A Memorial Day Thought

Further on a previous post

Tuhon grapples my student Mike in the Philippines

I’ve been getting a lot of email questions regarding my post about dumog. The majority of these inquiries come from people who are familiar with Tuhon Gaje’s dumog or jujutsu (Japanese and Brazilian) and are wondering how and what we’re applying from Silat Kuntau Tekpi. I’ll share some thoughts here.

DUMOG and JUJUTSU

Unless you’re just rolling around for fun with a game partner, I don’t think there is much from Tuhon’s dumog that can be applied in a jujutsu-style grappling match. My student Panday knows a lot more about these things than I do, so if I am mistaken I hope he’ll correct me. It seems to me that the BJJ or JJJ is more concerned with jockeying for and establishing some kind of “position” and then going for the submission hold or choke. Whereas, dumog should begin with Pangamut (striking techniques) and then the opponent’s weight is loaded onto a joint -such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, or often the neck – before his weight and yours comes crashing down on that joint, against the hard ground.

The closest thing we do to anything that would remotely resemble Japanese Jujutsu is Cambod, which involves grappling against the opponent’s limbs. However, unlike jujutsu, instead of locking-stepping-throwing in a circle (like koto gaeshi) Cambod more involves wrapping the limb and using it to “collapse” the opponent’s body into your follow-up strike. That’s the best explanation I can give without a video, and we won’t be posting any videos. The bottom line is that I think you can play pretty hard with Jujutsu and both guys can still be friends at the end of the day. The more you resist against dumog or cambod, someone is going to be injured.

JUJUTSU and SILAT KUNTAU TEKPI

My SKT teacher Omar Hakim as well as my friends in Malaysia would tell you that Tekpi is a “War Art” and is not meant to be adapted for sport on a theoretical or technical level. Some Malaysian Silat methods such as Sendeng and Lian Padukan are based on pukulan (hitting) and others like Silat Kuntau Tekpi are more oriented toward kuncian (locking). But how is a Tekpi kuncian different from a jujutsu lock? Although each of the buah kuncian (locking techniques) from SKT make use of the opponent’s limbs and/or torso, the real secret (in my opinion) is how to lock a guy from his center, so that he is entirely immobilized. I remember at one point during my training, Omar had me in an extended arm lock, yet I couldn’t even lift my foot off the ground. When I remarked about it, he related how his Silat Kalimah teacher in Malaysia had done the same thing to him – and Omar’s a big dude!

DUMOG and SILAT KUNTAU TEKPI

If you are lucky enough to study Silat Kuntau Tekpi and have people of different sizes and body types to train with, you may eventually discover what I’m talking about in the above paragraph. Then, you’ll know how it feels to lock an opponent from his center so that he can’t move or step out. Then, if you know enough buahs, you’ll be able to do this regardless of whether you are in front of him, side to side, behind him, etc. There’s a relatively simple “trick” to learning this principle (which upon second thought I’ve just deleted from this article…sorry!). Once you understand this, you should be able to accomplish this same thing in your dumog applications. The result will be that your dumog locks and throws will be more efficient and explosive, and you will reduce your “counter-ability” to a huge extent.

Well, there you have bit from my perspective. For those of you that wanted to know if/how you can apply dumog and Silat Kuntau Tekpi in your next cage fight or grappling contest – sorry. I don’t even want to know how to train that.

...Sums it up...

From Moonbattery:

"Far from altruism, what actually motivates most of the progressive left is malignant narcissism. The lefty troll doesn't want to debate, he wants you to pay attention to him. And when lefty activists say, "We need to change the world," what they are actually saying is, "I want the world to notice me." Progressivism activism is a route to fame and public approval for star-wannabes who lack physical attractiveness, talent, or whatever it is that keeps getting Janeane Garofalo work."

Dumog

Typical: Tuhon kills me while Bassam films from a safe distance

This evening's training focused on the Silat Kuntau Tekpi principles of kuncian as applied to dumog in close-quarter grappling standing and on the ground. Hopefully proving once again (to those present) that if you understand the principles - the techniques create themselves.

I can't say at this point that my expression of dumog is 100% percent Pekiti-Tirsia, but...you do what you know!

