The BALISONG Journal

A Brief Talk with a Malaysian Silat Teacher

2012-01-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! I had the occasion to speak recently with a well known (yet very low profile) practitioner/teacher of Silat Melayu in Malaysia. Here are a few Q and A's from our discussion:

I know that you have studied several systems of Silat Melayu under different teachers. How do you feel about incorporating elements of different systems into your practice?

Everything comes from outside, Silat masters here over the years literally scooped from their friends to complete their styles. I know of one particular master who does that all the time over here to such an extent, other masters claim he steals!

So how does this play into your own development as a practitioner?

My own development is my own natural cause. The particular system has its own founder who has his own set of beliefs and convictions. The only way I can truly become like the founder is not to follow his footsteps one hundred percent, but to find my own convictions. In a way my own path has allowed me to understand theirs.

Is that a deviation from the “traditional” approach?

I consider myself a traditional martial artist…a traditional pesilat. Before the 1950s, before Gayong and Cekak and Lincah and so on, there was only silat - and silat was whatever you made it to be. If you saw an old Chinese fellow doing damned good kuntau, you made sure you learned some. If you saw a farmer swinging his hoe really fierce like, you made sure you learned it. You made it your own.

Traditional silat training consisted of a 100-day crash course. After that 100 days, you were expected to become your own master, teaching yourself. There were no grades or certificates. How good you were depended on how good you were. I'm comfortable being who I am because now, nobody can touch me. My previous perguruan still acknowledge me as their member, and they can't say anything about my loyalty.

How do you yourself evaluate a particular technique or pecahan when you observe it for the first time?

I sit at the middle of everything and interpret movements not based on uniform or 'system', but of the objective and function. It's difficult to explain how I see it, but the petua firmly embedded in me- most of which I don't understand how to explain yet - but everywhere I look at people, at cats, at machinery, I see lines of energy and possible movement. Looking at a joint, a have a good idea what amount of force and leverage will take to lock it. With more experience, these petua will gain more definition.

Does this ever create friction with your Teachers?

I do respect my masters. It's the idiot students I’m always at odds with! All my masters support my journey. When I talk with them frankly and describe my experiences, the Masters, if not the students, will be supportive. Because of what I call the “Grandmaster-Grandfather syndrome”, they can't choose between grandchildren nor students so, the students fracture when the masters die. Silat Cekak Hanafi and Seni Gayong maintain that their students are not allowed to study other arts, but the masters on top always deny this exclusiveness.

What is the value of Community in Martial Arts training?

I will say this again: Silat is only good because of our community. We're not allowed to waste time and money. If you study martial arts just because it's a hobby, where's the increase in quality of life for yourself, your family and your society? If you're the only beneficiary, then you've wasted your time - nothing to give back, nothing to pass on.

For some years now there has been an effort to make Silat an Olympic sport. Some groups have developed a purely competitive branch of Silat. How do you feel about the concept of “Sport Silat” being promoted at an organizational level?

Sport silat is going nowhere - not because the techniques are not 'authentic' - but because there is no pure motive behind it. In Malaysia, Malay culture has been classified and documented and theorised and crystallized. Everybody knows what Malay culture IS and what it is NOT…and sports silat is NOT it. Which is why we're happy to live our lives in the gelanggang LEARNING silat. In certain other SE Asian countries, there is a problem with classification since there are so many clans and cultures.

The one export that will make the whole world fall in love with silat, is something the world understands, and the world at large doesn't understand a ‘dancing-fight’ style. But they do understand sports and that is the ticket to the big leagues. The next logical step is to impose SE Asian culture and values upon the MA community the same way Karate, TKD and Kung Fu did. Now PESAKA is trying to do just that.

How do the more traditional Masters feel about this?

The Masters aren't supporting sport. They say silat is for the community, not for the individual silat world champion who will spend milllions training. Don't look at Cekak, Gayong. Lincah or Gayung Fatani - they aren't recognized as traditional styles - the values are different, but THEY make up PESAKA.

On the other hand, it’s a moot point to try and convince an Indonesan otherwise of his opinion, because Indonesia created sport silat. Up until the 1970s, we still had legal no holds barred tourneys, which became illegal in the 1980s. Deaths were not rampant - but were expected. PESAKA didn’t like that.

Happy Holidays - PSA

2011-12-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

On behalf of my students I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous Holiday season. May you spend it peacefully in the company of those you love.

Also at this time we would like to bring your attention to an important Community program that we have initiated during this significant time of year called Blades-for-Tots. Your generous donation of dagas, kerambits, badiks, Spyderco folders, Cold Steel tantos, etc., will ensure that the younger generation of Kali enthusiasts -like the eager young man pictured above - will inherit a meaningful legacy when they begin their own Journey in the SE Asian martial arts.

Just imagine the unbounded joy of a little one waking up eagerly on Christmas morning to discover a genuine CRKT M16 or Emerson PUK lovingly placed beside the latest X-Box game in their stocking! Share the warmth. Share the blades.

Blades are currently being accepted now through June 1st, 2012 at the Bothoan Batangas Training Hall.

Some Fun With Pecahan

2011-12-21T15:28:00.000-08:00

Senamam Tua Seminar - No Pain No Gain

2011-12-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

My thanks to everyone who came out before, during, and after the seminar. We had a great time and learned a lot. I hope everyone is rested (and can walk). Well done!

You asked for it - Senaman Tua Seminar

2011-12-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

By popular demand:

We will be hosting a special seminar devoted entirely to Senaman Tua and its relationship to health, martial arts, joint-strength and preservation, and overall wellness. If you have joint problems – or even if you just have joints – Senaman Tua will do wonders for your strength and flexibility.

Feel free to peruse the testimonials from my students here on this very blog. I am not exaggerating when I say:

THIS COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT /VALUABLE LESSON IN YOUR TRAINING CAREER!

Where: Bothoan Batangas Training Hall

When: Sunday December 18^th 12:00pm – 2:00pm (or until you can’t take it anymore!)

What: I will be teaching a basic routine of upper-body, lower-body, and core exercises as I learned them from my teacher, Cikgu Omar Hakim.

Who: Open to all Detroit Maphilindo students. NOTE: members of the public welcome to attend but must pre-register. Please email me for details.

For additional background, please read below from Guru Azlan Ghanie’s book:

Introduction

Senaman Tua ("petua" the advice of the elders/tip, while "Tua" means old) is founded by guru Azlan Ghanie. The word 'Senaman' is interpreted as a physical movement or exercise whereas 'Tua' is translated as ancient since it is inherited from the people of the past.

Senaman Tua was inspired by the teachings of guru Azlan's father, Abdul Ghanie bin Abu Bakar, who originated from the royal Melayu family of Merpati Jepang from Sarawak. His family is also connected to the silat family of his mother's Bugis ancestors (Rogayah binti Jaafar, Jaafar bin Endut).

Incidentally, Endut was the person who unified all Pahang silat gurus from Pahang and had also revived silat at Gong Kapas in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, during the 1930s and 1940s. His son, Jaafar, taught silat to the royal Melayu family in Kampung Gajah, Perak and Johor in the 1940s.

History
The exercises begin with the raising of one's spiritual and physical well being. This is why Senaman Tua begins with an upright standing posture and a smile before practising proper breathing (using the Nafas Melayu technique), and the physical exercises begin from the soles of the feet.

The concept of 'beginning from your feet' in Senaman Tua comes from the advice of his mother's friends who often stoppd by his home in Pekan, Pahang. According to Melayu culture, one has to pour cold water on one's feet first before proceeding to bathe the other parts of the body. With that, the first Senaman Tua exercise begins with the soles of your feet.

Joints and Senaman Tua Basics
Senaman Tua originates from the basics of standing, in particular, how the Melayu stand, sit, lies down and move. All of these movements tell a story like that of a complete and well-dressed warrior.

In the sitting exercise, they start with the cross-legged sitting position on the floor. from this position, one can extrapolate various different leg exercises such as folding, tiptoeing, squatting, stretching, etc.

In the concept of self-defense, sitting cross-legged will also train preparedness in defending against attacks from the 4 compass directions (front, rear, left, and right) with minimum movement.

The sitting exercise is followed by prone exercises (lying on your back).

After the prone session, Senaman Tua enthusiasts can do the hand exercises while standing. Focus is given to the joints and the strength comes from practising the 'petua'.

To the warrior, the palms are regarded as the 'fruit' or the 'furthest fruit'. The elbow is the 'inner fruit' and when the hand is straightened it is regarded as the 'branch'. The shoulder is the base of the branch.

Speed and Strength
This Melayu exercise system specialises in building speed and strength. More precisely, the exercises focus on joint strength via its various extrapolations.

One of the hand exercises strengthens the shoulders and, among is foundation for locking and takedown techniques in Silat Melayu by pushing the enemy's shoulders to the ground and livens up the body's movement in self-defense acts. It also heals injury in the shoulders, nape and waist if done correctly under the guru's supervision.

One of the hand dances can develop into strikes, traps, locks, counterlocks and other techniques. The knowledgeable martial artist will be able to unlock various locks with a minimum effort or strength.

Senaman Tua has an objective and to pursue this journey, it begins from an origin. Breathing too has an origin, i.e. concentration is focused in the navel. The same thing applies in performing Senaman eTua exercises when sitting, lying down, hand dances, standing and striding; there is a clear objective when it starts from the base.

In these gentle Melayu exercises, besides those done upon waking from sleep and the imitation of animal body movements, exercises like bathing, washingclothes by the river, boat rowing and various other movements have been adopted. the 'stretching out' movement culminates in the waist area whether the torso is raised or remains upright (focusses on the navel and waist).

In sports science this technique is called stretching and is also known in Senaman Tua as 'body relaxation', where one has to stretch out to acquire this stimulating feeling.

The ancient Melayu believed that the body will not be at ease either due to an improper diet or because of lack of exercise. It is believed that the body contains 'wind'. In sports, if you cannot perform well, it is said you are 'winded'. When you go for a massage you will definitely burp (so will the masseur) when you are releasing 'wind'.

Silat Melayu Core
The moves in Senaman Tua come from Silat Melayu where it was practiced in the ancient palace households. It was used in countering attacks from their enemies. In their fights, speed, strength and accuracy were their priorities (they still are). Quick thinking, speed in dodging, strength in attacking and accuracy to the targeted points on the enemy's body had been and still are the major requirements.

When seeking combative knowledge, the warrior's highest priority is delving into his inner self. Such knowledge imparts thus: To be missed when stabbed at and to counter when evading. It means that, when facing his enemy, he is ready to evade, deceive and attack - all simultaneously. When attacked, he evades and deceives, and he attacks without the enemy being able to counter.

Silat is also acknowledged as a study in movements which deliver attacks and counter-attacks with speed, strength and accuracy. The breathing technique of Nafas Melayu enlivens or brings alive the movements in Silat, further enhancing these unique movements.

Nafas Melayu becomes the starting from which all movements are born. This method is thought to have been acquired from the reflex actions of frightened children. It is well known in the Melayu community as 'contraction of the stomach', where frightened children ran so fast that they literally jumped over wide ditches and climbed tall trees.

This method produces unique strength. In combat, the enemy attacks from different angles and one has to evade and step out of attacks or step in to deliver attacks. It becomes the basis of speed and liquid movement. After the Nafas Melayu routine, the body is ready to move like the wind.

The sole exercise is the beginning of the physical exercise to complete the body's movement in combat or Silat with the soles coming coming alive to step, to wiggle the waist, dodge or evade and to deceive with the flower hand dance.

That's the philosophy of Melayu self-defense in Silat. As proclaimed - where there's spirit, there's soul. The spirit means living, whereas the soul is the strength in the moves. Each exercise in Senaman Tua has its own story. The story is to stride or retreat and therefore your ankle joints need to be strong. The ankles are the key instrument in carrying the body's weight.

