Kapisanang Mandirigma Member Guro Ariel Flores Mosses to teach at Jeff Speakman’s 5.0 Fighter Event, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. June 27, 28, 29 – 2012

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Kapisanang Mandirigma Member Guro Ariel Flores Mosses to teach at Jeff Speakman's 5.0 Fighter Event Kapisanang Mandirigma Member Guro Ariel Flores Mosses to teach at Jeff Speakman's 5.0 Fighter Event Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. June 27, 28, 29 - 2012     Guro Ariel Flores Mosses: About Guro Ariel: Guro Ariel F. Mosses has over 30 years of Filipino Martial Arts experience. He has trained under Filipino Hall of Fame Grand Master Conrad A. Manaois, the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, and Grand Master Christopher Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo. Guro Mosses is the Vice President and Chief Instructor for Manaois Systems International. He holds a 7th degree in Kali Jukune Do. Guro Ariel is a member of Kapisanang Mandirigma. He has experience as a professional bodyguard and is a former police officer. Guro Ariel is currently teaching at LV Tactical Training in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guro Ariel will be one of the instructors at Jeff Speakman’s 5.0 Fighter Event Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. June 27, 28, 29 – 2012. . http://mandirigma.org/?p=1537 To contact Guro Ariel go to: http://www.lvtacticaltraining.com/   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeyr9T6qD34 … [Read more...]

Bladed Weapons, Mindanao, 19th c., Museo Nacional De Antropología, Madrid.

Bladed Weapons, Mindanao, 19th c., Museo Nacional De Antropología, Madrid.

Bladed Weapons, Mindanao, 19th c., Museo Nacional De Antropología, Madrid.   Courtesy of http://pupuplatter.tumblr.com … [Read more...]

Kalis Ilustrisimo Headquarters aid for Grandmaster Tony Diego

GM Ilustrisimo Diego

To all our Kalis Ilustrisimo brothers and sisters, On the morning of February 24, 2012 a fire raged through a small community in Manila. Many houses were razed to the ground leaving families homeless. We received sad news that the home of Master Tony Diego was among those houses that didn't survive the fire. Absolutely none of their possessions were saved except the clothes on their backs. Master Tony and family are alive and safe but in dire need of assistance. Since the fire, they have been given temporary shelter at the local community center. We would like to solicit the immediate help of our brothers and sisters in Kalis Ilustrisimo and other kind souls to send aid for Master Tony and his family. Since Master Tony has no home at the moment, donations in kind may pose a problem. Instead, cash donations would be preferred and much appreciated. All parties who would like to make a donation are requested to send us a private message on our facebook page or email us at kalis.ilustrisimo.hq@gmail.com so that we can make arrangements to receive your donation. Thank you! Kalis Ilustrisimo Headquarters … [Read more...]

Guro Ariel Flores Mosses

ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org Guro Ariel Flores Mosses: About Guro Ariel: Guro Ariel F. Mosses has over 30 years of Filipino Martial Arts experience. He has trained under Filipino Hall of Fame Grand Master Conrad A. Manaois, the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, and Grand Master Christopher Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo. Guro Mosses is the Vice President and Chief Instructor for Manaois Systems International. He holds a 7th degree in Kali Jukune Do. He has experience as a professional bodyguard and is a former police officer. To contact Guro Ariel go to: http://www.lvtacticaltraining.com/ lameco ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org lameco ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org Guro Ariel Flores Mosses: About Guro Ariel: Guro Ariel F. Mosses has over 30 years of Filipino Martial Arts experience. He has trained under Filipino Hall of Fame Grand Master Conrad A. Manaois, the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, and Grand Master Christopher Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo. Guro Mosses is the Vice President and Chief Instructor for Manaois Systems International. He holds a 7th degree in Kali Jukune Do. He has experience as a professional bodyguard and is a former police officer. To contact Guro Ariel go to: http://www.lvtacticaltraining.com/ lameco ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org lameco ariel mosses kali arnis eskrima manaois lameco ilustrisimo mandirigma.org

Guro Ariel with Grandmaster Manois in Washington State, 1998  Guro Ariel Flores Mosses: About Guro Ariel: Guro Ariel F. Mosses has over 30 years of Filipino Martial Arts experience. He has trained under Filipino Hall of Fame Grand Master Conrad A. Manaois, the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, and Grand Master Christopher Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo. Guro Mosses is the Vice President and Chief Instructor for Manaois Systems International. He holds a 7th degree in Kali Jukune Do. Guro Ariel is a member of Kapisanang Mandirigma. He has experience as a professional bodyguard and is a former police officer. Guro Ariel is currently teaching at LV Tactical Training in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guro Ariel will be one of the instructors at Jeff Speakman’s 5.0 Fighter Event Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. June 27, 28, 29 – 2012. . http://mandirigma.org/?p=1537 To contact Guro Ariel go to: http://combatfma.com/index.html http://www.lvtacticaltraining.com/     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeyr9T6qD34   Grandmaster Manois Tournament and Official at FACLA Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, 2000     Guro Ariel with student at his school Washington State, Guro Ariel, Guro Dino, Grandmaster Conrad Manaois and daughter, Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, 1998     Guro Ariel Flores Mosses, Punong Guro Sulite, Guro Choy Flores, Guro Dino Flores in Washington State Guro Ariel Flores Mosses with Master Ricketts in Washington State Guro Ariel Flores Mosses with Master Ricketts, Maste Galang, Master Dodong in Washington State Guro Ariel and Guro Dino being filmed by student Ron Gabriel. Location in the backyard of Guro Ariel's Mothers house in Los Angeles, 2000 Guro Ariels Lameco I.D. Number one for Washington State and Lameco Representative. 1995 … [Read more...]

