Publisher

Steven K. Dowd
Contributing Writers
Emmanuel ES Querubin
Graham Lawrence
Joel Huncar
Dieter Knuettel
Badger Jones
Francis A. Nagen
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.

Contents
From the Publishers Desk
Amara Arkanis
Balintawak Arnis Cuentada
Warriors Eskrima: An Overview
The Quiet Master of Ilustrisimo Kali
Interview with Romy Bebing Lisondra
Siling Labuyo Arnis
Interview with Professor Amante P. Marias
My Short Meeting with my Arnis Teacher
Review of Grandmaster Atillo Seminars in PA.
Punong Guro Mark Santos - ARMAS in the Philippines
Sports Arnis
Cultural Awareness - mandirigma.org
FMA Past Events
FMAForum
FMA Future Events
Filipino Martial Arts Digest is published and distributed by:
FMAdigest
1297 Eider Circle
Fallon, Nevada 89406
Visit us on the World Wide Web: www.fmadigest.com
The FMAdigest is published quarterly. Each issue features practitioners of martial arts
and other internal arts of the Philippines. Other features include historical, theoretical and
technical articles; reflections, Filipino martial arts, healing arts and other related subjects.
The ideas and opinions expressed in this digest are those of the authors or instructors
being interviewed and are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor.
We solicit comments and/or suggestions. Articles are also welcome.
The authors and publisher of this digest are not responsible for any injury, which may
result from following the instructions contained in the digest. Before embarking on any of
the physical activates described in the digest, the reader should consult his or her
physician for advice regarding their individual suitability for performing such activity.

From the Publishers Desk

Kumusta
This is a large issue packed with information and interviews. Learn about Amara
Arkanis techniques, both offensive and defensive; revolve in a pentagonal foundation that
is interrelated-spirit, skill, speed, strength and style. Also learn a little about Grandmaster
Taboadas Balintawak Arnis Cuentada, Grandmaster Pasa of Warriors Eskrima and
Siling Labuyo Arnis.
This issue has interviews which, you the reader can find out some of the thoughts
of Master Norman Suanico of Ilustrisimo Kali, Professor Amante "Mat" P. Marias Sr. of
Pananandata and Master Bebing Lisondra.
While visiting the Philippines this last March of 2007 I learned as you will about
Francis Nagen a student of Modern Arnis who has had premonition in the past about the
future which he shared with the FMAdigest. Punong Guro Mark Santos of ARMAS and
what ARMAS is about. Jerome Barber attended a couple seminars of Grandmaster
Crispulo Atillo and had an extended sit down talk and tells what he has learned from this
practitioner of Balintawak.
Learn about Sports Arnis which is an evolution of arnis martial arts into a
competitive sport, its main goal is to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and
discipline.
Mandirigma.org, bring part II of The 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments in
their Editorial. The FMAdigest has a new regular column and wants to welcome Roberto
Trinidad owner of the Filipino Martial Arts Forum (FMAF), a forum straight out of the
Philippines, his highlights will give you an idea on what the hot topics are being
discussed; visit his forum to find out the complete information on them all.
The FMA Past Events is a large section, it will let you know what you missed,
and let us not forget the FMA Future Events which will let you know what is coming up,
and there are some great seminars, and tournaments in the near future.
Well it is hoped that you will enjoy this issue, and so I will shut-up so you can get
to it.
Maraming Salamat Po

Amara Arkanis
Filipino Fighting Art of the Mandirigma
By Emmanuel ES Querubin

Amara Arkanis is a complete martial art. On the

surface it looks like there are two different arts- an unarmed
art using the hands and the feet and an armed art using sticks,
knives, and other alternative weapons.
But a close examination will reveal that it is one and
the same complete martial art. All the techniques may be
executed with or without any weapon. The fact is, weapons
such as sticks or knives are regarded as an extension of the
hand.
For educational and learning purposes, the unarmed
techniques and the armed techniques are presented separately
so a better understanding of the art is achieved. The student,
however, must always remember that all and every technique, particularly hand
techniques, may be executed with or without weapons.
Foundation of Amara Arkanis
Amara Arkanis techniques, both offensive and defensive; revolve in a pentagonal
foundation that is interrelated-spirit, skill, speed, strength and style.
SPIRIT: Spirit is the mental aspect. It is the active type of
utmost concentration in every aspect of training. In Amara
Arkanis, it is more commonly known as active
meditation. It has nothing to do with religion or
spirituality although it is similar in the sense that the aim
is to achieve oneness of mind and body. This state of
oneness is possible only with rigid training and strict
discipline and in accepting the fact that Amara Arkanis is
a way of life and not just a combative art.
There are two levels of training in Amara Arkanis.
The lower level is learning the techniques in the realworld setting or physical training. All the defensive and
offensive techniques are executed in the normal manner.
The upper level is called awareness training.
This type of training does not start until the student attains the black belt degree. Every
aspect of training in the lower level is repeated, except this time, the student is not only
blindfolded but must also keep the eyes closed. Awareness is heightened and sensitivity
is brought to an elevated state. The equilibrium is improved considerably because the
student depends on feeling the situation. The blindfolded fighting sequences offer the
student the ability to overcome and conquer fear and elevate the consciousness to a
higher level making every technique proactive rather than reactive.

SKILL: Before speed and strength, a practitioner must have the ability to hit the proper
target with the proper weapon at the proper time. An Amara Arkanis student goes
through two phases of training, amihan (slow motion) and habagat (fast motion). The
Filipino terms amihan and habagat, mean calm wind and hurricane wind, respectively.
The slow motion or soft training teaches the practitioner the proper sequence in muscle
contraction and relaxation, timing, balance, coordination and most important of allbreath control. In essence, Amara Arkanis is an internal art. After the practitioner has
learned the techniques in slow motion, adapted to his personal capability, the tempo and
intensity of training is gradually increased until the maximum or hurricane speed is
achieved. This type of training makes the student focus directly on the situation eliciting
a more rapid response. Every aspect of learning is an active process that teaches a student
to apply a simple reaction. A simple reaction is faster than a choice reaction.
SPEED: Through the slow motion training, the practitioner learns that speed comes not
from moving faster, but from the efficiency of the movement. Every Amara Arkanis
technique, both defensive and offensive are executed in natural rhythm with minimal
effort, based on the underlying principle that simple state creates speed, and a fluid
response generates maximum speed and maximum speed achieves maximum efficiency.
There are specific supplementary training exercises in Amara Arkanis that
develop explosive speed.
STRENGTH: Big muscles needed to move heavy objects at a slow rate of time (as in
weight-lifting), although necessary, plays a secondary role in Amara Arkanis. Sinewy
flexible muscles that can move lighter weight at a greater speed are more important. In
Amara Arkanis, strength may be better represented as power. Power is generated not by
brute force but through efficiency of movement, leverage and directness of application of
energy. As natural simple state creates speed, it also creates power. All techniques in
Amara Arkanis are designed to offer all around development by utilizing the best
leverage and the best angle of force.
STYLE: No two human beings are exactly alike psychologically and physiologically. In
order to achieve the maximum result, a technique must be executed according to an
individuals physical capability. In Amara Arkanis, the art is adapted to the practitioner
and not the other way around. The system is based on the principle that the simpler the
technique, the more effective it is. An attribute of style is form. Good form is an
important aspect of Amara Arkanis. Best results are achieved through good form. Good
form creates proper muscle tension and contraction, which in turn minimizes wasted
energy. Good form also facilitates movement because it affords better control of the
center of gravity and balance. Good form is a manifestation of a properly directed energy
that results in superior performance.

Twenty-six years ago, in 1980, Luis Rafael C.

Lledo, Jr., in his desire to bring back the original
mandirigma spirit to the fighting arts, established
Amara Arkanis, a product of the continuous
evolution of the fighting arts he has learned.
When Lledo founded the Amara Arkanis style
of Filipino fighting arts, he held the rank of Ika-Amin
Na Antas Sagisag Na Itim (6th degree Black Belt), and
the title of Punong Guro (head instructor) in the
Filipino fighting arts and in Japanese Karate.
The first seeds of Amara Arkanis were born in
1959 in Zamboanga City on the island of Mindanao, in
Southern Philippines. Lledo was first introduced to the
rudiments of the fighting arts by his grandfather, his
father and his uncles.
His great grandfather, Antonio Marquez
Alvarez, a descendant of the Spanish conquistadors,
taught him the European style of fencing. His father, Luis Lledo, Sr., then an intelligence
officer of the Philippine Air Force, taught him the military, albeit dirty style of hand-tohand combat. At an early age, Lledo also became an expert in combat shooting, both with
rifles and handguns. After school, Lledo, apprenticed in a boxing gym operated by his
uncles Ramon and Antonio Lledo, local boxing promoters and champions of Zamboanga
City, where he learned the manly art of boxing.
Lledo, although not of royal heritage, but nonetheless from an influential family,
was also schooled in the secret fighting arts of Kuntawan and Silat. He became adept in
the arts of Kuntawan and Silat. At the same time, Lledo took up Karate under Joe David
of the Kyokushinkai style of Karate and was awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt as he
celebrated his 18th birthday.
In his desire to learn more about the fighting arts and to pursue a degree in
Medical technology, he went to Manila and trained further in the different arts and styles
of fighting. He sought the instructions from the masters.
Due to his diligence and skills in the fighting arts, he was promoted to the 4th
Degree Black Belt in Karate in 1972. It was then that he became acquainted with Remy
Presas, who was in the initial stages of establishing the Modern Arnis Federation of the
Philippines.
In 1974 Lledo was named head referee during the International Invitational
Karate Championships, hosted by the Philippine Karate Association, the ruling body of
Karate in the Philippines, of which Remy Presas was also an official.
Lledo trained directly with Kali Grandmasters Tatang Illustrisimo and Porfirio
Lanada. He also trained and received a masters certificate in Brokil (the Pampanga
School of Arnis) from Grandmaster Delfin Bernarte.
Masters of Arnis de Mano found a way to treat and temper a type of hardwood
known as bahi, making it tough and strong as steel. It was a popular belief that the master
imbues the bahi with his spirit, personality and his anting-anting (amulet). This bahi and
anting-anting were passed on to the successor in a highly secret ritual just prior to the
masters demise. It is said that unless the anting-anting is passed on to the successor, the

masters final moment will be agonizingly long in coming. It was also rumored that
Bernartes bahi and anting-anting were passed on to Lledo, something that Lledo neither
denies nor confirms.
He trained in Tai Chi Chuan under Ed Cayetano. Fortunato Sevilla and Francisco
Alvina were Lledos instructors in Judo and Ju-jitsu. He learned the concepts of Korean
Tang Soo Doo and Japanese Goju-ryu Karate from Grandmasters Hwang Kee and Gogen
Yamaguchi respectively. Lledo learned Sikaran, various Japanese styles of unarmed
combat and Soong Leong Kwan (Double Dragon School), King Fu, from Emmanuel
Querubin, who learned it from Chan Keng Wan, the last living master of Soong Leong,
Kwan.
Lledos associates and training partners, particularly Inocencio Glaraga of the
Kalaki School of Kali, Yaming and Arnis, Yoli Romo of the Philippine Pamantukan
Penjakali Stick Boxing Society and Rodel Smoking Sticks Dagooc of Modern Arnis
Philippines, further enriched his experience with other systems of fighting.
In 1975, Lledo was
accredited as an international referee
by the World Union of Karate-do
Organizations. (WUKO), the world
ruling body in Karate and was called
upon to officiate in the Third World
Karate Championships held at Long
Beach, California.
While in Long Beach, Lledo
became closely associated with Ed
Parker, father of American Kempo.
Parker played host to Lledo and
other officials of the Philippine
National Karate Team, whom he
chauffeured around in the Cadillac given by Elvis Presley.
Parker became an honorary member of the Philippine National Karate Team and
was always present during the training sessions of the Philippine Karate Team. The
Philippine team placed fourth in the team competition in the 3rd World Karate
Championships.
The exchange of information and techniques with the various martial arts leaders
and practitioners during his foreign travels and in their visits to the Philippines further
enriched his understanding and experience in the fighting arts.
In 1980, Lledo established an eclectic system of fighting geared towards an
individuals psychological and physiological makeup. It is not a new combative art.
Rather, it is a further evolution of the various martial arts that Lledo trained and learned.
Lledos ultimate goal in establishing the system is to develop a persons character
through the rigid and strict discipline required in training in the fighting arts. To give the
system his personal touch and to reaffirm its ultimate goal, Lledo name the art Amara
Arkanis.
Amara means balance (positive/negative). Arkanis is a unification of the armed
art of Arnis and the unarmed art of the fist (Kamao). Taken together, Amara Arkanis is
the art of achieving balance in life through the fighting arts.

Amara Arkanis is an on-going, growing, never-ending active learning process. It

is an art that evolved from fighting systems that were developed in the battlefield. Like its
predecessors, techniques of Amara Arkanis are deadly and fatal. The only difference is
the end result.
The main purpose of the early fighting arts was to kill the enemy instantly. The
trophy was being alive and there was no such thing as being second best.
In competition where rules have been established, the aim of Amara Arkanis is to
win the gold medal. In self-defense situations, the goal is to neutralize the threat, without
necessarily permanently maiming or killing the opponent.
The philosophy and psychology of Amara Arkanis is consistent with the
philosophy and psychology of ancient combative arts. The techniques and application are
still the same. The weapons, however, have changed. From Kalis to Itak then to bahi and
rattan cane, padded sticks are now utilized. Protective body armor is also adopted to
prevent injuries. Even with these safety precautions, every technique of Amara Arkanis
has the potential to be fatal.
Another innovation of Amara Arkanis from its predecessors is the way the art is
being taught. The ancient Filipino fighting arts were taught one on one, by the teacher to
the student. There were no organized drills and systematic patterns of techniques. From
day one, the manner of training was fight situations where the teacher engages and the
student tries to evade. Until the teacher decides that the student is ready to fight and test
his skill, the training is engagement and evasion. This type of training is long and hard
and a lot of times unproductive. More often than not, when a student gets hurt or injured,
he stops training altogether. On the other end of the spectrum, the student may develop
overly aggressive offense at the expense of learning defense.
Until as late as the 1950s, students get their certification as an arnisador (arnis
de mano practitioner) by actual combat with somebody from another school or style.
Those who survived live blade fights carry their scars as a badge of honor. Although far
and few in between, live blade contests are still held in secrecy.
When Lledo formalized the curriculum of Amara Arkanis, he called on his
experience both as a martial artist and a physical education teacher. He knew that in order
for the art to flourish and expand, the traditional way of teaching must give way to the
modern way of propagation.
Lledos legacy in the martial arts reached far and wide. In 1990, Lledo was
awarded the title of Senior Renshi and was named Philippine director of the International
Goju-ryu Karate-do. The IGK is an independent Okinawan-sanctioned Goju-ryu
organization, headed by 7th Dan Tino Ceberano.
Lledos expertise in teaching the fighting arts was recognized when he was
appointed chief defensive tactics instructor of the Headquarters, Philippine Integrated
National Police Training Command, and National Capital Regional Training Center at
Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila. He later was made chief unarmed combat instructor of
the National Bureau of Investigation (the Philippine version of the FBI). He also headed a
team of security agents for then Mayor Bagatsing of the City of Manila, and trained the
Civil Intelligence and Security Unit of the City of Manila in the combative arts. The State
Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) voted Lledo president of the
SCUAA Martial Arts Organization.

Lledo holds a rank of captain in the Philippine Air Force Reserves. He travels
around the Philippines giving instructions and seminars in the Amara Arkanis School of
the Filipino Fighting Art. He is also Chief Combat Instructor of the 1st Air Division and
the 304th Security Squadron of the Philippine Air Force.
On May 8, 2002, Lledo was appointed Regional Commissioner (SCUAA, Region
IV) by the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines, which was founded
by Grandmaster Remy Presas.
Shortly thereafter, Lledo migrated to the United States carrying with him the title
of Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the Department of Tourisms Office of Philippine
Indigenous Fighting Arts.
In January 2003, Lledo was bestowed the Grandmaster of the Year Award of the
Filipino Fighting Arts, by the Action Martial Arts Magazine published on the east coast.
In December 2005, Lledo was sworn in by Senator Lito Lapid, Chairman of the
Philippine Senate Committee on Sports as National Coordinator of the Philippine
Indigenous Games, Sports and Arts and the International Modern Arnis Federation of the
Philippines (PIGSAI-IMAFP) for New Jersey, USA.
Zikdokan Amara Arkanis - International
Filipino Martial Arts Education
Mataw Guro/Shihan Luis Rafael Louelle Lledo, Jr.
25 Foxglove Drive
Delran, NJ 08075
(609) 456-3589
Email

www.amara-arkanis.com

Grandmaster Bobby Taboada's

Balintawak Arnis Cuentada
Bobby Taboada was born in Cebu, Philippines on
November 6, 1948, the oldest of the five children of Sergio
and Gabriela Taboada. He grew up fighting in the streets of
Cebu, not because he was a troublemaker but because it was
the only means of survival on the streets. He in fact is softspoken and very slow to anger except when he rises up in
defense of himself which is almost nil and infrequent. Bobby
was first introduced to eskrima by his father.
Bobby left home when he was twelve and lived with
Grandmaster Teofilo Velez like an adopted son as well as a
student of eskrima. That literally meant sitting at the foot of

the master in full obedience and loyalty in his search for knowledge and wisdom. That
was also when he had the opportunity to learn from Grandmaster Jose Villacin and Great
Grandmaster Venancio "Ansiong" Bacon the secrets of Balintawak Eskrima. Bobby
discovered that the art was deadly, effective and sophisticated. As a fearless and
undaunted volunteer for fights and tournaments, Bobby was trained by all the Balintawak
Masters in the practical aspects of combat fighting. In this light, it must be emphasized
that in the Philippines, Eskrima is not a sport in the traditional sense of the word
governed by rules of safety. It means combat fighting and sometimes a fight to the finish.
Only lately have there been efforts to make it safe as a sport. Bobby is a long way from
the street battles in Cebu, where he has experienced street battles and deadly fights, some
with multiple opponents. He has also witnessed "fights to the finish" until one either
surrendered or died. Now he is on a mission to promote Balintawak Eskrima worldwide
with primary emphasis on self-defense techniques, which he has continuously researched,
tested, retested and improved on his own.

Grandmaster Teofilo Velez

Grandmaster Jose Villacin

Grandmaster Venancio Bacon

The Balintawak Arnis Cuentada Method

Twelve years ago, Grandmaster
Grandmaster Taboada was trained in
Taboada began the official worldwide
"old
school" ways of stick fighting where
promotion of the system which he developed,
the
physical
abuse one endured in training
the "Balintawak Arnis Cuentada", principally
often exceeded the amount of abuse one
at the Martial Arts Training Center of the
experienced during an actual physical
Balintawak International Headquarters in
confrontation. This combination of
Charlotte, NC, holding regular classes there,
extremely rigorous physical training,
with select local and foreign students, who are
expert instruction and guidance from the
either martial arts instructors themselves, black
Great Grandmaster Venancio "Anciong"
belts or advanced students of other styles. His
Bacon and Grandmasters Teofilo Velez
and Jose Villasin, have produced this
strict criteria for acceptance at his schools are
dynamic, highly-skilled, insightful and
maintained: maturity, discipline, and the
caring martial arts practitioner and teacher.
capacity to absorb his skills and techniques.
Balintawak Arnis Cuentada Focuses on the use of a single stick and empty hands,
concentrating on close range fighting tactics, and can be classified as a "modern system,
a composite of several fighting methods, as opposed to the ancient and classical methods.
The "Cuentada" system (from the Spanish word, "cuentar" or "to counter") follows a
basic principle of physics and mechanics: the equality of force and counterforce. For
every resultant force, there is an equal and opposite reacting force. As applied to the

practice of Balintawak arnis cuentada, this mastery of the offensive and defensive
movements requires a series of well planned movements, wherein the opponent cannot
but reply with a corresponding set of forced movements and reactions. In this way, the
opponent is always kept under complete control. A true master of the art can therefore
predict with precision, which part of the body of the opponent he will target and hit.
Grandmaster Taboada believes that the instructor makes the difference in properly
learning Balintawak. In the Balintawak Eskrima style the stick is used as the primary
training tool to familiarize the students with weapons and blows. It is believed that
familiarity in confronting weapons reduces fear and panic in actual combat. It is a combat
both with weapons and bare hands. The theory is that the stick is only an extension of the
arm and that the human body can only move in so many normal ways.
This is the development of certain basic blows to illustrate the source and
direction of blows. Beneath the wide swinging, flashy and visible blows are the
sophisticated secret moves, dynamics in balancing, holds, parries, clips, ruses, feigns,
tripping, sweeping, kicking, trapping, reversals of motion and direction, blows with
simultaneous offense and defense and a myriad of combination blows with the stick, fist,
elbow, knee, foot or head butt. There is no limit on where and what to hit except in
friendly workouts where injury is avoided and safety is imposed. As a matter of fact,
what is considered foul in many arts is what is taught and mastered in Balintawak. It is
combat, street fighting and self-defense.
In Balintawak, the student is taught that there is a counter to every counter and
that continuous research and discovery is the basis of knowledge. Then comes the
training and workouts, where only those with the fastest reflex, coordination and agility
will prevail. There is no emphasis on acrobatic, strenuous and abnormal movements of
the human body. It is an art that can be practiced by children, women and older men.
Grandmaster Taboada strongly believes that Balintawak Eskrima has something
to contribute to the world of martial arts. He advises to "pick one good move from any
art, master it and make it a part of your arsenal at any instant and you will grow and
mature in your knowledge." It is easy to hit but difficult to defend. Thus he emphasizes a
strong defense for all beginners, mastery of the defensive stage of the art and then the
incorporation of speed in the hand-eye coordination through reflex and flexibility in the
body movement.
World Balintawak Arnis Escrima Cuentada System
Charlotte, NC.
(704) 543-0689
Email

www.worldbalintawak.com

Warriors Eskrima: An Overview

By Graham Lawrence (Senior Kasama Guro)

What is Warriors Eskrima?

Eskrima comes from the Spanish word for skirmish or fencing. It is one of
the names in the Philippines for martial arts, which use sticks and blades as the basis of
their movement principles and training methods. Eskrima is also known as Arnis or Kali,
although there are many other names for martial arts among the languages and dialects of
the Philippines.
The martial traditions of other cultures often teach unarmed skills first, and then
teach the students to regard a weapon as an extension of the empty hand. In FMA
(Filipino Martial Arts), weapons are used from the earliest stages. This has the following
advantages:
C It is found to be an efficient way of increasing concentration and coordination,
and of reducing reaction time.
C It creates an awareness of using anything as a weapon wherever possible.
C Knowledge of how weapons can be used is the key to being able to defend against
them.
C The transference of movement principles from weapon to empty hand, or one
weapon to another, becomes apparent from an early stage, increasing
understanding and flexibility of response.
Among the enormous variety of teachers and systems in the Philippines, there have
been many successful fighters and influential teachers. Sometimes these individuals and
their systems concentrate on a particular area of training, reflecting their particular
interest and skill. There are systems which concentrate on the use of five angles of attack,
on thrusting rather than slashing, or on figure-8 movements; those with an emphasis on
single stick and empty hand; those who regard the foundation of their skills as stick-andknife (in combination, i.e. the stick held in one hand, the knife in the other). Many
systems do however cover a wide mixture of weaponry and types of skill, both with and
without weapons. The Warriors system is among these.
Warriors Eskrima is a synthesis of various styles and systems studied by Grandmaster
Abner G. Pasa of Cebu City in the Philippines. Grandmaster Pasa is a gifted individual,
with the spirit of a warrior and the unusually analytical intelligence of a philosopher. He
had serious combative experience (as a police officer in Cebu, and in response to
challengers). His system integrates intelligence, cunning and awareness with technical
depth and range.
The students learn weapons, striking and kicking, joint locks, chokes and strangles,
trapping and unbalancing, etc. - a full range of martial skills. Instruction generally takes
the course of learning single stick first; then knife defenses, and the basics of empty hand
skills; then combination weapons (double stick, stick and knife, and sword and knife).
However, before going further into the practical details of training methods, it may be
worth appreciating the historical background, and the over-riding principles, which the
practice of Warriors Eskrima aims to cultivate.

