Publisher

Steven K. Dowd
Contributing Writers
Ted Rabino Sr.
Michael Butz
Contents
From the Publishers Desk
Introduction
1st Arizona FMA (Gathering of Locals)
2nd Arizona FMA (Friendship Gathering)
2nd Generation of Filipino Martial Artist
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From the Publishers Desk

Kumusta
Michael Butz and Ted Rabino Sr. have joined together in promulgating the
Filipino martial arts in Arizona. With their gatherings they first brought together local
Filipino martial artists such as Pietro Vitielli of Bahala Na Arnis, John Jacobo of Kali
Ilustrisimo, and Mike Butz of Serrada. Finding that there was interest, the second
gathering they brought Filipino martial art practitioners from outside Arizona such as
Michael Giron of Original Giron Eskrima, June Gotico of Original Giron Eskrima/Bahala
Na Multi-Style, Jeff Latorre of Direct Torres Eskrima and a local resident Sam Buot of
Balintawak to expand the knowledge of local practitioners.
Michael and Ted plan on having the gatherings twice a year, planning the third
gathering (tentatively) for March 29, 2009.
Always on the lookout for Filipino martial art practitioners from outside of
Arizona who might possibly be passing through at the time of the gatherings they openly
welcome the knowledge that could be gained.
So by chance you are passing through Phoenix, Arizona and there is a gathering
join in, if you are a instructor in the Filipino martial arts contact either Michael Butz and
Ted Rabino Sr. and I am sure they would be happy to have you share your skills and
knowledge with the local practitioners.
You can visit their website at: www.az-fma.com
Maraming Salamat Po

Filipino Martial Arts in Arizona

Mike Butz of the Kada Anan Eskrima Group started the 1st Arizona FMA
Gathering which was titled The Gathering of Locals held on April 27th, 2008.
Since then there has been another gathering which was on the 19th of October
2008. It is planned that there will be a gathering at least twice a year. This is bringing
unity to the Filipino martial arts in Arizona, and bringing some of the best of the Filipino
martial arts to Arizona to share their knowledge and skills.

Arizona Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)

The Gathering of Locals
Training and BBQ
April 27, 2008
By Ted Rabino Sr.

On April 27th, 2008 we had the pleasure of working out with valley Filipino
martial arts practitioners from, various out skirt rural areas in Phoenix, Arizona. The
gathering was a, brainstorm of Mike Butz (Kada Anan FMA group) please excuse of
non-political values of not listing all organizational ties of the names that are brought up
in the story or titles of instructors who taught.
The gathering was at Papago Park just north of the Phoenix Zoo, where there was
a nice cement slab to work out on. Mike listed the gathering as a friendship meeting, just
to get introduced to valley Filipino martial arts players and the blends of Pilipino styles.
The instructors were Mr. John Jacobo, Mr. Pietro Vitelli, Mr. Mike Butz, and Mr. Scott
Abbott. Other guest and in the area were respectfully Mr. Sam Buot, and Mr. Gilbert
Cordoncillo. The arts taught were Kali Ilustrisimo, Defondo, Serrada, and Decuerdas each instructor had basic introductions of training, such as their method of numbering
systems of striking, blocks, and evasion tactics.
First up to instruct was Pietro Vitielli teaching his methods of warm-ups and the
12 strike patterns associated to the Defondo (To plant) style, I (Ted Rabino Sr.) assisted
Pietro in demonstrating the various Defondo techniques. There was a great amount of
basic methods all to be taught in one hour. Next was John Jacobo he taught tactics of Kali
Ilustrisimo and the angling using male/female footwork patterns and the striking patterns
using the Redondo (circular) continuous flow. We had a half time break allowing players
to interact and network with each other expressing similarities and exchanging phone
numbers and locations of their schools.