Lameco Eskrima & Kali Ilustrisimo – Seminar mit Guro Dino Flores/USA presented by Kapisanang Mandirigma Germany

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Lameco Eskrima & Kali Ilustrisimo – Seminar mit Guro Dino Flores/USA presented by Kapisanang Mandirigma Germany Lameco Eskrima & Kali Ilustrisimo – Seminar mit Guro Dino Flores/USA presented by Kapisanang Mandirigma Germany sponsored by JuWe-Sticks Nach der überwältigenden Resonanz nach dem letzten Kurzbesuch von Guro Dino freuen wir uns Ihn in 2012 für einen längeren Aufenthalt gewinnen zu können. Das Seminar bildet die Grundlage für ein tieferes Verständnis des Kali Ilustrisimo (CNR) und des Lameco Eskrima (SOG) sowie den Start von Kapisanang Mandirigma Germany. Thema wird sein: Kali Ilustrisimo (Single & Double Blade) – Lameco Eskrima (Single & Double Stick) Laßt euch die Gelegenheit Kali Ilustrisimo von einem der wenigen zertifizierten Instruktoren unter Master Christopher Ricketts sowie Punong Guro Edgar. G. Sulite zu lernen nicht entgehen. KOSTEN: 1 Tag 55€ – 2 Tage 100€ bei Zahlung vor 13.04.2012, danach plus 10€ Nachmeldegebühr Seminarort wird noch bekanntgegeben, voraussichtlich Frankfurt/Main. Bei Nichterscheinen verfällt die bereits gezahlte Seminargebühr. Der Veranstalter übernimmt für Personen- und Sachschäden keinerlei Haftung. Die Teilnahme erfolgt auf eigenes Risiko! … [Read more...]

The first written account of “KALI” as the pre-Hispanic name of the Filipino Martial Arts by FMA History Redux

The first written account of "KALI" as the pre-Hispanic name of the Filipino Martial Arts Source: http://fmahistoryredux.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-first-written-account-of-kali-as.html?spref=fb http://fmahistoryredux.blogspot.com/2014/11/philippine-hero-rev-fr-gregorio-aglipay.html “Mga Karunungan sa Larong Arnis” by Placido Yambao and Buenaventura Mirafuente, University of the Philippines Press, 1957... the first book on the Filipino Martial Arts that we know now... its section on the history of the Filipino Martial Arts stated that when the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, Filipino Martial Arts was not yet called "ARNIS" but "KALI" (“Ang KALI na dinatnan ng mga Kastila ay hindi pa ARNIS ang tawag noong 1610")... The book also mentioned that a KALI demonstration was once performed in honor of the newly-arrived Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi on the order of a tribal leader in the Island of Leyte...     Philippine Hero Rev. Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, the source of Yambao & Mirafuente's "KALI"...   REV. FR. GREGORIO AGLIPAY, 1860-1940 (center), the first Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church (Wikipedia photo)...Rev. Fr. Aglipay was the source of the information that the original name of the Filipino Martial Arts is KALI in the book “Mga Karunungan sa Larong Arnis” authored by Placido Yambao and Buenaventura Mirafuente (University of the Philippines Press, 1957):'Ang KALI na Dinatnan ng mga Kastila ay Hindi pa Arnis ang Tawag nuong 1610.... Noong unang panahon ang larong ito'y kilala sa tawag na "KALI" ng ating mga ninuno, nguni't sa hindi maiwasang pagbabago ng panahon at pangyayari (underscoring mine) ay pinamagatan nila ng "Panandata" sa Tagalog, "Pagkalikali" sa kapatagan ng Kagayan ng mga Ibanag, "Kalirongan" sa Pangasinan, "Kaliradman" sa Bisaya at "Pagaradman" sa Ilongo nuong 1860, at "Didya" sa Ilokos at muling naging "Kabaroan," ayon kay Rev. Fr. Gregorio Aglipay na bantog din sa arnis nuong 1872.'TRANSLATION: 'The indigenous martial art that the Spanish encountered in 1610 was not yet called Arnis at that time. During those times, this martial art was known as "KALI" to our ancestors.  Due to theunavoidable changing of the times and circumstances (underscoring mine), this martial art became known as "Panandata" to the Tagalogs, "Pagkalikali" to the Ibanags of the plains of Cagayan, "Kalirongan" to the people of Pangasinan, "Kaliradman" to the Visayans, "Pagaradman" to the Ilonggos in 1860, and "Didya" to the Ilocanos (but later on changed to "Kabaroan").  This is according to Rev. Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, who himself was a famous Arnis practitioner in 1872.' … [Read more...]