You can build such strength to carry the body by practicing the tiptoe exercise. Concentration then is on the knee joints because the knees need to bear the body's weight and to maintain balance. Concentration is then centred towards the waist before proceeding to the hand exercises such as the wrists, elbows and shoulders.

The Melayu warriors do not increase their muscles in size for strength. Strength is obtained from strengthening of the joints in exercise.

Kuya Doug

2011-11-27T09:02:00.000-08:00

Is it PTK?

Is it KDL?

It's The Brotherhood of the Blade!

Give Thanks

2011-11-24T13:32:00.001-08:00

A long weekend is upon us! Especially ‘round this time of the year I like to take advantage of the short time off from the daily grind for a special period of contemplation and introspection around the theme of Thanksgiving.

Indeed we have much to be thankful for – and I hope you do as well. Acknowledge it. Do express your feelings of Gratitude (in a truly meaningful way) to your own Inner Self; to the Divine; and to the people who have supported you on your journey so far.

I give thanks to my Gurus in all the different parts the World for supporting my elevation patiently and generously. For your criticism and for your praise – and for teaching me the Art of accepting both. Mabuhay!

I give thanks to my Comrades-in-Arms Kuya Doug Marcaida and Ka Jay Saludo for sustaining with vigor the Brotherhood of the Blade. Our Brotherhood. Our Family. Our Ideals. The manifestation of our Vision – to which we have held true without wavering going on 9 years now. Mabuhay!

I give thanks to my students: for your dedication, your hard work, your interest, your desire to know more, your desire to do it better, your discipline, your sacrifice, for representing your Teacher and your Lineage with honor, and for realizing that what we are doing is bigger than all of us. For being the best group of students any Teacher has ever had…Mabuhay!

Teachers and Students pt 1: Teachers

2011-11-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

The hallmark of a superior Teacher: He doesn’t just impart information, he guides each student according to the individual’s unique needs, strengths, and weaknesses. In the context of Martial Arts, it’s one thing to merely demonstrate techniques for a student to copy. The real task is to give the student the proper guidance in the right measure, so that he develops to his full potential – whatever that potential might be.

Not every student is destined to be a Master.

Not every student is destined to be a Teacher.

Not every student is destined to even be ‘good’.

Regardless, everyone can at least get Better. Everyone can improve, grow, and reap the innumerable benefits of the journey that is training in the Martial Arts. It’s the Teacher’s duty to take the student down that road. On the other side of that coin not everybody who has a license to instruct, is capable of doing it on that level.

It’s difficult to teach this way to large groups of people at the same time. That is why I strongly prefer to teach in a one-on-one type setting. I’m convinced that’s the only way to impart our Arts properly. If we’re training a large group of “recruits” in very specific basic techniques, perhaps that rule doesn’t necessarily apply; but in many cases, the best way to develop the Individual is through direct Guru-to-Student transmission – at least until you get them to the point where they can teach themselves. That itself is a topic for later…

For example, my students and I came to the conclusion long ago regarding Grand Tuhon Gaje, that when we would have him in for a group seminar, the seminar itself could be considered more of a training session (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). However, the real in-depth learning for us would actually take place in the days preceding- and following the seminar, during more intimate sessions of private instruction. Throughout the years, I discovered that several of the old-timers including Guro Ricky Rillera (May G-d Rest His Soul) and Guro Omar Hakim had arrived at a similar conclusion.

From a historical perspective, our Arts were never taught in en masse at large academies, temples, dojos, kwoons, or sprawling state-of-the-art gymnasiums. The Teachers didn’t advertise, and in fact most went out of their way to maintain a very low profile. The traditions and skills were carefully and quietly handed down from generation to generation within a family; within a village; or amongst small, tight-knit groups of compadres. Outsiders were not welcome, for very good and valid reasons.

While studying the indigenous Yoruba fighting arts in West Africa, it happened time and time again that people would come from surrounding villages hoping to train under my teacher. Each time they were summarily turned away. When asked, my teacher offered me the following simple explanation (loosely translated): “If the people in their own village aren’t teaching them, there must be a good reason.”

At times when I’ve attempted to describe this decorum to folks from more conventional Martial Arts backgrounds, they’ve sometimes remarked “Geez is this like some kind of cult?!?!” No. Actually, it’s more like a Secret Society.

There’s another interesting parallel in the Spiritual field (another highly personalized theater). An acquaintance of mine on the East Coast was extremely privileged to be a personal student of the great Rav Kaduri z”l many years ago in Israel. According to my friend, Rav Kaduri – a legendary scholar and certainly one of the greatest Merkubalim (Kabbalists) of our time – had so few private students of his own that his group would often find themselves lacking the 10 men required by Jewish law to form a quorum for prayers.

So there are certain reasons historically and practically that some of the best Teachers in diverse fields prefer to keep their student ratio on the low-end.

G-d Bless Our Veterans

2011-11-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

“When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?” -George Canning

Another Class Notes: Silat Melayu

2011-10-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Two buah covered this afternoon:

Titi Batang

Remember that after seizing the opponent’s left arm (after the pijak) you step up and lock his ankle with your left foot at the same time you push the straightened arms forward. After the takedown, you might lose the ankle lock as you remove the left foot, so be sure to sink your shin deep into his thigh in order to maintain control.

Lesung Hindek

Remember the stomp to the center of the back as you move into position for the leg lock. Move your knee not your foot to accommodate the lock.

These two buah achieve similar results – in the “gentle” version, the opponent is locked on the ground while your arms are completely free to draw your weapon. In the “combat” version, it’s basically the same effect only the opponent will most likely never walk again without some kind of assistance.

An example of pecahan with these buah: you begin with the first one, then suddenly you have to pivot 180 degrees to deal with another opponent, while still maintaining control of the one you’ve just taken down. Go into the crouch and draw your weapon!

Orasyon - a Personal Experience Conclusion

2011-10-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

At that point I wasn’t sure if the room itself was spinning, or just my head. I felt utterly helpless and homicidal at the same time. My traveling companions were not faring much better, and the fools were now somehow looking to me for a solution to this crisis. Even at that moment, one of them had taken a position dangerously close to my face as he recounted in disbelief the terrible narrative of our trip until this point. I simply looked up at all of them and said “Get the hell away from me for 15 minutes.”

I guess they remembered what happened the one other time I had issued that same warning -and almost instantly- I had the small section of the waiting area almost all to myself.

Breathing deeply, I concentrated my gaze at the upturned palms of my hands (in du’a position) and began to recite the orasyon in my mind. I suppose that I probably looked like any other frustrated, desperate international traveler at the end of his mental/psychic rope. Honestly, I didn’t have a specific objective or result in mind. As ridiculous as our journey home had been so far, and with our present circumstances, it was about as sensible of a response as I could think of. Besides, if nothing else, reciting the orasyon gave me a chance to quiet down and get centered in preparation for whatever we were going to be hit with next.

Fifteen minutes and 250 repetitions later I was at last in a state of calmness. Time to regroup and realistically consider our options at this point.

A short time into our discussion, I noticed a rather tall and ‘official’ looking man wearing dark slacks and a grey blazer emerge from a room behind the ticket counter. He came walking toward us at a brisk pace, carrying a 2-way radio and a clipboard. I was thinking he must be some manager from the airline, or even the airport police. He waded directly into our little huddle, looked me straight in the eye, and said the kindest, most beatific words I had heard in the past 2 weeks: “Come with me, I’m going to get you on the plane.”

Within 20 minutes this gentleman personally shepherded us through a maze of back doors and secret passageways, through ticket counters, customs, and boarding agents. Stopping only to argue with uncooperative airport personnel at various junctures. I don’t speak German, but it was clear to me that the airport people were saying “CAN’T” and he was responding with “CAN” – nodding reassuringly to me the entire time. Somewhere between checkpoints and arguments I asked him who he was. I didn’t completely understand his English, but I got that he was some kind of Customer Service Specialist for the airline.

He finally led us all the way to the gate, where our flight – which should have taken off an hour ago – was still parked! He escorted us all the way on to the plane, pausing for one final argument with the fight attendant, who was reluctant to let us aboard. Before we took our seats I explained to him that I intended to write a glowing letter about his outstanding service to his bosses at the airline, and I asked for his name. He moved the lapel of his blazer aside to give me a clear view of his airport identification tag.

His name was Nicholas Bernardi.

Orasyon - a Personal Experience pt 2

2011-10-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

Now, fast forward about 6 months. I had been reciting this orasyon faithfully ever since it had been given to me – probably about 500 times throughout in the course of a day. That’s not really difficult at all. I would habitually recite it to myself while driving to work, walking around the block, watching television, training, etc. All you have to do is replace the normal chatter that goes on in your head throughout the course of a day by focusing instead on the recitation of the orasyon.

As for the effects? I can tell you that I felt absolutely nothing after saying it. There was not even one minute change mentally, spiritually, physically, or otherwise that I could discern after reciting this orasyon for so many months. But I didn’t really care. I did it anyway.

It just so happened at the end of that same year – against my better judgment - I agreed to accompany several of my students on a 2 week excursion to a particularly nasty back-water, 3^rd world hellhole very far from anywhere that resembled a civilized society as we think of it. We didn’t exactly have high expectations to begin with, but it was even worse than we anticipated. The trip was excruciating, and we questioned our own sanity at various times for undertaking it. Apart from actually accomplishing the absurd objective of the trip (never mind what that was), we were very happy just to be going home alive and (for the most part) in one piece.

We flew out of that Godforsaken land and 15 hours later, landed in Germany with one hour before we were to board the next flight back to the good ‘ole USA. We had our first decent meal in 2 weeks at the airport, and after waiting in line to get our boarding passes there was one more brutal surprise in store for us at the ticket counter: the airline had screwed up our return flight booking. We weren’t scheduled to leave for another ten days!

After all we had been through, it felt like a final brutal kick to the face. I just about went berserk. The other travelers were backing away just as the airport police were coming closer. The wretched ticket agent called for her manager. After the token insincere apology, we were informed that we would be placed on “standby” status, and could go home on the next available flight – even possibly by the end of the night. Maybe it was the more-than-mildly-psychotic state of mind I was in, but it was at least faint glimmer of hope. After all, I thought, how long could we possibly be here before they put us on another flight.

As I staggered back to the seating area, I noticed a young Asian man casually observing our situation from the sideline. Just as soon as I took my seat, he said to me: “So, they screwed up your return flight and now you’re on standby, right?” I confirmed. “That’s the exact same thing that happened to me!” he said. “How long ago was that?” I inquired. After a long sigh he replied “I’ve been here 3 days so far…”

stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion to our story

Orasyon - a Personal Experience

2011-10-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

So in response to several requests, I will now relate a humble personal experience with Orasyon.

Many years ago I was given an orasyon by a Guru in Hyderabad, India. This Guru spoke very little English, and we communicated through a certain student of his who was proficient in English as well as Telugu. Now, I must give you a bit of detail about this particular student. He lived with his family near this Guru in Hyderabad. By profession, he was a salesman and the majority of his clientele were located here in the United States. Since he felt that his actual name sounded “too foreign” to do business in America, he adopted a Western pseudonym when he interacted with his English speaking clients. The name he went by was “Nicholas Bernardi”.

Why did he adopt that name? It wasn’t arbitrary. If you took the Indian name of that Guru, and “Western-ized” it through a little creative word play, you got a very close pronunciation to “Nicholas Bernardi”. So it was at once a clever play on words and at the same time a sort of tribute to his Guru.

Ok? So just keep all that in mind for later.