Dalam Kenangan Abadi

Mbah Sartono
08/1937 - 04/2008

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of a most honored elder as we near the anniversary of his passing, Mbah Sulieman Sartono. I was blessed to meet him in Central Java in the fall of 2000, and was most fortunate to be able to accompany him on an eventful pilgrimage to several holy sites in Mataram (along with Mas Martin Lubis, Mas Agus Hiriyadi, and Mas Gus Fud). There in Central Java, Mbah Sartono gave me a gift that I will “carry within” for as long as I live. After I returned to the United States, we continued a long correspondence via mail. I’m thinking one day it might be a good idea to publish some of the wisdom that came through those letters (that is if my friend 'Kancil' will help me with some translation).

Mbah Sartono was wise, kind, and soft-spoken, with sincere Javanese nobility. He was a man of keen perception, with the ability to fathom secrets beyond our physical world. He was well known as an expert in the traditional Javanese spiritual disciplines. Even now, so many years later I often find myself listening to the recordings I made of his melodious voice reciting prayers, stories, and history in old Javanese.

I made a promise to his family that I would always remember this great man - and indeed – his memory inspires me until today.

SANGKAN PARANING DUMADI

More Ancient Wisdom

Continuing the theme from Guro Jeff's post from January 18th, Wisdom of the Ages, I found some gems from Hagakure, The Book of the Samurai, by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. This book was something of a "how to" guide for Samurai, written around the year 1700 when Japan had already been closed off from the rest of the world for nearly a century.

While I find many aspects of Bushido and Japanese Martial Arts to be difficult to reconcile with Pekiti Tirsia, I thought these were interesting:

(page 30)

Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.

(page 38)

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.

(page 46)

A warrior should be careful in all things and should dislike to be the least bit worsted. Above all, if he is not careful in his choice of words he may say things like, "I'm a coward." or "At that time, I'd probably run." or "How frightening," or "How painful." These are words that should not be said even in jest, on a whim, or when talking in one's sleep. If a person with understanding hears such things, he will see to the bottom of the speaker's heart. This is something that should be carefully thought about beforehand.

(page 47)

In the words of the ancients, one should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. Lord Takanobu said, "If discrimination is long, it will spoil." Lord Naoshige said, "When matters are done leisurely, seven out of ten will turn out badly. A warrior is a person who does things quickly."
When your mind is going hither and thither, discrimination will never be brought to a conclusion. With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side.

(page 51)

No matter what it is, there is nothing that cannot be done. If one manifests the determination, he can move heaven and earth as he pleases. But because man is pluckless, he cannot set his mind to it. Moving heaven and earth without
putting forth effort is simply a matter of concentration.

(page 51)

Until the age of forty it is best to gather strength. It is appropriate to have settled down by the age of fifty.

(page 53)

When on the battlefield, if you try not to let others take the lead and have the sole intention of breaking into the enemy lines, then you will not fall behind others, your mind will become fierce, and you will manifest martial valor. This fact has been passed down by the elders. Furthermore, if you are slain in battle, you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy.

(page 60)

Until one reaches the age of forty it is better to put off wisdom and discrimination and excel in vitality. According to the person and the rank, though a person has passed the age of forty, if he has no vitality, he will pet no response from others.

(page 60)

When one has made a decision to kill a person, even if it will be very difficult to succeed by advancing straight ahead, it will not do to think about going at it in a long roundabout way.

(page 61)

The resolution of the men of former times was deep. Those between the ages of thirteen and sixty went to the front lines. For this reason men of advanced years hid their age.

(page 69)

Yamamoto Kichizaemon was ordered by his father Jin'-emon to cut down a dog at the age of five, and at the age of fifteen he was made to execute a criminal. Everyone, by the time they were fourteen or fifteen, was ordered to do a beheading without fail. When Lord Katsushige was young, he was ordered by Lord Naoshige to practice killing with a sword. It is said that at that time he was made to cut down more than ten men successively.
A long time ago this practice was followed, especially in the upper classes, but today even the children of the lower classes perform no executions, and this is extreme negligence. To say that one can do without this sort of thing, or that there is no merit in killing a condemned man, or that it is a crime, or that it is defiling, is to make excuses. In short, can it not be thought that because a person's martial valor is weak, his attitude is only that of trimming his nails and being attractive?
If one investigates into the spirit of a man who finds these things disagreeable, one sees that this person gives himself over to cleverness and excuse making not to kill because he feels unnerved. But Naoshige made it his orders exactly because this is something that must be done.
Last year I went to the Kase Execution Grounds to try my hand at beheading, and I found it to be an extremely good feeling. To think that it is unnerving is a symptom of cowardice.