Indigenous peoples of the Philippines

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Indigenous peoples of the Philippines From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The indigenous peoples of the Philippines consist of a large number of indigenous ethnic groups living in the country. They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines who have managed to resist centuries of Spanish and United States colonization and in the process have retained their customs and traditions.[1] In the 1990s, there were more than 100 highland tribal groups constituted approximately 3% of the population. The upland tribal groups were a blend in ethnic origin like other lowland Filipinos, although they did not have contact with the outside world. They displayed a variety of social organization, cultural expression and artistic skills. They showed a high degree of creativity, usually employed to embellish utilitarian objects, such as bowls, baskets, clothing, weapons and spoons. These groups ranged from various Igorot tribes, a group that includes the Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga and Kankana-ey, who built the Rice Terraces. They also covered a wide spectrum in terms of their integration and acculturation with lowland Christian and Muslim Filipinos. Native groups such as the Bukidnon in Mindanao, had intermarried with lowlanders for almost a century. Other groups such as the Kalinga in Luzon have remained isolated from lowland influence. There were several indigenous groups living in the Cordillera Central of Luzon in 1990. At one time it was employed by lowland Filipinos in a pejorative sense, but in recent years it came to be used with pride by native groups in the mountain region as a positive expression of their ethnic identity. The Ifugaos of Ifugao Province, the Bontocs, Kalinga, Tinguian, the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi were all farmers who constructed the rice terraces for many centuries. Other mountain peoples of Luzon are the Isnegs of northern Kalinga-Apayao Province, the Gaddangs of the border between Kalinga-Apayao, and Isabela provinces and the Ilongots of Nueva Vizcaya Province and Caraballo Mountains all developed hunting and gathering, farming cultivation and headhunting. Other indigenous people such as the Negritos formerly dominated the highlands throughout the islands for thousands of years, but have been reduced to a small population, living in widely scattered locations, primarily along the eastern ranges of the mountains. In the southern Philippines, upland and lowland tribal groups were concentrated on Mindanao and western Visayas, although there are several indigenous groups such as the Mangyan living in Mindoro. Among the most important groups found on Mindanao are collectively called the Lumad, and includes the Manobo, Bukidnon of Bukidnon Province, Bagobo, Mandaya, and Mansaka, who inhabited the mountains bordering the Davao Gulf; the Subanon of upland areas in the Zamboanga; the Mamanua in the Agusan-Surigao border region; the Bila-an, Tiruray and Tboli in the region of the Cotabato province, and the Samal and Bajau in the Sulu Archipelago. The tribal groups of the Philippines are known for their carved wooden figures, baskets, weaving, pottery and weapons. Reservation The Philippine government succeeded in establishing a number of protected reservations for tribal groups. Indigenous people were expected to speak their native language, dress in their traditional tribal clothing, live in houses constructed of natural materials using traditional architectural designs and celebrate their traditional ceremonies of propitiation of spirits believed to be inhabiting their environment. They are also encouraged to re-establish their traditional authority structure in which, as in indigenous society were governed by chieftains known as Rajah and Datu. Contact between "primitive" and "modern" ethnic groups usually resulted in weakening or destroying tribal culture without assimilating the indigenous groups into modern society. It seemed doubtful that the shift of the Philippine government policy from assimilation to cultural pluralism could reverse the process. Several Filipino tribes tends to lead to the abandonment of traditional culture because land security makes it easier for tribal members to adopt the economic process of the larger society and facilitates marriage with outsiders. In the past, the Philippine government bureaus could not preserve tribes as social museum exhibits, but with the aid of various nationwide organizations, they hoped to help the tribes adapt to modern society without completely losing their ethnic identity.   … [Read more...]

A timeline of Indochina and Indonesia by Piero Scaruffi, 206 BC – Jan 2012 – Copyright © 2011 Piero Scaruffi All rights reserved.