The orasyon itself consisted of only six words, and I was given a ‘prescription’ to recite it a specific number of times every day. You see, it was explained to me that the more frequently I repeated the prayer – providing I did it with the appropriate level of concentration, focus, etc. – the more “power” or energy would be accumulated in the words themselves. Sort of like charging a dry-cell battery, if you will. The words of the orayson could even be translated directly to English. No, I’m not going to give the translation (sorry!) but I will tell you that it is neither very profound, nor poetic and would not fit anyone’s idea of “magic” or “power” words in the least. It is merely a simple supplication for the Grace of G-d, through the blessing of this particular Guru and is not even ‘affiliated’ with any religion.

to be continued...

Orasyon cont.

2011-10-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

"Metaphysics or Enchantment

This is a much discussed and debated topic of FMA. Technically, they are not weapons, but to the extent they can protect the owner from harm or wounds, or confuse or incapacitate the enemy, then they become accoutrements or instruments of war or combat. We are talking about amulets or charms (anting-anting) and prayers (orasyones).

Amulets are physical, such as human bones (sometimes dug up from graves), special stones, etc., while orasyones are special incantations, with spiritual attributes or powers, attributed to God with overtly religious references, oftentimes with specific goals, i.e., to confuse the enemy, to make the owner impervious to weapons, etc.

A most notable Grandmaster who believed in this was Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo, who carried an amulet and had an “orasyon” tattooed across his chest. It must have worked for him, since he survived a lifetime of death matches and violent street encounters to live to a ripe old age of ninety-three."

Save the Date!

2011-10-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

Kali Weapons Seminar in South Florida with Kuya Doug Marcaida

Time	Friday, November 11 at 6:00pm - November 13 at 4:00pm

Location	THE SHAOLIN ACADEMY , PEMBROKE FLORIDA

More Info	Weapons theories of kali as applied to the karambit and tomahawk. Seminar will be held on November 11th through 13th... 20841 Johnson St. STE 101 Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 Whether your a beginner, novice, expert, no matter what background in Martial Arts, Cage Fighting, Special Forces, Military, Police Officers, Security, Bouncers, or none at all? You won't want to miss this South Florida! Numbers to call are : John Micheal Venegas (954) 450-4666 Miguel Lopez (954) 523-9110 Clint Cayson (561) 843-3482 Jason Marcaida (954)864-1494

The Esoteric Side of FMA!

2011-10-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

If you spend some time perusing the online FMA forums you’ll notice that a few of the same topics keep popping up on a regular basis ad nauseum:

- Endless debates about the etymology/authenticity of the terms Arnis, Escrima, and Kali.

- Versions and reversions of stories recounting challenge matches between certain schools and/or masters.

- Point-counterpoint debates over Who-Learned-From-Who, or Who-Pirated-Which-Techniques-From-Who.

- The latest lucky guy who inherited a particular system after the previous guy was excommunicated.

- Comparisons of FMA’s with other more mainstream martial arts such as Karate, Kung-Fu, Aikido, etc.

To be honest, I completely stopped caring about all of the above topics and their variants about 20 years ago, and have since focused on more “immediate” issues such as refining my overall skill and mastering (or more realistically, just getting better at) the technique that Ama Guro Jun DeLeon calls Hagibis - from my left side. Come to think of it, the raging debate over the use of the term Kali might even be settled before I master the Hagibis on my left side…but I digress.

One reoccurring topic in particular that does happen to peak my interest concerns the various “supernatural” aspects of Filipino culture that are sometimes discussed in relation to the practice of certain FMA styles. These discussions often encompass: anting-anting (amulets), engkantos (spirits), and orasyon (incantations) among other things.

Now, you’re not likely to hear about such things if you training comes from a dojo that happens to offer a “Filipino Stick-Fighting Class” once a week, or if you train in a completely sport-oriented club. It’s true that the Filipino Martial Arts have finally become so American-ized over here that you can find many expressions of it which are devoid of all the cultural decorum. We call it “A Gi and a Stick”.

However, if you’ve spent time in the Philippines or your Guro has trained there, or especially if your Guro is Filipino, you’ll no doubt hear the legends from time to time. When I’ve seen such topics discussed online, the tone of the postings are usually framed as “Do you believe in…” or “Have you ever experienced…” The responses tend to follow a pattern as well. Some folks dismiss them outright as mere superstition. Others relate that although they have no direct experience with such phenomena, they still respect the traditions of their culture. And then there are some who will recount either anecdotal or direct personal experiences.

These topics tend to be my favorite – not only because I am intrigued by the subject matter, but because they are surprisingly the least dogmatic of the discussions. Unlike the above mentioned topics, no one claims to have the only or last word when it comes to metaphysical side!

At the request of one of my readers, in the next few posts I’ll give some background and perhaps relate a personal experience with Orasyon.

Stay tuned...

Great Article

2011-09-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Whew! It's been a C-R-A-Z-Y past few weeks (or months???) Well, our big project is still in the works so I thought I come back with a few posts in the meantime.

Enjoy this article by my Brother Nadzrin:

Langkah Senamku 7: Dari Selangor Ke Michigan a.k.a Senaman Jarak Jauh

Pada tahun 2002, seorang guru Kali bernama guro Omar Hakim dari Amerika Syarikat yang bertugas di Kuala Lumpur menghubungi guru Azlan Ghanie dengan niat berkenalan di samping mempelajari silat. Menurutnya, beliau berminat mempelajari sejenis silat di Malaysia.

Walaupun permohonan rasminya menuntut silat itu ditolak atas alasan perguruan itu sendiri, guro Omar terus memburu silat untuk dipelajari, sehingga berjaya mencapai tahap jurulatih dalam Silat Kuntau Tekpi dan beberapa tahun kemudian, Silat Kalimah.

Beliau turut menuntut Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9, tetapi tidak lama, dan mungkin tidak begitu menepati seleranya. Namun, yang menarik minatnya adalah Senaman Tua. Katanya, senaman ini begitu advanced, hinggakan kaedah nafas dan konsep senaman yang ada padanya jarang ditemui di dunia Barat, melainkan daripada beberapa tokoh sahaja.

Apabila beliau pulang ke Amerika, beliau mengasaskan Silat Kuntau Tekpi USA dan membawa sekali ST. Walaupun beliau tidak bertauliah jurulatih (itu sebelum zaman lesen bertauliah), tetapi beliau gigih menghidupkannya dalam pengajaran silat dan kalinya. Nampak benar ada kesan kepada murid-muridnya.

Pada tahun 2005, ketika saya mengalami pengangguran kerja selama enam bulan, saya mula menghabiskan masa di kafe internet bagi mencari kerja dan aktif di forum beladiri. Dalam menukil-nukil di papan kekunci, saya berkenalan dengan seorang pesilat Kuntau Tekpi USA bernama Phil dan melaluinya, gurunya, cikgu muda Jeff Davidson. Asalnya, kami bertukar-tukar emel, tetapi akhirnya lebih rancak berbincang di Yahoo Messenger.

Jeff, juga dikenali sebagai Jaafar ibn Daud adalah guru muda Silat Kuntau Tekpi dan Kali Pekiti Tirsia. Beliau juga sering dijemput pasukan polis Detroit untuk mengisi silibus pertahanan jalanan pihak berkuasa yang dikenali sebagai Defensive Tactics. Beliau sudah menuntut pelbagai jenis seni beladiri Asia dan Afrika dan kini mengajar kelas beladiri di rumahnya.

Beliau mula bertanya-tanya mengenai silat di Malaysia khususnya mengenai Kuntau Tekpi kerana kami seperguruan. Tetapi, lama-kelamaan, persahabatan kami berubah menjadi persaudaraan yang cukup erat, dan walaupun belum pernah bertemu berhadapan, tetapi terasa sungguh perhubungan keIslaman, persilatan dan kemanusiaan yang utuh.

Namun, setelah beberapa lama berbincangan mengenai, Jeff mula bertanya mengenai Senaman Tua, kerana dirasakan tidak mencukupi apa yang diterima daripada guro Omar. Guru Omar sendiri 'mengisi tempat kosong' dengan pengalaman lamanya dalam dunia seni beladiri. Hasilnya, Senaman Tua yang diajar di USA tidak sama dengan ST di Malaysia.

Sebagai pembuka bicara, saya bertanyakan kepada Jeff, apakah lingkup ST yang diterimanya. Cukup terkejut. Nafas yang diajar adalah salah (atau berlainan dari yang diajar guru Azlan). Gerakan senaman pula banyak yang singkat, tidak lengkap atau salah posisinya. Disebabkan kasihnya saya kepada saudara saya itu, saya mula membetulkan sedikit demi sedikit ilmu yang diterimanya, melalui chat! Mungkin juga perlakuan kami itu adalah kejadian belajar Senaman Tua jarak jauh terawal di dunia secara elektronik!

Apabila saya menurunkan Nafas Melayu yang tepat, di sebelah dunia sana, Jeff menulis bahawa terus beliau merasakan perbezaannya daripada kaedah nafas yang diterima, dan apabila saya menetap dan menepat gerakan senamannya, baru terasa impak yang sepatutnya. Beliau cukup-cukup berterima kasih, namun saya sentiasa mengingatkan bahawa ilmu itu bukan milik saya, tetapi adalah usaha kajian dan susunan guru Azlan Ghanie. Beliau akur.

Saya juga mengingatkan bahawa Senaman Tua belum lagi rasmi dibawa ke USA, kerana guru Omar sendiri tidak terlesen di bawah sistem baru kejurulatihan. Segala apa ST yang diajar di sana oleh Jeff hanya diiktiraf saya sendiri, bukan guru Azlan dan bukan oleh badan kawalan ST di Malaysia. Beliau tetap akur dengan maksud, bila-bila sahaja beliau mungkin menerima surat rasmi daripada guru Azlan untuk berhenti mengajar ST. Tetapi, kata saya, selagi itu belum berlaku, amalkanlah sendiri dan ajarkanlah kepada keluarga dan muridnya.

Hasilnya cukup menakjubkan. Kegigihan Jeff, keterbukaannya belajar (walaupun umurnya jauh melangkaui saya sendiri) dan keikhlasannya menyampaikan ilmu mendapat sambutan hangat daripada murid-muridnya sendiri. Buktinya seringkali dipaparkan di blog beliau Balisong Journal. Saya sempat kutip beberapa emel yang dikirim kepadanya oleh muridnya:

Testimonial Senaman Tua dari USA
Senaman Tua saves another student
Senaman Tua - Another satisfied client!

Malah, sebelum murid-muridnya, Jeff sendiri menulis dalam blognya bahawa:

"In response to numerous requests from my students for more information on Senaman Tua, I offer the following brief explanation... As anyone who has been put into at least one full-body lock from Cekak or Silat Kuntau Tekpi can attest, it is murder on the joints. I liken Senaman Tua to 'yoga' for the joints. We have been doing it for 7 months, and I have seen remarkable results in my students strength and flexibility.

"By way of a personal testimony, in the summer of 2004 I tore the ACL in my right knee during a dumog match. After 3 months of physical therapy I decided not to have surgery, but the knee was obviously not fully functional. I learned Senaman Tua from Omar Hakim in April of 2005, and after a rigorous program of x2 per week for an hour my knee was stronger than it was before the tear - by July!"

Dalam buku Senaman Melayu Tua, terdapat berpuluh testimonial daripada orang Malaysia mengenai keberkesanan ST dan saya sendiri tidak sempat memasukkan testimonial-testimonial daripada Jeff dan murid-muridnya dalam buku itu (juga kerana status ST yang tidak rasmi di sana), tetapi hakikatnya, ST sudah sampai ke luar negara, sudah melepasi ujian akal dan praktikal orang Amerika (manusia yang paling pengkritik dalam bab-bab seni beladiri tradisional) dan menerima pengiktirafan daripada kerajaan Malaysia sebagai rawatan alternatif.