History and Background

For anyone knowledgeable about FMA, the technical pedigree of Warriors
Eskrima is impressive.
Two of the famous names in the history of Filipino Martial Arts are Venancio
Ansiong Bacon, the Founder of the Balintawak system, and the Canete family, famous
practitioners and joint Founders (with other instructors) of the Doce Pares Club in Cebu.
Abner Pasa studied eskrima under one of the top students of Bacon -Liborio Buring
Heyrosa, and under two of the Canete family.
Grandmaster Pasa learned knife skills, firstly defense, disarming and
immobilization techniques from Gerardo Larry Alcuizar of the Excalibur system, and
later from Filemon Momoy Canete, founder of the San Miguel Eskrima system. Momoy
had studied under Jesus Cui, a leading knife practitioner of Cebu.
Grandmaster Pasa learned the long-range stick of the Largo Mano system of
Eulogio Ingko Yoling Canete of the Doce Pares Club; and became the inheritor to that
system.
Along the way Grandmaster Pasa also studied other martial art systems, such as
Pangamut (empty hands, incorporating Panantukan [Filipino Boxing] and Dumog
[locking and unbalancing], Espada y Daga (Sword and Dagger), and Korean Tang Soo
Do.
Ingko Yoling, when dying, asked Abner
Pasa, as his senior student, to spread the art.
Grandmaster Pasa founded the Institute of
Filipino Martial Arts in 1991 to teach Warriors
Eskrima.
The Institute offered the opportunity to
train with other Grandmasters who had all
influenced Warriors Eskrima - Liborio Heyrosa,
Vicente Inting Carin, Fortunato Atong
Garcia among others. The teaching curriculum
reflects this rich technical background,
incorporating staff (sibat) techniques from
Atong Garcias system, olisi y baraw captures
from Momoy Canete, Inting Carins - Ritirada,
Herada, and Largada etc.
Grandmaster Pasa distinguishes
traditional or combative Eskrima from
Grandmaster Atong Garcia and
competitive or sports Eskrima. Some
Grandmaster Abner Pasa
practitioners of Warriors Eskrima take part in
sporting competitions, but it has to be remembered that there are fundamental differences
in the sporting approach: (a) It must put the emphasis on offence rather than defense, in
order to score points; (b) A reliance on protective equipment to prevent injury could lead
to a carelessness about effective personal defense, potentially fatal in a real encounter.
The sport should therefore be complemented by the art, rather than being seen as an
alternative to it.
Grandmaster Pasa has made many efforts to have Filipino martial arts
incorporated into the educational system in the Philippines, as having cultural and

psychological value in addition to physical exercise. His approach is to use the Filipino
martial arts to give value to the modern world. Otherwise, outsiders can easily underappreciate what it has to offer, by perceiving it only as a battlefield relic of a pretechnological-weapons era. Its original purpose remains - effective self-defense for
personal survival - but in todays society its practice is about personal cultivation through
patience and respect, self-discipline and understanding, and about self-defense with a
wider meaning. Staying active and alert is a defense against ill health and dullness of
mind; developing an attitude of maturity and confidence leads to the ability to disarm
and immobilize the aggressive impulses in oneself as well as others.
A primary motivation then becomes to seek to achieve and to share excellence. If
someone else improves in skill, it does not make you worse; in fact, if you are training
with them, it can only help to make you better.
Grandmaster Pasa says that nothing is absolute. Everyone reaches their own kind
of understanding through their own experiences and personal attributes. A technique
which one person dismisses as ineffective can be made to work by a different person. In
developing into their own personal path on the martial arts, individual instructors are free
to adapt or assimilate techniques from other arts in enhancing their own personal
effectiveness. In the meantime, Warriors Eskrima has a technical syllabus of wide range
and variety to pass on the art to others. The extent to which they develop their potential
then depends on them rather than on the system.
In the UK and the rest of Europe, Warriors Eskrima is under the charge of the
senior student of Grandmaster Pasa, Pangulong Guro Krishna Godhania.

Principles
Before considering what the student learns in the way of physical skills, it is
worth realizing that Grandmaster Pasa himself aims to reduce techniques to principles.
This procedure of distilling to the essence is Grandmaster Pasas contribution to the
Warriors Eskrima System.
One may start by learning specific arm-locks or counter-strikes, for example, but
the aim of this is to end with an awareness of what becomes possible as a result of the
particular angle or configuration of an arm, or the opening or closing of a potential line of
attack.
The relevant skills that are being developed are then not technique number one
or technique number two, but the flexibility to be adaptable and to do what is
appropriate for the position and situation. Using the live hand, i.e. the non-weaponholding hand, is again not about any particular selected technique, but about learning to
use it to control the opponents hand, to restrict or deliberately manipulate his options for
lines of attack, to offset or mislead or even just to distract him.
Another important principle of Warriors Eskrima is universality - having enough
understanding to see how principles learned in one aspect of the art are applied to other
aspects, rather than being restricted to one separate area of application. This carries over
into life: learning to relax and not to fight against the direction of someone elses
pressure, but to use it to your advantage, is clearly a concept transferable from physical
encounters to social or professional ones.

On guard position

Pangulong Guro Krishna Godhania

blocks back hand lash

then counters with forehand punio strike

finishes with curve strike to the back

of Norris Wood's head

On guard position

Pangulong Guro Krishna Godhania blocks

Norris Wood's slash to the ribs

Norris Wood counters by checking

Pangulong Guro Krishna Godhania re-counters

with an arcing witik strike to the temple.

Pangulong Guro Krishna Godhania elbow

Perhaps the ultimate principle of Warriors Eskrima is awareness. This starts with
environmental awareness:
C Not being oblivious to potential dangers in the area;

Being generally alert, taking nothing for granted so that you cannot be caught offguard.

If a potentially dangerous encounter starts, what is the nature of the environment?

Do you have much room to move?
Is there a stable surface, or a wet or slippery one, and therefore what are the
implications for balance both yours and your attackers?
Are you aware of escape routes?
Are you sure there is only one attacker or could there be others?
If so, where?
Can you use one of them as a shield against the others?
Which direction or zone should you move towards or away from?

There are numerous aspects to the equally important weapons awareness:

You may not have seen one yet, but is he going to pull a knife? (Always assume
the answer is yes.) Is there anything on or near you, which could be turned to use as a
projectile?
Think like a knife-fighter - if his limbs are offered (and/or if more serious targets
are out of reach) they are legitimate targets for your elbows, knuckles, etc. If a weapon is
visible, how will its characteristics affect your strategy? Avoiding or countering a club or
baseball bat is a different proposition from risking a thrust from, or cutback from
retraction of, a bladed weapon.
You are almost never unarmed. What do you have, within easy reach, that can
be adapted to use as a weapon (for striking or throwing) - umbrella, keys, pen, coins,
rolled-up newspaper, briefcase, scarf, belt?
Finally, perhaps the most important form of awareness to try and develop is an
honest judgment of your strengths and capabilities, and the avoidance of any
complacency about the capabilities of your attacker or the danger you are in: such
complacency could also be described as suicidally dangerous arrogance.
For further information on the,
Institute of Filipino Martial Arts and Warriors Eskrima
Visit: www.krishnagodhania.org

The Quiet Master of Ilustrisimo Kali

Master Norman Suanico
By Joel Huncar

In the modern world of martial arts there are

many self proclaimed masters, and masters who have
collected paperwork and certificates to prove their worth.
Some come from legitimate lineages and organizations
yet many make claims that fall apart under hard scrutiny.
Sometimes it is hard to separate the wheat from the
chaff. As a martial artist it makes the title of master seem
a little like a joke, yet there are many true masters out
there.
However some of those true masters are had to
find, especially when they are quiet humble men like
Master Norman Suanico. Even if you live in Master
Normans current home of Red Deer Alberta you might
not know that a world class Master is teaching there.
Even many of Master Normans students they are
learning from one of the living treasures of Filipino martial arts.
Master Suanico was born and grew up in Iloilo City. He received his Bachelor of
Science degree in Commerce. In 1980 he moved with his close relatives to Pontevedra,
Negros Occidental, where his family still resides.
Master Suanicos martial arts resume is incredible. He is not only one of the few
Ilustrisimo Kali masters whose training came directly from Great Grand Master Antonio
Ilustrisimo himself. He was Great Grandmaster Ilustrisimos personal assistant and lived
with Tatang for several years. However, his training is not limited to the Ilustrisimo
system.
He has trained in Bolo, knife and bayonet fighting under
Manuel T. Suanico. Zosimo Flores shared him the style Pangamot
(empty hand combat) and Kali weapons. Largo Mano Style under
Raul Villaluna who was the grandson of Pedro "Walis" Villaluna.
Cruzada Style (De Salon) of Master Antonio Agi of Silay Negros
Occidental from Mario Taleon, who was a Kali instructor in the
Philippine Scouts or Bolo Brigade. Trancada Aldabon Style and Agi
Style he learned from Agustin Hinojales. Ilisio "Seong" Haliky
(Pastolero) added Master Normans training in the Trancada
Aldabon style and the Larga Mano Style. Fabian de la Paz Mananon
tutored Master Norman in the Pluma Style of Leyte. Jesus Bayas
who was a Bolo Battalion Philippine Scout Kali instructor during
World War II was another important guide and teacher for Master
Suanico. Master Norman also trained in the deadly Balintawak Style
of Cebu under Caesar Turoy. Master Suanico served in the ROTC
and holds the rank of Sergeant in the Philippine Reserves. As well
as this vast knowledge of FMA, Master Norman has earned his
second-degree black belts in Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Yawara and Hapkido.

He has also trained in Seven Star Praying Mantis, Five Animal Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan
and Iaido in Japan. Master Suanico is no dojo darling though; he has tested his art as a
bouncer and entertainer in many rough bars and nightclubs. Master Suanico has
disarmed troublemakers armed with knives and guns on a regular basis and is a veteran of
many conflicts. Because of this Master Suanicos martial arts training and teaching is
truly reality based.
I was fortunate enough to train with Master Suanico and Guro Sonny Padilla
(Normans Sponsor here in Canada) a few times in the past and will be making more trips
to Red Deer. However I wanted to give the readers of Black Belt the opportunity to get to
know this quiet humble master. With this in mind I set out to interview Master Suanico.
This is what I learned about this living encyclopedia of martial arts.
Joel Huncar: How did you meet Great Grand Master Ilustrisimo?
Master Suanico: In 1986, I went to Manila with my band to play in nightclubs. (Master
Suanico is also a world-class jazz singer.) So, I took the opportunity to stay and study
with Tatang. I told him that the husband of my aunt Rizalina is Col. Gabriel
Ilustrisimo. Tatang answered that Gabriel is his cousin. He offered me to stay in his
house and I accepted it.
JH: Master Suanico you trained with Great Grand Master Ilustrisimo for quite some
time, can you tell us what that was like?
MS: When Tatang realized that I already had a background in arnis, he would spar with
me a lot. He said," You learn fast". He would always correct your technique and when
you were open. Tatang did not repeat his technique if he did not trust you. He would hit
you hard. I usually took notes after our practice.
Usually we (his students) would spar with each other. Sometimes, my sparring
partner would get angry and our sparring became more realistic and we would hit with
hard contact.
JH: Did anyone ever get seriously hurt in these sparring matches?
MS: We had some in the group that were seriously hurt during the sparring match. One
was Ramon he was hit under the chin with a stick tutsada (thrust) by his sparring partner
and he lost his consciousness so they brought him to the hospital. He recovered after he
was treated. Another one was Tony Chavez, Jaime Quizana hit him with a stick tutsada
(thrust) near the eye and it was bleeding.
Also I hit a sparring partner in both ears with planchada (horizontal) strikes that it
was swollen and affected his hearing for sometime. When an eskrima student from
Australia came to class and sparred with me I hit him repeatedly several times in the head
while my classmates were jumping and cheering with surprise. This was the same student
mentioned in Antonio Diego and Christopher Ricketts book Kali Ilustrisimo who
fought with Edgar Sulite. (Please refer to pages 14 of the book The Secrets of Kalis
Ilustrisimo by Tuttle Publishing). The incident with me was not in the book but this
happened on the next week.
JH: Who was in the group when you trained under Great Grandmaster Ilustrisimo?

MS: Tatang did not teach a group, he taught us separately. Thats why each of his
students has a different lesson plan arrangement but we all use the same principles.
I usually met the group during Sunday morning in Luneta Park and in the house of
Tatang. Tatang had several students but I'll just mention a few in any order,
First myself Norman Suanico, Ernie Talag, Pedro Pete" Reyes, Tony Diego,
Christopher Ricketts, Rey Galang, Mark Wiley, Martin Raganas JR, Roberto Morales,
Yuli Romo, Pedring Romo, Edgar Sulite, Romeo Macapagal, Gerry "Nonoy" Gallano
and Jun Cantilang.
JH: Wow that is impressive; your training group had many famous arnisadors in it. Who
did you train with the most from the group?
MS: Firstly, it was Gerry "Nonoy" Gallano who first introduced to me the Ilustrisimo
style before he went to migrate to Toronto, Canada in 1983. In the Luneta Park, Edgar
Sulite, wanted to see my previous style in Kali, so, I showed him my techniques. He said
that I must only keep those techniques to myself. Once in a while, we would spar with
each other. Tony Diego used to go to the house of Tatang but before he met with
Tatang, we would practice together and he would ask me about the new techniques of
Tatang. He was the first one to study from Tatang. Ernie Talag, Pedro "Pete" Reyes,
Martin Raganas JR., Roberto Morales, Yuli Romo, Pedring Romo, Jun Cantilang, Romeo
Macapagal, Rey Galang and Mark Wiley were all able to practice with me sometimes
either in Luneta Park or in the house of Tatang.
JH: What would you say are the greatest gifts an arnisador can gain by training in
Ilustrisimo Kali?
MS: They are skills and mind of a real Kali warrior and the opportunity to practice with
the best.
JH: What are the most important skills Great Grandmaster Ilustrisimo taught you?
MS: Tatang never repeated a technique. He varied his techniques all the time to make
him unpredictable and impossible to counterattack. In sword and dagger, he never
blocked a sword cut with his dagger. He used his dagger to check a weapon, or his
opponents weapon hand, to redirect a thrust and to stab or cut.
JH: Outside of Kali what are some of the important lessons Great Grandmaster
Ilustrisimo taught you?
MS: He taught me by being a living example. He was very humble and silent. He was a
very patient man. He fed the hungry poor people and sometimes gave them shelter. He
did heal the sick and conducted exorcism by using his "Oracion" (Holy Latin Prayers).
JH: What was your relationship with Great Grandmaster Ilustrisimo like? Is it true you
were also his personal assistant for the last ten years of his life?
MS: Tatang was like a father to me. I was like one of his sons. We helped each other. His
son, junior or I cooked the meals. Living space was tight, so, Tatang and I shared the
same double deck bed (bunk bed) together. I slept on the upper deck and Tatang on the
lower deck.

Yes, I assisted Tatang, along with Roberto Morales. Tatang had a cataract.
Although he was able to recognize people's faces, he was not able to read documents or
letters. I helped him with correspondence and things like reading legal documents.
JH: What is your future plans with Ilustrisimo Kali? Would you ever consider doing a
video series or perhaps traveling to do seminars and work shops?
MS: First, I will unify all the former students of my teacher because right now there are
some who are constantly creating issues between each one of us. Doing a video series is
nice but right now we have to attend to more important matters. Sonny and I have been
traveling doing seminars and workshops around Canada but going outside of Canada
would be my problem because I will need a visa and a re-entry visa. In the past, we had
invitations from some schools in U.S.
JH: What about an Ilustrisimo Kali organization for Canada?
MS: That will be great. That will be one way of unifying all teachers of Kali Ilustrisimo
in Canada under my leadership.
JH: Many would ask you, Who appointed you to be the representative of Kali
Ilustrisimo in Canada?
MS: It was the late Great Grandmaster "Tatang" Antonio A. Ilustrisimo. In 1997, when
Arsenio "Sonny" Padilla went to ask him, "Who among your students you want me to
bring to Canada to teach? Great Grandmaster Ilustrisimo answered, "You bring
Norman".
JH: Wow, you were appointed by Tatang himself. That is incredible. Arnisadors here in
Canada are fortunate that Guro Padilla has brought you here to enrich Canadas FMA
community. I hope that this article will help bring more exposure to your school here in
Red Deer and help people who are looking to train in Ilustrisimo Kali to get in contact
with you.
I have one last question though; what do you think are the most important qualities an
arnisador should have?
MS: A student of Kali should be humble, polite, and generous, as well as being open to
new ideas for improvement.
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, I look forward to our next training
session.

Maestro Norman Z. Suanico, defender (black) - Guro Sonny Padilla, attacker (red)
Demonstrate some techniques.
Aldaves Dagaso vs No4 and Knife Thrust
Both attacker (Sonny) and defender (Maestro Norman) are on guard position using sword and dagger.

As attacker in red initiates a high

backhand strike, defender steps
back while hitting upward
attackers weapons hand.

After attacker loses his sword, he

thrusts with his dagger. The
defender steps forward to the side
while striking attackers left
weapons hand with his sword and
thrusting with his dagger.

Looking from another angle.

Knife vs. Knife - Gunting, Diagonal and Thrust

Both attacker and defender are on guard position using knife.

As attacker in red initiates a high

forehand attack with his knife,
defender steps to the left as he
slices the wrist.

Defender slices the neck as he

checks attackers right arm.

Defender thrusts his knife to

attackers throat as he checks
attackers right arm.

Susi (Key ) - Holding the Sword in a Reverse Grip

Defender is holding the sword in a

reverse grip while attacker is
holding the sword in a regular grip.

As attacker initiates a no.5 sword

thrust, defender steps back while
redirecting the attack and striking
the weapons hand.

Defender immediately follows by

stepping forward while striking
upward to attackers right arm and
thrusts to the body ( the thrust is
not shown ).

The Kali Academy of Martial Arts

4611 B - 50th Ave.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, T4N 3Z9
403-343-3350
Email
www.kaliacademy.net
Huncar Applied Natural Defense Systems
Cranbrook
(250) 417-2617
Email
Calgary Fighting Arts
Calgary, Alberta
(403) 809-5531
www.arniscalgary.com

Interview with Romy Bebing Lisondra

By Dieter Knuettel

Master Lisondra was born 1946. He was a very

early student and later instructor under Professor Remy
Presas. Master Bebing Lisondra and his brother
Rudolfo Rudy Lisondra received Black Belt in
Modern Arnis in December 11, 1964 at San Agustin
University, in Iloilo. They were the first Arnisadors
ever, who received their black belt from Professor
Remy Presas. Master Lisondra received Lakan Apat, 4th Dan from the Professor in 1970.
His brother, was the 1st to partner Grandmaster Remy sparring with the live
Machete/Bolo at University of San Agustin Gym at Iloilo City December 1964.
Master Bibing Lisondra was the first Martial Arts teacher of Senior Master
Samuel Bambit Dulay. To do this interview, I visited him in his house on the evening
of the 23rd of July 2006 together with Grandmaster Rene Tongson, Grandmaster Cristino
Vasquez, Senior Master Bambit Dulay and several others who helped during the
interview, like his son, who did some of the translation, when Master Lisondra said
something in Ilonggo, that I could not understand. But mainly the interview was held in
english. Due to a grey star his is blind and soon to be operated on both eyes, if he has the
funds.

Dieter Knuettel during interview

with Romy Bebing Lisondra.

Dieter Knuettel (DK): When did you start to learn

Arnis under GM Remy?
Bibing Lisondra (BL): I started in 1958. But I
started with Judo in 1954 at the age of 8 years then I
shifted to Arnis in 1958.Then I became an assistand
instructor under Remy Presas in 1968. In the middle
of 69/70, Remy transferred to Manila. He left me
alone to teach Arnis at the UNOR (University of
Negros Occidental).
Then Mr. Presas hired me to go to Manila to assist
again in his Arnis. This was under the name of
NAKO, the National Amateur Karate Organisation.
And then 1971 before the martial law I am going back
to Bacolod. Remy Presas stayed in Manila. Some
years later I heard Professor Presas going abroad.

DK: When did he start to call it Modern Arnis?

If I am not mistaken, in 1968 something like that. But
I cannot remember. (A big discussion in Ilonggo
followed between Master Lisondra and GM Rene
Tongson and GM Cristino Vasquez)
Grandmaster Rene Tongson (RT): He cannot recall.
Because the problem before, most people was doing Arnis with Remy Presas, but would
not know that it would be called Modern Arnis later.

BL: Yes.
DK: What techniques did you practise with him? Did you do single stick, Espada y Daga,
doublestick, Sinawali what did he teach by that time?
BL: Double Sinawali, double stick. Double stick and because the sinawali, that is the
old name. But the Arnis it was called Baston and not Arnis. And the arnis in this time the
Tapi-Tapi was called Corridas. (Ilonggo discussion again) It was dikititan, close quarter.
Defense and offense, close fighting.
DK: Were there already done disarming techiques at that time or more striking or
Sinawali. What were the main things that were trained at that time?
BL: Disarming? No. Before the fundamentals, and then the basics
DK: What did the fundamentals and basics consist of?
BL: Fundamentals and Sinawali. Fundamental form of Arnis. Stances, blocking like that.
defense and offense.
DK: Was it mainly single stick then?
BL: Single and double.
DK: Did you do knife as well in those days and Espada y Daga?
BL: Doublestick, long.
DK: How about knife defense
BL: Knife defense is combative style. That is part of Jujitsu. And disarming tactics of
disarming the knife.
DK: How many student did Professor Presas have, when he was teaching here at UNOR
or at his club?
BL: At the start there were only few. If I am not mistaken it was only 10. My brother
Rudy, me, Mr. Presas, 2 brothers Doromal, Rologo, Nelson Canada. More I cannot
remember the others.
DK: Was that at the beginning of the University here?
BL: No, no, before. That was at the beginning at his club.
DK: Later, when he left to Manila, in 1968 or 1969, did that increase? Did he have many
more students then?
BL: Plenty, plenty of students. Besides the university. These were not a member of the
students, of the university. There you only took it as physical education or as combative
sports. In the gym only that is qualified as a member. In the gym almost 50 to 80
students. Exept the privates.
DK: When did he start to use the belts as ranking system? Was this already in Bacolod or
only in Manila?
BL: In Bacolod.

DK: Did he use different colour belts and Lakan for the black belts?
BL: No, no. Here in Bacolod it was not for the Lakan. The belting was only for the
colour. Colour coding only. He adapts the Lakan grading only in Manila. I can
remember.
DK: So you went through the student levels and then you were instructor, or how was
that?
BL: Of course
DK: How long would it take at these times, when you begin to become an instructor?
Would it be one or five years?
BL: As an assistant instructor of Professor Presas, I call him Professor, I started in Arnis
in 1958 and was instructor in 1968.
DK: So you started in 68 to become an instructor and before you were only a student
right?
Again a discussion in Ilonggo and then his son explained: Before he was officially
considered an instructor, he already assisted Professor Presas.
DK: So when did you start to assist Professor Presas in the teaching?
BL: That was 1962. But this was not in Arnis only, but also in Karate. Before doing
Arnis I was doing Karate. Also tournaments.
DK: Were there also Arnis tournaments here in Bacolod at that time?
BL: No, not yet.
DK: Were there challenges? Were
other masters coming to Remy to
challenge him?
BL: Oh yes, plenty. Doromal is one
of the base instructors here in
Bacolod. He was a Col.
Commander at the Negros College,
ROTC. Mr. Presas was only
demonstrating his Arnis. But Mr.
Doromal challenged first, before
Mr. Presas demo. And then Mr.
Doromal looses against Mr. Presas.
So that was the first challenge at
that time.
Grandmaster Tongson, Master Lisondra and his son.

Mr. Lisondras son explained, that Mr. Doromal was considered as one of the best
fighters in Bacolod at that time. So Mr. Presas beat him and that was the time, when Mr.
Doromal became one for the first members of Mr. Presas club. Everybody laughed and
somebody said: if you cant beat them, join them.

DK: What style did Mr. Doromal come from? What did he study before he learned with
Professor Presas?
BL: I don t know.
Everybody talking. Someone said: at that time, no numbers, no styles. It was called
Wedo: We do this and we do that.
RT: Because before, there were no names. It was only systematized during Remy Presas
research already. That was the time, when they called it Modern Arnis. It was already
systematized; it was already numbered.
DK: So that was when he was already in
Manila, end of the 60s?
Grandmaster Cristino Vasquez (CV): He
moved in 68.
DK: You followed him to Manila. Did his
teaching change from the time he taught
you end of the 50s to beginning of the 70s,
when you returned from Manila to
Bacolod?
BL: Yes, there were changes.
Master Lisondra and Grandmaster Vasquez

DK: What happened? What was different?

BL: There was many. Tapi-Tapi, disarming, so many. From traditional to Modern to his
own style.
DK: Was it a stick-oriented art or was it a blade oriented art what he taught.
BL: Stick and blade.
RT: There was no difference between stick and blade. Anything you hold is a weapon.
That is why we wanted to remove that concept especially in western area, even in
Europe.
If it is a stick or a blade, it is still a weapon. Sometimes there are students who say:
What if I do this I will cut here So I ask what are you holding A stick Well thats
a stick. You can not cut with a stick. When you hold a blade it is a blade. When you
hold a stick it is a stick. We have to remove this concept. If you hold a stick or a blade, it
is a weapon.
DK: The question was did he teach also: now we do Bolo or now we do blade?
RT: We were instructed that we started to teach the blade because it was already the
combat method.
DK: Was the training more oriented to stickfighting, or self-defense or more military
orientated?
BL: Stick and then combat. He was teaching the army during this time, during martial
law.