A timeline of Indochina and Indonesia by Piero Scaruffi http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/indochin.html 206 BC: the kingdom of the Nam Viet dynasty extends from Vietnam to Canton 257 BC: An Doung Voung (Thuc Phan) unifies tribes of Vietnam and creates the kingdom of Auc Lac with his capital at Phuc An 208 BC: Chao To create the kingdom of Namviet in northern Vietnam 111 BC: China annexes the kingdom of Namviet 1## AD: an Indian brahmin founds the kingdom of Funan, with capital in Vyadhapura 192 AD: China expands into Vietnam to the border with the Champa empire 221 AD: China is unified and begins expanding south 529 AD: Rudrawarman founds a new dynasty in Champa 50#: the Srivijaya kingdom is founded in southern Sumatra (Indonesia) with capital in Palembang and Buddhism as the state religion 55# AD: the kingdom of Chenla (north Cambodia) annexes Funan (south Cambodia) 572: Sambhuvarman becomes king of Vietnam and builds monuments at Mi Son 58#: the Srivijaya kingdom expands on Java 605: China captures the Champa capital Trakieu 612: first inscriptions in the Khmer language 616: Isanavarman I becomes king of Chenla 627: Isanavarman I annexes Funan and northwest Cambodia 653: Prakasadharma becomes king of Cham and builds the Hinduist temples of My Son (Vietnam) 65#: the Nanchao kingdom forms in northern Burma 657: Jayavarman I of Chenla conquers north Laos and founds the Khmer dynasty 686: the Srivijaya kingdom expands over Sumatra (Indonesia) and the Malay peninsula 7##: the Sailendra, allied of Srivijaya, rule in central Java 717: the Chenla kingdom collapses and falls under the influence of the Sailendra 732: Sanjaya founds the Sanjaya dynasty in central Java (Indonesia) with capital in Mataram (central Java) 778: Sailendra king Dharmatunga begins construction of the Buddhist temple at Borobudur in Java (Indonesia) 791: the Nanchao kingdom (north Burma) expands under I-mou-hsun 802: Jayavarman II liberates the Khmers from Javanese domination and founds a new Hinduist kingdom in Cambodia, Angkor, with capital near Seam Reap (Roluos ruins) 82#: Sailendra king Samaratunga completes construction of the Buddhist temple at Borobudur in Java (Indonesia) 825: the kingdom of Pegu (south Burma) moves its capital at Hamsavati 832: the Nanchao kingdom (north Burma) subdues the Pyu people 832: the Sanjaya kingdom annexes the Sailendra kingdom in Java (Indonesia) 875: a new Champa kingdom is founded at Indrapura/ Quangnam under king Indravarman I who protects Buddhism 877: Indravarman I of Khmer creates a network of irrigation in Cambodia and builds the temples of Bakong and Preah Ko 889: Yasovarman I founds the city of Angkor 893: Indravarman II founds a new Champa dynasty 898: Sanjaya king Balitung of Mataram restores Hinduism in Central Java 907: China's domination of Indochina ends 910: Sanjaya king Daksa begins construction of the Hindu temples at Prambanan in Java (Indonesia) dedicated to Shiva 910: Yashovarman I establishes the Khmer capital at Yashodharapura (Angkor) 921: Jayavarman IV usurpes the throne of Khmer and moves the capital to Koh Ker 929: Sindok founds a new dynasty in East Java 938: Ngo Quyen liberates Vietnam from China at the battle of Bach Dang 939: Ngo Quyen declares the independence of Namviet and founds the kingdom of Annam (north Vietnam) 944: Rajendravarman becomes king of Khmer and moves the capital back to Angkor 950: the Khmer kingdom expands from Cambodia to Burma, Laos and Siam 968: Champa king Dinh Bo Linh founds the Dinh dynasty and moves the capital to Hoa Lu (Vietnam) 979: Annam's king Le Hoan founds the first Le dynasty in Vietnam 979: Champa (south Vietnam) king Paramesvaravarman attacks Annam (north Vietnam), the beginning of five centuries of warfare, but is defeated and killed 982: Annam's king Le Hoan captures the Champa capital Indrapura and the Champa kingdom moves its capital to Vjaya 982: 979: Annam's king Le Hoan captures the Champa capital Indrapura and the Champa kingdom moves its capital to Vjaya 985: Sanjaya king Dharmavamsa conquers Bali (Indonesia) 988: Harivarman II founds a new Champa kingdom with capital in Vijaya 1006: the Srivijaya kingdom of southern Sumatra (Indonesia) attacks Sanjaya, destroys Mataram (Central Java) and kills Dharmavamsa 1010: the Ly dynasty succeeds the Le dynasty and moves the capital of Annam to Thanh Long (Hanoi) 1019: Dharmavamsa's son-in-law Airlangga founds the Kahuripan kingdom in East Java (Indonesia) and invades Bali 1030: Airlangga annexes the kingdom of Srivijaya (Indonesia) through marriage but divides his kingdom between his sons (kingdoms of Janggala and Kediri) 1030: the Chola of India raid Srivijaya 1044: Annam raids the Champa capital and kills the Champa king in Vietnam 1049: Airlangga retires in a monastery and divides his kingdom between his two sons 1050: Udayadityavarman becomes king of Khmer and the empire reaches its peak (Cambodia, south Laos, south … [Read more...]

Hospecio Balbuena Balani, Jr. segment from the book “Masters of the Blade” by Master Rey Galang, 2006

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                    … [Read more...]

Arnis Boosts Fil-Am’s Sense of Pride – by Volt Contreras for The Philippine Daily Inquirer Newspaper Interviews Guro Arnold Noche, October 4, 2006

