Movie Poster: The Pacific Connection – Philippines, 1974. Starring Master Roland Dantes

Master Roland Dantes

  Roland Dantes plays an avenging hero, who defeats the forces of oppression with the power of Arnis! Roland Dantes plays Ben, a farm boy who comes into conflict with the Evil Spanish Governor and his two sons. One of the sons is played by a young Dean Stockwell. To assist in their oppression the Governor hires a Samurai played by Hiroshi Tanaka to teach his son the Japanese Katana sword. To counter this, Ben studies under a blind Franciscan monk to obtain some advanced fighting secrets and develop his warrior senses. Additionally Ben must search for the legendary “Iron Reed”. A mystical stick so strong that grows in the lava of an active Volcano. One of the first full length movies featuring the Philippine Warrior Arts. A must see for any Filipino Martial Arts practitioner. Made in a similar spirit of the “Kung Fu” movies coming out of Hong Kong at the same time in the 1970′s. The fight scenes were choreographed by Professor Remy Presas himself and is jam packed with Arnis inspired fight scenes. Dean Stockwell learned Arnis for his role and continued his Arnis practice long after the filming was over. The success of this movie led to a follow up film “Arnis: Sticks of Death” in 1984 also starring Roland Dantes. Director: Luis Nepomuceno Country: Philippines Language: English Release Date: 1974 (Philippines) Stars: Roland Dantes, Dean Stockwell, Hiroshi Tanaka, Nancy Kwan, Guy Madison, Alejandro Rey, Gilbert Roland, Elizabeth Oropesa, Fred Galang, Gloria Sevilla, Vic Diaz, Cole Mallard … [Read more...]

Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Launches New Website @ http://combatfma.com

Guro Ariel Flores Mosses 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. 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.   To contact Guro Ariel go to: http://combatfma.com/index.html   … [Read more...]

David Gould discusses comparing Spanish fencing Influence on the local Warrior Arts in both Mexico and the Philippines

David Gould discusses comparing Spanish fencing Influence on the local Warrior Arts in both Mexico and the Philippines When comparing the results of Spanish Influence in both Mexico and the Philippines, there is a distinct difference between Filipino Sword Play (Eskrima; indigenous Filipino / Spanish Fencing influence) and Mexican Swordplay (Esgrime; Pure Spanish fencing not mixed with indigenous fighting arts). The Filipino version is quite different as it adopted a lot of the native Filipino practices at the time (1521 - 1898) and the Mexican style remained very much Spanish with Espada-y-daga and Cape and sword technique being brought to the forefront by the Doms and Nobles who were placed in charge of Mexico during its centuries of evolution. Compare the style of "Zorro" from Alta California fame (Mexico) with "Tatang" Ilustrisimo of kalis Ilustrisimo fame and you will get a better idea of what I am referring as there is a distinct difference even though the common thread for both seems to be Spanish Fencing. You can look at the two which were both influenced equally centuries back by the very same Spanish Sword play but each has a different result and appearance to them today. This is significant to the influences which were in each area before the Spanish arrived, native Filipinos in the Philippines and Aztec and Maya in Mexico. Spanish Swordplay was mixed with Filipino Martial Arts in its evolution in the Philippines which resulted in a hybrid of sorts but it remained pure in Mexico not being mixed with the fighting systems of the Mejica (Aztec) which seemed to have not survied in Mexico after Hernan Cortes and his conquistadors defeated that culture in the 1520`s in what is now Mexico City. Through the 1800`s in Mexico this was very obvious regarding the many duels fought in Mexico City with Sword play which had the appearance of remaining pure Spanish fencing. So with all things being equal you should not see any differences in the Spanish Fencing which influenced both Mexico (1519) and the Philippines (1521) but you do and this is because of pre-hispanic fighting methodology which existed in both geographical locations before Spanish Fencing reached the shores of either of the two cultures. Other wise you would not be able to see a distinct difference between Spanish Fencing as it was influenced equally in Manila and Mexico City as both would have the same appearance today as it would have been allowed to remain pure in both cultures equally. But it did not, so there had to have been an Indigenous Filipino component which influenced the evolution in the Philippines, hence the difference in concept, application and appearance yet still showing some Spanish influence and the usage of Spanish names with-in its curriculum regarding numerous fighting styles in the Philippines.   When the Spanish invaded the Phiippines in 1521 they did so from Cebu, North to Manila and there was a lot of territory where native Filipinos lived who never saw a Spaniard or their influence. But the question remains for how long? Until the 1600`s? 1700`s? 1800`s? At some point in time the influence would have had to travel south into Mindanao and other areas where Spanish influence had not been felt or experienced before if only minimal by travelers or fishermen who ventured from Mindanao and those areas to other parts of the Philippines and then those influences could have been taken back with them to Mindanao. You are right, there are a lot of things found in the Filipino Warrior Arts regarding weapons, strikes, angles, footwork, etc... which are not found in Spanish Fencing from the 16th Century. So like I stated in my post above you have to come to the conclusion that there were indigenous Warrior Arts in the Philippines before the Spanish invaded at Mactan, but how long were those styles allowed to continue on and flourish unaltered before they were influenced with Spanish methodology, if at all? No one can say with certainty. I am sure that some styles in Mindanao and other areas may have gone generations without mixing the new technology and methodology with the old, but again for how long? It is evident that Spanish Fencing did not mix with the indigenous warior Arts of the Aztec or Maya in Mexico, as well as with the Inka in South America (Peru) because Spanish Fencing remained very pure and unaltered in those areas through out the 19th century and beyond. But this can not be said of the Philippines where the end result is so much different from Spanish Fencing. There clearly was another dominating influence which is responsible for the evolution in the Philippines. In saying all of the above let me make one thing clear. Regardless of the various influences and evolution regarding the Pilipino Warrior Arts in the Philippines and now around the world I am amazed and in awe by this knowledge and fighting ability. I have been fortunate to have trained in numerous Martial Arts from all around the world … [Read more...]