Pietro Vitielli - Bahala Na Arnis

John Jacobo - Kali Ilustrisimo

During this time folks warmed up there Adobo, Pancit, salads, and various
potluck dishes - it was great! Some of the players had sticks, training tools to sale.
Everyone during this time was enjoying the exchanges of techniques and history.
Next on the training schedule was Scott Abbott teaching the Serrada method of Sinawali
(weaving patterns). It was different due to unlike most styles using the heaven six strikes
- matching right hand (feeder), right hand (receiver). He was teaching the mirror method
of Sinawali, left hand (feeder), right hand (receiver) - 5 count strikes. It was very
interesting; each instructor had roughly one-hour to teach their training methods to
players they had never met before. Not knowing each players experience, but each player
helped along other students to assist in there minor obstacles. The team work and
camaraderie made this easy for instructors to talk of their methods and reasoning, all of
the training was based on blade.
The last player was Mike Butz, he taught empty
hand (Cadena de Mano), and Decuerdas blade
applications. Joey (Salinas, CA. player) assisted by
demonstrating Serrada continuous striking, and footwork.
This was the last of the training which ended with a group
appreciation cheer, and each schools etiquette ways of
bowing displaying their respect, and ended with a group
picture.
During the closing, everyone was remarking how
great the training was.

Mike Butz - Serrada

2nd Arizona FMA Friendship Gathering

October 19th, 2008
Papago Park , Phoenix , AZ
By Michael Butz

Guest instructors for the event:

- Michael Giron - Original Giron Eskrima
- June Gotico - Original Giron Eskrima/Bahala Na Multi-Style
- Sam Buot - Balintawak
- Jeff Latorre - Direct Torres Eskrima
The premise of the event is that each instructor gets about an hour to show
whatever he or she wishes, giving the participants an opportunity to experience other
styles of the Filipino martial arts, a chance to see how they do it.
Michael Giron and June Gotico,
accompanied by Terry Joven and Gene Inis,
opened the event together, combining their allotted
teaching time. They taught two largo mano
defenses, one from the inside, one from the outside,
against each of the Cinco Tiros strikes and some
drills that focused on proper angling, range control
and target acquisition.

Michael Giron (left)

Lunch break included a

potluck barbeque consisting of a
myriad of items. Everyone brought a
little bit of something. The food varied
from fried chicken and pizza to adobo
and pancitand, of course, rice.
Sam Buot continued the
training after lunch, accompanied by
Craig Smith. Sam began by offering
some insight into the history and
training philosophy of Balintawak.
They taught some of the basic
Gene Inis (left), June Gotico (center) and Terry Joven

movements of the style, some counter-forcounter groupings and ended their segment with
a few disarms.
Jeff Latorre closed the event,
accompanied by Stephen Frerichs. Jeff focused
on the basics of body positioning and angles. He
taught how to get off line against an attacker,
allowing for a strong counter attack. He also
showed how to use footwork to keep that
advantageous position.
T
he Third
AZ FMA Friendship Gathering is tentatively
scheduled for March 29, 2009, location, times
and instructor lineup to be determined soon. Two
early instructors who have agreed to the event
include Steven Dowd of Arnis Balite and Jon
Ward of Inayan Eskrima.
Sam Buot (left) with Craig Smith

For more information contact Mike Butz at:

Michael@halohalomartialarts.com.
Hope to see everyone there again, and plan for a
day of true Filipino Martial Arts experience!

Jeff Latorre (left) with Steve Frerichs

For more information visit: www.az-fma.com or www.myspace.com/ftmaarizona

2nd Generation of Filipino Martial Artists

by Ted Rabino Sr.

Through several talks and scheduling, and almost last minute cancelling due to
work engagements I was able to get a few of the players from Stockton, Ca to Phoenix,
Az. It was a great time hearing stories and talking about the growth of one of todays
growing Federations here in America. Master Michael Giron (Original Giron Escrima),
and Master Dexter Labonog (Bahala Na Multi-Style) both of Stockton, California and
Chief Instructor June Gotico (Original Giron Escrima/Bahala Na Multi-Style) have the
current responsibilities of carrying on their shoulders the lessons taught to them by Grand
Master Leo Giron (Larga Mano), and Master Dentoy Revillar (Serrada/Larga
Mano/Decuerdas).
Arizona Filipino Martial
Arts hosted four instructors from
these organizations, who not only
taught the technical aspect of the
arts but theory. And one thing
above the rest, was they taught
players (Filipino martial arts
practitioners) to believe in there
techniques. The four instructors
were Master Michael Giron,
Maestro June Gotico, Guro Terry
Joven and Guro Gene Inis - each
one followed the standards of the
L-R: Maestro June Gotico, Master Mike Giron,
style taught and each had their own
Gene Inis, Terry Joven and Ted Rabino
quality of expertise. Master Dexter
At Phoenix, Arizonas Papago Park / Phoenix Zoo
Labonog was not on this planned
trip but will be instructing our next Filipino martial arts clinic if scheduling works out
here in Phoenix, Arizona.
In this article Ill include a Bio on each of the instructors
as listed in their website at (bahalanamulti-style.com). The
biographies and miscellaneous pictures were borrowed from their
website per there authorization.
The first biography is on Master Dexter Labonog, a very
technical individual and complexed innovator in many ways.
Master Dexter Labonog - was born and raised in Stockton
California, a son of Philippine Visayan immigrants.
Philippine martial arts experience - 1978 Trained directly
under Grandmaster Leo Giron over 20 years. The most senior
student and instructor of the Stockton Bahala Na Escrima Club,
no other student, instructor or individual has had more direct one
on one training, attendance or experience with Grandmaster Leo
Giron. 1982 Guro Dexter also trained extensively under Master
Dentoy Revillar for ten years in the blended system of Serrada,