Arnold A. Noche is one of the remaining survivors of Lameco SOG under the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite of Lameco Eskrima International and is also a co-founder and instructor of Kapisanang Mandirigma. He made a recent visit to the Philippines to attend the 3rd World FMA Festival and Bakbakan International Invitational Tournament. Kali Klub, a project of Kapisanang Mandirigma, has received numerous awards and commendations from the City of Los Angeles, City of Walnut and State of California since the inception of the program in 1999. The Philippine Daily Inquirer is undeniably the country's most widely read and circulated newspaper. With over 2.7 million nationwide readers daily, it enjoys a market share of over 50% and tops the readership surveys. Not only is it the most read among  all sectors and ages, it is also the country's most trusted source of hard-hitting news and countless expos's. Distinguished by award-giving bodies like the Catholic Mass Media Awards, Jaime Ongpin Awards for Investigative Journalism and Anvil Awards, it is the Philippines' most awarded broadsheet with over 200 awards and citations. Arnis Boosts Fil-Am’s Sense of Pride By Volt Contreras Philippine Daily Inquirer Published on Page A1 of the October 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. CROSSING land bridges that once linked the Philippine archipelago to the Asian mainland, ancient fighters introduced to Filipinos a form of martial arts believed to have come from India and now called kali, eskrima and arnis de mano. Yes, those rattan canes - and the graceful moves that make them lethal - are that old, according to generally held notions as to the origins of the Pinoy warrior art. With a deep sense of history, a Filipino-American based in California since the late '60s considers his mastery of kali (considered the pre-Spanish name for arnis or eskrima) as a bridge to the country of his birth - and hopes that more Fil-Am’s would join him in paying ambidextrous homage to their shared cultural roots. Arnold Noche has been taking time from his business each week, driving up to 48 kilometers from his home in the Gardena suburb, to conduct two-hour training sessions for kali enthusiasts of all ages at Filipino community centers in Los Angeles. "There's something about a stick in the hand that is very Filipino", noted Noche Noche and other "backyard" eskrimadors started the Kali Klub project in 1999 and have since taught an average of 250 students a year, around 90 percent of them Fil-Am’s aged 5 to over 40. Kali Klub sa FilAm ARTS Since 2004, Kali Klub has been conducting classes in partnership with FilAm Arts (Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts & Culture), a nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization located on N. Vermont Avenue in LA. Dealing with Confusion "I could have taught my (Fil-Am) students something else to help them deal with whatever confusion they may have about their cultural identity. But I am an eskrimador, and this is my way of helping them understand the complexities of being a Fil-Am," Noche said. His family moved to the States when he was only 2 years old. At age 8 he began studying karate and, at age 12, picked up his first kali sticks - henceforth earning bruises and scars in a discipline that would "control my life." At 40, Noche runs his own management consultancy and multimedia firm ATF1898 - a proud reference to the year Filipinos declared their independence from Spain. But in a recent Inquirer interview in Manila, he said he would rather be counted as a member of the "Filipino warrior class." He was referring to the disciples of an ancient art that had been in progression long before foreign powers reached Philippine soil. Employing real swords or knives in its original form, kali survived by being "secretly practiced" during colonial times when Filipinos were prohibited from carrying weapons. "It has been handed down from one generation to another, and has eventually made its way around the world. Now it is not only practiced by thousands of martial artists but also favored by elite military and law enforcement groups," Noche said. Action Flicks Further proof of its global appeal, he noted, is the growing number of Hollywood action flicks that feature kali movements in their fight sequences. Matt Damon, for example, in an interview on the hand-to-hand combat style of his "Jason Bourne" character, pronounced it as "kay-lee," he  said. Vin Diesel had also acknowledged training in kali for his sci-fi flick, "The Chronicles of Riddick." "Mission Impossible 3" and "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" featured brief fight scenes with the lead stars Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie, respectively, "using Filipino fighting sticks," Noche said. And Noche has this to say about Star Wars" Yoda: "My impression was that his moves (with the dazzling light … [Read more...]

Majapahit Empire, 1293 – 1500.

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Majapahit was a vast archipelagic empire based on the island of Java from 1293 to around 1500. Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 marked by conquest which extended through Southeast Asia. His achievement is also credited to his prime minister, Gajah Mada. According to the Nagarakretagama (Desawarñana) written in 1365, Majapahit was an empire of 98 tributaries, stretching from Sumatra to New Guinea; consisting of present day Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand, the Philippines, and East Timor, although the true nature of Majapahit sphere of influence is still the subject of studies among historians. Majapahit was one of the last major empires of the region and is considered to be one of the greatest and most powerful empires in the history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, one that is sometimes seen as the precedent for Indonesia's modern boundaries. Its influence extended beyond the modern territory of Indonesia and has been a subject of many studies. German orientalist Berthold Laufer suggested that maja came from the Javanese name of Indonesian tree. (From Wikipedia)                   … [Read more...]

