Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite and Lameco Eskrima
Lameco Eskrima is a highly combative form of martial arts originating from the Philippines. The ancient warrior arts of the Philippines are generally known as Arnis, Kali or Eskrima. The founder of Lameco Eskrima, the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, learned these techniques from several prominent grandmasters in the Philippines. The quest for knowledge led him on an adventure that took him throughout the Philippine islands. The result of his journey resulted in Lameco Eskrima. The word “LAMECO” reflects the three ranges of combat. “LA” for largo or long range of combat, “ME” for medio or medium range of combat and “CO” for corto or close range of combat.
The Lameco insignia represents the following: The Triangle represents the integration of the mind, body and spirit and the unity of these three elements. The Kris sword, the Balisong and the Bastons represent the Warriors of the Philippines. The Kris sword represents the island of Mindanao (Southern Philippines) where it is still used by the Muslims. The Balisong knife (butterfly knife) represents the island of Luzon (Northern Philippines) where it originated. The Baston (rattan stick) represents the islands of the Visayas (Central Philippines). The Arrows represent the flow of nature and the concept of going with the force, blending, not contradicting the laws of nature.
Lameco Eskrima teaches the following Filipino weapons: Solo baston (Single stick), Doble baston (Double Stick), Espada y daga (Sword and Dagger), Solo daga (Single dagger), Doble daga (Double Dagger), Centro baston (Center stick Grip), Susi (Stick with Key Grip), Itak (Sword), Doble Itak (Double Sword), Panyo (Hankerchief), Mano y Mano and Dumog (Empty Hands).
Punong Guro Sulite was also an innovator and inventor. He invented the sparring arm guard and hand guard with the assistance of master Yuli Romo. With the input of the Five Pillars of Ilustrisimo they introduced the world to hand sparring to develop accuracy, range and timing. This method has now become standard practice in numerous Eskrima Systems.
Punong Guro and his fellow Pillars of Ilustrisimo initially only sparred with live rattan sticks only. Unfortunately this led to many injuries that took them out of the training that they lived for. They sought a safer alternative to spar without losing respect for the weapon by wearing too much protection. This led to the development of real rattan sticks with light padding or the padded stick used in conjunction with minimal protective gear. Thus the Backyard Curriculum consisted of Light Sparring or Hand Sparring, mid level intensity with padded sticks and minimal gear and finally Live Stick with minimal gear. It was Master Christopher Rickets that implementing sparring into the regular LAMECO curricul um.
Punong Guro is the author of three books, including “Secrets of Arnis”, “Advanced Balisong” and “Masters of Arnis, Kali and Eskrima”. Punong Guro has been featured in numerous magazines such as “Inside Kung-Fu” and “Cinturon Negro” in Europe. Punong Guro is the featured instructor in several videos including “Lameco Eskrima at the Vortex”, “Laban Laro 1 & 2” and a whole series by Unique Publications. His book, “Masters of Arnis, Kali and Eskrima” was a landmark publication as it was the first time a researcher traveled and trained throughout the Philippine islands and compiled the findings in a book. This book opened up numerous Masters and Systems to the rest of the world outside of their province of origin and influenced the majority of books that came after it. Many of the photographs that Punong Guro Sulite took for his book also appear in the the books of Master Rey Galang and Mark Wiley.
Guro Dino Flores can be contacted for Classes or Seminars at mandirigma.org@gmail.com.