(page 115)

By waiting to get the agreement of others, a matter like taking revenge will never be brought to a conclusion. One should have the resolution to go alone and even to be cut down. A person who speaks vehemently about taking revenge but does nothing about it is a hypocrite. Clever people, by using their mouths alone, are taking care of their reputations for a later date. But a real stalwart is a man who will go out secretly, saying nothing, and die. It is not necessary to achieve one's aim; one is a stalwart in being cut down. Such a person will most likely achieve his purpose.

(page 141)

If you cut a face lengthwise, urinate on it, and trample on it with straw sandals, it is said that the skin will come off. This was heard by the priest Gyojaku when he was in Kyoto. It is information to be treasured.

(I'm not quite sure about that one, but it was too novel to omit)

(page 153)

A helmet is usually thought to be very heavy, but when one is attacking a castle or something similar, and arrows, bullets, large rocks, great pieces of wood and the like are corning down, it will not seem the least bit so.

A Seminar to Sink Your Claws Into

Karambit " Feral Claw Blade" Seminar with Kuya Doug Marcaida

The karambit is a Southeast Asian curved blade found in most Indonesian, Malaysian and Filipino Martial arts. This workshop will focus on the attributes of this curved weapon that is the essence of nature's animal claws from traditional fixed karambits to the modern interpretation of tactical folding karambits. The attributes of puncturing, lacerating, controlling and impacting
techniques that compliment the empty-hand skills of the arts will be presented.

You can see what will be taught in youtube under Kalisong1 channel or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVxOP-wulXs

The Seminar is limited to the first 30 participants for either Saturday April 10th from 10 am to 2pm and Sunday April 11th from 10 am to 2 pm. Please reserve your spots by calling 917 596 2840 for John Leabo email: jleaobo@leboxing.com or Kuya
Doug at 585 752 7827 or email: kalisong1@yahoo.com

Location : New York Self defense Club
55 Atlantic Avenue
Lybrook NY 11563

Cost: $80 for 1 day or $140 for both days

Time : 10 am to 2pm Sunday and Saturday

Kali De Leon in Action

What can I say? We totally love KDL! I'm glad Guro Jun gave our Kuya Doug permission to post this video. We were introduced to Guro Jun a few years ago and we are so thankful for all that he has shared with us through the years. This is a "Master's Master". Enjoy!

Re-Certified!

Congratulations are in order for Sgt. Ungyo (aka Panday - and known to certain members of the local Korean community as 'Steve :)' " - pictured above with Tito Jun - who recently passed his re-certification test as an Edged Weapons Master Instructor. Without going into detail, the test involved a full-speed drill against a psychotic instructor wielding a live badik. Under these impossible conditions, we are pleased to report that only one very minor cut "got through".

I daresay that Tito Jun would be proud (of both Ungyo and the badik-wielding psycho).

MABUHAY!

Wisdom of the Ages

Happy New Year!

I pray everyone is well. It's great to see folks back in the training hall - new faces and old. We've been extremely busy with new projects, which we'll talk about upon successful completion (G-d Willing!) In the meantime, here's some pearls of Wisdom from an ancient Japanese 'narrative' on Swordsmanship and Martial Arts:

"Swordsmanship is the art used at the border between life and death. It is easy to throw away your life and proceed toward death, but it is difficult not to make life and death two. The man who does not make life and death two should be easily able to act with complete freedom"

"Nowadays, people are shallow and their resolution is not in earnest. They dislike the strenuous and love the easy from the time they are young. When they see something vaguely clever, they want to learn it right away; but if taught in the manner of the old ways, they think it's not worth learning. Nowadays, the way is revealed by the instructor, the deepest principles are taught even to beginners, the end result is set right out front, and the student is led along by the hand.

"Even with methods like these, students become bored and many of them quit. In this way, talking about principles takes the high seat, the men of old are considered inadequate, mastery becomes watered down.

"

How could anyone in the world be so stupid? A man will learn some skill, and after making doubly sure he's got it down, will use it over and over again in vain, never understanding that the skill has now become his enemy, and that he is inviting disaster.

He [the martial artist] must perceive any situation with total concentration, and act as a mirror spontaneously reflects what passes in front of it. He can harbour no thoughts of prepared action, for they will only come between himself and the external circumstances. In the same way, any premeditated action will not truly reflect or respond to the reality of the situation.