DK: Was there also empty hand techniques involved, or Dulo-Dulo for example.
BL: Yes.
DK: The teaching in the 70s in Manila, did that gear more towards education compared
the combative modes that he had before? Did he change the way of teaching because he
was teaching students compared to teaching soldiers?
BL: Yes educational. Purely educational at the universities. The combative was
exclusively at the gym.
DK: So at university he was teaching more fundamentals and basics probably
BL: Yes
DK: And when he went to his dojo he was teaching more advanced techniques, more
combat oriented techniques?
BL: Combative and self-defense.
DK: Did he tell from what teacher he got his techniques? Like from his father, his
grandfather etc.
BL: No, he did not say.
DK: Were his brothers involved in the teaching or in the Dojo as well, Ernesto or
Roberto? Were there as well?
BL: Ernesto was more a runner, track and field, walkathon.
DK: Were there different stick used in challenge fights compared to training? Like other
wood, Bahi or Kamagong, where they flat instead of round, yantoks?
BL: Challenge fights? Kamagong. And Bahi
DK: Ah thats nice and in training?
BL: In training, its only Rattan.
RT: But in fighting Kamagong or Bahi.
DK: Did they use round stick or flat sticks?
BL: Round.
DK: How long did the fights last. Was it a thing of 10 seconds or of several minutes?
BL: It was only a thing of bang bang bang. Not 5 seconds.
DK: Well with bahi or Kamagong sticks I can understand that. And Remy was of course
fighting left-handed.
BL: Left, yes.
DK: That was not fair
Laughter.

BL: He can fight left and right. His main was the left, but he could also fight with the
right.
DK: But it was single stick fighting right?
BL: Single stick.
DK: What were the rules of the fight. When was the fight finishes? When one was on the
ground, when one runs away?
BL: No rules, just fight to the finish
DK: When did you know the fight was finished?
BL: When the other one surrendered. When the opponent says I give up then it is
finished.
DK: So physical condition was not really important, when the fight only lasts for 5
seconds.
CV: When Professor Remy fought an opponent with single stick who was using Espada y
Daga. He disarmed the Daga and the Espada and said to his opponent: With only a
broomstick I can disarm you. He really had fighting spirit.
BL: Yes he had heart and fighting spirit.
RT: When Mr. Yanson from the Bacolod, who was very well known stickfighter at that
time, lost against Remy in the late 50s, he gave him all his students. He even send his son
to study under Remy. So he even surrendered his son.
BL: Bambit (Dulay) started martial arts under me. He studied Karate, Judo and other arts,
and when I left Manila back to Bacolod, I endorsed Bambit to Remy and Ernesto. He is
very good in martial arts; you just have to polish his Arnis (laughter).
DK: Well, they did.
RT: That was long time ago.
DK: Did Professor Remy teach Sinawali already in the beginning? In the 50s and 60s or
when did he start wit is?
BL: Double Sinawali yes. 6 strike standard double sinawali. From the beginning.
DK: Where did the Double sinawali come from?
RT: We dont know. He just came out with it and teach it.
DK: Do you remember, when the Single Sinawali came in?
BL: I cannot remember.
DK: How long was the training in those times? Was it an hour or 1 ?
BL: In those times it was almost 3 to 4 hours.
DK: Was it very few techniques with high repetition?
BL: Just a few techniques. He would only give 3 to 4 techniques and then it would
perhaps take a month, until he taught a new technique.

DK: How often would you train a week with him?

BL: Daily.
DK: Daily 3 4 hours, wow.
RT: Later, when he was not living in Bacolod any more, he gave you a technique and
you had to work one month at this technique and then he might give you an new one, if
he remembered to call you when he was in town. So sometimes it was 2 months before
you learned a new technique. So by the time we moved to another technique, it was
already very very polished. Its perfection. Not quantity.
DK: So it was quality not quantity. Were there formal examinations for a belt or would
he just say now you are the next level.
BL: When he sees you are good he would say, yes you are good No formal exams
during that time.
DK: When you trained with him in the beginning, were the blocks done on the arm or the
hand or on the sticks.
BL: To the sticks.
DK: Was there grabbing the sticks of the opponent well.
BL: Yes, grabbing the stick.
DK: Thats interesting.
CV: The secret of Modern Arnis is grabbing.
RT: When he made contact, you could not move any more. When he grabbed you, you
could not go away. He had control. So that is the secret there.
DK: Were there other styles jealous of the success that he had with his style?
BL: Yes, that is natural.
DK: Were there a lot of injuries in the training at that time? In the early days?
BL: We only had one accident one time. Then only a lot of bruises.
DK: What was so special about the Professor at that time that the people wanted to join
him and to learn from him?
BL: It was his style and his techniques what attracted the people. Very effective.
DK: Dr. Lengson and Master Chiuten was before?
RT: No that was already in Manila. That was already named Modern Arnis.
DK: That is interesting. Because in the US there is a discussion, that Remy got his
Sinawali from Dr. Lengson.
RT: Wrong wrong

DK: But when Master Lisondra already trained Sinawali in 1958 with the Professor that
is wrong then.
RT: In these days there was only Double Sinawali, No Single.
DK: When did he train with Dr. Lengson?
RT: That was already in Manila. It was a few years before Rodel. Dr. Lengson and the
Professor were training partners. They were doing television programs at that time.
Double Sinawali was very spectacular in the Television, especially when it was done very
fast.
But for us, Double Sinawali is the a basic technique. But it is very effective as a basic. It
is already a fighting technique. In the time when they were doing it in Manila it was for
the purpose of television production.
RT: He did the drawing for the Modern Arnis book.
BL: I drew that. The first volume from Presas
DK: The pink book?
BL: Oh yea, the illustration.
DK: Wow, so you were the artist who drew it.
BL: I drew that in 1968 during the instruction in UNOR, in the University.
DK: So the first book was prepared, when he was still teaching in Bacolod, right?
BL: Yes
DK: When was it first issued?
Discussion in Ilonggo and then his son said, that he couldnt remember.
DK: Was the book published before he trained with Dr. Lengson?
Discussion again. Nobody knew exactly, but it was assumed, that Dr. Lengson started
with the Professor around 1970.
DK: When did Professor Remy start using uniforms?
BL: 1968 at UNOR. It was red pants and white t-shirt. Thats the original uniform.
DK: Was that also the time when he started
using the belts? The black belts or the
Lakans? When he started to use the
uniforms?
BL: Not yet. There were gradings but not yet
a lakan.
DK: But in the book it was already.
BL: It started when he was in Manila.
DK: I see over there your bolero of your
Arnis uniform hanging there. When was the

Master Lisondras Karate

and Arnis uniforms.

bolero introduced for the Arnis uniform? In the 70s?

RT: No, no, it was already Modern Arnis then. It was only white t-shirt and red pants.
Before there was no elastic waistband. Now it is easy, you only put it on. But before you
had to tie it.
DK: The red pants and the white t-shirt came from the Katipuneros?
RT: Basically it was the filipino fighters before, the freedom fighters. They used the red
and white. Only red pants and t-shirt. Very standard.
DK: Thank you very much for your time and for all the
answers you gave me. I wish you all the best for your operation
on your eyes.
Salamat po.

Master Lisondras
Arnis uniform patch

Senior Master Dieter Knttel began his Arnis Training

in 1978. He holds Lakan Pito, 7th Dan Modern Arnis and is
one of the 6 Arnisadores, who received the Datu title from
Professor Remy Presas. He lives and instructs in Germany but
teaches Modern Arnis also in seminars all over the world.

www.modernarnis.de
www.worldbromodernarnis.com

Siling Labuyo Arnis

Young Forest Club
By Guro Badger Jones

Take two reasonably experienced eskrimadors, and ask them to demonstrate their
skills, and the stylistic differences will be obvious. Have the same two eskrimadors spar,
or actually fight, and very quickly it will be impossible to identify any particular style.
So, where does the style go? And if it disappears so easily, is it really worth the
effort to cultivate a particular style? The answer is that there is style being used, but it is
the personal, natural movements of an individual that show up in a fight, because
maintaining the externally-imposed style becomes impossible as the stress-level
increases.
This is what led to the creation of Siling Labuyo Arnis (SLA), a method of
Filipino Martial Art, based on concepts of pragmatism, empiricism, and exploration.
One thing we need to understand about martial arts styles is where they come
from. Typically, we see a talented individual make a stir in the martial arts, and then his
or her personal style of movement is codified and systematized, and then passed on to
others. The big assumptions are that:
Everybody can be taught to move the same way, and
It is a desirable thing to teach a wide variety of people to move in that way
Unfortunately, style is the result of the individual practitioners movement and is an
expression of his physique, attributes, preferences, and all of the things that makes a
persons movement unique. No matter how hard you train, and no matter how closely you
can mimic them, you will not be Bruce Lee, Morihei Uyeshiba or Mike Tyson at the end
of the day. There is just too much variation between individuals to make a dogmatic style
an efficient way to learn.
So what is the answer? If we take a systematized style out of the equation, what are
we left with? The answer: not much, but what is left is incredibly important - training
methodology. Simply put, how a practitioner trains is far more important than what he or
she might train.
In many FMA's, applications are taught where one fighter dominates, with the other providing no
resistance. As an example, the arnisador on the left attacks, but his strike is blocked, and the defender
responds with two abaniko strikes, and follows with a disarm.

On paper thats fine - the hard part is accomplishing it in ones martial arts training.
For Siling Labuyo Arnis, the answer is to filter everything through alive training. We
didnt invent the concept, but felt it was important enough to be made central to our
practice. In our definition, it consists of three elements:
Resisting opponents
Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that
Unrehearsed actions
the defender would be able to pull off
Real time training
this entire sequence against anything but
a completely incompetent opponent.

These can be scaled up or down depending on the

participants experience, allowing for the integration
of new skills, but in general we always want to move
towards the higher end, which translates into more
aliveness. At the top end of the scale, we have an
opponent fighting as hard, fast and evasively as he
can, and at the bottom is the defender blocking a
single strike, and responding with a half-dozen
counter-strikes before disarming the attacker who has
obligingly left his stick dangling in the air.
Unfortunately, some people never leave the comfort
of this form of training, and therefore never develop
any real fighting skills to speak of.
Now, to make all this work, theres one other
necessary thing: the willingness to take a cold hard
look at ones practice method, and discard anything

Providing resistance, and moving in an

unrehearsed fashion, the attacker can
respond with several options, including
moving inside with an elbow.

that does not work as advertised. This can be a big

stumbling block for many, since we get comfortable
with our training, resistance to change can be
formidable, and it can be a blow to the ego to have to
give up that which we have trained hard to attain.
Lets be honest, folks, the overwhelming majority of
those disarms you learned will not work against an
opponent supplying even minimal resistance.
Eventually, it gets to the point where training time is
spent just maintaining these skills, rather than
selecting a few essentials and working them
rigorously.
Now that alive training has been thoroughly
explored, lets look more directly at Siling Labuyo
Arnis. It is named after the hottest chili pepper in the
Philippines, which we thought to be an excellent
metaphor for our martial art system - heat, vitality,
risk, and something extremely painful if approached
recklessly.
The training revolves around three core methods:
empty hands, knife and stick. These develop the most
fundamental skills and are the basis for work with
satellite methods like espada y daga, double stick,
long stick, short stick, flexible weapons and projectile
weapons. These are included to provide
developmental challenge to the practitioner, and
produce a well-rounded fighter, but are not considered
essential.
The atmosphere of our class is important to the
process, in order to foster the exploratory attitude
necessary to Siling Labuyo Arnis. It needs to be
informal and receptive, to avoid dogma and encourage
students to ask questions. As a result, we see concepts
being brought in from a wide variety of sources other martial arts, yoga, dance, and sports medicine, to
name a few examples.
Then, promising concepts need to be stress-tested.
If they cant make that critical jump from theoretical
to practical, then we have no use for them.
We constantly see styles larded down with a
multitude of theories, little of which, if any, can be
applied in the context of fighting. The idea of style
made sense in previous times. As a method of
preserving hard-won lessons about fighting to be
passed on to others, preserving information in a set
style was the best tool for the times. Until relatively

A hook punch from the outside.

A retreat and low attack.

A punyo.

A retreat and snipe, or an essentially

infinite number of other options.

recently, having one martial arts book would have marked the owner as belonging to an
elite, and a codified style was state of the art.
However, times have changed. No longer are we in isolated tribes or villages, with
only the experiences of our immediate neighbors to draw on. We can see how elite,
world-class fighters are training, and what they are using to win fights. And what we see
is that they are not using set styles, but working against resisting opponents, in an
unrehearsed format, and at real speeds - in other words, alive training.
Young Forest Filipino Martial Arts
448 Kent St.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 2B5
(613) 235-9805
Email

www.youngforest.ca

Guro Badger Jones

Professor Amante P. Marias

Pananandata
Professor Amante "Mat" P. Marias Sr. teaches Pananandata his familys
weapons and empty hand fighting system. Professor Marias is a former Professor of
Chemical Engineering at Adamson University in Manila, Philippines. He was introduced
to Pananandata by his granduncle Ingkong Leon Marcelo when he was 8 years old. He is
originally from Pambuan, a small village in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, in Central Luzon in the
Philippines. His province is named after Ecija, a town in Spain. His province was one of
the first eight provinces which revolted against Spain, and is one of the eight rays of the
sun in the Filipino flag.
Pananandata, the art of Filipino weaponry taught in the northern Philippines is
quite different from the southern style. The most noticeable differences are the 31" long
rattan stick, the horse-whip, rattan rings and other unique weapons. Pananandata stresses
footwork, explosive jumping and un-padded free-fighting. An individual's own fighting
style is encouraged in this unique Filipino family system.
Professor Marias introduced the Philippine Latiko (horsewhip), the Lubid (rope),
the Bagakay (wooden throwing dart) and the Dikin (ring) in the United States and in
Europe. An avid Knife and Bagakay thrower, Marias has thrown about 1,300,000 times

at targets with his knives, axes, spears, and has shot 600,000 + blowgun darts. He teaches
169 openings of the Philippine Balisong.
Grandmaster Marias has taught Pananandata in the USA since the 70s and has
given seminars in Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. Authored books, videos and more
than 100 magazine articles - he expects to have several more books published in the near
future.
The FMAdigest has had the honor to be able to interview Professor Marias.
In this interview the FMAdigest wanted to get an overall look at the man, his art
and some of his thoughts.
FMAdigest: Can you give an overall view of the art of Pananandata?
Professor Marias: Pananandata is from the two words paggamit ng sandata. The
word sandata was derived from the word sendata. The word must have been brought to
the Philippine by a wave of immigrants that came from Indonesia. The word got changed
to sandata. Paggamit ng sandata became shortened to pananandata. As is normal in the
Tagalog dialect, when a prefix is added to a root word, its first letter disappears. Thus,
there is no s in pananandata.
I chose the word pananandata as the name for my familys system because it is
the word used in Tagalog, my dialect. The English translation is the art of weaponry or
the use of weapons.
Pananandata groups weapons in three categories:
Rigid, such as sticks, knives, and spears
Part flexible and part rigid, such as the tabak toyok (nunchaku), latiko (Philippine
horsewhip), yoyo, dragon tail, palaso (short javelin tethered to a rope), and pilatok
(slingshot)
Flexible, such as the lubid (rope) and chain (tanikala)
There could be another category such as
Projectiles that would include the zarbatana
(blowgun), pilatok and a number of throwing
implements such as the bagakay (2-pointed throwing
darts), palakol (ax) and sibak (spear). However, I
decided not to have the category projectile because
any weapon can become a projectile.
FMAdigest: Pananandata is a weapon's and empty
hand fighting system. In the weapons aspect, what
weapons, are the basis of the art and could you give
us a brief overview of the basic principles of the
weapons?
Professor Marias: The basis of the art is the pingga
that is at least 44 and the 31 yantok. If one knows
how to use the 31 yantok and wants to learn the use
of the tungkod (walking cane) all he needs to learn is

Preparing to work with the pingga,

pananandatas long pole.

how to use the crook of the cane. He already knows how to use its straight portion. The
disarming methods with the 31 yantok are equally applicable to a 13 diameter dikin
(ring).
To some extent the techniques of the use of a bladed weapon and a yantok are
interchangeable. However, in most stick techniques, the stick has first to be chambered.
In the use of a bladed weapon, chambering may not be necessary. This is illustrated in my
book Pananandata: Its History and Techniques.
The empty hand aspect of pananandata comes into play in the use of the rope. One
can only use the rope at close quarters. Hence, the footwork needed to close the distance
in the empty techniques is equally applicable to the use of the rope.
Each weapon is not a separate study. Rather, each weapon helps to shorten the
learning curve for the next weapon that the student wants to master. For example: The
student needs only to learn the use of the side handle of the Philippine hawakan because
he already knows how to use its straight portion.
FMAdigest: What weapons have you added to the art?
Professor Marias: The weapons I added were already used as such in ancient times but
were practiced outside of stick and knife fighting. For example: The zarbatana (though
used extensively by early Filipinos) was not considered to be one of the phases of
training in the Filipino martial arts. I added it to pananandatas weaponry. I also added
the Philippine horsewhip, the Philippine ring, and the rope. With the rope and the ring, I
saw a few tricks during my youth. I developed whole systems in their use.
By add, I mean extensive study not token practice like shooting the blowgun
once every three months or throwing the bagakay a couple of times a week or knowing a
few tricks with the rope or knowing a few balisong openings. If a weapon is to be part of
any FMA system, the system must have extensive knowledge of its use.
FMAdigest: In the empty hand aspect of Pananandata, what is the philosophy and basic
principles?
Professor Marias: The basic principles and philosophies in fighting is the same
whether it is with the empty hands or with weapons. However, there is different focus on
distancing and on the selection of targets. One would not aim at somebodys head with a
punch: he could break his fist. On the other hand, one of the better targets for a stick
strike is the head.
Even if one fights with the empty hands, he should have a keen eye for weapons
that can be picked off the ground (or surrounding areas) or broken off a tree. He should
get it before the adversary beats him to it.
FMAdigest: In learning Pananandata from your granduncle Ingkong Leon Marcelo, did
you learn empty hand or the weapons of Pananandata? Or was it a mixture? And what
did the training consist of?
Professor Marias: Training was leisurely since my granduncle had all the time in the
world that was well and good for me because I loved to read even when I was in grade
school. He started me off with the pingga followed with the walking cane. But of course,
when you practice with weapons long enough it rubs off into your empty hands so that

eventually one becomes the extension of the other. He would emphasize a point by telling
me anecdotes of his own experiences.
FMAdigest: When you arrived in the United States and commenced promoting your
family art of Pananandata. Could you tell us some of the experiences that you had in
becoming established?
Professor Marias: One month (July 1973) after I arrived in the US, I demonstrated the
use of the single stick in one of Jerome Mackeys karate school in Queens. I went to the
dojo with my wife who had a camera.
I did not have a partner to work with. On the first day, a karate teacher Cesar
Bujosa, who later became my very first student in the United States, became the attacker.
On the second day, there was another instructor Tayari Cassel. He was quite
famous but I did not know it at the time. Since I did not have a partner, I asked him to
attack me with the stick and to aim at my upper left. He did but then turned to deliver a
spinning back kick. That was not part of the script. I moved in and hit him on the thigh as
he made his turn. His eyes bulged out and said, He blocked it! He blocked it!
I was in good shape at the time. We did randori in the Philippine Aikido Club
every Sunday for two hours. I did my Shorin-ryu forms regularly and of course I was
regularly practicing my stick work.
The school was not interested in the Filipino martial arts. But they were very
polite. They offered me to teach karate. I turned it down.
When I met Pikiti-Tirsia founder Leo Gaje Jr. later, he said, I would not have
gone to the karate school without any back up.
Leo and I worked out together and using the print media we tried to promote the
Filipino martial arts. However, Leo had friends who implied that the southern styles
shorter stick was better than the longer sticks of the north. I did not say anything. I
sponsored a tournament on December 14, 1975. There were two groups: one for the
beginners and one for advanced practitioners. Leo was able to field only one of his
students in the beginners group and none in the advance group. Only my students
competed in the advanced group. After the tournament, I did not hear anything anymore
about the southern style being better than the northern style.
A New York-based-magazine (Masters of Defense) interviewed me in 1974 for an
article. When the article came out, the author merely quoted what I said. I said to myself,
I should have written the article. From that time on, I started writing magazine articles.
The first magazine article about me was published in Inside Kung fu in 1976. I
wrote the article. However, since it was about me, I had my wife listed as the author.
I sent short write-ups on the Filipino martial arts to the Encyclopedia Americana,
Encyclopedia Britannica, and Colliers back in 1978 for inclusion in their publications.
They all rejected my offer.
FMAdigest: You have written a book 'Pananandata Guide to Sport Blowguns'. The
FMAdigest Published an article in Volume 2 No 2; 'The Blow Gun: An interview with
Sensei Dr. Hironori Higuchi, Dr. Amante P. Marias, Sr., Mr. Michael D. Janich', By
Dave Sustak. (Click Here) Do you think the sport of the blowgun has progressed? The
Philippines has the Philippine Sport Blowgun Association (PhiSBA) Volume 2 No 3;
(Click Here), have you been involved with them?

Professor Marias: The sport of shooting the blowgun had progressed not as much as
we blowgun shooters would like it. I have not been able to physically support the ISBA
(Dr. Hironori Higuchi) nor Dave Sustaks NSBA nor the newly activated ASBA. I have
not been involved with the PhiSBA. Dr. Higuchi and Dave Sustak are focused on the
blowgun. In my case, the blowgun is but one aspect of pananandata. Hence, I can only
give them moral support and encouragement. However, I felt that my book Pananandata
Guide to Sport blowgun has something to do with whatever progress there is in the
popularization of its sport aspect.
FMAdigest: Your book Pananandata Yantok at Daga; what makes Pananandata style
different or unique compared to other Filipino martial arts styles that do the stick and
daga?
Professor Marias: Pananandatas yantok at daga is very different from those being
practiced in the southern Philippines where they use a lot of trapping with their forearms.
In Pananandatas yantok at daga, free play is given to both the daga and the yantok that is
accomplished by maintaining a relatively wider distance than those used in the southern
Philippines. I have written an article on this that was published in Inside Kung Fu a while
back. However, the northern styles are very similar to each other. This is not surprising
because of the ease of travel between provinces in Luzon.
FMAdigest: You have put out a couple videos on the Balisong. What can you say are the
benefits of the balisong and what would you consider a good routine in getting to learn
and practice with a balisong?
Professor Marias: I have written an article on the benefits of the balisong and had
submitted it to Editor Dave Cater of Inside Kung Fu. Hence, I cannot pre-empt my
article. However, I use the balisong as a training tool and not a knife to be carried. Other
knives such as the folders will be better for urban carry. It will not be easy to explain to a
police officer why one has a balisong in his back pocket. On the other hand, it is easier to
explain the carrying of a folding knife.
I have co-authored a book on
Balisong Openings with my son Mat Jr.
The book is scheduled for publication in
2007 by Action Pursuit Group the
publishers of Inside Kung Fu magazine.
Editor Dave Cater is currently busy
editing the manuscript. The routines in
getting to learn and practice with the
balisong are discussed in the book.
Hence, I would not want to pre-empt my
book. However, I can tell you that the
book has 499 photographs.
Professor Marias working out
with his son Mat Jr.

FMAdigest: You also have a video out

Philippine Hawakan (Philippine Tonfa),
what is the difference with the Philippine tonfa and the Okinawan tonfa? Philosophy,
techniques, etc?

Professor Marias: They originated from the same rice grinder. However, let me
mention that some of the rice grinders used in ancient China were huge!
Structurally, they are the same. Striking techniques are the same. However, the
Philippine hawakan (tonfa) is used for disarming and takedowns. This sets it apart from
the Okinawan tonfa.
If you take a close look at books on the Okinawan tonfa, however high rank the
author has, you will notice that most of the time, their left hand (empty or holding another
tonfa) will be hanging by their side and not being used. If used at all, the Japanese master
would have used their right hand holding the tonfa three or four times before the left hand
gets into the fray. In the use of the Philippine hawakan, the left hand is brought to bear on
the attacker in the very first move.
FMAdigest: How do you feel the art of Pananandata has progressed throughout the
years since you have been promoting it?
Professor Marias: Pananandata has progressed slowly in terms of number of students. I
have focused on documenting pananandata.
Pananandata has progressed by increasing the scope of its weaponry. At the same
time, pananandata has delved deeper into the technical aspects of the use of Philippine
weapons. For example: I used the learning curve to track my progress in the throwing of
the knife and in the shooting of the blowgun. This is the first time ever that such method
was used for these two disciplines.
I am expecting that writers on psychology and will be using the learning curves in
my book as reference as examples in the learning of motor skills. Books in mathematics
could also use my learning curves as an example of the limited growth curve.
FMAdigest: What are if any changes have you made to the style throughout the years?
Or does it have the original philosophies as it did what you learned it from your
granduncle?
Professor Marias: While the scope of pananandata weaponry has widened, the original
philosophies remain the same. The methods of closing the distance had not changed. The
method of luring the adversary into closing the distance remains the same. The same is
true for the break in time. The use of power at the appropriate time makes for a good
philosophy whether it be now or a hundred years ago.
My granduncles teaching seemed
random. However, much later I realized that there
was a purpose to the seemingly random phases of
training he put me through. I teach a little less
random than he did.