Balintawak Grandmaster Venancio Bacon

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  Balintawak History Born in 1912, Venancio "Anciong" Bacon would later become one of the Philippines' legendary and most influential eskrimadors in history. He was born in Carcar, Cebu, and moved later to San Nicolas Town, just outside of Cebu City. He learned eskrima in the 1920s as a teenager. His evolution as an eskrimador began in San Nicolas. This journey would later lead him to death matches, attacks, and eventually to jail. But, not all of this journey was dismal. Along the way, Venancio Bacon made life long friends, and cultivated a loyal cadre of students, who to this day maintain an affinity incomparable towards him. Venancio Bacon's legacy, Balintawak, has become a title synonymous to Deadly. Balintawak eskrima is Economy, Elegance, Strength, and Speed expertly woven into one art form. This is the story of Great Grandmaster Venancio Bacon and the account of his legacy. In the early 1900s, the Spaniards had just left the Philippines, ending their 300 year rule. In their place, came the Americans. The vanguard elite of Cebu still spoke Spanish, while the Americans began to "pacify" and teach the rest of the Filipinos American English and culture. It was during this time that Venancio Bacon was born into, a nation in the midst of change and upheaval. He was born in Carcar, Cebu, but grew up in San Nicolas Town outside of Ciudad de Cebu, which at that time was populated by Cebu's elite upper class. This elite class was made up of Europeans, Americans, Chinese and mestizo Filipinos. In contrast, San Nicolas was composed of local Cebuanos and immigrants from neighboring towns, or from other islands in the Visayas. The people who lived in San Nicolas were farmers, carpenters, fishermen, peasants, cargadors and the servants for the City of Cebu's upper class. Venancio Bacon began training in the art of eskrima in the 1920s. His only teacher was Lorenzo "Ensong" Saavedra, of San Nicolas, who during this time had established the historic Labangon Fencing Club. At a time when many different styles of eskrima abound, Lorenzo Saavedra's was called the Corto Linear, although he was also known to have mastered other styles. His best students would be Teodoro "Doring" Saavedra, his nephew, and Venancio Bacon. The two were also very close friends. Both matured into great eskrimadors, improving each other's skills and answering challenge matches that came as a result of their newly acquired titles. The Labangon Fencing Club eventually dissipated into oblivion, giving way to a new organization borne out of its ashes. In 1933, the Doce Pares Club was formed. Headed by Lorenzo Saavedra, the club was composed of three Saavedra eskrimadors and nine from the Canete family. This composed the original twelve needed to symbolically actualize the title Doce Pares, which was taken from a popular roving play in the Philippines during the late 1800s and early 1900s depicting the twelve warrior swordsmen of Charlemagne. Another twelve were inducted to the club soon after, making the initial membership twenty-four, or Twelve Pairs. Venancio Bacon was among the first twenty-four. Although there were certain personalities in the club which ran counter to Venancio Bacon's own personality, he stayed and carried his weight as one of its representing eskrimadors. World War II broke out in the 1940s. With the onset of Japanese occupation, many eskrimadors became guerilla fighters, employing their art for the defense of their nation. It was during this time that, Teodoro Saavedra died at the hands of Japanese soldier-executioners. Long after the War, in 1952, Venancio Bacon established the club now known as Balintawak. He finally had enough of the personal bickerings and internal politics of the Doce Pares club. Along with Vincente "Inting" Atillo, Delfin Lopez, Jesus Cui, Timoteo "Timor" Maranga, Lorenzo Gonzales, Isidro Bardilas, Andres Olaibar, and a few others, Venancio Bacon began a new club. The newly formed club started training in the backyard of a watch shop owned by Eduardo Baculi, one of Venancio Bacon's students. This shop was located in a small side street in Colon, called Balintawak Street. The significance of the name Balintawak evoked the three virtues of strength, courage, and honor befitting that of the new club. So, from that day forth the word Balintawak would forever be intertwined with the name Venancio Bacon and to the style of eskrima which has proven its calculated violence effective time and again. Standing at 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighting no more that 120 pounds, Venancio Bacon was a very unassuming man. He was a veteran of a great many death matches in Cebu. Described by many of his students as lightning fast, Venancio Bacon maneuvered through a fight smoothly while exploiting his opponents' balance and coordination. He was known to be very surgical with a stick, able to employ varying force to his exact … [Read more...]

Kapisanang Mandirigma presents Guro Dino Flores and Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Seminar in Las Vegas, Nevada , March 31st, 2012

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Kapisanang Mandirigma presents Guro Dino Flores and Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Seminar in Las Vegas, Nevada , March 31st, 2012 February 1, 2012 By dinof2 Leave a Comment (Edit) Kapisanang Mandirigma Las Vegas presents Guro Dino Flores and Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Seminar, March 2012 Backyard Eskrima-Lameco SOG Seminar Date: March 31, 2012 Time:10am-4pm Location: 6366 W Sahara, Las Vegas, NV 89146 Rate: $99.00 per person Instructors: Guro Dino Flores & Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Contact: Ariel F. Mosses @ 702.533.9688       … [Read more...]

Grandmaster Conrad Manaois Seminar, Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb 19th, 2012