“When you use strength to control your pull of the bowstring, you run counter to the character of the bow, you and the bow are in opposition and become two. When your spirit does not pass back and forth between you and the bow, you will actually obstruct the strength of the bow, and strip away its force. Thus you will be unable to send the arrow far or to penetrate the target with force. . .Everyday human affairs are just like this. If your intention is not true and you conduct yourself incorrectly, you will lack diligence in the affairs of your lord and be disloyal, you will dither around with the affairs of your parents and show no filial piety, and not be sincere to your relatives and friends. People will despise you, society will detest you, and you will be unable to cope with things. When your ch'i does not fill your entire body, inwardly you will be prone to sickness and your mind will be hard up; in your affairs you will be preoccupied and anxious, and you will be unable to undertake any noble enterprise. When you obstruct the character of things, you run counter to human nature, distance yourself from matters, and are out of harmony; and when this happens, you end up in conflict. When your spirit is unsettled, you have many doubts and your affairs are unending. When your thoughts are moving, you have no tranquility and make a multitude of mistakes.”

“Man's mind, too, is not without the good. When you follow your own true character and are not a slave to your passions and desires, your spirit will not be troubled, you will be in touch with the phenomena of this world, and practical application will have no obstacles. For this reason, the 'Way of the Great Learning is in making clear your adamantine character,' and in the Doctrine of the Mean it says that 'Complying with your character is called following the Way.' In explaining principle from the top, scholars express its standard. Nevertheless, the mediocrity and confusion of some people are deep, and such people are unable to change the substance of their ch'i and directly return to the spirit of their true character. For this reason, scholars preach about 'the extension of knowledge' and 'making one's will and heart sincere.' They also expound self-examination and being watchful over ourselves when we are alone, and would have us step over the true ground of self-discipline.

“Swordsmanship is also like this. Facing your opponent, you forget about life, forget about death, forget about your opponent, and forget about yourself. Your thoughts do not move and you create no intentions. When you are in a state of No-Mind and leave everything to your natural perceptions, metamorphosis and change will be conducted with absolute freedom, and practical application will have no obstacles. When in the midst of a great number of opponents, you will cut and thrust before and behind, and to the left and right. And even if your body is smashed to bits, our ch'i will be under control and your spirit settled, you will suffer no changes at all, and you will be as correct and peerless as Tzu Lu.

“If you will be like this, how could you fail or be without result? This is the deepest principle of swordsmanship. Nevertheless, it is not a Way you can climb up directly without incurring traveling expenses. If you do not try out your techniques, temper your ch'i, train your mind, or make intense and diligent efforts without fail, you will never reach the Way.”

Veteran's Day

The Detroit Maphilindo Pitbulls
are honored to salute all veterans and current military this Veteran's Day.
Thank you and your families,
and
God bless you all, for your service and sacrifice.

In a Moment...It's Done

Philippine Marines Training in Pekiti-Tirsia

A chilling recollection from Grand Tuhon Gaje:

“I remember the Sgt. of the Force Recon Marines who was challenged in front of the Al Kidas and Abu Sayap in Mindanao to a blade combat . As it started, the enemy with his live Barong was aggressive, with intention to kill the Force Recon Marine.

In the first entry the swing of the barong was met by a diagonal slash cutting the right hand - and instantly - the barong separated from the hand. With instant reaction, the Force Recon Marine followed with another sweeping slash into the left hand, cutting the left wrist. With great feeling of assurance, the Force Recon Marines followed with a strong sweeping slash, cutting the neck and separating the head from the body.

This was witnessed by both the MILF and the Force Recon Marines.”

Todays Lesson - From Malaysia with Love

"Talk to the Hand"

As I write this, Kuya Doug and Ka Jay are languishing in sunny Florida at the Pekiti-Tirsia 112^th Anniversary Celebration/Seminar. I would have been there too, if not for a stupid respiratory infection that (thankfully) I am in the process of beating. Last night, as the wind howled and the cold rain lashed against my windows, they were kind enough to phone in and tell me about what a great time was being had by all. Thanks guys, that made me feel much better.