Professor Marias, son Mat Jr.

Designated successor to pananandata.

FMAdigest: Who are authorized instructors of

Pananandata and where are they located? So
individuals interested can obtain training.
Professor Marias: All my instructors are
supposed to renew their certificates in January of
each year. They are not quite up to date this year.
So technically, there are none except my son and

myself. If anybody wants to study with any of my instructors, it will be more convenient
if he checks with me at pananandta@aol.com. This way, he could verify if the
instructor he is planning to study under is authorized to teach pananandata.
FMAdigest: What is a basic thought students should keep in mind in learning
Pananandata?
Professor Marias: If a student is looking for a rank, pananandata is not the system to
get it from. If a student is looking for knowledge, he will be most welcome.
Any prospective student who wants to study with me has to make a commitment
of at least two years of study with the fees due on the first day of training. I would not
want a student to train a couple of times then disappear. There will be the risk of this
student claiming later on that he studied with me - omitting the length of time he actually
trained. I teach in my backyard.
FMAdigest: What do you see as the future of Pananandata?
Professor Marias: Pananandata will continue to be in the forefront of the Filipino
martial arts.
Many Filipino martial arts systems are now shooting the blowgun, throwing
knives, cracking whips, using the ring and working with ropes. The categories of balisong
openings I have mentioned in a number of my articles are now being used by other
Filipino martial arts systems. The categories of the different types of weapons I
mentioned earlier are now also being used by other Filipino martial arts systems.
I have thrown weapons (ax, knife, spear, dart, and other implements) more than
1,300,000 times. Maybe one of these days, a Filipino martial arts practitioner would
exceed what I did. I have shot the blowgun more than 600,000 times. Maybe one of these
days, a Filipino practitioner would exceed what I did. My son and I have discovered 169
balisong openings. Maybe one of these days, a Filipino martial arts practitioner would
exceed what we did.
Pananandata has set the example of dedicated study. Pananandata hopes that this
will encourage other Filipino martial arts systems to become better. If it does, it will be
good for the Filipino martial arts.
FMAdigest: Is there any message you would like to put out to readers about
Pananandata?
Professor Marias: Pananandata is the most documented system in the Filipino martial
arts. I have written a book on the single stick, on the double stick, on the knife, on the
stick and knife, on the rope, on throwing knives, and on the blowgun. My son and I have
an upcoming book on the Philippines balisong. These books are all on different
weapons/techniques. There is a good chance that the readers teacher has one of my
books.
Perhaps the reader should also, Buy one! Better yet. Buy two! Smile
Books written by Amante P. Marias Sr.
Arnis de Mano (with Lanada)
Arnis Lanada Book 1
Pananandata Knife-Fighting

Publisher
Self-published
Unique Publications
Paladin Press

Year
1974
1986
1986

Pananandata Dalawang Yantok

Pananandata Yantok at Daga
Pananandata Rope Fighting
Pananandata Guide to Knife Throwing
Pananandata Guide to Sport Blowguns
Pananandata: Its History and Techniques
The Art of Throwing

Socorro Publications
Paladin Press
Paladin Press
United Cutlery
United Cutlery
Paladin Press
Tuttle Publishing

1988
1988
1989
1999
2000
2002
2007

Video Tapes of Amante P. Marias Sr.

Pananandata Tape 1 - Single Stick
Pananandata Tape 2 - Two Sticks
Pananandata Tape 3 - Single Balisong
Pananandata Tape 4 - Two Balisongs
Pananandata Tape 5 - Philippine Hawakan
Pananandata Tape 6 - Pananandata in the Street

Producer
ESPY-TV, New York
ESPY-TV, New York
ESPY-TV, New York
ESPY-TV, New York
ESPY-TV, New York
ESPY-TV, New York

Date
1993
1994
1994
1994
1994
Nov-95

Professor Amante P. Marias, newest book. Do not miss the opportunity to get your
copy.

The Art of Throwing

By Professor Amante P. Marias
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing, Rutland,
Vermont
Paper back: 6" by 9"
Number of pages: 114
Number of Photos: 128
Number of computer sketches: 41
Number of learning curves: 21
Number of throws made for
statistical information presented in
book: 1,300,000
Time span to throw 1,300,000 times: 14 years
Actual time for throws: 3,500 hours
Distance covered to and from target: 1,600 miles
Height of Cardboard targets when stacked: 120
stories
For more information or purchase inquiries: Email:
Pananandta@aol.com

The throwing knives are called VM Bulalakaw to

honor the memory of Professor Marias father,
(VM are the initials of his father). Designed by
Professor Marinas and marketed by United Cutlery.
Purchase inquiries:
Email: Pananandta@aol.com

My Short Meeting with my Arnis Teacher Grandmaster Remy Presas

By Francis A. Nagen

It was in the year 1999 when Grandmaster Remy Presas, came for a short visit to
the Philippines and checked in at the Grand Boulevard Hotel along Roxas Blvd, Manila. I
was introduced as a student of Shishir Inocalla, the character in one of the ninja turtles.
He had a gym at the Vito Cruz, Singalong in Manila where I was a gym helper.
For a few days, Grandmaster Presas came for a visit at the gym where we would
practice everyday. Grandmaster Presas was the principal guest at the Department of
Tourism where he was scheduled to teach.
After several days of practicing with Grandmaster Presas, a clear thought of
vision flashed into my mind regarding his health and his passing away. I mentioned this
to him and he said just keep on practicing.
At his hotel Grandmaster Presas learned about his younger brother Ernesto, who
had been confined at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Grandmaster Remy Presas
immediately gave some money to be added to his brothers hospital in helping to pay it.
The news spread about Grandmaster Remy Presas being in Manila and so many
people wanted to catch a glimpse of him and talk to him that Grandmaster Presas had to

secretly switch hotels to get some peace and rest. So he checked into the Camelot Hotel
in Quezon City secretly.
Roland Dantes, Rusty Santos (an actor) and myself
were asked to follow up in seeing to the printing of
Grandmaster Presas book. On the next day while checking on
the printing of his book, I was with Senior Master Dulay,
whom I confided in about what I had envisioned about
Grandmaster Remy Presas and said if Grandmaster Presas
asks you to do something for him, do it immediately, because
the next time when he come back to the Philippines he will be
in the horizontal position.
FMAdigest: Francis Nagen a student of Modern Arnis has
premonition about the future which he shared with the FMAdigest
on several things. This was his account of a past premonition he has
had.

Review of Grandmaster Crispulo Atillo Seminars

March 10, 2007
KAMP Karate
Souderton, PA.

March 11, 2007

Amerikick School
N.E. Philadelphia, PA.

By: Jerome Barber, Ed. D.

Director & Principal Instructor
Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates

Grandmaster Crispulo Atillo is a high energetic dynamo

whose appetite for teaching his Balintawak System can not be
whetted. The man is 69 years old, 5 2, 120 pounds of pure
dedication to his craft. The
Philadelphia Balintawak Seminar
Series was fantastic and highly
informative as Grandmaster Atillo
filled us in on the origins of the
system as he learned it from his
father, Vincente Atillo, with added
instruction from Delfine Lopez
and Venancio Bacon. According to Grandmaster Atillo,
Lorenzo Saavedra
Balintawak is merely a club name and the foundation of the
art is derived from the teachings of the Saavdras, Lorenzo
and Teodoro (Doring).
The Balintawak System is based on the Saavedra
Eskrima System which was founded by Lorenzo Saavedra,
who in turn taught his nephew Doring, Vincente Atillo,
Delfine Lopez and Venancio Bacon through both the
Labong Fencing Club and later the Doce Pares Club of
Teodoro Doring Saavedra

Cebu. The latter 3 men separated from the Doce Pares Club after WWII and in 1952
along with about 25 others from the Saavedra lineage founded the Balintawak Self
Defense Club in 1952. Young Crispulo Atillo was a charter member of the newly formed
club at the age of 14. His eskrima training had begun 5 years earlier under his father
Vincente. The club was named after the street where the club was located and the training
took place. In 1973, the BSDC, broke up into 5 separate factions, in part because of a
physical fight between the younger Crispulo Atillo and the clubs chief instructor,
Grandmaster Venancio Bacon. One of the new divisions of the Balintawak training
groups was the Atillo wing under Vincente and Crispulo.
With that history out of the way, we began the
Saturday training and quickly covered the basics of
stances, footwork, stick grip, strike placement and
blocking format. The blocking format led into the
blocking and counter-striking exercises using the 10
strike system of the Atillo System. Next Grandmaster
Atillo covered the 4 methods system of counter
striking, using the first 4 strikes of the system. There
are 4 counters for each stick strike and these consist of
blocking:
1. One countering without touching the stick,
2. Countering while touching the stick.
3. Countering while touching the opponents hand.
L to R: Guro Richard Curren
4. Direct stick countering while checking.
Grandmaster Crispulo Atillo
Dr. Jerome Barber

The next phase of the training involved a series

of 14 disarms from the forehand and backhand sides of the defensive position. Next we
were taught the basic sparring exercises. These exercises went through 8 steps and the
previously taught disarms were then added to the sparring drill at the appropriate places.
The Sunday seminar was a morning session only event and Grandmaster Atillo
covered just the 14 disarms. Grandmaster Atillo is an extremely knowledgeable
practitioner who loves to teach. He was offering as much information as the most skilled
attendees could absorb, while keeping the lesser skilled people focused and attentive.

Over the past few years I have read a great deal of information regarding
Grandmaster Atillo and some of it was not very complimentary. The man is a lighting rod
of controversy because of his fight with Grandmaster Bacon and the fact that some
people want to contest his version of how the Balintawak Self Defense Club was
organized.
Quite frankly, Grandmaster Atillos version of the club founding and organization
seems quite logical and reasonable. All of the critics that Ive read thus far are
Americans. None of these people have offered any credible data to support their
contentions that Grandmaster Atillo is in error.
The common theme of the critics seems to be that Grandmaster Atillo is trying to
steal the credit from Grandmaster Venancio Bacon by claiming Balintawak as his own
system. Theyve failed to read/listen carefully. Both Grandmaster Bacon and
Grandmaster Vincente Atillo studied under Lorenzo and Doring Saavedra. Both
Grandmaster Bacon and Grandmaster V. Atillo were founders of the Balintawak Self
Defense Club in 1952. Therefore they were contemporaries and equals in the art although
Grandmaster Bacon was elected to serve as the Chief Instructor of the newly found
BSDC. Hence when the younger Crispulo Atillo claims his lineage under his father,
Vincente, from the Saavedras through the Balintawak Club of 1952, he is absolutely
correct. As a charter member, but definitely not a founding member of Balintawak,
Grandmaster Atillo is standing on solid ground. In no way does his claim interfere with
or diminish the lineage from Grandmaster Bacon to others who trained under him. They
are Balintawak people as well, but at the 1st, 2nd or 3rd generational level. Grandmaster
Atillo is 1st generation Balintawak both as a club member and student of his father.
Regarding the 10 strikes that Grandmaster Atillo teaches, he explained that it was
a way to separate his approach from Bacons and the 10 strikes corresponds to the
number of letters in the word Balintawak. The truth of the matter is found in the
applications of techniques and conceptual foundations on which the techniques based. In
actual truth, one can not change the principles on which Balintawak is founded. In reality
there are only 3 true strikes in Balintawak. All of the others are there for instructional
purposes so one can teach or learn the foundational principles of the art.
This past weekend was very informative and enlightening. I certainly gained a
greater appreciation of the art and science of Balintawak. I owe a great debt of
appreciation to Professor Remy Presas, for preparing me and many others through
Modern Arnis for the Balintawak System. I would also love to thank Grandmaster Bobby
Taboada for his insightful instruction in the art of Teovel Balintawak. Grandmaster
Bobby opened the door directly into the Balintawak System for me and others at Erie
Community College, Orchard Park, NY through a series of seminars and camps in the
mid to late 1990s. Now Ive had the opportunity to meet and train with the last charter
member of the 1952 Balintawak Self Defense Club, Grandmaster Crispulo Atillo.
I would also like to inform everyone that Grandmaster Atillo will be back in
Philadelphia in July 2007 for another seminar series. Ill be there because there so much
more to learn and he is more than willing to teach it. The man could have served as the
real life model for the Energizer Bunny! He was to work; he wants to train, morning,
noon and night. Are you ready for some training, serious, committed training? Then
Grandmaster Crispulo Atillo is your guy!

Ive got 4 months to put this weekends lessons into my practice routines and then
get some refinements and new stuff in July
I hope to see some of you at the July sessions.

Punong Guro Mark M. Santos

Advance Resource for Martial Arts Science
ARMAS
A fusion of martial arts incorporated into Arnis de Mano
What is ARMAS? It is the sharing of knowledge which will bring the
practitioners skills with reality in the martial arts and in the day to day confrontations of
life.
Armas separates the 3 aspects of martial arts which is exhibition, competition and
life and death confrontations. Yes ARMAS does exhibitions when invited to gatherings
and festivals, and they do competitions, (Sports Arnis). However the main outlook is to
teach for encounters in todays society.
Punong Guro Mark M. Santos began his training at a young age of 11, inspired by
his father who was a Greco Roman Wrestler. Punong Guro Santos is known for his
training in Jujitsu, Judo, Karate and Arnis. In each he has taken aspects to enhance
ARMAS, from judo he incorporates the rolls and falls, from Karate the blocks, strikes
and kicks, and for arnis he incorporates all, that he has been taught.
He trained with Grandmaster Ernesto for 10 years and also with Grandmaster
Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo for 2 years. He trained briefly with other Grandmasters and
Masters such as Grandmaster Jose Mena, Grandmaster Inocencio "Sioc" Y. Glaraga, and
Grandmaster Ben Lema just to mention a few. Master Santos is one of the most
knowledgeable instructors in Filipino martial
arts.
He emphasizes practicality and quality
not quantity of techniques. When a student
first commences his training with Punong
Guro Santos emphases is placed courtesy and
discipline, as the thought is on the physical
aspect is easy to learn with practice. However,
some practitioners when learning just a few
techniques thinks that is all there is to the
martial arts, when in fact it is not. For
responsibility of the knowledge gained is a
major factor in becoming a true Arnisador.
In teaching Punong Guro Santos begins
with arnis de mano and then incorporates what
he has learned from other arts, ensuring that
the student realizes the benefit and rationality
of the added techniques.
Punong Guro Santos works for the
Bureau of Customs in the Port of Manila,

Philippines. He taught at the NBI self defense training of agents. NBI is like the local
equivalent of the FBI in the states. Course included hand to hand combat and armed
scenarios.
He is the one who coined ARMAS of which he heads in the Philippines. Due to
his work schedule, he teaches the instructors that represent ARMAS in the Philippines.
Then they pass on their teachings to their students.
What can Punong Guro Mark Santos say to all? Come! Learn! Appreciate!

Team ARMAS participating at a tournament

Punong Guro Mark Santos, 2nd from the right.

Note: Punong Guro Mark Santos also was stationed as

Team Leader for Special Operations for 1 year in one
of the most dangerous places in the Philippines namely
Zamboanga, Jolo Sulu (home turf of the dreaded Abu
Sayaf) and other places in Mindanao.

ARMAS
Master Mark Santos
Bureau of Customs, Gate 3
South Harbor Port of Manila
Philippines
Email

Sports Arnis
Sports Arnis is about - contact/non-contact activity derived from Arnis de mano.

Guros Ariel Ramos, Jigs Zamora, and Stan Cantiller

Arnis is a martial art

discipline that was given birth in the
Philippines Islands. It began its roots
as a bladed combat art and now into
a stick fighting system, which
incorporates footwork, strikes, locks,
takedowns, throws, and expression
of cultural identity.
Like many martial arts
disciplines, the arnis system sets its
unique hallmark and identity in
oriental and western contingents in
bladed weaponry and hand to hand

combat.
Sports Arnis is an evolution of arnis martial arts into competitive sport, its main
goal is to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and discipline. The quest for excellence
and perfection of basic techniques is being pursued in this field of sports science.
Sports Arnis was developed from standards coming from Grandmasters Remy and
Ernesto Presas. Its concepts were originally put together; in 1992 at the Philippine
Science & Technology Center, but was not tested until 1994. The Philippine Science &
Technology Center has as an elective for physical education arnis. It is a two year
program. Each year a tournament is held, this is the testing ground for Sports Arnis and
its rules and regulations and to see if changes should be made.
Sports Arnis adapted the bladed concept of striking wherein every contact of the
stick to the opponents body creates equivalent points and converted it into a quantitative
and qualitative evaluation before securing a score. Every player is aware that delivering
an attack is a crucial decision wherein chances of counter attacks and hits are inevitable.
They have developed intuitive judgment and understanding for everything.
Sports Arnis believes that distance plays an important element of survival in the
field of tournament competition. The opponent perimeter once breached, simply shows
that a player is within an opponents reach. To complete a proper understanding of
distance, footwork and properties of space is observed, i.e. the way of attacking and
retracting. Making the opponent easier to move in taking the bait, and more difficult to
pull back or make a retreat. Serving an attack would take self-sacrifice. It is thought that
in this aspect the spirit of respect is being developed.
Officials Training
The nature of the sport is to observe the proper execution of offense and defensive
techniques. Rating this into a point system, in the execution of Anyos (forms), it is the
execution of Arnis de Mano in an artistic manner, with proper balance, techniques,
precision of movement and the spirit of the art.

To do this officials are gathered for a two day training session. The first day
consists of reviewing the rules and regulations, teaching the best points of observation
and what to observe to ensure a fair and unbiased officiating professionalism. The second
day consists of actual observation of sparring matches and anyos being preformed. This
actual physical observation and training enhances the referees and judges ability to
execute their duties in a professional manner ensuring that only the most proficiently
skilled competitors succeed and are truly demonstrating their skills as Arnisadors.

Overall, the universal philosophy of sportsmanship is adapted in this field of

physical activity. Amateur Sports Arnis is basically a contact sport in general. Indulging
in this type of activity develops physical dynamism, a winning mindset, martial arts skill,
balanced spiritual character, nationalism and humility.
President: Ramil Amparo
Vice President: Guro Ariel Ramos
Secretary: Guro Stan Cantiller
Treasurer: Guro Jigs Zamora

mandirigma.org
Saturday, August 14th, 2004
The 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments
By David T. Vivit, 1LT, AUS (Ret)
Laging Una Sulung

Part II
Bahala Na
This secret organization was conceived by General MacArthur and his staff even
as they were being evacuated from the Philippines to Australia in March 1942. They
knew that parts of the Islands remained under guerilla control and somehow a link must
be established between them and his headquarters. The problem was where to procure the

personnel for this "clandestine" unit, the nucleus of which was already in Australia with a
handful of officers and men - patients and crew from a hospital ship - who volunteered to
go back.
The problem was conveniently solved by the 1st and 2nd Filipino Regiments. In
early 1943 Major General (then Colonel) Courtney Whitney, MacArthur's closest adviser,
came to the regiments to ask for volunteers. From among the many who volunteered,
were picked the Filipino officers and men of this elite organization. Soon a few officers
and men were sent directly to Australia to join the volunteers from the Philippines to
form the 5217th Reconnaissance Battalion, "clandestine" which later became the 1st
Reconnaissance Battalion (Special). They set up camp in Tagragalba just outside
Beaudesert, fifty miles south of Brisbane. After weeks of training and operating under
Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) the first party was sent to the Philippines in October
1943.
Meanwhile, in California a group of enlisted men were sent to the Army Signal
School at Camp Crowder, Missouri, from there they were sent to Australia to man the
Signal Co., one of the two companies of the 5217th Battalion. A larger group of officers
and men were sent to the Army Language School at the Presidio of Monterey. Here they
learned elementary Japanese, Japanese ship and aircraft recognition and sailing. These
were the officers and men who formed the other bigger company, the Reconnaissance
Co. After three months this first big contingent of officers and men were shipped to
Australia, arriving there in November 1943 just before the second party left for the
Philippines. Other groups followed them from the Regiments through Monterey until the
company was brought up to its authorized strength.
In Australia, with their war cry "Bahala Na" (Come What May!), they went
through intensive and extensive training under the Australian Army. First they went to
the tough jungle school of Canungra where they set new hiking endurance records
through mosquito and leech infested mountains and rivers. From there they went to the
equally tough SEA WARFARE School on Frazer Island where they learned swimming,
underwater demolition, sabotage and guerilla tactics.
In July 1944, a cadre of one officer and five non-commissioned officers arrived
from the 82nd Airborne Division in Italy to train a group of men for a pre-invasion
mission of sabotage and communication disruptions. Now hardened, the men were ready
for the toughest of all their training. But they lacked adequate facilities and proper
training aids (they improvised their own C-47 mock door and didn't have a tower to
practice jumping) and this coupled with the Australian pilot's inexperience caused the
large number of "casualties", probably a record, in the first class' qualifying jumps. But
this didn't daunt the volunteers, for the bigger second class fared better.
While all this training was going on , more parties were being sent to the Islands.
Parties of ten to thirty officers and men were outfitted in Brisbane and flown to Darwin
where they took the submarines - the same ones which evacuated President Quezon and
his exiled Commonwealth Government and the gold bullion from Corregidor to the U.S.
A few Philippine Army officers were brought back to Australia from the guerrilla bands
to lead some of the parties back to the Islands.
There were nine parties sent, the last one in a Destroyer. This was the party that
raised the American flag in Homonhom Island three days before MacArthur landed in
Leyte on October 27, 1944. The eighth and last submarine was sunk without a survivor

by our own planes in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the greatest Naval battle in history.
The paratroopers who were supposed to be the last and biggest party were never dropped
because the invasion was advanced two months ahead of the original MacArthur planned
invasion in Mindanao.
After the long and dangerous voyage through the Japanese blockade, the
submarines landed in guerrilla controlled areas (as depicted in the motion picture "Back
to Bataan"), although in some cases the reception was not quite as pleasant as in the
picture. But this was the best part of this mission. After landing, the soldiers became
civilians and disguised as fishermen, they fanned out through the length and breadth of
the Islands in sail or just plain row boats.
In co-operation with the guerrillas whom they supplied with much needed
medicines, small arms, ammunition, food, cigarettes and that rare wartime commodity
called whiskey (later they brought and circulated the "I Shall Return" magazine and the
new and legal "Liberty" peso bills to further confuse the enemy) the men of the Signal
Company set up radio stations while the men of the Recon Co., posing as fishermen,
farmers, merchants, taxi and caretela drivers and mess boys working in Japanese officers
clubs, including Yamashita's, gathered the information. A few were caught and paid the
supreme penalty meted out to spies. This information was sent to guerrilla headquarters
in Mindanao which relayed it through Darwin and to MacArthur's headquarters in
Brisbane.
On this military intelligence was based MacArthur's strategy for the invasion of
the Islands. When he "returned" to Leyte, the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion's mission was
practically over. But the men didn't stop there. They went on to supply important
information which led to decisive battles and engaged in commando tactics, blowing up
bridges and ammo dumps.
For their splendid accomplishments, the "Commandos" of the "Balaha Na!"
Battalion earned General MacArthur's individual and Unit Commendations and the U.S.
Presidential Unit Citation. But curiously enough it was awarded the Philippine
Presidential Unit Citation for its work in the Resistance Movement.
Because of the limited space in the submarines (started with three and ended up
with one) which were loaded with supplies and because the invasion was advanced two
months ahead, not all the officers and men saw action in the Philippines. It was for the
Korean War to prove the mettle of these well trained but battle untested men. Besides two
who were killed, that unexpected war produced four outstanding "Bahala Na!" officers,
two of them paratroopers - all heroes in their own right.