Sehingga kini, Jeff masih lagi berlatih dan mengajar ST, dan masih bersahabat rapat dengan saya. Satu hari nanti, kami pasti akan bersua muka, dan tibalah pula masa saya menuntut daripadanya.

Coming Soon...

2011-07-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

A new offering, for an expanded audience of seekers willing to 'take a chance' and dedicated to one student in particular who unfortunately learned the hard way to take his training seriously...

More to come.

Happy GURU'S DAY!

2011-07-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

As many of you may not know, today happens to be Guru Purnima which is celebrated by many in the Hindu/Buddhist communities across the world. I don't usually quote wikipedia, but I'll save you the trouble of clicking over there right now with this brief summary:

The relationship between the Guru and the Disciple is considered very sacred. This relationship is purely spiritual in nature and is independent of age of the two. It is based on maturity of Gyan (Spiritual Knowledge) and Shrada (Spiritual Practice). The only awareness that a Disciple should foster is, ‘I should be uplifted spiritually’. The Guru too harbours only one thought, ‘May this Disciple be uplifted’.

So, specific religious overtones aside take some time today and think on this. Of course just like your mother, father, and every other important person in your life, you should always carry a feeling of gratitude and "connection" to your Teacher.

My deepest and most sincere Salutations to all of my Teachers everywhere in gratitude for all you have - and continue - to share. On behalf of my own students...

HAPPY GURU'S DAY!

Even More Class Notes: Silat Melayu

2011-07-07T16:19:00.001-07:00

Here are some important questions from last week’s class. If you can answer them, you are well on your way to refining your skill in combat – or you were at least paying attention:

1. Which petua deals specifically with the transfer/release of energy?

2. In sequence, this petua would be […] gerak? (fill in the blank)

3. How does this petua apply to grappling in Silat? Do other forms of grappling – wrestling, jiujitsu, etc - employ this principle?

4. Find this petua (if it exists) in Pekiti-Tirsia:

a. In footwork

b. In a stick drill

c. In a stick disarm

5. Cite a specific buah that clearly emphasizes this petua –hint: it’s the one that puts the opponent “to sleep”.

6. Cite an example of this petua somewhere in nature.

The first person to email me with the correct answers wins a prize!

Got Training? Thank Your Wife! pt 2

2011-06-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

If you’re really fortunate, you may have the kind of wife that my student Panday is blessed to have. No, he’s not the student I referenced earlier, but I’m still going to talk about him for a minute. Panday is our role-model not only in the arena of Combat Shooting, but also as the quintessential husband and father. Sort of like the late Michael Landon’s character on Little House on the Prairie, only he routinely apprehends armed robbers and dislodges barricaded gunmen (you thought your job was stressful?)

If Panday befriends you, you will inevitably come to know his family, and you will realize he could not be who he is without the unconditional support of “Mrs. Panday”.

I’m referring to the kind of true Partner who understands that your training in Martial Arts is as much for your family as it is for you. Does your training affect only YOU? Of course not. Your training makes you a better person in every aspect of your life. If you have found a Path that strengthens you mentally and physically, hones your discipline, refines your character, and globally enriches your life on every level – is it worth devoting time to? Is it worth a few sacrifices in other, more permeable areas of your life?

If you answered those questions in the affirmative, and you have the full support of those closest to you, then the difficult Path to Mastery has been made a lot easier for you. Count your blessings.

Now finally to the student I referred to in the beginning. After training seriously for just under a year, he recently suffered an unfortunate medical setback and was forced to take a leave from his job and also from several other activities that he shared with his family. I saw him just after Father’s Day for what I assumed would be the last time before a necessary hiatus.

He related to me a very strange “argument” that he had with his wife the day before. Although physically able, he was prepared to suspend his training indefinitely while his personal setback worked out. After all he reasoned, his wife would be working extra hours to make up the difference in the family’s expenses. Here’s where the argument came into play. His wife would hear nothing of it! In his words: “She told me that no matter what, these lessons and being a part of the group have had such a strong positive influence on me, she would not allow me to stop under any circumstances and would do anything in her power to help me continue – especially now.”

Another student who just happened to be privy to the conversation offered this timeless wisdom “Dude, while you’re budgeting for your training, you better also be budgeting weekly for flowers!”

I wholeheartedly concur.

Got Training? Thank Your Wife! pt 1

2011-06-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

With all praise to Heaven - I had a great Father’s Day this year. So did one of my students in particular, but we’ll talk about that in a minute. As for me, it was an early dinner at my favorite restaurant in the ‘old neighborhood’ followed by a long, sprawling, winding hike with my daughter through the same magnificent woods that I used to carry her through on my shoulders so many years ago.

Back to Martial Arts. Now realize, that it’s very difficult to train seriously and actually develop true skill and virtue through martial arts training in our time, for reasons other than the inherent challenges of learning a martial art. The tough part is that so many people have to support you unconditionally. Not just your teacher and your training partners, but the people closest to you – namely your own family – have to stand firmly behind you 100%. That is the tough part.

Unless you’re a monk and you train with other monks; or you’re still a teenager with a teenager’s responsibilities, it’s very difficult indeed to balance time for your training against the weight of all the other responsibilities that an adult member of our society must shoulder. The truth is that if you take this really seriously – and the people that train with me usually do – and you look at Martial Arts training as something deeper than a simple hobby or pastime – you will make sacrifices. Social life, recreational life, professional obligations and yes, even time with your family become part of the balancing act.

Here is something to ponder: for a typical man who trains religiously and spends a considerable amount of time in pursuit of the Art, the person you are most accountable to – aside from your Guru – is invariably your wife! Indeed, her level of compassion, respect, and understanding can literally make or break your training.

to be continued...

Belated Father's Day

2011-06-22T17:08:00.001-07:00

Proud Dad and Daughter

I am horribly remiss in that I have allowed Father’s Day to come and go without saluting all the dedicated, hard-working, devoted, loving, and self-sacrificing Fathers out there. MABUHAY to all the Dads everywhere – and that includes so-called “step-dads”, Grandfathers, and any Elder man who may have played that role in your life. It is indeed a terrible thing to have a Void where the Father should have been.

In 25 years of teaching Martial Arts, I can attest that so many people are in truth searching for that Father when they come into your training hall.

As demographics would have it, there are more ‘Dads’ among the ranks of my students - some old(er), some new(er) – than there are single guys (sorry ladies!) Each one to a man would tell you how much training in the Martial Arts has made him stronger, more courageous, more flexible, and in every way better prepared to confront the awesome and terrifying responsibility of Fatherhood.

Update

2011-06-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

I want to say that I really appreciate the patience of the 3-4 people who actually read this blog on a regular basis. In response to a lot of kind feedback and encouragement from you guys - and one student in particular - I have decided to write an actual book featuring material along the same lines of The Balisong Journal.

So, The Balisong Journal will stay online and i will update it, but I am putting a lot of energy behind the 'new' project. I welcome all of your thoughts and suggestions either by comment here or by private email.

Please stay tuned for details...

MABUHAY

JD

Soul Searching

2011-05-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

To start with, you are encouraged to mentally cue up something like the closing theme music from the old Incredible Hulk television series (starring Bill Bixby) to set the appropriate tone for this next series of posts.

Yes, I’ve been doing some ‘Soul Searching’ lately in regards to teaching, learning, students, the role of the teacher etc.

Looking back, I never thought that I would ever be a Guru (teacher) in any of the Southeast Asian martial arts that I have been privileged to study. So many years ago, I remember standing in my own teacher’s yard during training sessions - watching in awe of his skill and the skills of the advanced students - thinking “This is so far beyond me, I’ll probably never really get ‘good’ at this…it would be enough if I could just learn it.” A somewhat defeatist attitude to be sure, but I felt like I was being realistic.

This was about 1987-88, long before Youtube and the Internet, when I still held the outrageous notion that a person would at least have to possess a high level of technical skill and understanding to be awarded a teaching license from a legitimate Master of Kali or Silat. I guess either I was wrong to begin with…or times have changed. Today, you certainly don’t need much in the way of skill and understanding to be granted the title of Guru by some (even legitimate) Masters. In fact, a lot of folks these days just skip that step altogether and award themselves the title of Teacher, Master, or even Grandmaster and go about trolling for students. I guess it’s a variation of “If you build it, they will come”…especially if they don’t know any better.

To be continued...

Thought for the Day

2011-04-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

All pleasures come to us from Paradise, even good jokes. Joy is on a higher plane than grief. Even with the new-born child, tears come first and then smiles. Joy constitutes a higher state, for it springs from the Higher Worlds, from the Glory of the Almighty.

Thus it is Joy that washes away all sin.

- Reb Pinchas of Koritz from “Midrash Pinchas”

Perspectives on Silat pt 3

2011-04-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Taqwa will cultivate a true sense of serenity and tranquility. One will have no fear towards any other being in the world. Absence of fear combined with proper and compassionate action, based on the true teaching and practice of your spiritual Faith. One will have aspiration only to God. Truly and fully relying on God is tawakkal. Tawakkal must come with proper physical and spiritual action that is based on the discipline of ‘submission’ to the Lord of All Worlds.

In truth learning silat is actually an act of admitting our weaknesses, an effort in controlling ourselves physically and mentally and it is a way to train our physical body to obey tawakkal - full reliance to the Divine. It is actually among our religious obligations to learn and master the way of self-defense, thus utilizing it with proper manner. Silat – or any martial art - itself can never be the ultimate goal in our life. It is one among many tools of knowledge that can be utilized for a holy purpose.

Don't allow yourself to become obsessed with “fighting” but rather allow yourself to completely be submerged into following the path of the Divine. This is the true teaching and practice of our Faith.

Perspectives on Silat pt 2

2011-04-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

According to our Faith, learning self defense is among the practices of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and his companions (ra.hum). It is essential for a pious man to be able to protect himself, his family, his possessions, and land from any threat from any kind of enemies, seen or unseen. So it is a religious obligation to put sufficient effort into assuring the safety of all in our environment. As a follower of The Way, let this be the only pure intention in learning Silat. This would be the very basic effort in making sure our intentions will not be clouded by bad inclinations. As murids, we learn Silat not to perfect our martial skill but to complete the practice of our Faith, and thus elevate ourselves as servants of God.

Previously I use the word mentally instead of spiritually because there is only one element that can be used to control the spiritual, and that is the study and practice of Piety. Among the most important aspect of Faith that must be acquired by all is Taqwa. Which means fearing only God, and by fulfilling all His commandments with hope towards His (swt) Mercy. Taqwa is important so that we can ensure our physical and spiritual action is correct and on the straight path. Taqwa will prevent us from making physical and spiritual mistakes or deliberate sins, because from taqwa one will fully obey God.

to be continued...

Perspectives on Silat pt 1

2011-04-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

In the coming posts, I'd like to share (with minimal editing) a teaching prepared especially for my students (at my request) by my good friend Ustaz Saiful Muhammad of Malaysia. Read, discuss, enjoy! - JD

Silat is an art of control. Not to control others but to control oneself physically and mentally. When one master the art of controlling oneself, the need to protect oneself when facing enemy will seem like one is controlling the fight and the enemy. Actually one is controlling oneself so perfect that one's body will not be harmed in any way by the threat that been delivered. It is not a skill of controlling others but it is an interpretation of self control.

Learning and mastering Silat is actually to realize and accept one’s weaknesses and embrace it so that it can be use to the advantage. We learn how to make specific movements to protect our weak parts of the body. We are forced to master weaponry skill to face against enemy with more strength or with weapon. If we are so strong and mighty, we don't have to put so much effort in learning special skill to protect ourselves. Just let the enemy come and attack that can do no harm to our strong and impenetrable defense. So in truth we learn any self defense techniques or Silat out of our obvious weaknesses.

to be continued...

Senaman Tua Saves Another Student!