But at least they’re not having all the fun. This afternoon’s Silat class featured an unexpected visit from a renowned Malaysian Silat teacher/historian who just happened to literally “pop” in just as the students were arriving. And what a terrific class it was! I was able to sit back, coughing and taking notes while my students fired away question after question – and got some very enlightening teachings directly from the source. I am pretty certain this was the first class that he has taught in America, and we are truly honored for his time, patience and effort. Terimah Kasih!

On a related note, we have been studying the venerable Art of Silat Kuntau Tekpi for close to 5 years. The majority of my students have learned at least some parts of SKT and have incorporated this into their Kali training. Nothing wrong there. A select few have actually learned the complete first two levels consisting of 42 buah (“strikeforms”) basic senaman tekpi (tekpi exercises), and pelebat (a training form which teaches fluidity and body mechanics).

Now by popular demand, we will be offering a ‘seminar-series’ dealing with what I consider to be crucial, foundational material in preparation for the serious study of the combative aspects of Silat Melayu – stuff you would probably already know if you had grown up in Malaysia. This material will deal with the theory and application of Petua (Principles of Movement) as relates to breathing, footwork, striking, throwing, locking, and breaking. Anyone can learn a buah, or even copy a technique that they see. However, if you really internalize the principles of movement…if you have the necessary foundation, then application becomes spontaneous and effortless. If you just copy a technique and force it, then you have nothing.

Details will be forthcoming…

The Glory of the Melayu

My friend, comrade-in-arms, blood-brother, and fellow Malay ;) Mohd Nadzrin Wahab put together the following exciting video:



1Silat - Unity in Diversity is a celebration of the warrior spirit that we have inherited from our forefathers. It is a reminder that irrespective of where we come from, what perguruan we affiliate ourselves to, we are brothers and sisters of a system of self-improvement, of empowerment, of social engineering.

It is with that in mind that Silat Melayu Community (SMC) presents this compilation for all, to show that we can stand together and we can succeed if we put our hearts and souls into it. Never forget those who fought long and hard to keep us free, and never forget that in order to be truly free, we need to understand what we need to be free from.

Our thanks to Pop Shuvit for creating a masterpiece of spirit in Marabahaya, which provides the montage track for this compilation. Visit their site here: http://www.popshuvitmusic.com/

Many thanks also to the masters, pesilat and styles that were featured in this video. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Mark Your Calendars

October 23-24, 2009

The Pitbull Brotherhood of the Blade celebrates
the 112th year Anniversary of Pekiti Tirsia Kali system 1897 - 2009
with
Supreme Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr.
This event is supported by Rochester Kali, Detroit Maphilindo, Sask P3 K-9, Nova Kali
and Baltimore Mabagsik PTK.

For more info contact Apolo Ladra 954-319-2938

Thanks to/for Senaman Tua

Senaman Tua Practice at the Detroit Gelanggang

I just got this nice email from one of the students:

Hey Guru,

I just want to send you a big Thank You for teaching Senaman Tua to me.

When you asked me how my knee was doing this week you almost caught me by surprise because I hadn't thought of my knee in many weeks. This is the exact same knee that I was sure was going to need surgery and the many months of rehab that go with surgery earlier this summer. The reason I no longer had my knee problems at the forefront of my mind is that it was 100% back to normal. I can only attribute this to the Senaman Tua exercises you showed me.

I am a bit ashamed to admit this now, but when I originally called you weeks ago to let you know I was going to have to quit training for awhile due to me hobbling around on a very painful knee that I had injured, and you told me to come in anyway because 'you just might be able to help my knee', sad to say but I was extremely skeptical.

I had no doubts about your abilities to cause people injuries, but I had never heard you mention any ability to heal people, and besides, I had already visited a Doctor who just gave me pain pills and told me to make an appointment with a Orthopedic Surgeon for my knee. But since it would be almost three weeks before I was able to get an appointment with the Surgeon, I figured I had nothing to lose by seeing whatever it was you were going to show me.

When I saw the exercises you suggested I do, I thought they were a combination of some crazy yoga mixed in with some not quite right Physical Therapy exercises, definitely nothing I had ever seen before. I took your suggestion and started doing these exercises every other day, and to my surprise, after the first week my knee was much improved.

I appreciate that our classes for the next couple of weeks were Senaman Tua classes and not Pekiti, because the combo of practicing on my own and coming in for the classes eliminated any limping completely by the third week, and after the seventh week, any trace of the knee problem was completely eliminated. Had I gone through with the surgery, the seven week point would have probably just been the transition from crutches to a cane.