FMA Past Events

MARPPIO Modern Arnis Seminar
February 3 & 4, 2007
By Chris Arena

Safety First Karate in University Place,

Washington, had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Remy Presas
Jr. The seminar was a great success and was the first ever
seminar that the school has ever hosted.
www.modernarnis.com

We have been blessed in the

University / Tacoma Washington area to
have one of the most outspoken and
skilled Modern Arnis practitioners, Datu
Kelly S. Worden as the pivot able
Filipino martial art player in the Tacoma
area. Datu Worden has taken this art to
new levels through his NSI Organization.
It was through his efforts that we all have
had the pleasure of meeting and training
Dr. Presas and student Brandon Kortenbach.
with Dr. Remy Presas Jr. in Tacoma WA,
every year since MARPPIO has been established. In an effort to help our local
practitioners develop their skills, we have invited Dr. Remy Presas Jr. to come to our area
during the winter season as well, thus giving our local players two seminars yearly. Once
in the summer, hosted by Datu Worden and once in the winter at our school as a
continuing opportunity to brush up and develop our skills.
Unfortunately Datu Worden was unable to
attend due to a conflicting NSI seminar he was
committed to back east. In his place, he sent some of
his top students, Guro Ken Smith, Tito George Hoover
and Radio Bob McKloskey over to assist. Their
contributions went a long way in helping to make our
gathering a seminar that all of us will remember for
some time.
Dr. Remy Presas took the time during this
seminar to review the Tapi-Tapi / Visidario / Dulo sa
Radio Bob, Dr. Presas
Dulo skills that he has been focusing on over the past
and Chris Arena.
two summer seminars with Datu Worden. The
Participants spent two days working on these techniques. It was an awesome
indoctrination for the new players and welcome review to those of us who were regulars
from the past.

The seminar, according to one of our attendees, and Safety First Karate head
instructor, Bill Kortenbach on his first experience to witness the skill level of Dr. Remy
Presas Jr. brought to the table was beyond any seminar he ever attended. This is a strong
statement from a 6th degree Isshin Ryu instructor with 35 years experience!
Dr. Presas, over the past two years, has been instructing the finer points of
trapping and joint locking techniques that are deep within Modern Arnis. This is not
something you can easily get in one seminar. His method appears to be that of coming to
a school, observing the level of players in that particular area and working them up. This
method of instruction takes a lot more time and effort than presenting a canned stick
seminar.
Each school gets to grow at the speed of its attendees. It is up to us as instructors
to use our past experiences gained from our teachers, the tapes of the father and son to
build the basics. Then, when the seminar arrives, we have students capable of keeping
up. At present, this approach has worked well for us in the Tacoma / University place
Washington state area. It is our goal to be growth orientated and help to build Modern
Arnis as a respected and recognized martial art in our portion of the US.

Our own auntie Ginny,

with the blade!

Dr. Wiley and Sensei Bill Kortenbach.

www.safetyfirstpps.org

Even an old grandfather

gets to play, He went that away!

Safety First Personal Protection

Strategies
(A Non-Profit Corporation)
8307 27th Street W
University Place, WA 98466
(253) 223-6769 or (253) 495-2985
Email

39th Annual Sama Sama Captures Spirit of Family

By Stacy Desideri

On Sunday, February 17, 2007, Senkotiros

Demonstrations
International celebrated the spirit of family at the 39th
Annual Sama Sama. Senkotiros International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of
cultural awareness and the Philippine Martial Arts.
Celebrated every winter, this gathering celebrates
family, togetherness, and the deadly beauty of
Senkotiros, the art of the solo baston.
Over 300 people from across the nation
gathered to attend the Sama Sama, held at the San
Leandro Convention center in San Leandro, California.
Students from Delaware, Texas, Central California and
the bay area enjoyed delicious foods, good music, and
demonstrations of martial prowess. The
demonstrations showcased martial artists of all ages
Professor Max Pallen
and belt levels. All weapons were highlighted, ranging
from open hand to sword, from knife to rubber
chicken. "Innovation from the different schools
demonstration programs makes the whole night very
special to all, stated Professor Max Pallen,
Grandmaster of Senkotiros International, knowing
what it meant to perform with passion dedicated to the
entire Pallens Martial Arts, Senkotiros organization as
a family". The demonstrations highlighted the strength,
Lakan preformed a bladed sayaw
skill, and heart of the Senkotiros organization. The
highlight of the evening for the audience was the
demonstration from Grandmaster Pallen, where he kept
the audience laughing and gasping with the thrill of
watching him summarily take apart the highest ranking
students.
In order to raise monies in support of a training
facility in Cebu, Philippines, a raffle was held thanks,
in part to Banuelos Kenpo Martial Arts, with matching
Davis students.
donations from Tiger Claw. Shauna Okusako, one of
the lakan of Senkotiros International, exclaimed The raffle was fun and exciting and
seemed to amp up the energy in the room. The cornerstone of the raffle was a pair of
beautiful swords, donated by Pallens Martial Arts, Davis, owned by Manoi Jim Trapani,
Simu Lorie Trapani, and Manoi Richard Bacciarini. Photos journaling the development
of the training facility were shared with all.
The Sama Sama event started early in the day, with a special seminar hosted by
Grandmaster Max Pallen which included Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts and Master
Roger Agbulos.

Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts

Master Roger Agbulos

This seminar was attended by students throughout northern California. One young
student, Daniel Scanell, explained why this was such a great time. The seminar was
really cool because the different styles were cool in their own way. Plus the techniques
were incredible and can be used in different ways that can be helpful.

Promotion to Lakan Isa

This event also honored new initiates to the Senkotiros

disciples. These students celebrate their promotion to the ranks
of the Lakan, students who train with the Grandmaster of
Senkotiros himself. In addition, 9 students were promoted to the
rank of Lakan Isa. Daniel Bregante was a little overwhelmed
about the promotion. Receiving the belt felt incredible but I was
a little nervous at first but then it was just an amazing feeling.
Other students found this a powerful moment in the life
of a martial artist. Initiation into the Lakan program was a
memorable and rewarding experience. I am honored to train with
Professor and see where this journey takes me, said Rey
www.senkotiros.org
Morales. Overall, the banquet was an incredible evening for all.
Whether standing on the stage, or sitting in the audience, everyone left with one
feeling in mind - we are family, Keep your eyes on the calendar - next years 40th
annual Sama Sama promises to be another memorable evening!

IESA Intensive Serrada Seminar

And
Martial Arts Movie Stunt Workshop
March 15-17, 2007
By Rebecca Light

Two important seminars by the International Eskrima

Serrada Association were held recently at the East West Wing
Chun Kung Fu dojo in downtown Oakland, CA. The first
seminar was a Serrada Intensive led by Pangulong Guro
Sultan Shaykh Uddin, founder of the International Eskrima
Serrada Association (IESA). This event took place on
Thursday night, March 15th, and was well attended by
teachers and students from IESA; Universal Martial Arts
www.sultanuddin.com Academy (UMAA); Mandala Mandirigma Kali (MMK); and
the East West Wing Chun Kung Fu dojo. The second seminar was the Martial Arts Movie
Stunt Workshop on Saturday, March 17th. This workshop was led by Pangulong Sultan
Shaykh Uddin of IESA with the participation of movie producer/director and IESA
Guro Christopher Broughton of Broughton Productions Inc.
The Intensive Serrada
Seminar was a great evening of
hard training and camaraderie.
The focus was real life combat
applications of Serrada stick
and empty hand techniques.
Variations of outside and inside
sweep counters-using head
strikes, kicks, and takedownswere gone over in depth.
Students practiced the
techniques both with and
without sticks. Pangulong Guro
L-R: Chief Maestro Brandon Jordan (MMK), Christopher
Sultan emphasized taking the
Broughton (Broughton Productions Inc/IESA), Pangulong
offensive by exploding into
Guro Sultan "Shaykh" Uddin (IESA) and ProfessorPunong Guro James Hundon (UMAA/IESA/MMK).
each attack and counterattack,
never letting your opponent take the upper hand.
Pangulong Guro Sultan also demonstrated aspects of Pusaka Gayong Silat
throughout the evening, giving subtle lessons in angles of attack, footwork, and timing
that were related to the Serrada techniques being taught. The evening ended with some
simple sparring, putting into practice the principle of taking and keeping the offensive in
a fight. People stayed to socialize and practice even more for hours after the seminar.
The Martial Arts Movie Stunt Workshop was a chance for martial artists to learn
how to fight in front of the camera, both in choreographed routines and non-rehearsed
moves. Students practiced realistic strikes and fall stunts. Chief Maestro Brandon Jordan
of MMK performed a beautiful carrenza, or spontaneous free form personal expression of

Mandala Mandirigma Kali. Professor-Punong Guro James Hundon of UMAA

demonstrated Small Circle Jujitsu takedowns and joint and finger lock flows on a couple
of his students-flowing effortlessly into fluid and subtle angles of attack. Director
Christopher Broughton was on hand, filming clips of everything and conducting
interviews. All of this was in preparation for upcoming martial arts movie projects to be
announced at a later date.
Everybody involved in these two seminars was very excited about participating
and about future IESA events.

BaHad ZuBu
March 24 & 25, 2007
Jacksonville, Florida,
The Mangtaas Era
Punong Guro Michael Blackgrave presented the BaHad ZuBu curriculum to a
solid group of open minded individuals at the World Martial Arts Center owned and
operated by Guro Kenny Barry. During the two day event the intuitiveness of BaHad
ZuBu was emphasized.
Punong Guro Blackgrave paid
strict attention to freedom of
expression within the techniques given,
when asked about the flexibility of the
curriculum he had this to say In
combat nothing is a given, if you over
think it will lead to over action thus
placing you into a stagnant zone where
your thinking not doing, in Bahad
ZuBu we stress the intuitiveness
aspect where each individual is going
to give the proper answer with motion which is inherently their own. We can not make a
290lb. man move like a 180 lb. man to do so would be a lie and cheapening the strengths
of the system. We in BaHad ZuBu look at violence in this manner, it is simply a
question asked with motion driven by intent and with this our response must be a simple
answer of motion with overriding intent, I know it sounds difficult but it is truly easy and
natural.
On day two of the seminar Bankaw Sibat was taught, the bankaw is a weapon
measured proportionately from the belly button to the floor, thus each individuals
bankaw will be a bit different depending on height. During this portion of the seminar
Punong Guro Blackgrave, drilled the folks in sensitivity of the weapon and the proper
body mechanics to drive said weapon. The bankaw is a diverse weapon according to
Punong Guro Blackgrave, it can be used as a single handed weapon, or a two handed
weapon, it can be used to crush or capture depending on your intent. What many people
do not realize is that the bankaw is also the precursor to kampilan which is a precursor to
the empty hands. Punong Guro Blackgrave added this, while I was training with Master
Yuli Romo he told me that the kampilan when trained and studied properly is an in depth
system that contains not only the blade work but also bankaw as well as the empty hands,
Master Yuli is a leading authority on indigenous weaponry and there usage and his
reputation and knowledge are impeccable.
The most important thing that took place during the two day event was the
building of bridges between practitioners of Filipino martial arts. Jacksonville has some
hidden gems in their martial arts community Punong Guro Blackgrave said, they just
have to be dug out and brought to the dance. Bahad ZuBu also has Dr. Steve Villanueva
in the area who is a certified Guro under Maestro Yuli Romo, he is the man folks should
get in contact with down here, he is extremely busy but he is a hidden gem and a fountain
of knowledge not only in BaHad ZuBu but also in the internal arts of China.

The following email was sent to Punong Guro Blackgrave after the Jacksonville
seminar. I just wanted to thank you for the excellent seminar. Due to time constraints, I
have never gone to something like that. It was awesome. Although I have only been
working on my Filipino martial arts about a month, I probably learned more that day than
I had in my entire data bank. This will really help me as I have been struggling as a JKD
guy learning Inosanto Kali. Looking forward to the next time you come in town. Let me
know if you and your wife decide to move here and I'll do whatever I can to help you get
set up.
Thanks again, Kevin Long
This is what it is all about said Punong Guro Blackgrave, people learning, having
fun, and developing as martial players as well as human beings, this to me is as good as
gold. Punong Guro Blackgrave would like to thank the following people, Guro Isa Dan
Hudson a close friend and a hell of a nice guy, without Dans hard work and love for
Filipino martial arts this event wouldnt have taken place also Chris Kofstad a young fire
starter within the Filipino martial arts scene, his hospitality is much appreciated.

World Martial Arts

2375 Saint John's Bluff Rd. S. Suite 102
Jacksonville, Florida
Website
BaHad ZuBu
Punong Guro Michael Blackgrave
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 383-3059
Email
Website

IMAFP
Referees and Judges Certified
By Samuel Dulay

March 24 & 25, 2007 - IMAFP Sports Arnis Rule Seminars Pana-ad sports complex Bacolod City, conducted by Senior
Guro Paulo Motita
IMAFP was in the Visayas Region for a couple weeks
for arnis seminars and tournaments in the provinces of
www.imafp.com
Bacolod, Iloilo and in Kalibo, Aklan to update certified
Referees and Judges of the 2007 Revised Arnis Rules in Competition and Technicals as
well as, strengthen the Modern Arnis group in Western Visayas, Philippines.
This program is in preparation for "Professor Remy A. Presas Cup" 1st World
Modern Arnis Tournament scheduled for November 2007.

1st Day Class

2nd Day Class

Apprentice Officials

Lectures

Actual Training

PNP Dinner Party Demonstration

March 29, 2003
By Mark Lawrence

The Philippine National

Police (PNP) graduated the 62nd
class of Public Safety Officers
Senior Executive class. This class
was 6 months long and finished
with a week long training seminar
with the US Federal Law
Enforcement and the LAPD. The
1 week seminar hoisted by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation
here in the Los Angeles area.
During the week long
training here in Los Angeles, the
PNP received training from the
FBI, the US Secret Service and

Members of PNP and the FBI headed by Special Agent

Mike Paysan with Philippine movie star Ronnie
Ricketts, Bruce Ricketts, and Master Felix Roiles.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Radio Manila located in Eagle Rock area of
Los Angeles hosted a graduation party for them.
Ms. Awee Abayari contacted
some members of the Filipino
community for some entertainment. She
brought in the action movie star Ronnie
Ricketts. Ronnie is the Philippines
Jackie Chan of the martial arts and action
star. She had Christopher Ricketts and
his son, Bruce come do a great
demonstration of Kali Ilustrisimo style
for the FBI and the PNP. She had
members of Team PAKAMUT under
Ronnie Ricketts, Bruce Ricketts
Master Felix Roiles show a traditional
Master Felix and hostess Ms Awee Abayari.
Sayaw (dance) form by Michael
Lawrence. Master Roiles and Kris Paragas demonstrated (Soli Olisi) single stick
techniques, knife (Daga) techniques and ASP (collapsible telescoping baton) in place of
single stick techniques. Master Felix showed the use of stick grappling/ control (Olisi
Layog o Bugno) techniques against an armed (with stick or knife) individual.
Guro Marc Lawrence provided the narration and explanation of the techniques for
the audience. Other members of the Filipino martial arts community came to greet and
celebrate the PNPs graduation. They was Bud Balani, Master Joe Tan, Arnold Noche,
Dino Flores, and Guro Jay de Leon. Everyone all agreed the lechon, pansut and the other
food was very delicious.

L-R: Standing Bud Balani, Master Christopher Ricketts, Ron Ricketts, Master Felix Roiles,
Master Joe Tan, Bruce Ricketts, Guro Marc Lawrence, Guro Jay de Leon, and Arnold Noche.
Kneeling: Dino Flores.

First Santa Barbara Invitational Arnis Tournament

Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City
April 1, 2007
In line with the national goals of
giving our youth the opportunity to develop
their skills and talents, the Santa Barbara
Modern Arnis Club (Jun Tanalgo )with the
cooperation Hon. Isabelo J. Maquino,
Municipal Mayor of Santa Barbara hosted
the First Santa Barbara Invitational Arnis
Tournament last April 1, 2007 at Santa
Barbara Covered Court. The aims of this
activity is to promote Arnis as an alternative
martial arts, develop discipline, respect, selfconfidence, sportsmanship and to let our youth to stay away from drugs which one of the
menace of our country. This was supported by different Arnis clubs the Passi City Arnis
Club by Victor Seguiban, Miag-ao Arnis Club by Juel Fantillo, Philippine Traditional
Arnis by Reggie Navarro, Iloilo National High School Arnis Club by Jolius Plondaya,
Arnis Philippines by Bonnie Celendro, Cabatuan Arnis Association by Melicio Balberde,
and IMAFP Main Gym Iloilo by Guro Roy De Leon.
Results of the tournament:
Laban Girls 42kls and Below:
Gold - Demi Brown Of Passi City Arnis Club
Silver - Irish Dagucon of Arnis Philippines
Bronze - Gladen Gabut of Sta.Barbara Modern Arnis Club
Bronze - Jean Santillan of Sta. Barbara Modern Arnis Club

Laban Girls 45KLS and Below:

Gold - Jamil Camora of Sta. Barbara Modern Arnis Club
Silver-- Dencel Cryss Dulogildo of Sta. Barbara Modern Arnis Club
Bronze-- Justine Miles Dulogildo of Sta. Barbara Modern Arnis Club
Bronze-- Yla Joy Jangayo of Passi City Arnis Club

Laban Girls 50kls and Below:

Gold - Rachel Ann Beliza of IMAFP Main Gym Iloilo
Silver - Julian Panpag of Passi City Arnis Club
Bronze - Michelle Surmieda of Sta.Barbara Modrn Arnis Club
Bronze - Christine Joy Trabado of Cabatuan Arnis Association

Laban Girls 55kls and Below:

Gold - Mary Jenelle Lysa of Cabatuan Arnis Association
Silver - Shelley Mae Sulapas of Passi City Arnis Club
Bronze - Jee Ann Espeja of Passi Arnis Club
Broze - Sher Margaret Salcedo of Cabatuan Arnis Association

Laban Boys 45kls and Below:

Gold - MIke Oscares of Sta. Barbara Modern Arnis Club

Silver - Rigel Tabuada of Passi City Arnis Club
Bronze - Reynald Aldea of Sta. Barbara Modern Arnis Club

A Tribute to Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite

April 7 & 8, 2007
Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
By Marc Lawrence
Event Photographer by: Victor Gendrano Jr.

On April 7th, 2007 members of LAMECO met for

fellowship and training, at their gathering in Van Nuys. The
www.lamecoeskrima.com
MC for the event was Roger Agbulos a member of backyard
group. The event was called the LAMECO All Stars and it was held to honor the memory
of Edgar Sulite, the Punong Guro of LAMECO. The late Edgar Sulite passed away on
April 10, 1996.
Training was held in Van Nuys at the AIRTEL Plaza Hotel.
Saturday: April 7, 2007
Guro Dave Gould - www.lamecoforum.org
Guro Dino Flores and Guro Bud Balani - www.mandirigma.org
Guro Steven Grody - www.grody-jkd-kali.bigstep.com
Guro Roger Agbulos
Master Christopher Ricketts, Bruce Ricketts - www.bakbakan.com
Sunday: April 8, 2007
Master Christopher Ricketts and Bruce Ricketts
Master Felix Valencia - www.valencialameco.com
Special Presentation: Torqueblade by Mike Macro - www.torqueblade.com
Sparring Clinic (all instructors and participants)
LAMECO S.O.G. Members also in Attendance: Mar Elepano, Bryant Emerson, Steve
Tarani, Arnold Noche, Gary Quan, and Choy Flores.

Learn more and download the Special Issue

E-Book: Click Here
PDF: Click Here

Basic Self Defense Training Course for Girls

April 9 - May 3, 2007
San Agustin Elementary School Covered Court
Novaliches, Quezon City
A pilot project of:
Young Womens Christian Association of Quezon City, Philippines
Undertaken by:
Philippine Jendo Association
- Headed by Grandmaster Jonathan Makiling Abaya
San Mateo-Rizal Jendo Association
- Headed by Guro Michael Bryan Alegria
In cooperation with the:
San Agustine Elementary School
Hon. Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista of Quezon City
Grandmaster Abaya being introduce to Quezon City
Disrict Supervisor (middle) by YWCA National
Chairman for Ways and Means (right-most) Atty.
Bienvenida Gruta. Standing in the middle beside GM
Abaya, is San Agustine Elementary School Principal
and YWCA Quezon City Vice President, Mrs. Eloisa
Pea.

Grandmaster speaking during the opening

of the self-defense course.

YWCA Quezon City President Atty. Jean Puno.

YWCA National Chairman for Ways and

Means - Atty. Bienvenida Gruta.

San Agustine Elementary School Principal and YWCA

Quezon City Vice President - Mr. Eloisa Pea

Grandmaster Abaya and his Jendo Trainers, together with the officials of the YWCA Officers.

Philippine Jendo Association, Inc.

16 Mariveles St.
City of Mandaluyong, Philippines 1550
(632) 717-2782
63 (917) 366-7061
Email
www.philjendo.com

P-3 Waycross Journal-Herald, Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Police Here Get Crash Course

In Filipino Warrior Artform
It originated in the southern Philippines, it is known as BaHad ZuBu and it is
steeped in the culture of Filipino warrior arts.
A four-hour crash course for Waycrosss finest a week or so ago would, it was
hoped, give officers a positive slice of what BaHad ZuBu has to offer.
The Waycross Police Department was the guinea pig class for Michael
Blackgrave - a Punong Guro (master teacher) - in the martial art form BaHad ZuBu.
He explained that BaHad Zubu is a combat system that is blade-oriented,
impact weaponry-oriented and empty hand-oriented.
But it is not to be learned and used irresponsibly.
BaHad Zubu is more than killing and fighting its also life and living. Its
about keeping yourself safe. You must learn the culture or it is simple brutality, said
Blackgrave, of San Antonio, Texas.
San Hudson, who is a private martial arts teacher in Blackshear and an apprentice
in the Filipino arts, arranged to bring Blackgrave to Waycross to conduct a seminar - four
intense hours - to men and women of the Waycross Police Department. It was conducted
at the City Auditorium.
Waycross is the very first police
department I have instructed in police
capture and control tactics (PCCT), a subsystem of BaHad Zubu, said
Blackgrave, the first American to debut
the technique.
His 42 students included the
Waycross PD SWAT Team, the chief of
police and anybody else.
After the seminar, Hudson and
Blackgrave pronounced it a success. Said
Waycross Police Department training officer
Blackgrave; There was not an officer I
Capt. Leslie Stalvey (left) and Capt. Chris
instructed this morning who did not come
Tatum (director of field operations) thank
out with (at least) three things I taught
Michael Blackgrave, martial arts master
them. Im not teaching martial arts, I am
teacher, for conducting a seminar here.
giving than a gift of empowerment.
I want them to take the concepts I gave then and meld them to police tactics and
make it blend and flow and make it their own. What I do is take the complete system and
tweak it and gear it down.
Like many Oriental-based martial art forms, BaHad Zubu relies to a great extent
on using leverage turning force against itself.

When it comes down to a combat situation, Blackgrave said, You answer your
question of motion with a proper answer in motion. Outside of that, youre thinking too
much. In other words it doesnt matter if a guy is 6-5 or 5-2. This is not techniqueoriented. Its based on simple basic concepts of
movement. The women (in Waycross) picked it
up really quickly.
He said that BaHad Zubu Grandmaster
Epifanio Yuli Romo Jr., his master instructor in
the Philippines, is one of the BaHad Zubu
legends. He is literally a living treasure over
there, Blackgrave said.
Blackgrave is a U.S. Army veteran with a
BaHad ZuBu
good service record. He has also worked in the
Punong
Guro
Michael Blackgrave
nightclub security field. He has just started his
San Antonio, Texas
25th year in training in the martial arts.
(210) 383-3059
The instructor has earned teaching honors
Email
in four different arts ranging from Japanese to
Website
Filipino arts.