Larga Mano and Decuerdas also called SLD.

A certified and authorized instructor, Guro Dexter actively teaches the original
curriculum learned directly from Grandmaster Giron. Guro Dexter was also given
discretionary authority to teach the concepts and basics of the SLD system in Sacramento
from Master Dentoy Revillar.
Guro Dexter has participated successfully in many of the various styles of
tournaments and was Grand Champion in a few. He strongly advocates support for
Eskrima tournament competition because of valuable lessons a student will learn. He
says, "You can still go home after a tournament and lick your wounds and think about the
lessons learned, but you may not be as lucky in a real life situation". Guro Dexter has
helped produce many successful tournament fighters for the Bahala Na Eskrima clubs
and continues to participate as a resource in tournament promotions such as the Solo
Baston (single stick) tournament of Hawaii.
Guro Dexter primarily favors bladed Philippine weapons over sticks or blunt edge
weapons and Espada Y Daga or sword and dagger are his favorite training exercise. His
teaching curriculum follows traditional concepts and principles learned primarily from
Grandmaster Giron and Master Revillar. He considers himself a lifetime student, a coach
and a instructor.
Master Michael Giron - is the Son of the Legendary Escrimador Grandmaster Leo
Giron.
He started his training in the mid
1970's and later was granted his instructors
certificate and title of Guro in 1981 from
Bahala Na Filipino Arnis Escrima.
He has also been granted the title of
Master / 5th Dan by the International
Philippine martial arts Federation, (IPMAF)
authorized by Grand Master Ernesto Presas.
He resigned from the Bahala Na
Martial Arts Association as Grand Advisor
in 2007 and decided to go at it alone. Since
his resignation Master Michael Giron has originated and is President/Founder of the
Original Giron Escrima Federation.
This organization was created to maintain the purity of his father's teachings as it
was taught to him in what he calls the "Original Way". He continues to support the
Bahala Na Multi-Style Eskrima Organization and all other organizations under the OGE
Federation.
In a future issue of FMAdigest, I am currently in the works on writing a more thorough
article on Stockton, Ca local Master Mike Giron. Next is succession of bios Maestro
June Gotico is listed as a maestro/chief instructor of both clubs.

Maestro June Gotico - was a member of Grandmaster Leo Giron's Bahala Na Club #1.
He earned his graduate certificate in 1991 and was
granted the title of instructor by Grandmaster Giron in
1993. June is an original member of the Bahala Na fight
team under Maestro Dexter Labonog. He is a feared full
contact fighter with numerous stick-fighting Grand
Championships under his belt. June was named Chief
Instructor of the Bahala Na Multi-Style School in Stockton
by Maestro Dexter Labonog and Guro Mike Giron in
October of 2007. As well as heading the Stockton school,
June currently continues to train under Maestro Labonog in
the SLD and TEA systems of Escrima/Arnis. June is
known as one of the top instructors of the Bahala Na/Original Giron System of Escrima.