So thanks again for the gift of these exercises that I have continued to do a couple of times a week for prevention of joint injuries.

your grateful student,
Larry

Mabuhay Larry!

Thank you for the note. I'm glad you're back to 100%. And I don't even mind that you doubted me...or that you thought the exercises were "crazy" and "not quite right" - we can discuss that later. The important thing is that you're better now and the Orthopedic surgeon will have to find another way to make his Ferrari payment this month.

See you in class!

JD

August Adventure #2: Laging-Una !

Guro Jun says: "You guys really suck!"

Kuya 'Mel teaches body mechanics

The "Presenters"

Our second adventure for the month of August took us across the border into Canada (Toronto to be exact) and it was like stepping into another Universe. Not because of the strange looking Canadian currency; or their use of weird phrases like “G’day eh?” or stuff like that. No. I say it was like stepping into another Universe because for a solid weekend in a remote part of Toronto, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the fascinating World of Kali De Leon.

At long last, we finally made the guest list and were invited to participate in the annual summer camp sponsored by Guro Jun De Leon. It was utterly unforgettable and difficult to put into words – but some of my reflections are below.

My Impression of Guro Jun De Leon Then and Now

I’ve written about Guro Jun in earlier posts so I won’t rehash the history of how we came to know him. The point is that today, I have a different opinion from back then when I wrote those entries. I have a feeling that Guro will read this piece and I hope I won’t get into trouble for saying this…but here it goes.

First of all, in the total picture I am actually less impressed by Guro as a “martial artist” as I was back then. Why? Because first of all, it is impossible for me to be any more impressed. If you study Kali for 100 years you would be very lucky to meet 4 or 5 people that are on Guro Jun’s level as far as skill is concerned. He is just north of phenomenal in every aspect of his practice. It’s intimidating to merely watch him move (even on video), but if he is “working” on you personally, you can feel firsthand what one of my students describes as “Precision Fury.”

With this being said, it would be far too easy to just acknowledge Guro Jun as the caliber of Master that comes around once in a generation, and be awed by his prowess. That however, is only part of the picture. On this particular weekend, we got a far more in-depth look at the theories and principles that power KDL

The Difference

Too many times, especially in the Filipino martial arts, there is one very talented and charismatic guy at the top whose senior students (even a whole generation of seniors) couldn’t even carry the Master’s baston. It’s common. The best practitioners are not always the best teachers. There are many, many subtleties in Kali that are nearly impossible to teach in an explicit way: timing, sensitivity, body-mechanics, flow, etc. Sometimes it is just easier for a student to imitate his teacher in various respects and not dig deeper into understanding the principles and mechanics.

What was so remarkable about this camp is that Guro Jun himself did very little teaching. Instead, he called upon his crew of seniors to take the group through blocks of instruction that included single and double baston, knife, sword and dagger, and empty hands. It soon became abundantly clear to me that all these guys – to a man – were very highly developed in their understanding of those subtle aspects I referenced earlier. Guro Jun hadn’t just developed a cadre of imitators…he’d produced a solid crop of high-level practitioners with in-depth knowledge of the theories and principles of a rich and complex system. Furthermore, each instructor clearly brought his own personal interpretation(s) to the core material. It felt to me like a seminar of high-level jazz musicians teaching variations on a common theme. All with an underlying sense of honor and respect for their Grand Master.

The Bottom Line

The KDL summer camp was one of best training experiences we’ve had to date. My respect for Guro Jun the Martial Artist was actually over-shadowed by my respect for him as a Teacher and Leader. Indeed, KDL is bigger than one man, and in my humble opinion will pass fully intact to the next capable generation when Guro decides to “rest” his bastons – Hopefully not for a long, long time!

It was an honor Guro – Salamat po.

Kuya Doug teaches Dean about the Kerambit

Captured on film for posterity

The Group

August Adventure #1: Coming Full Circle to Texas

In April of 2005, I was blessed to be among the first group of ‘Cikgu Muda’ to complete the first two levels of Silat Kuntau Tekpi during an intensive training camp hosted by Cikgu Omar Hakim in Austin, Texas. It was literally a breathtaking experience, learning the basics of footwork, parrying, locking, throwing, striking, theory, and application of this venerable, no-nonsense Silat system from Malaysia. Away from home and with few distractions, it was almost like a vacation – except for the fact that I was battered, twisted, and exhausted at the end of each day.