Festival of Filipino Martial Arts

at
SM North Edsa
April 13, 2007
By Peachie Baron Saguin
Photography By Wilma Dulay

Website
This was the first of many SM Mall
demonstrations and gatherings scheduled for April and May of 2007.
An event, which demonstrated some of the finest Filipino martial arts in the
Philippines, this was an event that showed a unity of styles and a brotherhood of Filipino
martial arts.
With the special participation of the band ANAK

Lead and Vocals: Jeriko Aguilar, Lead and Vocals: Carlos Saguin,
Drums: JR Evangelista and Base: Gerby Dator

PIGSSAI

Engr. Jose Dion Diaz

- Doblete Rapilon
- Tropical Sikaran - Arnis Gym
- Phil. Jendo Association
- Yoyo

IMAFP
Kali Arnis International
Kali Sports Demo Team - PNP
Mink Mongoose Isabela Arnis Team
Kali Integrated Martial Arts (KIMA)
Arkado International
Warriors Martial Arts - LSAI Bicutan
Arnis Association International Inc. (AAII)
Waldas 3-5-7 Kali System
PLV Virulents Tigers Kali Zubu
AKETS
Buenamano LESKAS
Dekiti Tersia
Bahaghari smahang Manlilikha

Golden Gate International Tournament

Hosts Philippine Martial Arts Events
Airport Mariott Burlingame, CA.
April 13 - 15, 2007
By Stacy Desideri

The 2007 Golden Gate International hosted a day of

fast and furious stick work in April. Over 45 competitors
tested their skill against each other, competing in both
sayaw and fighting. Children and adult divisions were
filled with fighters all striving to reach new levels in their
skill development.
A few Escrimadors competed in traditional sayaw.
The rest of the day was filled with stick fighting. Starting
with padded point, the competition progressed through live
fighting. The childrens division was very large, with many
first timers exploring the art. Refereed by the lakan of
Senkotiros International, the fights gave the new students
an opportunity to experience the fast paced action of point
fighting.
In the art of point fighting, students
attempt to strike with rapid blows the shallow
bone areas, body and head. A body blow will earn
a competitor two points; a head shot three points.
Striking the arms or shins will earn one point.
Strategy involves circling movements with rapid
fire retracting strikes, allowing a competitor to
attack and move immediately back to a defensive
position. For fighter safety, no thrusting strikes or
strikes to the neck are allowed. Fights go to five
points.
Continuous fighting calls for a different
style of attack. Rolling continuous combinations are a fighters best strategy, with
footwork carrying the fighter in and out of danger zones. Fights are scored on a 10 point
must system. Disarms are considered a penalty, with the second disarm resulting in a
point to the other fighter. Three disarms in one fight results in a technical knock out.
Live fighting mirrors the
continuous fight, with the involvement of
the live hand becoming a powerful ally.
Checking, striking, and moving in a
circular motion keeps the fighter at the
edge of competition. Both first timers and
experienced fighters alike thrilled the
crowd on the center stage of the
tournament. The Philippine martial arts are
reaching new heights of development in the world tournament scene. Training seminars

and opportunities abound for those interested in learning more about the Philippine
fighting arts.
The tournament was sponsored by AMAPA, led by Jordan
and Felipa Pallen. The Lakan of Senkotiros International;
officiated the Philippine events, including traditional sayaw,
padded point, and live stickfighting. The fighting events
included both first timers and experienced divisions.

www.senkotiros.org

Essence of Combat Seminar

22 April 2007
By Yuriy Kalistratov

Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima European Representative, Grandmaster Frans Stroeven.

Modern warriors from North
Netherlands are gathered in a big sports
hall in Groningen, Holland for few hours
of intensive training with Grandmaster
Frans Stroeven.
People interested in realistic self
defense are naturally attracted to Filipino
martial arts not only because it is a cultural
wealth, but because of its effectiveness.
Frans Stroeven a 5th Dan in Cacoy Doce
Pares Eskrima and Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
instructor under Tim Tackett, who also
trained with Dan Inosanto and Larry Hartsell among others.
So a lot was expected from him. Training and learning was beyond expectations
and beyond what words can describe. Grandmaster Frans Stroeven is a man with sharp
humor, very clear in his teaching and his working relationship with students was also
very good. In his often irreverent, in your face style, he teaches a lot about such a
controversial topic as knife fighting. Stabbings occur every week in Holland and laws
about carrying weapons are oppressive, so people need this knowledge for real, not to
have some macho dream of being the formidable "Knife Fighter".
From the first moves you fully understood: this seminar is not for people that do
not have desire and fortitude for this realistic type training. I was very impressed by
Grandmaster Stroeven. His lighting speed, mean and brutal moves are showing that chaos

of combat is not a dance and instill respect for power of the blade. The knife is for sure
cultivates the warrior spirit and tap primal instincts. We were also taught how to fight
with empty hands against knife attacks, placing focus on stopping our attacker, and the
intelligence (in some cases) that is controlling it.
After a short break the training turned for a couple of hours to empty hand
fighting. Eskrima in the framework of JKD is truly powerful! Essential lessons are:
speed, ease, reflexes, condition, confidence, ruthlessness... And Grandmaster Stroeven
made it clear: effectiveness and training is up to the student. You have to defend yourself.
And that, JKD fighters can absorb a lot from the Filipino martial arts.
www.eskrima.nl

www.fightsystems.nl
www.docepareseskrima.eu

Filipino Combat Systems Seminar in PR

Featuring: Tuhon Ray Dionaldo
April 22 - 23, 2007
By J.C. Shannon

During the month of April, the island of

Puerto Rico hosted its annual Filipino Combat
Systems (FCS) seminar with Tuhon Ray Dionaldo.
The seminar was well attended, considering that
Filipino Combat Systems is a fairly new venue in
Puerto Rico; the instructor in charge is Guro Carlos
Pipo Lopez. Ray Dionaldo delved into some of
the Filipino Combat Systems fundamentals such as
flow, short range, and stick grappling; the
seminar also covered sarong, double sticks, knife
Tuhon Ray Dionaldo
and empty hands.
demonstrating disarming.
Dionaldo explained Filipino Combat Systems techniques, which seem complex to
beginners, in a simple, structured and progressive manner. People, who were first
exposed to Filipino Combat Systems or Kali in this seminar, were able to learn the
techniques and apply them as if they had been practicing for a while. The most
impressive thing was the informal, yet respectful, interaction between students and Ray
Dionaldo. He was very accessible and willing to explain and share his knowledge and
experiences. The atmosphere of the seminar was one of camaraderie and fun thanks to the
friendly personality of Dionaldo; participants called Ray by his name instead of relying
on some formal title or incessant kowtowing.

Guro Carlos Pipo Lopez

Showing Sombrada

Lakan Hernan "Rico" Cortes

Instructor Jose Seijo

The author would like to thank Carlos Lopez, Jose Seijo, Victor Canino and all
members of Filipino Combat Systems Puerto Rico.
Sponsored by: Puerto Rico Filipino Combat Systems Brotherhood
Jardines de Country Club
# L-3 calle 19
Carolina, PR 00983

FCS Kali in Puerto Rico

The Masters Club
Calle Carazo #132
Guynabo Pueblo
Puerto Rico
Email

Website

The 9th Commandments of Steel Seminar in Israel

9th Year
April 27 - 28, 2007
Caesarea, Israel
By Neta Shermister

On April 27 and 28, practitioners from Israel, US, Philippines, England,

Germany, Canada, Japan and Slovenia came over to Israel to attend the annual
commandments of steel seminar, on the shores of the ancient beautiful city of Caesarea.
This is the 9th year in a row that the renowned seminar for Filipino fighting blade oriented, is taking place in Israel, for all sharp edge lovers and Filipino martial arts
fans out there.
As of every year, CSSD arnis Israel (Common Sense
Self Defense) were pleases to host their grandmaster from the
states, Grandmaster Bram Frank. Grandmaster Frank has 10
CSSD branches around the world and is please to attend each
year the Commandments of Steel Seminar in Israel, which is
one of the biggest International gatherings in the world for this
field.
The Commandments of Steel is for the Second year part
of IMAFP event line up and is now endorsed as an official
event of both IMAFP
and World Brotherhood of Modern Arnis. As
Grandmaster Frank remarked: It is an honor to
know that our Blade camp / Arnis camp is
recognized as honoring our art, Modern Arnis and
Professor Remy Presas.
Grandmaster Bram Frank, the late Professor
Remy Presas student, was acknowledged as a
grandmaster and a head of a system (10th degree
black belt) and a specialist for blade work, by the
Grandmaster Frank pointing out the
Martial Arts Hall of Fame and declared by the
finer aspects of the technique.
prestigious magazine Tactical Knives as one of

the 10th specialists in the world for the knife fighting art.
This year, CSSD Israel was also pleased to honor a special seminar guest from the
Philippines, Grandmaster Bobby Silver Tabimina, one of the leading Masters in the world
for Balintawak, who teaches Tabimina Balintawak, and was the last student of
Balintawaks founder.
Apart from these two Grandmasters, two other well respected masters have taught
in the seminar, Borut Kincl head of Ryukyu Kempo Slovenia and Darren Davies, UK
Director of CSSD UK.
On the first day of the seminar, Grandmaster Frank had started with his blade
modular training, which is a variation of possible knife attacks integrated into small and
easy to lean drills. On the second day he put emphasis on impact tools such as the
Gunting and finished with an exciting bolo work. Grandmaster Frank has underlined the
importance of body mechanics and body movement, in order to get out of the way and to
occupy your rivals space. The attendants of seminar were appreciative of the possibility
of learning from Grandmaster Frank, their only regret is that it only happens once a
year...
These motion concepts were highlighted
by Grandmaster Tabimina who accentuated the
importance of knowing how to react under stress
and smelling your enemy. Grandmaster
Tabimina gave a class on the Philippine dulodulo, his charismatic presence and sharp body
movement had left the crowd at complete awe.
Master Borut Kincl, Special Forces
trainer, had left a shocking performance after
teaching the appliance of pressure points with
impact tools (such as the gunting, dulo-dulo etc)
and appliance in empty hand. Boruts education
Grandmaster Tabimina demonstrating on
plus his movement knowledge left all his hukes
Darren Davies, CSSD UK, Master.
stunned with bedazzlement. The
swiftness of his pressure points take
down is unforgettable. His height,
muscles and combative proficiency had
left everyone with admiration and a
feeling of wanting more (as they say in
the Philippines, bitin). But dont let his
killer look fool you, beneath that you
can see a smiling man with an
eagerness to share and learn.
Master Darren Davies had
Master Borut Kincl showing pressure points.
shown some gunting training
techniques, take downs and a bit of ground work. Darrens eloquent speech, explanation
manner and great personality have made him a favorite seminar guest, apart from his
fantastic skill, impressive athletic abilities and most importantly - modesty, for a master
of his level.

By night fall of the first day, all the

guests enjoyed spending together the night out
in Caesareas area. The evening started with
ancient scenic walk into the Roman city ruins
and ended with a bonding gathering for all,
with lots of drink, food and great company.
The atmosphere in the seminar was
amazing, a gathering of people who share the
same passion for blades and Filipino martial
arts and came from all over the world to share,
train together and find out more about this
fascinating art. A great fun was had by all!
However...it was not over there...in the following days, the abroad guests got to
tour Israel, they visited the old and distinguished Jerusalem, found out the depths of the
dead sea, tasted the wild night life of
Tel Aviv and much more...but of
course, how can you spend two weeks
without some more quality training?
Additional in-dept special classes were
given by these prominent Masters and
Grandmasters.
Special thanks are due to the
organizers of the seminar, Noa
Shermister Nakash and alone Aizenberg
who have toiled day and night to make
this dream come true.
Trip to the old city of Jerusalem
Furthermore, without CSSD
Israels Masters, Guy Refaeli and Yuval
Nehamkin, Israel would have never
experienced such quality Filipino
martial arts.
All the masters have been
invited to come back to Israel and
conduct more seminars, each in his
field. Moreover, The seminar was such
a success that people have already
started planning next years seminar,
the 10th commandments! See you all
next year in the holy land, where it all
started... (The commandments of
The dead sea
course, not FMA...).

CSSD Israel
CSSD Headquarters Grandmaster Frank
Tabimina Balintawak
CSSD UK
Ryukyu Kempo

www.arnis.co.il
www.cssdsc.com
www.tabiminabalintawak.com
www.cssdsc.co.uk
www.rksi.net

Grand Opening Headquarters

International Eskrima Serrada Association
April 28, 2007
By Beki Light

As of March 25, 2007, the official headquarters of

the International Eskrima Serrada Association (IESA) is at
the Universal Martial Arts Academy (UMAA) in Oakland,
CA. The IESA headquarters grand opening event was held
on April 28th at Pitts Martial Arts Academy (www.kpmaa.com) on Lakeshore Ave in
Oakland.
The IESA headquarters at UMAA will give a new platform for the development
of Eskrima Serrada in line with the teachings of Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales. The
close affiliation of UMAA and IESA also represents a very important development in the
world of martial arts. The combination of knowledge and experience between both
schools will lead to exciting new developments and projects. Both schools also share a
commitment to the true history of the African origin of all martial arts.
IESA was founded in 1989 by Pangulong Guro Sultan Shaykh Uddin with the
blessings of his teacher, the late Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales-founder of the art of
Eskrima Serrada. IESA directly represents the legacy of Great Grandmaster Cabales.
IESA teaches the art of Eskrima Serrada true to the way Great Grandmaster Angel
Cabales taught it where students master one strike counter at a time until they are
proficient enough to practice drills which lead into sparring. IESA emphasizes the correct
form of the techniques as taught by Great Grandmaster Cabales.
Pangulong Guro Uddin was the protg of the late Great Grandmaster Cabales
and is one of the fastest stick and blade fighters in the world. He has studied Eskrima and
Silat extensively throughout the Philippines and Malaysia. Pangulong Guro Uddin is also
a master in Kifaru Jitsu under Dr. Stanford McNeal, as well as an accomplished
Capoeirista.
UMAA was founded by Professor-Punong Guro James Hundon, a veteran martial
artist with more than 30 years experience in the arts. UMAA teaches a curriculum of
Small Circle Jujitsu, Boxing, and Serrada, with aspects of other arts. UMAA emphasizes
realistic street survival techniques as well as drills for muscle memory and real-life
application if needed by the student.
Professor-Punong Guro Hundon has competed, taught and studied internationally.
He was instrumental in establishing Small Circle Jujitsu, founded by his teacher Great
Grandmaster Wally Jay, as a well known martial art by successfully using it in numerous

competitions. Professor-Punong-Guros other teachers include many greats such as the

late Dr. Moses Powell, Great Grandmaster Robert Crosson, Soke Lil John Davis,
Professor Don Jacob, Soke James McQueen, and now Pangulong Guro Sultan Shaykh
Uddin. Professor-Punong Guro Hundon holds 7th Degree Black Belts in both Small
Circle Jujitsu and Kyohuejitsumae Jujitsu, as well as Black Belts in Chinese Kenpo,
Kodokan Jujitsu and Sugar Ryu Jujitsu.
The grand opening celebration began with a ceremonial introduction by Punong
Guro Bob Manalo Jr. of IESA. Students of both schools lined up while Punong Guro
Manalo spoke about the significance of this event, and a little about the history of
Eskrima Serrada.
Demonstrations of Eskrima Serrada were then performed by IESA guros. Guros
Teo Zabala and Ed Jimenez showed the basic counters to the twelve strikes of Serrada,
and then the lock and block drill which uses one long stick one short stick or knife. This
was followed by demonstrations of the counter for counter drill by Punong Guros Bob
Manalo Jr., Andrew Pelayo, Guros Ed Jimenez and Teo Zabala. Next, Pangulong Guro
Sultan Uddin demonstrated counter for counter with Punong Guro Andrew Pelayo,
flawlessly taking the drill to the ground without stopping the flow. Pangulong Guro
Uddin then lined up several IESA guros and demonstrated counter for counter with them
one at a time. Pangulong Guro Uddin then showed advanced application of counters to
the twelve strikes with Professor-Punong Guro James Hundon.
Next up, UMAA students
demonstrated basic Serrada
counters to strikes and Small Circle
Jujitsu counters to punches and
grabs. Professor-Punong Guro
James Hundon did a demonstration
of the UMAA style of fluid
striking, locking, takedown
techniques and rollouts.
Kaiso Shawn Cephus,
visiting from Los Angeles,
California was then invited from
the audience to the mat to share
some of his locking and takedown
L-R: Kaiso Shawn Cephus, Professor-Punong Guro
techniques.
James Hundon, Pangulong Guro Sultan "Shaykh"
After the demonstrations
Uddin,
and DJ Kayumanggi Kaloy of KPFA Radio.
were over, participants and
spectators mingled on the mat, discussing and practicing techniques and exchanging
knowledge. Food was provided in the next room which was where everybody ended up
eventually-eating, relaxing and talking.
The Grand Opening of the IESA headquarters was not only an important event in
martial arts it was a good time had by all.

For more information on IESA or UMAA:

www.myspace.com/tribe_iesa
www.myspace.com/umaacademy
www.umaacademy.com

Festival of Filipino Martial Arts

at
SM Bicutan
The Filipino Warriors
April 28, 2007
By Peachie Baron Saguin
Photos By Grace Pible

Website
The space given for the demonstrations was small. However after seeing the
excellent demonstrations put on by the Filipino martial artists the SM management has
ensured that on May 20, 2007 they will provide a larger area for the band ANAK and the
demonstrations.
While visiting the Philippines, Punong Guro Myrlino P. Hufana of Hufanas
Traditional Arnis located in Bellevue, Washington was there with his students who also
joined in on the demonstrations. Punong Guro Hufana MC the event until Master Vir
Tubera and Che Che arrived.
The event lasted 3 hours.
Engr. Jose Dion Diaz
PIGSSAI
- Philippine Tourism Arnis Exhibition Team
- Tropical Sikaran Arnis Gym
- Philippine Jendo association

MATCOP Arnis Team

Warriors Martial Arts - LASI
Mink Mongoose Isabela Arnis Team
Paclibar Bicol Arnis
Hufanas Traditional Arnis
International Modern Arnis Federation Philippines (IMAFP)
Arkado

Grandmaster Roland Dantes is Back

Singapore Arnis Workshop
April 28 - 29 and May 01, 2007
Gentle life Sports Studio
4th floor... Katong Mall
Corner: Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore
Guro Stephen Chee sponsored Grandmaster
Roland Dantes and Punong Guro Rey Dominguez in
Singapore holding a 3 day seminar of the Filipino
martial arts.
Punong Guro Rey Dominguez
A three day seminar was conducted in
Singapore; Punong Guro Rey Dominguez conducted his
workshop sessions on April 28th and the 29th. Master
Dominguez spent most of his arnis life through sports
and competing in several competitive events with
different rules and organizations such as NARAPHIL,
Doce Pares WEKAF, IFMAP, IMAFP, Arnis
Philippines, PIGSAAI, Garrote, and among others.
Punong Guro Rey Dominguez
Presently, he is the work horse for the
Grandmaster Roland Dantes
promotion of the Philippine fighting art through sports
Guro Stephen Chee
competition with the help of the Philippine Council of
Kali Eskrima Arnis Masters, Inc. as one of the board directors and founders of the World
Arnis Sports Alliance the Kali Sports. Punong Guro Dominguez has hosted two big
successful International tournaments in 2005 and 2006 which were the World Kali Sports
Championships in PNP GYM, Camp Crame, Quezon City, Philippines.
Grandmaster Roland Dantes
Grandmaster Roland Dantes
conducted his workshop on May 1st.
Professional competition body builder,
movie actor, Filipino martial arts
practitioner. Always one to contribute and
assist in the preservation and promotion of
the Filipino martial arts, Grandmaster
Roland Dantes holds the position as
Chairman/President of the Philippine
Council of Kali Eskrima Arnis Masters
(PCKEAM) a council belongs to all
regardless of style and affiliation.
Grandmaster Roland Dantes has been recovering from a heart attack on October
7, 2006. On November 24, 2006 Grandmaster Dantes was released by the hospital and
has been recuperating and getting back into shape. Simply said, he is back and ready to
share, his knowledge and to promote the Filipino martial arts once again.

Grandmaster Dantes and Guro Chee

Exchanging tokens of gratitude.

Balintawak Arnis Practitioners with

Grandmaster Dantes and Punong Guro Dominguez.

The respect for the blade!

April 29, 2007
Stadthagen, Germany
Golden Dragon Aligned International in Cooperation with the Martial Arts Association - International
held a special knife fighting seminar. Participants travelled
from all parts of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The advisers and ATS Anti Terror Street fighting
coaches of the national team, Master Michael Deutsch
Chief-Instructor of ATS in Germany and Guro Bernd
Hoehle demonstrated and taught different possibilities in
the prospects of knife fighting.
Golden Dragon
Michael Deutsch showed the classical knife defense
Aligned International
www.k-k-c.de
from the ATS and Ju Jitsu which applied to the opponent
by certain defense and lever techniques will bring the opponent under control.
Guro Bernd Hoehle taught techniques from the
Filipino martial arts; the techniques were clarified
through determined twisting the danger of a attack and
stressed the respect for the "blade" several times. Also the
difficulties in using the knife in restrictive clothing as
well as the law were discussed.
Apart from basis techniques, demonstrated were
different methods of cutting and pass twisting, distance
retaining tactics and measure combat entrance methods
Guro Bernd Hohle is the
were trained as well as bringing the aggressors under
Director of the Lapu-Lapu
control. Besides a lot of sweat flowing, much needed and
Filipino Instructors Federation
and European-President of the
valuable information was put forth.
Samahang Escrimador Ng
Due to the positive feedback, more training
Pilipinas (Cebu, Philippines).
classes will commence at the beginning of next year. Also
www.maa-i.com/lapu
training for supervisors in Tactical Knife Fighting under
the direction of knife expert Thorsten Isringhausen will also be conducted.
Interested persons can visit: www.maa-i.com

Williams Home of Escrima

Family Taekwondo Plus
May 5, 2007
By George Yore and Steven Sy Van Manen
Photos By Shawn Summers

On May 5, 2007 we had the pleasure of being invited to an Filipino martial arts
seminar being given by Master Wade Williams. The seminar was held at Family
Taekwondo Plus, graciously hosted by Master Dominic Cirincione. In attendance was
well respected Professor James Morris of the Kajukenbo System.
Two seminar sessions were offered for the day. In the morning, instruction was
available to children, in the afternoon
instruction was available to adults. The
afternoon session was attended by enthusiastic
participants more than willing to explore
elements of the Serrada system.
The Cabales Serrada Escrima seminar
was taught by Master Wade Williams who was
recently granted the title of Professor by the
Professional Martial Arts Alliance, his son,
Master Keenan Williams and their top ranked
student, Guro Shawn Summers. These three
gentlemen worked in harmony; their love of the material clear for all to see.
The instructors wasted no time; instruction began with the Serrada style of single
stick work - direct and effective strikes, blocks and counters. Ample time was allotted so
as to attend to the personal needs
of each student. Clear emphasis
was placed on footwork,
anatomical alignment and live
hand orientation.
The second area of
instruction was to take the tactics
learned from the single stick and
employ them in empty hand
concepts. Investigation of several
empty hand variations on a
theme progressed from hand-tohand exchanges to smooth single
stick disarm practice.
The third area of
instruction was exposure to
Serradas Lock and Block
Top Row L-R: Professor James Morris, Professor
drills. For the last 30 minutes of
Dominic Cirincione, Professor Wade Williams, Master
Keenan Williams and Maestro George Yore.
this section, participants were
Bottom Row L-R: Guro Shawn Summers and Maestro
able grasp this exhilarating
Steve Van Manen.
training method. It was a

beautiful sight to behold as participants became more skilled and developed their timing
during this section, under the guidance and watchful eye of the instructors.
As a gesture of heartfelt respect, Master Williams infused Eskrima elements from
one of his instructors, the late Maestro Sonny Umpad, which taught a Visayan Style
Sikaran and blade flow work were executed with grace putting a smile on Sonnys
face. As representatives of the Visayan Style, we were honored to offer any assistance at
the seminar and support our brothers with sweat and friendship.
The seminar was a success. Master
Wade Williams, Master Keenan Williams
and Guro Shawn Summers saw to it that all
participants had a grasp of Filipino martial
arts material that can be trained and
implemented in short order. The seminar
closed with a fast paced demonstration of
Serrada single stick Lock and Block and
short sword blade-work. If you blinked, you
missed something!
Family Taekwondo Plus
Master Dominic Cirincione
7700 Sunrise Blvd Suite 2300
Citrus Heights, CA.
(916) 725-3200

Master Williams and son Keenan

Williams Home Of Escrima

1611 W. Durham Ferry Rd.
Tracy, CA. 95304
(209) 835-2546
Email
Website

Senkotiros Arnis Seminar in Concord, CA.

May 12, 2007
By Jane Kessler

On Saturday, May 12, 2007 Professor

Max Pallen held a seminar in Concord, CA at
the Kokoro-Kai Dojo. He introduced the
students of Kokoro-Kai and Mohala Martial
Arts schools to the art of Senkotiros Arnis.
The students spent 6 hours learning basic
technique, releases, armed and unarmed
disarms, and stick fighting drills. All belt
levels attended the seminar.
There were beginners with as little as
four weeks of training and more advanced
students with many years of karate training. Professor
Pallen makes the training fun, interesting and
challenging for the newest to the most advanced
student. Professor Pallen Professor is awesome in the
way he teaches and interacts with students. Not only
that, he is an amazing martial artist. Even the
advanced students realized that what they learned on
Saturday was just the tip of the iceberg as far a
Senkotiros Arnis is concerned.
Some Senkotiros Lakans came to the seminar
to assist Professor Pallen in the instruction to our
students. They make a big difference and added a lot
to the program. Only the most knowledgeable
instructor can show the complexity of his art so that even the beginner can learn
something. Professor sent all the students away from the seminar with a smile on their
faces and a sense of accomplishment.
Professor Pallen was gracious enough to come to our house after the seminar for a
barbeque. He sat and talked with the students and generally really enjoyed himself.

