lock
horns in a special kickboxing
attraction bout.
Soma Kick Boxing Club
head Allan “The Dancing Man”
Epile takes rival club founder Ben
“Durex Warrior” Torbiso of the
Durex Dragon Kick Boxing Club in
a kickboxing match.
Epile is a former kickboxing
bantamweight champion, while
the older Torbiso is two-time
winner of the first world karate
tournament and goodwill matches
held at the University of San Carlos
way back in 1974.
UK-based Filipino Ermar
Alexander tests his mettle against
fellow newcomer Al Antipasado in
the main supporting bout.
Sonny Umpad’s Eskrima:
The Life and Teachings of a Filipino Martial Arts Master
By George M. Yore
Born with the soul of
a warrior, the intellect of
a scholar, and a zealot’s
devotion to his art, Maestro
Santiago “Sonny” Umpad
forged
an
enduring
contribution to the rich
and colorful history of
Filipino martial culture. In
1976, after immigrating
to the United States,
Sonny founded the school
of Visayan Style Corto
Kadena & Larga Mano
Eskrima—rooted in his
training in the Philippines
and tested by a hard and
dangerous life on the
streets, Sonny’s system
was above all else practical.
As Sonny’s reputation as a talented fighter became well-known,
he began to cross-train with masters of other martial arts,
including Jesse Glover (Bruce Lee’s first student) and Wally Jay
(founder of Small Circle Jujitsu). One of the most innovative and
visionary exponents of the Filipino arts, Sonny pioneered the
concept of “mixed martial arts” long before the term was in use.
Sonny Umpad’s Visayan Eskrima provides an insightful
portrayal of Sonny Umpad’s life, philosophy, and teaching methods,
as well as the structural underpinnings of his system. Instructor
George Yore has assembled the writings of six of Sonny’s students
(including Wade Williams, 2012 nominee for the U.S. Martial Arts Hall
of Fame) to create a biographic homage to this remarkable martial
artist; basic techniques and applications are also demonstrated,
accompanied by 130 step-by-step photos. Practitioners of Filipino
martial arts—as well as mixed martial artists and security specialists—
will find valuable instruction in techniques and applications, while
the thousands of people touched by Sonny’s teachings will gain a
new understanding of this notoriously reclusive master’s life—and
how his experiences informed the development of his system.
Paperback: $12.89
Kindle Edition: $10.48
To Order Throught Amazon - Click Here
For the Order Form - Click Here
26 FMA Informative Vol1 No6 2012
Vol1 No6 2012 FMA Informative 27
15622 Crenshaw Blvd.
Gardena, CA. 90249
(310) 515-5156
Get the Informative Issues
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Visit: www.fmainformative.info
Senkotiros Tour
UFMAC/WEKAF Philippine Trip
July 15, 2012 to July 31, 2012
(Approximate Minimal expenses including Round trip/fare $3,500 + credit card)
Leaving SFO (San Francisco): July 15, 2012
Arrive Cebu International Airport: July 17, 2012 (A.M.)
1. July 18th 2012 (Wednesday) 10:00 am to 6:00pm Registration for Congress & Competitors
2:00-4:00 pm - Meeting, Board of Directors
4:00- 5:00 pm - Meeting, Officers & Head of Delegates
5:00- 6:00 pm - Formal Inauguration- Eskrima Temple & Museum
6:00- 10:00 pm - Reception/Welcome Party
2. July 19, 2012 (Thursday) - 8:00 - 10:00 am - Registration
10:00 am - 3:00 pm- Congress, Election of Officers for 2012-2014
3:00 to 4:00 pm - Oath Taking of Officers for 2012 – 2014
- Selection of Venue for 13th World Championship
4:00 - 9:00 pm - Competitions-Forms, Children’s, Seniors Sparring
9:00 - 10:30 pm - Meeting- Board of Directors (outgoing & Incoming)
- Meeting - Referees, Judges, Officials
3. July 20, 2012 (Friday)
8:00 - 10:00 am- Final briefing - Referres & Judges
10:00 am - 8:00 pm - Competitions
8:00- 10:00 pm Officials, Judges & referres Meeting
4. July 21, 2012 (Saturday)
8:00- 9:00 am Briefing Referees, Judges, staffs
9:00 am -7:00 pm- Competitions
7:00 - 7:30 pm - Break
7:30 - 11:00 pm - Award (Dinner)
5. July 22, 2012 (Sunday) leaving Cebu to Negros Occidental
The 6th Filipino Martial Arts World Festival
6. July 23, 2012 to July 27, 2012 ( Monday thru Friday)
FMA Training/Seminars Camp
7. July 28, 2012 to July 29, 2012 ( Saturday & Sunday)
FMA Tournament/Competition
8. July 30, 2012 - Back to Cebu City/ Disco Night
9. July 31, 2012 - Fly back to Manila/San Francisco, CA, USA
senkotiros.org
Itinerary and Travel Information: Click Here
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