2011-03-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Guro Davidson,

I have to say that Senaman Tua has had a great impact on my joints - in a positive way. When you think in terms of most other martial arts and sports in general, the knee is always one of the first things to give as you get older. Knee problems can become like an old transmission that is breaking down.

A few weeks ago one of your newer students very enthusiastically put me in a kuncian during training. I did not realize the danger until I went to move my foot in order to relieve the pressure of the lock. It took my mind a few seconds to realize that although my foot was not moving, my knee was nevertheless twisting as if it were. I gave a loud (but very manly) scream that was heard throughout the training hall. I could feel the ligaments in my knee twisting very unnaturally. I would compare it to thinking you had been shot.

I reacted to the tearing of my knee as if it was destroyed. But I suddenly began to realize that the pain was rapidly subsiding. I was even able to get up after a few minutes and walk around. Within 3 days I was 95% and by the end of the week I was ready to go for my next private lesson - which I would not miss for the world.

I really appreciate the benefit that Senaman Tua has had on my joints because I have twisted my knee like that in the past and it took me well over a month to recover.

Your student,

D.M.

4 Types of Students

2011-02-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

From Pirke Avot (Lesson's of the Fathers) :

"There are four types among those who sit before the wise: the Sponge, the Funnel, the Strainer, and the Sieve. Some are like the sponge which absorbs everything; some are like the funnel which takes in at one end and lets out at the other; some are like the strainer which allows the wine to go out and retains the dregs; some are like the sieve which lets out the bran and retains the fine flour."

More Class Notes: Silat Melayu

2011-02-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

This week we came to appreciate some aspects of the sarong/malong/panyo, and also learned that the old adage about swimming (i.e. don’t do it soon after eating) applies equally to martial arts.

Last week, we established the following:

When you understand and can apply the sequence of petua in forward and reverse order, you have the formulas to begin your own movement and also to shut-down your opponent’s movement. With this in mind the buah are simply examples of how to accomplish this from different entries, footwork, parries, etc.

If you don’t understand this then you’re simply copying movements instead of really using the techniques in the buah, and you’ll have a hard time applying the techniques in a free-fight.

If you do understand this, you can apply the appropriate technique successfully in real time against a resisting opponent, without much of a struggle.

The buah are not complicated and don’t take a long time to learn. You never need “more” buah…you just need to really understand the petua.

Senaman Tua - Another Satisfied Client!

2011-02-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

My name is Christopher K., and I am a humble student of Guro Jeff Davidson in the Filipino and Malaysian martial arts. Lately I had been experiencing some knee and joint stability issues, and thus approached Guro for some advice. At this point, I was introduced to Senaman Tua – the so-called “Old Exercises.” Guro Davidson related the history and effectiveness of Senaman Tua and how much it has helped him.

After learning a basic routine, I have found Senaman Tua to be extremely challenging yet almost profound in what it targets and accomplishes. Through the lower, core, and upper-body exercises I feel my fascia and tendon strength improving. Stability and sensitivity are also increasing. All of this in a martial arts/fitness context.

I have a good amount of experience in running and weight-lifting, and I believe they are important for general fitness and muscle stamina. Yet I now believe that Senaman Tua is even more important for the joint fascia and stability needed for greater physical sensitivity and martial prowess. Senaman Tua is the exercise regimen needed to prevent injury and to excel in movement. Even when compared to Yoga, I find it way more useful and beneficial.

Thanks for Senaman Tua!

Christopher K.

2011-02-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Another Great One Has Departed

2011-01-25T13:49:00.001-08:00

Wow. 2011 has barely begun and another of our beloved Elders has gone to his Great Reward. The legendary Afro-Cuban percussionist Eugenio Arango (better known as Totico) has passed away in New York. He was the teacher of one of my own conga teachers, and we were actually distant cousins - long story for another time.

In his honor, we will feature his music this week during classes. VIVA TOTICO!

New Logo is Here!

2011-01-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

Brotherhood of the Blade Logo 2011

It’s not only the www.maphilindo.com website that has a new look for 2011. Our own Kuya Doug Marcaida , after months of painstaking work has finally put the finishing touches on the official new logo of The Brotherhood of the Blade. So far the new design has met with rave reviews from students and supporters alike. Word has it that this very image has already been uploaded onto cell phones, screensavers, and profile pics across the cyber-sphere.

It is possible that those unfamiliar with the Brotherhood of the Blade may get the wrong impression or otherwise misinterpret the logo, so we thought some clarification may be in order.

The Brotherhood of the Blade is all about martial arts, but it is not about fighting. Obviously, martial artists love to fight; a big part of the problem is they don’t know when to stop. You see, fighting is no challenge. The REAL challenge is getting along with other people in a noble way…in a way that fosters Respect and Loyalty, instead of back-biting and contention.

Kuya Doug, Ka Jay, and I all know what an absolutely miserable experience it is to part of a dysfunctional Martial Arts organization. We created the Brotherhood of the Blade to be all the positive things we wanted for ourselves and our students. The only ranks and titles belong to our Teachers – Ama Guro Jun De Leon, Tuhon Leo T Gaje Jr., and Manong Leon Saludo. Respect is for everyone.

We have never been in competition with any other “branch” of any System. We respect everyone. Those who support our efforts, we support in return. Thos who don’t – we simply choose to ignore with no hard feelings (I promise!) Anyone who displays honor, respect, a passion for learning Kali, and is willing to be supportive of the group is able to join us. Just remember, you have to prove it first.

Our only agenda is to refine and grow. And most important of all – we have a lot of fun doing it!

And now the explanation of the logo from someone who really understands our purpose:

The logo design of expression, there are several meanings to it.

The three hands are of the three main Elders of The Brotherhood whom we never forget. Also the Three original founding members who started it - but mostly it shows the hands supporting each other...that support is what Brotherhood is about.

It forms a triangle, the geometric pattern found in FMA, the most solid shape, the most solid foundation. In numbers there is strength and in a pattern where they can lean on each other for support. The hands extend to hold the weapons, which are the basis of our Passion. We are a Blade-based art.

The background is taken from the Philippine flag. The Sun’s rays of illumination of something that is positive and good. It shines upon a brotherhood to show a glow of good things - a fellowship like this is about shining because of the good it does.

We do not compete with against each other; we help and support each other. The points of the rays explode outward. The patterns of movement are infinite…

New Look for '11

2011-01-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

No, hell hasn't frozen over. Its just that finding a reliable web guy is like finding a good Kali instructor. Luckily, I managed to get one - from India, of all places. My good friend and Gurubhai Abhi gave the old www.maphilindo.com website an overhaul. Please have a look and feel free to give me your thoughts and suggestions either here in the comments section or via email.

MABUHAY!

ps. This guy does great work and he is very reasonable. I'll be happy to pass his info along to any that are interested.

...Gone to Soon

2011-01-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

Ricky Rillera

Kuya Ricky Rillera was a Brother, dear Friend, and Elder to me. He was also one of the most wonderful human beings you could ever be blessed to know. This world is a poorer place for his leaving it – but it is also richer for the marks he made in the lives of all who knew him.

Brother Ricky, we remember you every single day. I am eternally grateful for everything you shared with my students and I – we are all better people for it. We humbly pray that God rests your Soul in Peace.

I also pray that I merit the opportunity to train with you again…some glorious day.

Al-Fatihah.

2010 Continued: Silat Melayu

2011-01-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

Some time in April of 2005 I was sitting over a late dinner with Cikgu Omar Hakim in Austin, Texas discussing various topics in Silat Melayu. We spoke about the similarities/differences in Silat practice in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as the many fallacies and misconceptions surrounding the phenomena of Silat here in the West.

At one point, Omar was reminiscing about his experiences with different Masters in Malaysia, where he studied under some of the greatest. He spoke at length about Pak Jauhari, venerable Master of the venerable Silat Kalimah – which could be considered a “cousin-system” to the Art I practice – Silat Kuntau Tekpi. Omar related “Whenever I would attack Pak ‘Jo, as soon as he even put a finger on me, he had me totally locked to the point where I couldn’t even roll my eyes!”

For those of you that have the pleasure of knowing (or even having seen) Cikgu Omar, that’s a pretty impressive declaration for him to make about anybody, let alone a typically smaller-stature elder Malay. That vision stayed foremost in my mind throughout the following period of study and research amongst my own group here in Michigan.

We spent a good part of the next few years refining the physical aspects of practice, namely the 42 buah (strikeforms) which encompass pukulan (percussion), kuncian (locking), and buangan (throwing). This was not such a simple endeavor considering that Silat Kuntau Tekpi in theory and practice is very different from Kali in almost every respect.

This year in particular, with the gracious support of several Elders in Malaysia, who for the sake of humility have requested me not to ‘brag’ about them on this blog (except for Nadzrin!) we have achieved an understanding of – and the ability to teach - the intrinsic Petua (Principles of Movement) that put the true ‘soul’ into the techniques, and mean the difference between merely imitating a technique and actually producing the desired effect with a minimum of effort. A recent class gave me a nice bit of confirmation: during buah practice, I observed a beginning student (a veteran of exactly 2 prior Silat Melayu classes) completely immobilize a senior student approximately twice his size - within seconds of the attacking feed – using only the elbow of the attacker.

Also in 2010, we had the pleasure of introducing Silat Melayu to groups of experienced martial artists and laymen through various seminars in the U.S. and Canada.

We’re working on some very exciting projects with our friends in Malaysia for 2011. God Willing, it’s going to be a banner year!

2010 Continued: Barako Batangueno

2011-01-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

After a five year apprenticeship under the redoubtable Tito Jun Saludo, I was (unexpectedly) awarded full Instructor status in his personal style some months ago. Even with a high degree a familiarity with this method, I have to confess I am no less intimidated by it today than I was at my first taste five years ago. As one of my students puts it: “Pekiti bladework is scientific, disciplined, and efficient…Barako is just your worst nightmare with a knife.” I’ll second that.

Our training with the Saludos this year focused on some different aspects from times past. Ka Jay spent a great deal of time and effort in codifying the logical footwork pattern to flow with the “template” of 29 basic attacks. One comes to realize that the footwork and body positioning – as counter-intuitive as it is to typical FMA – does as much to hide/assist the delivery of the final lethal angle as the knife-hand itself. So we have been hard-wiring in the footwork.

Tito Jun himself gave us far more than expected during this year’s training. After a demonstrative review of our progress thus far, Tito subjected each student to a full out ‘pressure test’. If he had been using a live blade – or even anything with a sharp point – my whole cadre of senior students would either be dead or out of commission for a long, long time. Following this test came a comprehensive critique of each student’s performance, along with specific directives for improvement. We can’t wait to see what next year’s test will be.

Ever true to his word, Tito never wasted any precious time last year on “trivial” matters like empty-hand striking and grappling. As far as Barako is concerned, it has been –and continues to be – all about the blade!

Kali De Leon

2010-12-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

Many people have asked me: “What is the most valuable thing you’ve taken from your study of Kali De Leon so far?”

That’s an easy answer. I can sum up the most valuable aspect of our involvement in KDL with three words: Ama Guro Jun. I simply cannot say enough about what a rare individual is Ama Guro Jun De Leon. For those who were moved by my previous post “The Heart of a Master” – it was inspired by him. He has a Heart as big as all outdoors, but by no means does he suffer fools. I’ve known him to reject more potential students than most instructors end up teaching. So if your ultimate goal is to study Kali De Leon, your first goal should be to become the kind of person that Ama Guro would accept as a student. People think we’re exclusive, but he’s in a class by himself there.