Manaois Eskrima

  Grand Master Manaois will be returning to Las Vegas, NV February 19, 2012 for another exciting combative arts seminar! We hope you can attend and participate in seeing for yourself Grand Masters devistating no holds barred fight tactics for the streets. Date: Feb 19, 2012 Location: 6366 W Sahara, Las Vegas, NV 89146 Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm Fee: $99.00 per person Contact: Ariel Flores Mosses About Grand Master Conrad Manaois began his training at the young age of seven under his father Marcelino "Ninoy" Manaois. Ninoy, as he was known was a Combat Judo and Jujitsu Expert and a Master of Cinco Teros Arnis who was undefeated in several of the so called "Death Matches" of the Philippines. After a formidable education under his fathers guidance, GM Manaois desired to further explore the Martial Arts world. Over a 46 year period he has studied many Martial Arts under some of the finest teachers of our time, such as Leo Gaje Jr. founder of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali System, Master Richard Nunez of Lima Lama and Master Leon Wang - Chinese Kung Fu and Martial Arts Fight Choregrapher. Grand Master Conrad began teaching Martial Arts to a dedicated few individuals in 1977 at the Filipino Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California. In 1979, along with 3 other Masters, he created a unique form of empty hand fighting called Kali JuKune Do. Around this same time he began to look at his family system of Kali known as Ninoy Arnis System "Cinco Teros Arnis" and to improve on it. He called his new system Manaois Eskrima. In 1984 GM Conrad opened his first private school on Temple Street in Los Angeles. While continuing to teach in Los Angeles, his certified instructors have traveled and opened schools throughout the world.       Manaois Systems International / World Kali Jukune Do Federation Authorized Instructors by GM Conrad A. Manaois on Saturday, 14 January 2012 at 03:01 The Following are current/active instructors authorized by me: Bobis, Adrian C. - Manaois Systems International / Kali Jukune Do (LA, CA) Buenafe, Ronnie M. - Manaois Systems International / Kali Jukune Do (LA, CA) Kemper, Dale - Manaois Systems International (Moses Lake, WA) Mc Cabe, John - Manaois Systems International / Kali Jukune Do (Moses Lake, WA) Mosses, Ariel F. - Manaois Systems International / Kali Jukune Do (Las Vegas, NV) Navarette, Adrian - Kali Jukune Do (LA, CA) Rhodes, Rick - Manaois Systems International / Kali Jukune Do (Moses Lake, WA) Stacy, Chris - Manaois Systems International (LA, CA) Therrien, Rickey - Kali Jukune Do (LA, CA) All certificates that have been issued for Manaois Systems International / World Kali Jukune Do Federation in the past & present will be considered null and void, and regarded as expired unless it is authenticated by me. Maraming salamat, GM Conrad A. Manaois … [Read more...]

And you shall be as gods: The culture of the anting-anting (Part 2) By Dennis Villegas

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And you shall be as gods: The culture of the anting-anting (Part 2)   By Dennis Villegas Monday, 09 August 2010 The Philippine Online Chronicles (www.thepoc.net) http://thepoc.net/thepoc-features/buhay-pinoy/buhay-pinoy-features/9267-the-culture-of-the-anting-anting-and-you-shall-be-as-gods-part-2-.html The arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines in the 16th century proselytized the Filipino’s concept of God. To easily conquer the archipelago and introduce the Roman Catholic religion without antagonizing the superstitious and religious beliefs of the Filipinos, the Spanish friar missionaries presented the God of Roman Catholicism to be the same ancient Filipino God Bathala. The synthesis of the Roman Catholic religion and the pre-colonial religious and superstitious beliefs of the early Filipinos created a new kind of religion called Folk Catholicism, the religion of many millenarian groups in Southern Luzon, as well as the religion of anting-anting believers.   The Trespicio medallion of the Infinito Dios and the Tres Personas   The trinitarian dogma which is the most important of all Catholic doctrines gave way to the mythology that God, a spirit being, is an eye contained in a triangle. The triangle (or in anting-anting parlance, trespico), is the perfect representation of God, as it contained three equal sides or three equal corners, consistent with God’s three equal personalities. The triangular medallion, therefore, becomes one of the most popular of all the anting-anting. It symbolizes the oneness of the Infinito Dios and the Santissima Trinidad. Those who keep and faithfully believe in the trespico anting-anting can achieve oneness with the Infinito Dios and the Santissima Trinidad.   The Trespico medallion, believed by anting-anting faithful as an effective protector against evil because it contains the image and names of God. The symbols in this medallion include the Eye, representing the Infinito Dios, and the initials A.A.A which are the initials of the names of the Santissima Trinidad: Avetillo, Avetemit, Avelator (other names of the Santissima Trinidad are Aram, Ardam, Adradam). The ROMA is the initial of the title and name of God which means Rex Omnipotentem Macmamitam Adonay. One of the Trespico Seals of the Revolutionary Government of General Emilio Agunaldo in 1899.   The Trespico as seen in the altar of the religious sect Tres Personas Solo Dios in Mount Banahaw by the author in 2010.   God's Plan of Salvation God’s plan for the world is to save it from the clutches of the Devil. For this reason, one of the Santissima Trinidad has been assigned to go down to earth to save humankind. Only through his sacrifice and death can humankind be saved. But since God is immortal and cannot die, he must assume a human form, and before he must be born a human, he should be conceived by a woman. God being born as a human by a human mother is again one of those concepts that cannot easily be understood, especially among the early Filipinos who have a simple pre-colonial belief in the existence of God who is the first being in the universe. But for God to become human, and for God to be born by a woman, is something complex, especially if Catholicism teaches that the woman is the Mother of God, instead of just a blessed human person assigned by God to bear his human form. The woman--the Virgin Mary--conceived God in her womb. The official Catholic doctrine on her personality is stated clearly in the official Catholic book Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church published by the Vatican: Mary is truly “Mother of God” since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself. The image of a Mother God therefore plays an important role in the theogony of the anting- anting. In Filipino society, the mother of the family is viewed as the “ilaw ng tahanan” who provides her children with proper care, upbringing and education. Moreover, the early Filipino society, although strongly patriarchal, viewed women as mediators to God. As proof, the early priests were women called babaylan. The veneration of the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God is therefore consistent with the Filipino view of the important role played by the mother in Filipino family and society. The babaylan priesthood still exists at present in many folk Catholic religions in Southern Tagalog, most especially in the Ciudad Mistica de Dios and the Tres Personas Solo Dios in Mount Banahaw, where the religious leaders and priests are women. The idea of a Mother God was accepted by the early Filipinos as a given. Thus the Virgin Mary eventually took her place as an important God in the pantheon of the Gods among Filipinos. Monotheistic though the Catholic religion is as claimed by the Vatican, to the simplistic views of the pre-colonial Filipinos, … [Read more...]