Kokoro-Kai Dojo
P.O. Box 656
Concord, CA. 94522
(925) 642-5638

www.senkotiros.org

Mayan Jane Kessler and Tugan Mike Kessler

With Professor Max Pallen

Arnis Balite Training

May 17, 2007
Punong Guro Steven Dowd, visited Professor Max Pallen of Senkotiros, and held
a small training session at the Holly Community Center, in Union City, California, with
the support of Professor Max Pallen.
The session was for young practitioners and covered the basics of Arnis Balite
and Huli Lusob (capture, trap and attack). The students, which are training in Senkotiros
adapted well to the training of Arnis Balite and were a pleasure to work with.
Also Professor Max Pallen took Punong Guro to two other schools which are
operated by his sons, Master Jordan Pallen and Master Joseph Pallen.

Holly Community Center

Grandmaster Max Pallen
31600 Alvarado Blvd.
Union City, CA. 94587
(510) 471- 6877

Senkotiros
Master Jordan Pallen
13752 Doolittle Drive
San Leandro, CA. 94578
(510) 483-6560

Senkotiros
Master Max Pallen Jr.
3963 E. Castro Valley Blvd.
Castro Valley, CA. 94225
(510) 357-0901

www.arnisbalite.com
www.senkotiros.org

Festival of Filipino Martial Arts

at
SM Manila
May 17, 2007
By Peachie Baron Saguin
Wilma Dulay
Mitze Cheche Secopito
Photos By Grace Pible

Website
A large space was provided, except it was located at the farthest end of the mall. It
was located near the entrance from where the main parking area was. Worries were
apparent that there would not be a large crowd and most FMA participants were already
present. However the arrival of the band ANAK invited the crowd, and soon there were
many people watching. The event turned out to be very successful.
Entertainment was provided by:

Anak Band

PIGSSAI

Engr. Jose Dion Diaz

- Intl. Modern Arnis Federation
- Yoyo Group
- Philippine Tourism Arnis Demo Team
- Sikaran-Arnis Gym
- Waldas 3-5-7 Kali System
- Rapido Realismo
- Arnis Kiathson Combat System

Kali Sports Demo Team

Kali Arnis International
Mink Mongoose Martial Arts Kali Arnis - Isabela Arnis Team
Grandmaster Rodel Dagooc
Paclibar Bicol Arnis
Lighting Scientific Arnis Intl. Warriors Martial Arts
P.L.V. Virulent Tigers

Lead and Vocals: Jeriko Aguilar

Lead and Vocals: Carlos Saguin
Drums: JR Evangelista
Base: Gerby Dator

Eskabo Da'an and New College of California

May 19, 2007
777 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA.
Professor Leo Fong - Wei Kune Do
The art of Wei Kune Do is Master Fong's martial
arts style. It is a personal approach based on concepts and
laws of science. It is based on physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual principles. Wei Kune Do strives to be
spontaneous, to develop perception and insight, to
harmonize with your opponent's attack.
It was Jimmy Lee who introduced Master Fong to
Bruce Lee. That meeting began a nine year friendship with
Bruce Lee as the two compared notes and exchanged ideas
about martial arts. Bruce Lee's fascination with boxing
began with Master Fong's coaching him in its techniques
and theory. Much of what was to become Jeet Kune Do
evolved from their many exchanges.
In 1964, Master Fong was transferred to Stockton,
California where he met and trained with the Master Angel Cabales in the art of Escrima.
This study was continued when he met Remy Presas in the Philippines in 1974.
Professor Fong did 2 sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon,
focusing on Wei Kuen Do angle of attack. Working on angle #1 which consisted of 11
techniques which included, jabs, hooks, upper cuts, and back fists. At the end of the
seminar Professor Fong stayed around for a discussion on the theory of what he taught
and the philosophy of energy base pressure point fighting.
Punong Guro Steven Dowd - Arnis Balite
Punong Guro Dowd the inheritor of the
Arnis Balite style from the Aguillon family,
commenced by explaining the very basics of
Arnis Balite. Pitong Hampas (7 strikes), Limang
Patusok (5 thrusts) Unday Salag (swing blocks),
Kalasag Salag (shield blocks) and then went
through angles and the philosophies of attack and
defense.
Continuing Punong Guro Dowd had the
participants practice Huli Lusob (capture, trap,
and attack). This all led up to participants using
all they had learned to execute a reaction to action
exercise, which each used the action of the other to counter and then counter-attack in a
continuous flow of movement back and forth.
Grandmaster Lito Concepcion - Kombatan

Master Lito Concepcion was

introduced to Great Grandmaster Ernesto
Presas in 1994 and received private
instructions from Grandmaster Presas. With
the encouragement of Great Grandmaster
Presas, Master Concepcion began teaching
and established the Concepcion Combative
Martial Arts Academy in Vallejo, CA.
Grandmaster Lito Concepcion has proudly
won at the regional West Coast WEKAF
tournament in Anyo/Forms/Carenza and
Sparring.
Grandmaster Lito Concepcion demonstrated Classic Arnis combat then the
contrast with the Modern Arnis of Kombatan. In a second session Grandmaster
Concepcion worked with participants in espada y daga techniques from Kombatan.
Grandmaster Concepcion (Kombatan) was promoted to 9th Dan (degree) by Great
Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas, just recently during the IPMAF World Training Camp,
held in Hinigaran, Negros Island, Philippines April 23 - May 7, 2007
Grandmaster Robert Castro - Eskabo Da'an
Grandmaster Castro studied under Grandmaster Angel Cabales, the father of
Cabales Serrada Eskrima, and Great Grandmaster Ernesto Presas the Founder of
Kombatan. Castro began fusing Serrada and Kombatan with elements of other systems to
develop his own system, Eskabo Daan. The system is heavily based in the Filipino
stickfighting arts of Serrada eskrima, kali, and modern arnis, but it also incorporates
elements of jujitsu, boxing, and jeet kune do. The
strength of the art lie in its speed, precision, and
economy of movement, features which have attracted
practitioners from other systems as well as martial arts
novices.
Grandmaster Robert Castro demonstrated
Eskabo Da'an 'stick ju-jit-su' showing take-downs
(dumog) , locks and disarms utilizing the stick and
empty hands to execute the techniques. He then had the
participants go through the basics of Eskabo Da'an
'stick ju-jit-su.
Grandmaster Castro (Eskabo Daan &
Kombatan) was promoted to 9th Dan (degree) by Great
Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas. Grandmaster Castro
and Eskabo Daan were also honored to be inducted to the Philippine Martial Arts Hall of
Fame and Filipino Martial Arts Museum at the IPMAF World Training Camp, held in
Hinigaran, Negros Island, Philippines April 23 - May 7, 2007
Special guest were: Grandmaster Al Novak, Grandmaster Max Pallen (Senkotiros),
Grandmaster Emil Bautista (Nor Cal HQ K.S.D.I.), Sigung Anthony Ramos (Wahiawa
Kajukenbo), Professor Mike Morell (Portland Eskabo Daan), Master Ray Cordorba

and Master Alex France (Kombatan), Punong Guro Professor Jim Hundon (Universal
Martial Arts Academy/IESA) , dropped by in the morning to say hello, pay respects to
Professor Fong and give support to the seminar.
Eskabo Daan gives special thanks to Professor Leo T. Fong, Punong Guro Steven
Dowd and Grandmaster Lito Concepcion for a great training experience. Thanks to all of
you who came out to support the seminar we of Eskabo Daan really appreciate your help
and participation.

www.eskabodaan.org

www.leotfong.com

www.concepcion-combative.com

www.arnisbalite.com

Festival of Filipino Martial Arts

at
SM San Lazaro
May 19, 2007
By Mitze Cheche Secopito
Wilma Dulay
Photography By Grace Pible

Website

Entertainment was provided by:

Indak Turismo
Ms. Charina Seires (Choreographer)

Grace Pible (PIGSSAI)

PTA Chorale Group

PIGSSAI

Engr. Jose Dion Diaz

-Int'l. Modern Arnis Federation
- Philippine Jendo Association
- Sikaran Arnis Gym
- Rapido Realismo
- Waldas 3-5-7- Kali System
- Arnis Kiathson Combat System
- Yoyo Group

IESA Comes to San Antonio, Texas

May 19 - 20, 2007
On May 19th and 20th, 2007 IESA (International Eskrima Serrada Association)
came to San Antonio, Texas for a two day event filled with hard training, smart training
and genuine fun. Punong Guro Bob Manalo Jr. of San Francisco, California taught an
outstanding 6 hour workshop on the basics of Serrada Eskrima as taught to him by
Pangulong Guro Sultan Uddin. During this 6 hours sweat poured and knowledge was
absorbed by the BaHad ZuBu Eskrima students of Punong Guro Michael Blackgrave (an
active participant as well) when asked Punong Guro Blackgrave had this to say the
IESA Serrada is a quick, concise and effective system, the similarities to BaHad ZuBu
are numerous and seeing how our lineages are extremely close I can see where these
methods fit in fine with Bahad ZuBu.
The most important lesson learned
on Saturdays workshop was that simplicity
is the key and intent the focus, there was no
egos nor ethos on whose Eskrima was better
or whose Eskrima was more pure, those
conversations are left for those who like to
wallow in negativity as opposed to training,
building friendships and having a good time
as brothers in the arts.
On May 20, 2007 IESA and BaHad
ZuBu Eskrima were the featured guests at
the Filipino/American festival held at Santa Nino de Cebu Catholic Church fair grounds.
The day was filled with fun activities, traditional Filipino folk dancing, good
food, and of course an excellent demonstration of the indigenous cultural arts of Eskrima.
Punong Guro Bob Manalo and Punong Guro Mike Blackgrave demonstrated the
similarities and differences that make both systems so effective they finished the demo
with a devastating free flow of espada y daga.
The weekend was another great day for the brotherhood built between BaHad
ZuBu and IESA a bond that will stand the test of time and bring these two fine systems
to the forefront of the Eskrima world.

Punong Guro Manalo and Punong Guro Blackgrave would like to thank the
following: Lilys Bakery of San Antonio, Texas for allowing us to use their facilities to
host this event.

www.sultanuddin.com
www.bahadzubuwest.org
Bahad ZuBu Eskrima holds classes at Lilys
Bakery; Monday evenings at 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.
8210 Glider Ave
San Antonio, TX. 78227
Phone: (210) 674-7007

Festival of Filipino Martial Arts

at
SM Bicutan
The Filipino Warriors
May 20, 2007
By Peachie Baron Saguin
Wilma Dulay
Mitze Cheche Secopito
Photos By Grace Pible

There was indeed a very large crowd. The advertisement for this event as the
management of SM Bicutan stated that the Filipino martial arts demonstrations would
commence at 4pm, so there was already a big crowd. The event was located at the center
on the ground floor portion of the mall, and the people watching reached up to the fourth
level of the mall.
There were no participants present yet, but before the clock struck 5 a number of
martial artists from different clubs came and soon the demonstrations were able to start at
exactly 5 o'clock. The participation of the Yoyo players added glee to the crowd as every
time the yoyo dropped to the floor the people were laughing. Of course, Bahaghari was
also there to complement the performance of the martial artist with their shamanic
chanting and ingenious way of playing their aboriginal instruments.
PIGSSAI

Engr. Jose Dion Diaz

- Philippine Jendo Association
- Sikaran Arnis Gym
- Rapido Realismo
- Waldas 3-5-7- Kali System
- Arnis Kiathson Combat System
- Yoyo Group

Arkado
MATCOP
Philippine Jendo Association
LSAI Warriors Martial Arts Quezon City
Rapido Realismo Kali
Sandakan
Isabela Arnis Team
Paclibar Bicol Arnis
Grandmaster Rodel Dagooc
Bahaghari Samahang Manlilikha

Festival of Filipino Martial Arts

at
SM Megamall
May 25, 2007
By Peachie Baron Saguin
And Wilma Dulay
Photos By Grace Pible

Website
For the months of April and May the NFMA with the assistance of many styles of
Filipino martial arts visited SM Malls throughout the Manila area to demonstrate the
many styles of the Filipino martial arts.
The Malls were:
SM North Edsa - April 13, 2007
SM Bicutan - April 28, 2007
SM Manila - May 17, 2007
SM City San Lazaro - May 19, 2007
SM Sta Mesa May 19, 2007
SM Bicutan - May 20, 2007
With the Megamall - May 25, 2007 being the last and the largest of these excellent events.

The brotherhood and friendship demonstrated with the many styles and organizations
coming together to demonstrate the Filipino martial arts was outstanding.
MCing most of the events were Master Vir Tubera and Cheche.
PIGSSAI
Engr. Jose Dion Diaz
- International Modern Arnis
- PTA Arnis Demo Team
- Doblete Rapillon
- Yoyo

PNP Kali Demo Team

LSAI Warriors Martial Arts
Mink Mongoose Kali Arnis Isabela Team
Rapido Realismo Kali
Kali Integrated Martial Arts
Waldas 3-5-7 Kali System
Tanggolan Philippines
Sikaran Arnis Gym
Dekiti Tirsia Seradas
Tabimina Balntawak
Sandakan and Baja Tenkayaw
PTA Chorale Group
Indak Turismo
Arkado
Arnis Cruzada Phil
Grandmaster Roland Dantes - Gave an inspirational message

Bahaghari Kalidrum Samahang Manlilikha

FMAdigest Note: The SM Mall, Filipino Martial Arts Festivals, ended at SM Megamall
with BAHAGHARI doing most of the accompaniment of the Filipino Warriors
presentation, with their very special kind of music throughout all the SM Mall events.
Little has been said about this fine group of musicians that put lets say a flavor of
culture to the events and made them not only just an event of different styles of the
Filipino martial arts showing their skills. But brought about the rhythm and culture of the
Filipino martial arts and the sounds of the Philippines.
Headed by Paul Zialcita,
the Bahaghari Kalidrum Samahang
Manlilikha is a performance art
group composed of artists from
different backgrounds and
specializations who incorporate the
theme of Filipino martial arts in
their respective fields and works.
They are Musicians, multimedia visual artists, writers and Filipino martial arts
practitioners alike, who were all brought together sharing a common love to the Filipino
martial arts. The primary instrument they use is the Kalidrum, a standup drum made from
a recycled garbage can covered with cows skin which is played with actual arnis sticks
along with the naturally rhythmic movements of sinawali. The rest range from traditional
indigenous instruments such as tribal drums, kulintang, hegalong, and kubing to the
unassuming 5 gallon water bottle. This is accompanied by an enthralling shamanic
chanting which has never failed to captivate the audience. To sum it all, the sounds of
Bahaghari has always complemented the performance of the Filipino martial artists
through their anyo sequences, demos, sparring and even training settings. They have
created a festive vibe and atmosphere with their music and Arnis presentation, which
enhanced the already exciting nature of the Filipino martial arts. Through artistic pursuits
and exploring the cultural content around the Filipino martial arts, Bahaghari brought out
and highlighted its fierce, graceful beauty; more than just its obvious violent fighting
aspects.
Paul Zialzita, the leader of the group said it is their fondest dream that both
Filipino martial arts practitioners and non practitioners alike see our katutubong
pananandata in a different light. He said their work seeks to address the obvious lack of
Filipino martial arts media content in all forms to revive and revitalize our cultural
heritage. He further stated, There is no point arguing who has the best technique or who
has the best style. Let us embrace them all and celebrate the profound diversity of our
fighting arts. Less fighting, more arts! This cultural heritage is the product of the inherent
innovation and ingenuity of the Filipino, as a people, as seen in many other cultural
aspects such as language, cuisine, costume, customs and the like. We believe in this idea
and more than a group of people, Bahaghari too, is an idea that seeks to infect others with
the Filipino martial arts cultural movement. Bahaghari is a reflection of the colors of the
Filipino martial arts, the Arts around the Art.

A Fathers Day to be Remember

June 17, 2007
By: Punong Guro Abner Anievas
KEAT-FMA Group Hong Kong
It was late Saturday night when I picked up Mang Fil (Master Filomeno Buena)
from the Airport of Hong Kong. I was so excited to see this Filipino Master, I
immediately approached him and we shook hands. From that moment I can feel the
energy surging into my body.
Just a little background about this Filipino Master, Mang Fil Buena one of the
five (5) certified by Maestro Elmer Ybanez and Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema as
instructors, they being the Punong Guro of LESKAS and LSAI respectively, Mang Fil
actually Co-Founded LESKAS with Maestro Ybanez as the acknowledged Founder and
President and Mang Fil as CEO. Mang Fil is also the Founder of Buena Mano Self
Defense System. Buena Mano is an integrated system developed and taught by its founder
based on decades of formal and informal training and studies of different martial arts
and combative systems as well as actual experiences starting with the early years of
games and fights in ponitian (boxing), depakan (kicking), balsakan (wrestling) and cinco
tiros (arnis), all of vintage Pangasinense - a province in northern Philippines. Mang Fil
training and experience also includes judo, jiu-jitsu/combat judo, karate, taekwondo
(ITF,WTF), boxing (western), kickboxing, aikido, free style wrestling, tai chi, tetada
kalimasada (Indonesian internal energy cultivation) and military based combative skills
such as knife fighting, bolo fighting, bayonet fighting and combat shooting. Arnis (LSAI
and LESKAS stick fighting) training came last in his Martial Arts journey since 1994.
As it was late almost 12:30AM we took the Airport express train, the fastest
transportation that can take us to the heart of Hong Kong.
On his First Day, we woke up quite early in the morning so I could show him
around Hong Kong. I took him to the Central District (similar to Ayala Makati). Arriving
on the Kowloon side I took him to the famous Clock Tower which is located on the
southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui. As we are sight seeing, I realized that we have to get
back to the main island where the seminar would take place. We took the normal
passenger train back to the island and headed straight to the training venue.
We were a little early and sat and
waited for the participant to come, fortunately
for us one of Mang Fil top female students is
also in Hong Kong, Tina Arcilla who is taking
her Masters Degree in University of Asia
where she is Mang Fil Arnis Team Captain.
Once the participants arrive, Mang Fil
asks all the participants to line up and they
commenced doing some warm up exercise. I
took it upon myself to video tape the event as I
want to capture every important detail in the
Punong Guro Anievas, Melizza Anievas,
seminar.
Tina Arcilla and Mang Fil.

May Tse from South China Morning Post

also arrive to cover this special event. Time passed
so fast and as the Seminar is about to end. I asked
Mang Fil if we could do a little control knife
sparring for the group entertainment. We took
group photos and everybody seems happy and had
enjoyed the seminar.
After the Seminar I took Mang Fil to
Mongkok the famous night market where you can
buy a reasonably price souvenir, then we headed
back home and just like a storm suddenly were back
at the Hong Kong International Airport.
Training with Mang Fil gives new meaning
to Filipino martial arts practitioner in Hong Kong.
They now understand the importance of having a
good foundation, doing the basics which maybe
boring but thats the only way to mastering the art.
Mang Fil, on behalf of Filipino martial arts practitioner in Hong Kong we would
like to say thanks and we appreciate that time you have given us to experience Buena
Mano System its truly is the best fathers day we have had a memory worth to be
remembered.

Karim at Jasmine
Filipino Musical Opera
June 23, 2007
MRG Services INC, in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism
presented "Karim at Jasmin" a musical opera by Dr. Ramon Sison Geluz; the first ever
original Filipino musical opera at the Terrace Theater Long Beach Convention Center.
The first ever original Filipino Opera in Tagalog (with subtitles) produced in the US.
Fight supervision using Filipino
martial arts will be done by Guro Dino
Flores and Mark Anthony Rodriguez of
mandirigma.org. They were also the
lead warriors in the key battle scene.

Prince Karim and the Heneral at the Battle

of the Lake, where they are both mortally
wounded.
Jasmin bids farewell to her beloved Prince Karim as he
lays dying after being mortally wounded at the Battle of
the Lake.

Learn the whole story at: www.karimatjasmin.com

Batch 4 - Participants of the Revised Sports Arnis Rules on

Officiating Seminar/Workshop
June 23 & 24, 2007
Department of Tourism Quadrangle
Resource Person: Lakan Rodolfo T. Poblacion Jr.
IMAF Philippines once again concluded a Seminar/Workshop on the Revised
Sports Arnis officiating rules, this seminar/workshop ended with a batch for participants
mainly from the Mink Mongoose, Isabela group headed by Master Cecelio Sandigan.
The Seminar was conducted by Lakan Rodolfo T. Poblacion, Jr., and assisted by Senior
Master Samuel Dulay, Lakan Jimson N. Dearos and Lakan Paulo O. Motita II.
This new set of Officials will perform their officiating practice on the last week of
July where a kids mini tournament will be held. Through this program, the Federation
can produce refined and world class officials for Sports Arnis.
Guest Masters were: Senior Master Rene R. Tongson and Professor Armando C.
Soteco

www.imafp.com

Speak Up - Speak Out

Roberto Trinidad

Ive never been good at introductions so Ill cut to the chase. Im Robbie Trinidad
and Im the administrator of the Filipino Martial Arts Forum (fmaforum.org). Ive been
actively practicing Filipino martial arts since November 1997 and I started the FMA
Forum back in October 2004 when I noticed that there werent many discussion boards
on Filipino martial arts run by Filipinos. Since then, there have been more than 600
registered members discussing various topics on Filipino martial arts such as techniques,
history, weaponry, and Filipino culture to boot.
For those of you who have never visited the forum, you might be overwhelmed by
the various topics posted. This is what this section of the FMAdigest is for. Every issue,
Ill be giving brief descriptions of the hottest discussion threads on the FMA Forum. Feel
free to join in and give your two cents on the topic, or just lurk and follow the flow of the
discussion. Since this is the first appearance of this column, Ill start by listing some
oldies but goodies:
Why are FMA terms in Spanish?
This topic was started in the FAQ section of the Forum. Eventually the thread
turned into a discussion on how much Spanish influence there was in FMA. On one side,
you have posters saying that Eskrima was a plebian form of stick fighting until it was
developed using techniques taught by Spanish friars. On the other side, you have posters
with a rebuttal saying that fighting priests are a myth and that the Spanish relied on the
force of firearms, not blades, to fight battles Which side do you take on the debate? You
can check out the discussion at www.fmaforum.org/index.php?showtopic=6.
Knife vs. Stick
Two able fighters; one with a knife, the other with a stick. Who wins? You have
the cutting ability, speed, and fear factor associated with the knife, versus the bonecrushing power and range of the stick. In a duel, which weapon would you choose? Read
the discussion at www.fmaforum.org/index.php?showtopic=1420.
Video Clips of FMA Masters
Every 2nd Sunday of the month, we hold the FMA Picnic Gathering where we
invite practitioners and masters of various FMA systems to share their knowledge in a
friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. In the past, we were blessed to have guests such as
Rommel Tortal (Pekiti Tersia Kali), Bambit Dulay (Modern Arnis), Rodel Dagooc
(Modern Arnis), Frank Sobrino and Jesus Pallorina (WEDO), Bob Silver Tabimina
(Tabimina Balintawak), Yuli Romo (Bahad ZuBu), and many others. You can find the
videos at the FMA Media section, specifically at
www.fmaforum.org/index.php?showforum=34.

I would like to emphasize that you dont need to register to read the discussions,
but you do need to register in order to post Just head over to fmaforum.org, click on the
Discussion Boards link, and join in.
See you there!