I can answer that question another way as well. Ama Guro Jun may get angry with me if he deems me to be incorrect, but here it goes. The most common appellative placed after Kali De Leon is not ‘Style’ or ‘System’ but Methodology. That’s very important. On the technical side, Ama Guro’s training methodology is by far one of the best I’ve experienced inside or outside of FMA. I’m convinced that whatever Art you practice, the KDL Methodology of training can make you better at it. Ama Guro’s mastery of range, power, body mechanics, and economy of motion is PhD level – as is his ability to see and develop your highest potential as a student. At our last meeting, he confided to us: “I’m so tough with you guys because I want you all to be the greatest generation of FMA practitioners.”

We were fortunate to have had several opportunities to train with Ama Guro Jun this year. I can see a huge positive difference in my own development, and my students have been transformed. I also had the distinct pleasure of introducing/teaching Silat Melayu at this years annual camp in Toronto.

Pekiti-Tirsia with Mandala Rommel Tortal

2010-12-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

A lot of people with a lot of different backgrounds came from a lot of different places to study Pekiti-Tirsia with us this year. It’s been a while since we’ve had this many beginners. It forced us to really nail down a standard curriculum based on what Grand Tuhon Gaje has shared with us since 1999. One of our main goals was to maintain the “unique-ness” of our own Pekiti-Tirsia training – based on the Tri-V and Contra-Tirsia methodologies with the baston and daga. As I’ve said before, some people expect something a little more ‘familiar’ when they come here for Pekiti-Tirsia. We follow the curriculum exactly as it was given to us – for us - by Tuhon, and I’m not one to second-guess him for our training.

In particular, we put a lot of emphasis on codifying and refining our practice of Dumog (grappling), and Pangamut (striking). I have always been in awe of Tuhon Gaje’s hand-to-hand combat. In my opinion, it stands right up there with – and surpasses – even the best of the Southeast Asian, East Asian, and Western “hand systems”. We have been joined this year by practitioners of such diverse arts as: Hsing-I and Tong Bei Kung-fu, Muay Chaiya, Pukulan Betawi, Silat Mustika Kwitang, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Some of these good people had a harsher introduction to our empty-hands than others, but the consensus is the same in the end: "F#$k! I didn't realize you guys could fight without knives!"

There is a misconception that Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is strictly a “weapons system”, and that one needs to supplement it with some other martial art to be ‘complete’. I’m here to tell you that’s not true at all. Dumog and Pangamut may not be the best choice to help you win an MMA contest, but it will give you the perfect, and necessary compliment to your weapons training – for COMBAT – not sports.

The highlight of this year for us in Pekiti-Tirsia was the opportunity to train with our old friend Mandala Rommel Tortal. In our informed opinion, Rommel has the most fluid (virtually seamless) integration of knife-stick-empty hands of anyone next to Tuhon Gaje. He is also a great and very energetic instructor. In our last training session, he indulged my urgent request to go deeper into Pekiti-Tirsia empty hands. It’s been a long time since someone has thrown me around like he did, but it was worth every bruise, strain, and contusion. My advice is to seek him out if you can. I promise he will remove any shadow of a doubt regarding the viability of Pekiti-Tirsia as an empty-hands system.

The good news is that we expect to be seeing a lot more of him right here in the United States. I encourage you all to come out and show your support. My students and I are ready and willing (just next time someone please remember to bring the ibuprofin).

Looking Back: Looking Ahead

2010-12-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a year this has been. In all honesty it will damn hard to top this year, but we will try our best to do so in 2011. In the coming posts, I’ll try to summarize just a bit of what we’ve been up to lately.

Guro's Public Service Announcement 2

2010-12-19T11:32:00.001-08:00

Behold the terrible scourge that has swept the ranks of FMA practitioners everywhere:

The Balisong!

Up until the early 1980’s, this addictive pastime was all but unknown on our shores. Largely relegated to shadowy people practicing strange disciplines in near-secrecy. Suddenly, every ninja and bad guy in every cheap martial arts movie/tv show was wielding one. You couldn’t even open a martial arts magazine or equipment catalog without being bombarded by page after page of advertisements for the so-called “Butterfly Knife”, or “Ninja Knife”. Soon after, there were books, instructional videos, “collector’s editions” and the new, terrible fad was upon us like a storm.

HOW IT STARTS

It begins innocently enough. A student notices one of these implements of obsession placed quietly on a shelf or table in the training hall. Then, like a moth to the flame he’ll invariably say something to the effect of “You know, I’ve always wanted to learn how to use one of those!” and so it begins.

At first, they buy a cheap, crappy model at the local flea market. They bring it to their next lesson and the instructor (like a good dope pusher) will show some basic openings/catches. That’s usually enough to hook them. Next thing you know, they’re buy two and three at a time – in all price ranges. Then they’re accessorizing carrying cases. Then they’re asking for advice on “tightening the pivot pins” and throwing about terms such as “safety handle” and “Batangas Latch vs. Manila Latch”. Oh woe!

OTHER SYMPTOMS

You can always tell by the band-aids. The typical addict in the early stages will have at least a few freshly stained band-aids about the palms and fingers. I’ve also learned to check the feet or shoes. Puncture wounds on the lower extremities (from dropping the knife) are common indicators. Eventually, the Balisong addict will develop a nervous, instinctive reflexive reaction of pulling up the foot quickly while manipulating his knife. One hapless addict whom we’ll call “John B” actually placed his stocking’d foot directly underneath a falling balisong, rather than having to deal with his wife’s anger over all the new holes in their freshly sanded hardwood living room floor (I mentioned that it strains relationships).

I’ve seen the best of friends become bitter rivals within weeks as each tries to one-up the other with his balisong flashery. The spirit of sharing and cooperation is all but destroyed: “Hey show me how you did that opening you just did!” “No way. Figure it out yourself.”

Next come…the videos. You receive youtube links via email at odd hours of the night, when normal, healthy people are surfing for smut. Then they text the links to your personal phone in the middle of the day. Imagine my horror as a teacher when one of my students, completely new to the martial arts, suddenly began to post his own balisong videos– showing skill with openings, closings and catches THAT I NEVER EVEN TAUGHT HIM! (evidence of infidelity of a heinous sort).

It can bring out the dark side of even the most upstanding individual. Years ago, a certain student whom we will anonymously refer to “Panday X” innocently gifted me with an old Balisong that his father – a veteran Law Enforcement officer – had previously taken off the street in an act of selfless service to the community. In good faith this Panday X said “I don’t really know anything about this knife Guro, so you please have it.” Only a matter of days later, this same gentleman, after observing me manipulate the balisong uttered the following oath “Gee, now that I see what it can do, I’m sorry I gave it away!” (Hell no I didn’t give it back to him either!)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

As with all addictions, it’s best not to even start. Instead of Kali, try martial arts like Jiujitsu or Karate. After all, when have ever seen someone completely obsessed with a bo staff or nunchaku? Or even traditional Kung-fu. A Shaolin Tiger Fork Trident is a great deal less portable than a balisong.

There is also evidence that the balisong can often function as a “gateway drug”, leading to complete obsession with even more exotic blades such as the Kerambit or Badik.

On the positive side, for the spouse, roommate, sibling, etc, of the balisong addict, selecting the perfect gift for Father’s Day, Christmas, and Birthdays just got a whole lot easier. Just realize that by going that route, you have in essence become an enabler.

Finally, the best way to fight this addictive menace is to remove it completely! If you yourself are suffering from Balisong Addiction, or if you are close to one who is, you must immediately gather all balisongs in the vicinity of the hapless abuser, package them neatly, and then contact me at once by private message.

I will gladly provide you with an address for shipping them. Then the nightmare can end.

Guro's Public Service Announcement

2010-12-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

I want to speak out about an addiction that I have seen sweep through the ranks of even my own students throughout the past few years. It is an addiction so insidious, so dominating, so all-pervasive that if you allow yourself to indulge – even ONE TIME – you run the risk of acquiring a habit that will most likely consume a good part of your spare time and disposable income, not to mention the inevitable risks to your physical and mental well-being.

I have seen it strain relationships. I have seen it ruin friendships. I have seen it affect work and school. It’s often been glamorized in the media. The poor souls who are caught in its clutches often rationalize that it’s merely “recreational”, but that’s just a smoke screen for the terrible reality…

I have seen it among almost every group of FMA practitioners. I have seen it in Baltimore; I have seen it in Texas; I have seen it in New York; I have seen it in Detroit (of course); and OH YES I have seen it in the Philippines. Even now as I write this, one of my newer students – a bright, young, well-educated man, just married – has embraced the habit. And I realize that I am ultimately responsible.

I will be silent no more. In my next post I will bring this demon to light.

May God protect us.

To be continued...

2010: THE YEAR OF BROTHERHOOD!

2010-12-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

Silat Melayu Class Notes: Selisih

2010-11-30T07:44:00.001-08:00

"Greeting by Fur"

Some notes from last class:

You’re either going to whack him (pukulan), hurl him (buangan), or lock him (kuncian). Right now, we’re focused on the third alternative.

The first step is to waylay the oncoming attack. Next priority is to target a joint on the attacking extremity – but don’t get too attached to it, because it’s only a means to an end. You already know where the kuncian is headed. If the wrist is closest, it’ll do. Same goes for the elbow, or whatever.

Now is when you either begin to shut him down for good OR he makes you sorry you got up this morning. So pay attention, please.

If the opponent is alive, he’ll start to resist. He may explode towards you, or he may try to pull away. He may try to root down. He may throw the other hand, or he may kick – so many possibilities! If you’re a typical grappler, you will most likely attempt to out-muscle the opponent at this point. If you are bigger and stronger than him, that ‘may’ work but you ain’t doing Silat Melayu – and if your opponent is than you’ve just opened yourself to more counters than IKEA at X-mas.

At this point, we should understand the petua of Jantan Betina (Comparative Energy). In locking, the physical application of this petua is Selisih (Passing). Think of two cats passing each other going in opposite directions: they don’t bump heads or shake hands – they greet by their fur. There is a simultaneous, complimentary movement (or adjustment) by both parties.

This is essentially the example you have to follow in response to your opponent’s attempted counter.

There are two other complimentary petua you have to be aware of at this stage: Lam Alif (soft redirection) and Mata Angin (sharp redirection). Fight smart and let him decide exactly how he will fall into whichever kuncian he ends up in – as you remove the final remnants of his leverage.

NOTE: If you are just practicing a buah on its own, you won’t encounter this situation because you are directing the whole show. This issue only presents itself when the guy is resisting. Start with an easy entry – like Cenkaman Harimau and then have your partner actively resist.

Have fun and be careful.

"Sneaking to the Ribs"

2010-11-23T19:14:00.001-08:00

The "secret" of Susup Rusuk:
Maintain control of the opponent's right arm throughout the takedown, and lock the right elbow when he hits the ground.

Note to my Malaysian friends: I know it's not really a 'secret' to you guys, but around here...

"Kecik kecik tak nak mampus, dah besar menyusahkan orang"

2010-11-17T17:51:00.000-08:00

Jones explaining the finer points of Kembang Layar in New York

Class Notes: Silat Melayu

2010-11-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

Keep them on their toes...

I decided to post some notes from our last class.

Each class includes a lesson in Theory, and then proceeds to hands-on Practical Application. The theories presented are taken from my discussions with notable Silat Melayu instructors from disciplines such as Silat Kuntau Tekpi, Silat Cekak Hanafi, Silat Kalimah, and Silat Abjad. 9 times out of 10, this section will begin with the words “Nadzrin says…”(!)

The physical part of the lesson will usually focus on a particular buah, petua, weapon, or drill such as Silat Pulut, and of course the basic training form of SKT known as Pelebat. I like to have students perform the buah time after time without a partner. This way, I can correct and hone their movement without the “accompaniment” of a feeder. If a student really understands the buah, I should be able to see it clearly in his solo movement. We also like to look for the source of a particular buah within the Pelebat.