And you shall be as gods: The culture of the anting-anting (Part 1) By Dennis Villegas

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And you shall be as gods: The culture of the anting-anting (Part 1) By Dennis Villegas The Philippine Online Chronicles (www.thepoc.net) http://thepoc.net/thepoc-features/buhay-pinoy/buhay-pinoy-features/9131.html Deep in the night of May 20, 1967, around 400 curiously-attired men congregated on Taft Avenue in Manila, near what is now Vito Cruz, with the intent to march to Malacanang Palace to ask for President Marcos’ resignation. The men wore anting-anting and colorful vests with mixed Latin and Tagalog inscriptions on them. Seemingly at odds with their appearance, they were also wielding daggers and three-foot-long jungle bolos signifying their rebellious intent. They were part of the millenarian sect called Lapiang Malaya (Freedom Society), a quasi-religious political society led by the charismatic 86-year-old Supremo Valentin delos Santos, a former Catholic priest, trained auto mechanic, one-time circus performer, and failed candidate in the past three presidential elections at that time.Early in May 1967, Tatang Valentin, as the Supremo was called, had demanded that Ferdinand Marcos step down. He also wanted the Philippine Armed Forces to surrender their arms to him. Deeply disillusioned by what he termed as the oppression of the poor and the continuing evil influence of foreigners in the Philippines, Tatang Valentin decided it was time to establish a new government, with him as the new Supreme Commander, Commander-in-Chief, and President of the Republic of the Philippines. President Marcos promptly rejected Tatang Valentin’s demand.  As the kapatid ("brothers," as Lapiang Malaya members were called) started to arrive from the provinces to gather in the society’s compound in Pasay, the Philippine Constabulary cordoned off the area to prevent more members from joining the already frenzied group. Then at around 12:30 in the morning of May 21, as the tension between the Lapiang Malaya members and the constabulary heightened, mock gunfire rang in the air, allegedly shot by a prankster. A violent skirmish between the kapatid and the constabulary followed – one that was so one-sided it was later to be called a massacre. As the constabulary opened fire, 32 of the kapatid were killed and some 40 seriously wounded. The constabulary had one mortality: a soldier who was hacked to death. In addition, five constabulary soldiers were wounded by bolo hacks, and three civilians hit by stray bullets.   One of the kapatid killed in the Lapiang Malaya massacre of May 21, 1967. Note the sacred vest and scarf he wears that gave no protection against bullets. Purist anting-anting believers would later say that those killed lacked faith in their anting- anting. This massacre of the Lapiang Malaya was one of the bloodiest episodes in recent Philippine history. As the front-line members of the Lapiang Malaya fell to gunfire, many other members realized their anting-anting would not protect them. Dispersing in many directions, they were later arrested and charged with rebellion. Later that morning, Tatang Valentin surrendered to the constabulary. He was brought to the National Mental Hospital, together with 11 of his high-ranking lieutenants. All of them were subjected to psychiatric evaluation and pronounced lunatic. Following his diagnosis, Tatang Valentin was confined to a cell together with a violent patient, who allegedly mauled the old man into a coma. He never regained consciousness and was declared dead in August 1967. The official medical report stated he died of pneumonia. After Tatang Valentin’s death, the Lapiang Malaya was officially dissolved by the government, with most members either pardoned or sent back to their respective provinces. Most of these were peasants, laborers, and common folks from Southern Tagalog who believed in Tatang Valentin’s promise of a new government based on “true equality and true liberty.” They also subscribed to Tatang Valentin’s promise of supernatural powers once they wore their anting-anting and sacred vests. He convinced them that the bullets of the enemies would turn into snakes and fall around them. But as it happened, and as proven in the bloody morning of May 21, the amulets they wore were no match for the automatic gunfire of the constabulary. The bullets easily tore through their vests, flesh, and bones.   Tatang Valentin delos Santos surrenders to the Constabulary   In retrospect, the Lapiang Malaya massacre is just one of the many episodes in the history of the Filipino mass movements whose combined quest for freedom and faith in the anting-anting led them to fight the oppression of those in power. The revolt of the Cofradia de San Jose in 1840, the Katipunan in 1896, the Colorum rebellions of Southern Tagalog in 1897, the Philippine Revolution of 1899, the Makario Sakay and Felipe Salvador rebellions during the … [Read more...]