Guro Terry Joven - was born in Santa Maria, California. Grew up in Oceano/Pismo
Beach and Stockton, California. Guro Terry is a third generation son of
Philippine Visayan and Tagalog immigrants. Philippine Martial Arts
Experience: 1992 Trained directly under Grand Master Vincent Cabales
in the Cabales Serrada Style.
1994 Started training in the Original Giron System under
various instructors and graduates, but owes his competence and
expertise to Grand Master Leo Giron, Master Dexter Labonog,
Maestro June Gotico and the rest of the 1st Generation
Graduates that "Train For the Truth and emphasize the theory of
the big #1 "Pressure Makes Diamonds" 1996 Trained directly under
Master Arthur Gonzales in the Tenio
Decuerdas Style. Guro Terry is a certified and authorized
instructor of Bahala Na Multi-Style Escrima under Maestro June Gotico. Teaching the
Original Giron Style curriculum off of the 1978 worksheet, the Revillar-SLD System and
Combat "Come What May" core system. Guro Terry is based in Stockton, California.
Guro Terry has trained and participated successfully in many types of martial arts
systems and tournaments. Both empty hands as well as weapon styles, he knows that
applying your technique in a non-cooperative environment will only increase your
effectiveness, having had his training put to test while working as a bouncer for a local
establishment. He has confirmed the effectiveness of the weapons based training methods
of the Bahala Na Multi-Style Eskrima in real life threatening situations against multiple
combatants.
"It is better to sweat in peace, so you don't bleed in war"
Leovigildo "Leo" Miguel Giron
"Are you ready? Are you sure you're ready....I guess you werent' ready
June Gotico

Guro Gene Inis - started his Escrima training in 1995 as part of Grandmaster Leo
Giron's original Bahala Na Club #1. He sat down with
Grandmaster Leo Giron, was interviewed and accepted as a
student. It was after that day that Gene fell in love with the
art of Escrima.
He was given his graduate certificate from
Grandmaster Giron in 1997. The graduation ceremony was
both physically and mentally the hardest thing he has ever
done. Gene is a feared full contact tournament fighter and a
member of the original Bahala Na fight team under Maestro
Dexter Labonog. He is known for his legendary power and
his unique ability to fight equally well with both hands. By
participating in these tournaments he has learned to go
home, lick his wounds and learn from the mistakes made in the ring.
Gene was certified as an instructor of the Original Giron Escrima system by
Maestro Labonog and Guro Mike Giron in October of 2007. He is currently one of the
lead instructors for the Bahala Na Multi-Style school in Stockton, California. He believes
that in order for a system of Escrima to evolve, the system's root and foundation should
not be forgotten. Gene's goal is to pass the art down to the next generation. Keeping it
pure as it was taught to him.
"Don't go around opening your mouth, for one day someone may shove your stick down
it."
Grandmaster Leo Giron
"Hit them first and hit them hard!"
Guro Glenn Abrescy
Ted Rabino Sr. - was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona a son of a native of the
Philippine Islands Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur.
originally trained in Arnis under (former
Filipino law enforcement) brothers Lonnie and
Leto Acosta from Tarlac, P.I. In the early years
as a migrant worker I trained with these brothers
from campo to campo learning there arts. Until

they stopped teaching at the migrant

worker camps, so the only other
accessible martial art that was taught
was Karate and Judo. Until meeting
Master Michael Giron at an affiliation

L-R: Ted Rabino and Gene Inis

training camp, I was a part of the Bahala Na martial arts training group here in Phoenix,
Az. At that time I was training with another affiliate Pietro Vitielli until I became fully
committed to the Bahala Na Multi-Style and Original Giron Escrima. Meeting with
Master Michael Giron and Maestro June Gotico, they met with Master Dexter Labonog
and conversed my request of teaching this art in the Arizona region. I was granted the
responsibility of teaching there classical methods of Filipino martial arts in the State
which gave me a great honor of representing these modern day Filipino Bladed Warriors.
The Filipino culture is truly applied in the teachings, when one practices they can
truly understand how these techniques worked in the jungles in the early years and during
World War 2.

Bahala Na Multi-Style Stockton, California instructors

Visit this website for the Bahala Na Multi-Style or Original Giron Escrima School
near you, or send an email for clinics or demonstrations.
Contacts: bahalanamulti-style.com/sideMenu/classLocation.htm

www.az-fma.com

www.azfilipinokali.com

bahalana.com/original_giron_escrima_federation.htm

www.swacom.com

www.sambuot.com

bahalanamulti-style.com

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