In this week’s Theory we looked at the sequence of Petua in regards to our own movement, and then demonstrated how this sequence is exactly reversed in order to affect a kuncian that “kills” the opponent’s movement. We also examined how one should be able to re-purpose a grappling buah for striking, and vice-versa based on understanding these principles. This led to some very interesting pecahan.

We focused on two buah in particular: Radak Maut and Kera Sumbang. There will be no photo illustrations for this post. If you would like to learn these techniques, then please apply to your nearest Silat Kuntau Tekpi instructor.

Buah: Radak Maut

Notes:

We’ve seen and practiced a version of this buah a few years back from a Sumateran system. The initial step was the same. The tangkis was ‘hard’, and the takedown (or pull-down) brings the opponent over your front leg, down to under you between your planted feet. Note that the orientation of your feet and torso remain fixed throughout the buah until the end. When the opponent is on the ground, you’re pinning him under your rear knee.

In the Sumateran variation, you must keep a good bend in the front knee. Pull him towards you to break his balance and then ‘trip’ him over that knee.

In the SKT version, the step and the tangkis are for the most part the same as above. However, during the takedown you pivot 180 degrees on both feet, so that you finish the buah facing the exact opposite direction from where you began. You should end in a semi-crouch, with the shin of your rear leg pressing into the opponent’s ribcage.

There’s no need to ‘muscle’ the opponent to the floor. Once you’ve seized your respective targets with the hands, use your body weight and momentum from the pivot to accomplish the takedown. It requires less strength than the first example.

Buah: Kera Sumbang

This buah is one of my personal favorites, but it can be tricky. If you think about it, we use this takedown all the time in different variations. Let me make the following suggestions: First, you may take a small initial step out with the left foot before the right foot moves into position. Don’t step in as deep as you do on Radak Maut.

Now, I have found that if the left hand pulls the opponent backwards from the forehead, you’ll “lose” him as you pivot. Instead, try to turn his head from the corner of the chin toward his left shoulder and then pull ‘down-and-in’ as opposed to ‘back-and-out’. Imagine how you would take him down if you were hooking his neck with a tekpi or a knife in pakal grip – do the same with your left hand. Then if you really want to be cool (and I’m sure you do) make sure to hack him as he falls – instead of after he’s already on the ground.

If you’re still having trouble getting the hang of the takedown, try it using the entry from Patah Seni.

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T13:56:00.001-08:00

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

...and a word from our Sponsor

2010-11-08T18:51:00.000-08:00

Manong Leon "Tito Jun" Saludo

Jeff,

Thanks for the write up and the memories. Can't believe it's been that long. Rochester was first of the seminars which were followed by gatherings in Detroit that Jay and I had attended and had never missed any since.

Yes, Rochester was where it all started. Where the three great minds and practitioners in FMA Pekiti in particular formally met. Doug Marcaida of Rochester, Jeff Davidson of Michigan and Jay Saludo of Saskatchewan Canada who got together and later founded and formed the formidable "Brotherhood of the Blade". Rochester was also the place where the exposure of a knife style that was, as Jeff always say "honed and proven on the streets of Lipa City, Batangas" in which later on was baptized by Jay as the "Barako Batangueno Knife" in honor of the handful of men called "Barakos" of Lipa City, Batangas.

The Barako knife as mentioned was first informally shown and introduced to Jeff Davidson which I recall started in a hallway then to a dimly lit room adjacent to the seminar. The meeting was short and sweet which was ended with a small talk about the style to the rest of the Detroit boys Bassam, Little Damon, Dean, Jeff D. and Jay M. It was a year later in Detroit that Barako was introduced to Doug Marcaida and the rest was history.

Barako is not for eveybody it is not a martial art or a system. Yours truly is not even a martial artist.

In Barako there is no such thing as rankings. Barako knife did not exist in the public eye till it's exposure 6 years ago in Rochester. However, there was a knife style exclusive to a handful of individuals (seven to be precise) honed on the streets of Lipa Batangas that started 46 years ago.

Saying so, in RECOGNITION of the individuals who embraced Barako, Jay and I decided to honor such individuals by presenting them with full certification of instructorship in Barako Batangueno. The current and only recipients are Jeff Davidson, Doug Marcaida and upcoming Ed P. of Saskatchewan. For now Jeff and Doug are the only one's who has the authority to certify an associate trainer whom they see fit in the style. Most likely there will be one more individual in the very near future for full certification but that would be more of Jay's choosing. It would involve the old barakos with a slight taste of something fresh.

In closing, to Jeff thanks again and to the others (Doug and Jay) all responsible for the evolution, growth and propigation of Barako knife on what it was before and what it is (still) now however small, raw and un-orthodox it may be.

Tito Jun

Batangas Knife Part 7: Bothoan Batangas

2010-11-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Some years later, in Michigan

That weekend was one of the most significant experiences of my martial arts career. We learned a lot of very important things from all of the great teachers there, and in a lot of ways it set the course that my students and I would follow for years to come – and are still following today.

The impression that the Batangas knife made on my mind was even deeper than the one it made on my arm. We stayed close to Tito Jun for the remainder of the weekend, taking in stories, philosophy, and perspective from his personal life. It was a window into a violent and frightening world. Whatever Tito may have lacked as far as “formal training” was more than made up for by his life experiences on the brutal streets of Lipa City, Batangas. I have met a few other individuals like him in various other places in the world. The truly dangerous ones are always quiet, soft-spoken, and low key. You’re not likely to notice them, and the price for ending up outside of their good graces can be heavy. That’s always the mold, as it were.

There was an obvious question on my mind, and while I did not quite have the (balls) to ask Tito directly, I tested the water with his son Jay – and was not encouraged “Well ka Jeff, Dad really doesn’t teach anyone outside of the family.” Another member of the Saskatchewan Kali group would later say to me “Oh yeah…Jay’s dad never teaches anybody anything. He just cuts us, and that’s about it.” That was less than promising.

On the evening before our trip back to Detroit, my students and I stopped to eat dinner at an Outback Steakhouse restaurant. As we destroyed three Blooming Onions, we made two solemn resolutions: First, we would no longer train in public. We had been holding weekly classes in the upper floor of the former Gold’s Gym in Dearborn, but we needed something more secluded. We decided that with enough time and materials, we could build a suitable, private facility much closer to home and away from prying eyes.

The second resolution would be far more difficult, if not impossible to achieve. We convinced ourselves – perhaps under a delusion of grandeur – that somehow…someway… Tito Jun himself would be the first guest instructor in our newly constructed school.

Well, time passed. In a matter of about 6 months, with the help of two foremen and one student in particular who really knew what he was doing – and with the blessing of Heaven – the students and I put the finishing touches on our new training hall. We (somewhat presumptuously) christened it BOTHOAN BATANGAS.

The other resolution took a lot more time and effort to come to pass. After nearly a year of constant communication and “negotiation”, and with the generous encouragement of my brother Jay, Tito Jun finally agreed to accept me as his student. If you ask me why he agreed in the end, I have to say that I don’t know. Maybe one day if he’s willing, Tito will tell us. It would seem to suggest that nothing is impossible if you go about it the right way, and the stars are favorable.

There were a number of conditions. For example, we could not practice in public (ok…got that one covered) Also, for the time being, instruction would be limited only to those students whom Tito had met in Rochester. Furthermore, in the near future Tito Jun would need to personally approve any potential student from our ranks who I was considering to learn his method. We complied.

Fate took its course. About a year after our initial meeting, the next Brotherhood of the Blade gathering took place in Detroit. The Saskatchewan contingent arrived a few days early, and our formal instruction began.

Today, more than 6 years later, I was most graciously awarded full Instructor status in Tito Jun’s method.

My friends, now you know how the story began, from the perspective of your humble narrator.

Batangas Knife Part 6: "Relax Kumpadre"

2010-11-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

We're coming to the close of this story...

I awkwardly tried to summarize everything that had taken place over the past 30 minutes or so. Remember, nothing of value is attained without sacrifice. So in the further pursuit of Knowledge, I offered my own students up for sacrifice. “Tito Jun, can I see what you just did on one of them?!?” Never let it be said that my students are not a reflection of their teacher. The lambs obligingly went to slaughter. For the next 5 minutes I got to observe Tito Jun working them over, one after another. But no more blood was spilled.

Watching from a third-person perspective didn’t give me any more insight into his technique. I could neither see nor follow anything he did. His use of footwork, range, targeting – even the way he held the knife was very different than anything I had seen previously. In spite of what he told me earlier about not being a ‘martial artist’, Tito was without question a Master of his craft. It was raw, real, and I admit…terrible.

Suddenly from the doorway, came the unmistakable howl we all had come to know so well: “JEFF! WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE?” It was the featured instructor for the weekend. His hands were on his hips and he was using his command voice. That would have been another ‘Kodak moment’ – the looks on our faces as my students and I felt like had been somehow been busted – standing there like gaping fools holding our training knives.

Tito Jun (no knife in his hand now) cool as ever, just smiled and called out “Relax kumpdare, ka Jeff and his students were just trying to teach me that great drill you were showing!”

One more post to go!

Batangas Knife Part 5: "Guro are you ok?"

2010-11-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

I didn’t want to offend him by calling any undue attention to the cut, so quickly as I could, I moved the wrist band I was wearing up my arm to cover it.

Tito continued in a very matter-of-fact tone “You have to be careful with that last thrust I just did ka Jeff, because the knife might get stuck in your lower jaw bone. It’s okay if I’m only facing one opponent, because I could just leave it there and go home…but I don’t want it sticking if there are more people coming.”

No…we wouldn’t want that - I thought. “So you have to be conscious of how you pull the blade out.”

We squared off again, and several times after that as well. Each short exchange ended with similar results, only I didn’t sustain any more actual cuts. My heart rate was very elevated at this point and the arm band was literally soaked with blood. He explained everything he did in terms of anatomical targets, with unsettling graphic detail regarding how the opponent would physically react to being slashed or stabbed in a particular place. I won’t recount his exact descriptions, but they were based on his own personal experiences. It was like listening to a combat medic describe shrapnel wounds- only from the perspective of inflicting them rather than treating them.

He invited me to slash. I obliged with [what I thought was] a sneaky cut taken from the knife drill we had just learned earlier. Tito halted my arm with the dull edge of his blade before it even came into range of the target. “Ka Jeff, only a dummy or someone with a lot of fancy Kali training would try that in a real fight. Slash like you’re trying to kill me!”

My recollection is a little fuzzy from here. It had been a brutal morning workout; I was running on 4 cups of coffee and ½ a bagel; plus I was actually in a mild state of shock from the cut on my arm. I remember looking up and seeing some familiar faces. The seminar in the next room had paused for a short break and my students had come looking for me. Of all the pictures we took during that trip, the one I regret not taking was the collective expressions on the faces of my students as they stood there wondering just what in the hell was going on.

Finally, one of them spoke: “Guro…ah…are you okay?”

To be continued...

Batangas Knife Part 4: Blood

2010-11-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Read below to see why I am wearing that armband

I should emphasize that he didn’t wait for me to feed anything. He just started closing, and I was immediately on the defensive.

In spite of a lingering feeling of doubt, I responded with a fast, direct thrust to his center, which he neither parried nor angled away from, but somehow “slipped” past. Then true to his word, he unleashed two lightning slashes and a finishing upward thrust that ended with the tip of the blade perpendicular under my chin.

It was so fast that I hadn’t even had time to withdraw my failed thrust, let alone answer his combination. He stepped back. “That’s what we used to call ‘Tres Cantos’.

With my arm still outstretched, I opened my hand and allowed the wooden knife to drop straight to the floor. I’ll never forget that moment. I wasn’t being dramatic. I was making the point to him and to myself that I had just been ‘owned’ – as they say. He seemed to receive the gesture. When I reached down to pick up the knife at my feet I observed a small circle of blood droplets on the floor. The inside of my arm was bleeding from a cut. There was also a spot of blood on Tito’s knife.