Equal in value to any of techniques I learned were the friendships that grew from that experience. Two of my senior classmates in that training group made a tremendous impression on me: Robert Slomkowski and Ricky Rillera. These two gentlemen have a lot in common, beyond the fact that they follow similar paths in the martial arts. You will not find a more perfect example of what the Silat masters call Ilmu Padi – The Way of the Rice Plant – than these gentlemen. The Way of the Rice Plant is thus: when it is young, it stands straight and proud – almost with arrogance. However, the older and more full (wiser), and developed it becomes, it humbly lowers its profile. That’s Robert and Ricky.

After a grueling day of Silat practice, we would eat dinner close to the training facility, and then somewhat informally practice Kali at night. I’m sure it was nothing special to them, but these guys blew my mind. Ricky is a legend in Pekiti-Tirsia circles. Facing him with a baston even doing a simple exercise felt like standing in front of an exploding pipe bomb. More importantly, behind the technique is a calculating, strategic mind that controls the fight like a chess master runs the board.

Robert is much the same way, although his personal style is somewhat different than Ricky’s. I distinctly remember thinking – as he blasted me with three solid kill-shots before I could get off one angle – that my best hope would be to get knocked out by the first crack and be spared the pain of the following volley. At one point, Robert was kind enough to show me a grappling drill that he developed, which made me feel as if my spine was made of rubber. Ah memories!

Although I was certainly the low man on the totem pole, and knew next to nothing compared to these guys, both of them taught me with patience and generosity as if I was their own student. As I flew home at the end of the training camp, I made two resolutions:

1. I resolved that one day my own students would have the honor of meeting and training with them; and

2. I prayed that one day, I could share something with them that was in some small way comparable to what they had taught me.

A few weeks ago I seemed to have achieved both objectives. After much planning, I came out to San Antonio with a small contingent from our Detroit group for 3 days of training with the newest members of The Brotherhood of the Blade. It was great to see my old friends again, and also to make some new ones. It was a proud moment for me to be sharing Pekiti-Tirsia, Silat Melayu, and Batangas knife fighting with the young lions of San Antonio, while at the same time on the other side of the gym, Ricky and Robert terrorized my own students. It was heartwarming.

I’m really looking forward to the next time we see these guys. I have a feeling that they will be doing our stuff better than we do it!

Kevin, Ricky, Me, and Robert

"Stop Pointing that Ginunting at Me, Doug"

The Detroit Crew with Kuya Rick

Detroit Meets Texas

I am not the best writer or speaker but I would like to share briefly what happened this past weekend here in San Antonio in regards to our training group. This past weekend our pekiti group here in San Antonio had the pleasure of meeting for the first time our brothers from Michigan for what turned out to be a great time had by all. Ka Jeff and the Maphilindo clan made their way to the Lonestar state to share with us and for us to share with them.

As far as the training goes, it goes without saying that it was second to none, but the friendships and the bonds that were made during this trip are truly ones that I think will be long lasting. Kuya Ricky Rillera and Robert Slomkowski came out to play and Detroit got to experience the broken energy that we practice down here in San Antonio. Robert on day one taught an hour or two on the principles of broken energy and demonstrated how it can be applied in drills as well as in sparring. We also got a glimpse of Detroit Tekpi that blew all of our minds collectively.

Day's two and three had so much information that my head is still spinning and it also gave our group here enough info to keep us busy for months to come. Initially I was a bit intimidated by having our brothers from Detroit in because me, as well as Kuya Robert thought that we didn't have too much to offer past the basics, but we were glad to hear that our brothers from Michigan got their expectations met and left Texas happy.

Saturday night was great we did a bit of sight seeing on our historical Riverwalk (Sorry Guys) and I remember Ka Jeff asking me for a knife so that he could cut his clothes off of him due to the sweltering Texas heat that was terrorizing the Maphilindos. We ended the night with a couple of cold beers and great laughs and conversation. Ka Jeff thank you so much for taking the time to come see us and to introduce us to our other brothers. Jay, Jeff, Basaam, and Damon, thanks so much for your patience in dealing with me. I really hope you guys had a blast here with us, and I cannot wait to see you guys again....maybe next time in Michigan in the winter.

Ka Jeff, the next time you see me I promise to be more lazy! Much love to you guys, and lets not make it too long before we kick it again.

- Lakan Guro Doug Marsh, San Antonio