FMA Future Events

Seminars
Garimot Arnis Training Group International
G.A.T. Summer Retreat 2007
July 6 - 8, 2007
Ty Park
Hollywood, Florida
(954) 432-4433
Cell: (305) 788-4403
Flyer/Registration
Email
Website
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Seminar
Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje
July 7 - 8, 2007
San Jose, CA
Contact: Michael Franciotti
(408) 592-3717
Email
Atillo Balintawak Seminar
July 12 - 15, 2007
American Karate, Ardmore PA
Westchester School of Arnis - New York
Contact: Bill Pavliks: Email Website
KAMP Karate in Souderton, PA.
Amerikick in N.E. Philadelphia, PA.
Further Into Contact: (610) 656-3831
Email
Website
2nd British Filipino Martial Arts Festival
July 14 - 15, 2007
Corinthians Sports Club
Longfield, Fawkham
Kent, UK. DA3 8LY
Call: Eskrimador Supplies
07932 746642
Flyer
Email
Website

BaHad Zu'Bu Mangtaas Barow Training Camp

July 19 - 29, 2007
Grandmaster Yuli Romo Jr.
Manila, Philippines
Flyer
Email
Website
A Touch from the Masters
July 20 - 21, 2007
No. Las Vegas Nevada Recreation Center
1638 N. Bruce St.
North Las Vegas, NV
Email
Website
This is an annual event all systems and styles welcome.
Grand DTS Seminar
July 23 - 28, 2007
Grandmaster Jerson Tortal Jr.
UPLB
Los Baos, Laguna, Philippines
Email
Email
Website
MARPPIO Seminar
Dr. Remy Presas Jr.
July 28 - 29, 2007
Modern Bujutsu Center
618 East Landis Ave.
(Lower-lvl)
Vineland, New Jersey
(856) 205-0711
Contact: Shihan Marty Manuel Email
Sensei Linda Reim Email
Flyer
Website
3rd Annual Eye of the Hurricane Gathering of the Warriors
July 28 - 29, 2007
Black Dragon Kenpo Karate and Kali Academy of Martial Arts Inc.
Burbank Campground Blackfalds, Alberta
Contact: Guro Sonny Padilla and Agalon Guro Gil Lafantasie
Contact: Guro Sonny Padilla

(403) 343-3350
Email
Website
Senkotiros Seminar
July 28 - 29, 2007
Professor Max M. Pallen
Silver Dargon Martial Arts
St Marys, PA.
Email
Website
Senkotiros FMA Instructors Training Camp
August 1 - 6, 2007
Moscow, Russia
Email
Website
Grandmaster "Cacoy" Canete Seminar
August 4, 2007
Modern Fighting Concepts Academy
307 White Horse Pike
Absecon, NJ
Email
Website
Bahala Na
Presents: Guro Dan Inosanto
August 4 - 5, 2007
Hosted by: Grandmaster Tony Somera
Shape City
7920 Kelley Dr.
Stockton, CA.
[209] 401-8261
Flyer
Email
Website
Website
10th International Modern Arnis Summer Camp
German Arnis Association DAV
August 6 - 12, 2007
Osterburg, Germany
Flyer
Email
Website

Anyone who is interested can contact Email Senior Master Dieter Knuettel,
with "Modern Arnis Summer Camp Germany" in the subject line.
11th annual HTAI Arnis Summer Camp
August 10 - 12, 2007
Featuring: Punong Guro Myrlino P. Hufana
and other guest instructors
Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
Washington
Website
Website
Kali Ilustrisimo
Master Christopher Ricketts
August 11 - 12, 2007
Wilde Lake Karate Center
10451 Twin rivers Road
Columbia, MD. 21044
Details and Payment Information Contact: Guro John G. Jacobo Email
Website
Summer Camp
Knife-to-Knife Combat
August 18 - 19, 2007
Kali Academy of Martial Arts, Inc.
Burbank Campground, Blackfalds
Alberta, Canada
Contact: Guro Sonny Padilla
(403) 343-3350
Email
Website
Senkotiros Seminar
August 25 - 26, 2007
Professor Max M. Pallen
Hawaiian Combat Kenpo
Round Rock, TX.
Contact: Tugan Dean Goldade
Email
Website
Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts
Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
August 25 - 26, 2007
Hillsboro, Oregon
For Details: (503) 642-1500

Senkotiros Seminar
September 21 - 23, 2007
Professor Max M. Pallen
McFarland's Martial arts Academy
Carney's Point, NJ.
Email
Website
5th WFMAA Expo & Laban Laro
October 5 - 7, 2007
Embassy Suites Hotel - Bellevue
3225 158th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA. 98008
General Flyer
Registration
Laban Laro Rules
Email
Website
Featured Instructors:
Punong Guro Myrlino P. Hufana - Hufana Traditional Arnis
Grandmaster Robert Castro - Eskabo Da'an
Grandmaster Conrad Manaois - Manaois Systems
Hari Osias C. Banaag - Global Sikaran Federation
Ama Guro Rufino "Raffy" Pambuan - Pambuan Arnis Tulisan Cabalerro
Master Jose V. Tan - Modified Tapado
Guro Sonny Padilla - Kali Academy
Master Ramon Rubia - San Miguel Eskrima/Doce Pares
Grandmaster Lito Concepcion - Concepcion Combative Martial Arts Academy
CPSD and ASTIG LAMECO SD Solutions Workshop
October 20, 2007
Guro Roger Agbulos
CPSD Coach Lloyd Kennedy
Master Rommel Dunbar's BJJ Academy
9960 Indiana Ave STE.13-14
Riverside, CA
(951) 687-9000
Flyer
Website
Details Contact: CPSD Instructor Rudy Franco
(909) 234-3015 - message
Email
Website
Senkotiros Seminar

October 20 - 21, 2007

Professor Max M. Pallen
Hawaiian Combat Kenpo
Georgetown, TX
Email
Website
Senkotiros International FMA Seminar
November 17 - 18, 2007
Professor Max M. Pallen
Senkotiros Philippine Headquarter
Basdiot, Moal Boal
Cebu, Philippines
Email
Website

Tournaments
World Championships Jakarta 2007
Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation Arnis Eskrima
September 6 - 10, 2007
Jakarta at Pasar Festival
Kunnigan, Jakarta, Indonesia
[62] 782 9464
Flyer
Email
Website
Sulong Championship
September 16, 2007
New Lennox VFW Hall
323 Old Hickory RD
New Lennox, Illinois
Email
Website
Pacific Island Showdown II
Ultimate Warrior
October 12 - 13, 2007
Filipino Community Center Ballroom
94-428 Mokuola St.
Waipahu, HI.
Flyer
Email
Website
Ubusay Lahi "Battle of the Grandmasters 2"

October 31, 2007

Capitol ground
Multi Purpose Center
Bacolod City, Philippines
Email
Website

1st Asian Martial Arts Games - 2007

AFC (All-style Fighting Competition)
December 14 - 19, 2007
Manila, Philippines
For Inquiries: Corporate Sponsorships, Participations or Accommodations
Jonathan Makiling - Abaya
Email
1st AMG 2007 - Technical Committee Head
Email
Philippine Full Contact Self Defense Federation
Email
Website
World FMA Triple Tournaments/Adventures
WEKAF
Doce Pares Championship
World Cup
July 21 - 24, 2008
July 25, 2008
July 19 - 20, 2008
Cebu, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Sports Center, Moal Boal
Cebu, Philippines
Website
Website
Email
Website

Special Event
Martial Arts Museum
July 7, 2007 - 3pm
24406 San Fernando Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Now has a Special Filipino Area will have a repeat showing of the Documentary film
Kali Means to Scrape."
Tribute to Philippine Culture
Filipino Dance Show
By Kultura Philippines
15th Anniversary Celebration
August 4, 2007
Ford Theaters
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

(Across from the Hollywood Bowl, near the Hollywood/ Highland exit on 101)
Tickets: $ 25
Contact: 323-461-3673
Website

The primary martial art taught is the

Filipino art of Serrada Escrima. Primarily
taught to adults, but with parental guidance I
teach Serrada to children age 13 and above.
The dynamic fighting style known as
Serrada Escrima is the creation of the late
Grandmaster Angel Cabales. The Cabales
Serrada system stems from De Cuerdes, an art
originated by Felicissimo Dizon. Serrada
restructures the complex concepts of De
Cuerdes into an organized teaching
methodology. Serrada Escrima encompasses
twelve angles from which any attack can be
classified. The countering actions to these
attack angles are based on movements that
utilize the short stick (22-24 inches). After one year of consistent training, a student can
feel confident in possessing a foundation that will protect him/herself in most selfdefense situations.
Providing a safe method of weapons and empty hand training.
Seminar rates for community, law enforcement, women's and faith based
organizations are available.
Please contact us regarding any questions or if you would like more detailed information.

Punong Guro Michael Schwarz

P.O. Box 413
Highland, Ill. 62249
618-979-3558
admin@defensivecombat.com
www.defensivecombat.com

IMB Academy
22109 S. Vermont Ave.
Torrance, CA 90502
www.imbacademy.com
With over ten thousand square feet of floor space, the IMB Academy is one of the
largest and most complete martial art schools in the South Bay area. Our classes are
conducted in the main training room on a high quality matted floor. Our facility also
offers a fully equipped weight room and an open workout room with a boxing ring, speed
and heavy bags, allowing students to train independently from their scheduled class
times.
For over thirty years, the International Martial Arts & Boxing Academy has
played an important role in the personal growth and professional development of
thousands of students locally, nationally, and internationally.
(Long range) Weaponry self-defense from the Filipino Martial Arts,
featuring single and double stick coordination drills that provide a better
awareness towards the various angles of offense, defense, and counters.
(Middle range) The development of an individual's personal weapons,
emphasizing punch, kick, elbow, knee coordination and evasive body
movements for an effective defense.
(Close range) We are extremely fortunate to offer the expertise of the
R.C.J. Machado Jiu-Jitsu to our program. Their highly effective art of
ground grappling includes a wide variety of position and submission
training methods, which strengthen an individual's ability to defend
themselves from the ground.
(Self discovery range) The philosophies, concepts and training methods
of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, increasing an individual's awareness
through the understanding of their own personal abilities and
limitations.

Richard Bustillo possesses a wealth of knowledge and a very unique and motivating
teaching style. Credited as being one of the major contributors to revive the Filipino
Martial art of Kali/Eskrima/Arnis, Bustillo is recognized by the Council of Grandmasters
of the Philippines as Ninth degree Black Belt (Grandmaster) in Doce Pares Eskrima.
However, he is best known for his training under Bruce Lee and Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
Contact: Phone: (310) 787-8793, Fax: (310) 787-8795, E-mail: imb@imbacademy.com

World Serrada Escrima Federation

The WSEF is an International Escrima Federation that
was founded in 2003, by Grandmaster Anthony Davis and
Professor Leo T. Fong for the purposes of preserving the
combative, scientific, philosophical, and the spiritual
applications of the late Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales. As
stated by Professor Leo T. Fong Much of Angel Cabales
system of Escrima I have incorporated into my empty-hand
system called; Wei Kuen Do. Additionally, Professor Fong
was one of Bruce Lees and Angel Cabales star students and
personal friends.
Grandmaster Anthony Davis began his studies in the field of martial arts at the
age 15. Grandmaster Davis has been keenly instrumental in spreading the Davis/Cabales
System of Serrada Escrima worldwide. It is essential to note that the System of Serrada
Escrima as taught by Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales has extensively influenced
several top notched Bruce Lee students such as; Leo T. Fong, Dan Inosanto and Richard
Bustillo.
Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales has been noted for the emergence of Filipino
martial arts in America, and also, that he is officially considered to be the Father of
Escrima in America.
For Further information contact Grandmaster Anthony Davis:
Email: anthonyserrada2@yahoo.com
Website: wsef-mai.defensivecombat.com

Master Reynaldo Postrado

Engraved Arnis Sticks
Beautifully hand engraved arnis sticks.
Get your school logo, style or organizations name or your
personal name engraved on an arnis stick. Give an engraved arnis stick to
your students or fellow practitioners.
Each arnis stick professionally hand engraved. Send your design
and receive a quote. Order one or order several.

For price quotes on designs email

Master Reynaldo Postrado at: liping_maharlika@yahoo.com

Dekiti Tirsia Siradas

Grandmaster Jerson Tortal Jr.
1. 1" inch dia. Kamagong Stick 28" - $10 each.
2. 1" inch Rattan Sticks 28" - $6 each.
3. Training blades - Talibong, Ginunting (live blade) - $ 45 each.
4. Kerambit Blade - (With Sharpened Blade) - $25 each
(Without Sharpened Blade) - $20 each
5. Arnis Bag (good for - 10 sticks) - $7 each
6. Training Instructional Video Tape
(By Grandmaster Jerson Tortal Jr.) - $20 each
For orders or further inquiries contact: (63) 918 203-3201
Email: gqvillahermosa@yahoo.com

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 - www2.xlibris.com

Coming Soon to - Amazon.com

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 Grand Master swing a live sword all-out,
watch these DVDs and get ready to be inspired!
Contents:
DVD 2:
DVD 1:
DVD 3:
-Intro
-Courtesy
-Fighting form
-Numbering system
-12 methods
-Applied
-Chambering philosophy
-Sword history
-Sword fighting
-Stick vs sword
-Counter stick jab
-Disarm to lock
-Empty hand disarm to locks
-Stick vs knife
-Sword grappling incident
-Fight story
-Old vs new
-Range
-Stick vs dagger
-Closing thoughts

-Intro
-Close range
-Instant defense
-Postural structure
-The secret
-Finish fast
-Secret training
-Empty hand
-Bad attitude
-Take control
-Hands vs weapons
-Hand to hand
-Knife to knife
-Icepick encounter
-Sharing

-Intro
-Unity
-Three styles
-Largo mano
-Cinco teros
-Espada y daga
-Half strikes
-Counter 1/2 strikes
-Practice!
-Advice
-Real strikes
-Master Romy
-Applied Sinawali
-Bolo experience
-Bolo length
-Bolo striking
-Numbers with bolo
-Bolo fighting
-Close quarters
-Solo training
-Binding blades
-Details
-Re-counter
-Fighting spirit
-Magic!
-Sharing

An Introduction to Sports Arnis

Authored by: Joel D. Anajao
This book with disk was published for the
purpose of propagating arnis as a sport. It contains
abridged competition rules as used by the Sports Arnis
Pilipinas Organization on Arnis sparring, basic skills
of competitive arnis and the framework of physical
preparations for players.
At the books completion, the reader is expected to:
- Understand the historical development of
Arnis.
- Appreciate Arnis; as a sports and not merely as
a form of self-defense.
- Recognize the various types of Arnis
competitions.
- Understand the basic rules of Sports Arnis.
- Demonstrate fundamental offensive and
defensive skills.
- Be aware of the etiquette and safety concerns
of sparring with Impact Weapons.
- Be knowledgeable about the physical
preparation of players for competition.
Cost: $20 USD includes shipping & handling.
Ordered through:
Arvino Logarta
PMA Supplies - www.pmasupplies.com
Email - logarta@pmasupplies.com

Punong Lakan Garitony C. Nicolas

Arnis Nicolas System
Presents
Modern Sinawali - gives all the training process that a
practitioner needs to know and learn because of the various
crisscross movements of the hand. Learning such Sinawali will
surely improve and develop the Arnisadors footwork, agility,
speed, timing, coordination, instinct, control, skills and proper
distance. Not limited to double stick only; it could also be done
with one stick against two sticks, stick against Bankaw, one
against two attackers, Bankaw against Gilingan, mano-mano and
etc... $25 USD
Principles of a Good Arnisador - is a book that discusses the
principles of the Arnis Nicolas System and its art, including the
development of stickfighting. $15 USD
The Official Anyo of MAMFMA is all about the form done by
each student from beginner to black belt using the three forms of
play of arnis, single stick, double stick and a combination of arnis
stick and a shorter one which
represents the espada y daga
system. Demonstrating the
stylish yet effective anyo of
Modern Arnis Mano-Mano which develops the mental
and physical set ups. Increasing the body and mind
coordination and helping the student to memorize and
familiarize the techniques they are learning. $20 USD
All pricing includes shipping & handling.
For payment information contact: Punong Lakan Garitony Nicolas at:
214-A H. Domingo St., Pasay City, Philippines 1300
63 (921) 499-1499
Email: Filipinomartialarts@yahoo.com

A Practical Introduction to

Arnis
in 12 Easy Lessons
Revised Edition
By Armando C. Soteco

A book used at the School of Arnis Professionals at

the National College of Physical Education Pamantasan ng
Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila),
Intramuros, Manila, Philippines.
In the course Professional Sports Specialization
program which upon graduation the student earns a
certificate of Professional Arnis Instructor.
The program is designed to prepare professional arnis instructors and P.E.
teachers by providing scientific knowledge and skills in teaching, coaching and managing
competitions.
Course entails:
Theoretical:
- Sport Science (Bio Mechanics)
- Physical Fitness Science
- Traumatology
- Sports Psychology
- Organization and Managing Competitions/Tournaments
- Nutrition
Practicum:
- Arnis 1 Basic Education (level)
- Arnis 2 Cultural: Traditional Anyo and Dance standard
- Arnis 3 Sports: Rules/Officiating Methods and Coaching Techniques
Admission Requirements: Any Bachelors degree holder or undergraduate and/or
- with basic knowledge in Arnis
- Arnis trainers/instructors
- Arnis athletes/practitioners
- P.E. teachers
Year Round Schedule for Local, National & International:
Every April 1-6, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Dr. Alejandro C. Dagdag, D.E.M.
August 1-6, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Executive Director
National College of Physical Education, PLM
December 1-6, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Or by Special Arrangement
To order the book - or for enrollment fees, class schedule and venue contact:
Professor Armando C. Soteco
Book price $16.00 USD
37 Kagitingan St.
Includes shipping & handling
Muzon, Malabon City
Postal Money Order preferred outside the Philippines.
Metro Manila, Philippines 1479
Email (Click Here)
63 (0919) 321-2379
c/o Ms Ginalyn Relos

KBS System Store

Tuhon Bo Sayoc's Finger Touch System is now
on VCD, and is available only on the KBS System
website! Volumes 1-3 are each approximately 40
minutes long, and Volume 4 is about 30 minutes.
Volume 1 is Finger Touch Training, with Tuhon Bo
showing the basic points and describing the
methodology. Guro Steven Drape, Tuhon Bo's senior
Finger Touch instructor, also goes over the basic Finger
Touch points.
Volume 2 is Finger Touch Applications, with Tuhon Bo
using the Finger Touch System to drop and control
several different subjects (including Guro Drape), in
many different ways. Guro Drape also gets to
demonstrate a bit on someone else!
Volume 3 is a Finger Touch Seminar. Tuhon Bo held a
seminar in Imus, Cavite in the Philippines, and
demonstrated a wide variety of techniques on many
different subjects, including volunteers from the
audience.
Volume 4 is a special added value. It is a training video
from almost 20 years ago, showing Tuhon Bo demonstrating empty hand techniques from
the basic 12 angles of attack of the Sayoc Family System. It includes his famous Dukot
(translated as "pickpocket") techniques, where he ties up the attacker's two hands and
arms with one of his own. He also demonstrates some basic stick grappling. This
volume's quality is not the best, due to its age, but the techniques are clearly visible, and
it's definitely worth a look.
If purchased separately, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are $35.00 USD each, and Volume 4
is $25.00. If purchased as a set, all four VCD's can be had for only $100.00 USD.
For a single VCD, the Shipping & Handling charge is $5.00. For two or more
VCD's, the charge is $10.00.
To order, send us an Email and we will send you a bill through Paypal. You can then
pay with a credit card and we will ship your goods immediately.
If you prefer, you can send a cashier's or certified
check directly to the address below. (This method
adds at least two weeks to the delivery time, since
we must wait to receive the checks through
international mail.):
Steven Drape
KBS System: Filipino Martial Arts
PO Box 898
www.kbs-system.com
ATI
Abu Dhabi, UAE
KBS@kbs-system.com

Learn and Experience

From two of the most respected practitioners in the Philippines.
Senior Master Samuel Bambit Dulay and Senior Master Cristino Cris Vasquez
For Ordering Information Email - Click Here
Senior Master Cristino Cris Vasquez
Senior Master Samuel Bambit Dulay

Title: A Walk to the Warriors Art Vol. 1

A Basic Modern Arnis Training Video
Video type: VCD
Cost: 25 USD
Title: A Walk to the Warriors Art Vol. 2
A Basic Modern Arnis Training Video
Video type: VCD
Cost: 25 USD

Title: Ipit-Pilipit System

Advance Module of Modern Arnis
Video type: VCD
Cost: 35 USD

Keith Roosa
Hand Made Wooden Weaponry

Keith Roosa hand makes many different designs including Kampilans, Kris,
Bolos, Pinutes, and many Indonesian blades. H 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 Roosas
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.
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).
Keith Roosa
Hand Made Wooden
Weaponry
Inquiries: Email
Different Bolo and a few Abanikos designs

Brennan Blades
By Guro Scott Brennan
P.O. Box 2331
Friday Harbor, Washington 98250
(360) 378-9732
Email
Friday Harbor, Washington USA
Excellent Custom Training Blades! Modern or Classical, it doesn't matter Guro Scott can
duplicate, your blade. Excellent craftsmanship and durability!

Guro Scott Brennan and Brennan Blades

ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS is a unique Philippine

Classical Arnis System with intricacies of a traditional
weapon oriented and close quarter technique applicable in
Mano-Mano and empty hand combat. The combination of
SANGA-PATAMA and SUNGKITI execution makes a
deadly form of HAWI-TAPI and traps by Grand Master
Mateo D. Estolloso of Antique, Philippines.
The techniques can be seen from different angles,
so that all details are shown very clearly.
About the Author:
Grandmaster Tongson took his 1st formal Arnis
lesson at age 9 under the guidance of Grandmaster
Roberto Presas, using sugarcane since rattan sticks are
scarce then. He went to proceed and learned Modern
Arnis under the Grandmaster Remy Presas principle and various Philippine Weapon
Systems.
Because of his dedication, he was given the highest privilege granted by the late
Grandmaster Mateo D. Estolloso as his 1st man under the ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS
system. His leadership quality and wisdom, granted him the extra distinction as member
of the Modern Arnis Council of Masters in the Philippines and Adviser to the
International Modern Arnis Federation -Philippines (IMAFP), and was recently awarded
the International Grandmaster of the year Award for 2006, and acceptance to the
International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, World Head of Family Sokeship Council.

www.abanico.de
The price is 35.90 Euro for the German or English PAL version, for the price and
distributor of the NTSC version for the USA and many countries in Asia.
Contact: dk@abanico.de

Senkotiros Videos
Basic
Advanced
Intro to Free Style
Lost Years
The Deadly Style of Filipino Arnis: E-Book
Balintawak
Balintawak
Balintawak
Shipping and Handling

$29.95
$29.95
$29.95
$14.95
$29.95
$49.99
$49.99
$49.99

To obtain full details on Ordering - Click Here

Senkotiros Headquarters
P.O. Box 3124
San Leandro, CA., 94578
Questions: Email
Make Checks, Money Orders or Cashiers Checks
Payable to Max Pallen

All 3 Only
$125.00

$10.00

Grandmaster Jerson Tortal Jr.'s

Dekiti Tirsia Siradas DVD -- Is Now Out!
This DVD is a compilation of
several videos featuring Dekiti Tirsia
Siradas seminars/trainings of
Grandmaster Jerson Tortal Jr. in the
Philippines and in Malaysia.
Inside the DVD Grandmaster
Jerson teaches single stick, double
sticks forms, knife defense, disarming,
take-downs, long staff and much more.
Approximately 3 hours in length.
Plus, Grandmaster Jerson will
personally sign your DVD
$45 per DVD, shipping not included. Get a discount if you order 5 or more copies.
DTS Promotional Video - Click Here
DTS DVD Trailer - Click Here
DTS Yahoo Group - Click Here
For ordering information, Shipping & Handling and payment email: Click Here
or call 63 (918) 203-3201

PAKAMUT - Level 1 Basic Fighting Manual

As Taught by Master Felix Roiles
Master Felix Roiles and Guro Marc Lawrence
have completed the self- published Level 1 manual on
the PAKAMUT fighting system. This was a 1 year
long project, on the subject of the traditional style
village based fighting system taught by the Roiles
family in the Mountains of Mactan. The project was
originally started by Master Felix Roiles in 1996 in an
effort to record the knowledge passed on by his
ancestors. Master Felix Roiles is best known for his 2time world heavy weight championship titles in the
WEKAF tournaments.
This book is designed to be basic training
manual to continue the training system in traditional
way utilizing the old ways with training starting with
stick, transiting with knife and finishing with empty
hands. This book loaded with practical tips, training methods, and to how make your own
training aids!
The cost of the book is 10.00 US funds, shipping is extra.
To order your copy contact:
Master Felix P. Roiles
President/ Chief Instructor
PAKAMUT International Asssociation
P.O. Box 65552
Los Angeles, CA. 90065-0552
U.S.A.
Tel. (323) 350-8500
Email: felixflp@msn.com
Main Headquarters
101 Atlantic Ave. Suite 106
Long Beach CA 90802
Tel. (323 ) 3508500
Email: felixflp@msn.com
Website: www.pakamut.com

Michael Matsuda
Museum Founder & President
The Martial Arts History Museum, the first of its kind, has opened its doors in
Southern California. The goal of the museum is to present the history, art and culture of
Asian martial arts and its impact on Western society.
The museum is not a who's who of the martial arts, but a tribute to Asian artistry.
The museum focuses on four main countries of origin: Japan, China, Korea and the
Philippines.
Within the 7,000 square foot complex, we have an excellent representation of
Chinese and Japanese artifacts and artwork. Unfortunately, we only have a small display
for our section covering Filipino arts. We feel it is important that the visiting school
children and visitors from all over the world learn of the importance of Filipino arts and
about its people.
I am asking for the Filipino community to assist the museum in bringing
awareness to Filipino culture. We are asking for Filipino artists to help us represent the
community.
We are asking for donations of items such as traditional Filipino clothing, swords
such as Kris's and balisong, kali sticks, shields, old photographs (digital), and even
instruments.
If you would like to donate funds toward the museum, that is always welcome as
well.
Please send any items for as a donation or loan to the museum (we will be more
than happy to display the items as a loan to the museum and return it when ever desired).
We will include your "donated by or on loan from" type information on each artifact.
The museum is a non-profit organization so if anyone should desire to donate and
item, it will be tax-deductible.
Please send items to our office address:
Martial Arts History Museum
26015 Lucerne Court
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-3322
Website

Rapid Journal

FMA Talk

Filipino Martial Arts Digest

Man, Woman, and School of the year in the Filipino Martial Arts
"2007"
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