Very few people would understand how I reacted at that point.

To be continued...

Batangas Knife Part 3: It's Game Time

2010-10-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who was kind enough to email me "Finish the goddamm story already!" Be patient. Jeez, do you think I just sit around and blog all day? I'm doing this in my spare time. Anyway, we only have a few posts left. Now things really start to get interesting.

I led the way out of the main gym, and managed to find a small unused space adjacent to the training area. While I searched for the light switch, Tito Jun crossed to the center of the room. After a minute or two I gave up looking for the switch, and walked over to where he was standing. There was column of light coming in from the hallway, and it was just enough.

I had absolutely no idea what to expect at this point. A private conversation? Tito Jun nodded and said “Ok take out your knife.” I took my wooden training knife from my belt, and then realized that I hadn’t brought another trainer for him to use, but I didn’t want to break the flow of the moment and leave the area. As I scanned the room for anything that could remotely serve as a substitute, I noticed that Tito Jun already had a blade in his hand, and it wasn’t a training knife.

I hadn’t seen him draw it. In retrospect, he most likely had it in his hand the whole time we had been talking. It was not fancy, nor anything that looked like an FMA blade. It was just a slim, sharp, non-reflective steel folder.

“I can’t do all those fancy moves that you and Douglas and Jay are doing, ka Jeff. I don’t know any drills, and I don’t dance with a knife.” And then, there was that look again.

“If I’m coming for you, do you think that I will give you a chance to fight back?”

It was obviously a rhetorical question. As he closed toward me, he invited an attack by leaving his hands down at his sides.

I thought “Oh, it’s game time is it?”

more to come...

Batangas Knife Part 2: An Innocent Question

2010-10-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Knife for Batangas Style - custom made in the PI

The same reckless curiosity that led to my involvement with Filipino martial arts in the first place took hold of me at that point, and I unobtrusively pulled myself away from the seminar and approached Jay Saludo’s Dad there on the sideline.

“Mister Saludo can I get you anything…some water maybe?”

To this day I can neither forget, nor exactly describe the particular feeling that went through me the first time that “Jay’s Dad” addressed me directly – but it made me wonder if I hadn’t just made a very big mistake in walking up on him like that.

“Don’t call me ‘Mister Saludo’ ka Jeff, just ‘Tito Jun’. Thank you, I’m fine.” [very uncomfortable silence]

“Are you enjoying the seminar Mister…er…I mean Tito Jun?”

“It’s okay. It’s nice to see all you boys together.” [I half expected him to pat me on the head…more very uncomfortable silence]

“Do you also study Kali, Mister…er… Tito Jun?” [I swear it was an innocent question]

Some people can communicate an entire range of thoughts and expressions using only their eyes. Right then, Tito Jun was looking at me as if the most ludicrous, most outlandish, most preposterous, and wrong-headed casual assumption that I could ever consider – even for a minute – was the patently outrageous idea that he practiced Kali or even took the slightest interest in it beyond his son’s involvement.

Did I say something wrong? Whoops. Time to get back to the seminar, I thought.

Before I could slither away back to the main group, his expression softened and he said quietly, in a deadpan voice: “Ka Jeff, I am not a great martial arts Master like he is [pointing to the featured instructor]. I don’t even practice martial arts.” There was the slightest trace of disdain in his voice.

And then: “The way we used a knife where I come from is a lot different.”

I considered that last statement. If a Filipino belonging to the “older generation” just told you that he doesn’t practice or care about ‘martial arts’ yet has his own ‘way’ with a knife – what do you think that might mean? Well…draw your own conclusions. I did, and just like he was reading my mind, Tito Jun slightly nodded as if to confirm that I wasn’t mistaken on that assumption. Then I took a big gamble:

“How…ah…I mean…uh….how do you…uh… do it, Mister…er…Tito Jun?”

For a few more uncomfortable moments, he stayed silent and seemed to be weighing the situation. Finally, he looked around. “Is there a more private room we can go to ka Jeff?”

Stay tuned...

Batangas Knife Part 1: Meeting "Mr. Saludo"

2010-10-24T19:47:00.001-07:00

There were close to 70 seminar participants on the floor of the gym, staggering, and panting like a pack of sled dogs. Probably, no one had expected a ‘warm-up’ of over 1000 knife jabs in double time to lead off the morning. The students who had heeded my admonition not to eat a heavy breakfast were pleased – the others not so much. With that finished, all eyes were fixed on the two people in the center of the floor – the seminar host and the featured instructor- as they commenced a very impressive exposition on a knife drill we were about to practice, which incorporated a number of important points from the jabbing exercise. The pace showed no signs of slowing down, and I wondered how some of these folks were going to make it thru the next 6 hours.

While I was catching my breath, I fell into an old habit that an associate of mine, a retired FBI agent had given me: anytime you’re in a crowd, look for the person who “doesn’t belong”. Not that I’m paranoid, it’s just something I’ve learned to do whenever I’m in a large group people. I did my customary scan. Everyone was winded, but energetic and engaged. Most everybody’s attention was focused intently on the center of the floor, trying to learn this new drill, even the seated observers were taking it in.

…except for one unassuming older Filipino gentleman.

This guy was in fact turned away from the group, slowly pacing the floor with the look of a man whose mind was focused elsewhere. I had actually met him at the previous night’s training session. What stood out in my mind then, was not anything he did, but rather what he didn’t do. We had all been together, the night before, enthusiastically sharing technique after technique from our respective disciplines. It had been like a great Kali ‘jam session’ with each new idea/variation eagerly received by the group. Some people had better ideas than others, but hell…we were all very happy to be together sharing knowledge.

Even then, this gentleman had made such a non-impression on me that I didn’t remember his Christian name, I just remembered him as “Jay Saludo’s Dad.” He hadn’t offered anything that night, other than to be supportive…yet with that same look of bored detachment. Every time our senior teacher would awe us with a new combination, this guy just watched – apparently unmoved. He kind of just stayed out of focus that night. In the background, as it were.

Now at the training facility, with the seminar in full swing and all eyes on the instructor, he seemed to be making a point of not being noticed.

To be continued...

Prologue to Batangas Knife

2010-10-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

Cumpadres: Tito Jun and Tuhon Gaje at my House

Before I continue my exposition on the Batangas style of knife-fighting, I want to talk about the first time I met Tito Jun, the man who would eventually open my eyes. I'll break that up for you guys in the next few posts.

The Heart of a Master

2010-10-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ama Guro Jun with Detroit Students

My dear students:

You have just witnessed a demonstration of the absolute highest level of skill in the Martial Arts. I’m not only speaking about FMA. I mean that each of these great Masters that you have been privileged to study with this weekend has refined his craft to a level that very few practitioners of any Martial Art will ever reach – although that doesn’t mean you should ever stop trying!

I myself am nowhere near to them. I wouldn’t even presume to demonstrate anything that could even approach what they do, but instead I want to give you some advice - while your eyes are still bulging and your jaws are still on the ground – that may serve you well whenever you remember what you have witnessed here today.

A great Silat teacher who was also a sufi mystic once gave me the following admonition: “To do this Art, you have to do it with your whole Heart”. That was so many years ago, but it has guided me ever since I first heard it. So I ask you students a simple question…

“What is in your Heart?”

There are so many “teachers” and practitioners of the Martial Arts who can kick, punch, throw, stab, and slash with a high degree of proficiency, but if you look into their “hearts” you would maybe also find a great deal of Negativity. We cannot/should not ever presume to judge another person, but the evidence may be clear for you to see. Some of these people are motivated by such things as greed, envy, hatred, bitterness, and the burning desire to be put on a pedestal by others. They will tell you why they are “the Best” or “the Only” or “the Most Deadly” as they denigrate everyone else around them. G-d help you if you fall under their influence.

In the Heart of a true Master – such as these honorable men you are learning from today - you will find powerful, ever-present, and uncompromising Love. Love for their Art; Love for their Elders; Love for their Peers; Love for their Students; Love for their Culture. This Love is so strong that they are unwilling to compromise themselves for anyone or for any reason. People seek them out from all over the world to study with them - and yet they have come here today to you – to share one of their greatest treasures.

Many of you are just beginning your journey, and no doubt you are truly inspired now. But I tell you: if you want to follow in the footsteps of men like these, you will have to make a lot of sacrifices…the most painful of which may be your own Ego.

Anyone can become proficient in fighting. But what is their character? What kinds of people are following them? What do they inspire you to become? Although you may find a few people with the skill of a Master, the Heart of a Master is what you should strive for in a teacher – and in yourselves.

Brotherhood! - part 2

2010-10-17T18:05:00.001-07:00

May I have this Dance???

We were delighted to have a rather large group of beginning students present at this year’s event. Following lunch on Saturday afternoon, after a full morning of training under the clear, crisp sky of upstate New York, Kuya Doug arranged for each instructor to give a brief demonstration/overview of their respective discipline(s) for the benefit of the newbies.

It could not have been worse for me…

Imagine! My presentation had to follow behind three virtuosos: Ama Guro Jun de Leon, Tito Jun Saludo, and MM Rommel Tortal. Well, at least I had more time to prepare, right? But no sooner had I centered myself mentally, than Rommel called me up to assist him in his demo. For the next 15 minutes (which seemed like an eternity) I was punched, stomped, thrown, choked, locked, swept, twisted, and handcuffed in every conceivable way, with every weapon that Rommel could put his hands on. I was not quite 100% when my turn came immediately after that, so if you were there I beg your forgiveness if my presentation was somewhat less-than-coherent. I’ll still probably need an MRI sometime this week.

Anyway, if I had another 15 minutes to address the audience, I would speak about what I consider to be an all-to-often overlooked aspect of Martial Arts practice, and it was inspired by a discussion I had with Ama Guro Jun De Leon over a cup of coffee on Sunday morning.

Stay tuned for the next post!

Brotherhood!

2010-10-17T16:24:00.001-07:00

We have just returned safely from Rochester, New York, where the most recent annual gathering of Brotherhood of the Blade took place.

As readers of this blog will already know, the Brotherhood of the Blade was formed in 2003 by Kuya Doug Marcaida of Rochester, Ka Jay Saludo of Saskatchewan, and me here in Detroit – with the full support and blessing of our Grand Teacher Leo T. Gaje Jr. In those early days, it was The Pekiti-Tirsia Brotherhood of the Blade. However, a few years ago we decided it would be proper to ‘amend’ the name of our Organization, because in truth it is bigger than one system. Those whom we humbly consider to be our Mentors include Ama Guro Jun De Leon of Kali De Leon and Manong Leon “Tito Jun’ Saludo of Barako Batanguenio. The Arts that we have dedicated ourselves to studying hail not only from the Philippines, but also Malaysia and Indonesia. Remember, in the distant past, the entire Malay Archipelago was essentially part of the same empire.

Once again, it has been our distinct honor to support our Kuya Doug Marcaida, - who embodies the Spirit and Vision of the Brotherhood. Kuya Doug masterfully outmaneuvered some terrible last-minute obstacles in planning and executing this year’s Gathering, which brought together students and teachers from literally all over the World. We are all proud to call him our Leader. Mabuhay!

This year, we were duly blessed to have as our Special Guest Instructor none other than Mandala Maginoo Rommel Tortal – the esteemed Master of the Pekiti-Tirsia system of Kali, and nephew of Grand Tuhon Gaje. You’ve seen Rommel on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the BBC, and in the documentary movie Kali Means to Scrape. A lot of folks from all over the world come to the Philippines to train with him, and we are proud and thankful that he spent so much time with us on his monumental first visit to the United States. Honestly, we know that Tuhon Gaje will probably live forever, but when the time comes for him to retire from teaching his beloved Art, I think there can be no question that the torch will pass to Rommel as the undisputed heir of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system.