From: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: eskrima-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V8 #334 Reply-To: eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest Fri, 27 July 2001 Vol 08 : Num 334 In this issue: eskrima: training in San Jose CA eskrima: Re: Maculele eskrima: seminars eskrima: who were the Dayaks? eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V8 #333 eskrima: Another Misconception about FMA - "Borrowed" eskrima: Dayaks eskrima: . ========================================================================== Eskrima-Digest, serving the Internet since June 1994. 1300 members strong! Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The premier internet discussion forum devoted to Filipino Martial Arts. Provided in memory of Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay (1944-2000), Founder of the Inayan System of Eskrima. Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe eskrima-digest" (no quotes) in the body (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. To send e-mail to this list use eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of the Eskrima-Digest at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Mabuhay ang eskrima! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "G" Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 16:19:31 -0700 Subject: eskrima: training in San Jose CA What training is available in the San Jose CA area? gester ------------------------------ From: "Bill Lowery" Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 01:12:35 +0100 Subject: eskrima: Re: Maculele From: "Robert Weymouth" Hi Rob, >Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 11:11:15 +0800 Subject: eskrima: Stick Work in other countries In follow up to Jamie's mail: Anyone have any experience in the capoeira based stick art of Maculele (sp)? Rob< My instructor (Jimi McAvoy) has been involved with the Latosa system of Escrima for about 25 years, and with the Group Senzala Capoeira organisation for about 10 (I believe, don't quote me on that last bit). He states that the Maculele is very basic stickfighting and that the Escrima, even in the early stages of five strikes-five blocks, wins hands down as a stickfighting art. The Maculele may ahve been effective at one point, but now most of it has been lost and what is left is noisy addition to the art of Capoeira. Bill Lowery ------------------------------ From: "Kyud" Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 20:41:53 -0700 Subject: eskrima: seminars Leo Fong will be holding seminars in Sept 7th, 8th and 9th at Deer Lake, PA and Sept 16th at Channahon, Illinois. Further information can be gotten at http://LeoFong.tripod.com in the Total Approach Organization scheduled seminars section or at http://www.arnisbalite.com/ on the events page. ------------------------------ From: "johnaleen" Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 00:34:52 -0400 Subject: eskrima: who were the Dayaks? Dayak, also Dyak, name applied to aborigines of the island of Borneo. The Dayak are divided into six groups: the Penans, Klemantans, Kenyahs, Kayans, Muruts, and Ibans. Physically, the Dayak are a combination of Chinese, Malay, and Negrito peoples. The Ibans, known as Sea Dayak and famous as pirates and conquerors, were converted to Islam by the Malays. The other Dayak groups have maintained their ancient customs, habits, and religious beliefs to a much greater extent. Their religious beliefs are based on a system of many gods. The Dayak practice of headhunting, rooted in religious beliefs, is rapidly dying out. The Dayak are skilled in crafts, making fine cloth and excellent iron weapons. They are efficient in the use of the blowpipe for hunting. Rice cultivation, hunting, and the gathering of wild fruit are their main means of subsistence. The Dayak population of Borneo has been estimated at slightly more than 1 million. ------------------------------ From: "jose saguisabal" Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 23:22:17 -0700 Subject: eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V8 #333 Forwarded message: THE ANCIENT ART OF FILIPINO HAND AND FOOT FIGHTING AS TAUGHT BY BRIAN "BUZZ" SMITH 5TH DEGREE BLACK BELT MAHARLIKA KUNTAW NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL KUNTAW FEDERATION NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE CHAPTER.... What is Kuntaw? > >Kuntaw is a martial art that was developed in the Philippines. Fighting >skills were "borrowed" from the many cultures that arrived in >the Philippines by migration or invasion and were organized into a viable >fighting system. This fighting system, known as Maharlika >Kuntaw, handles the three ranges of battle: Largo (long); Sumbrada (short); >and Hubud (close) ranges as well as the three altitudes of >fighting: air, standing and ground. > >Maharlika: (original name of the Philippines) free/royal; Kun: fist; Taw: >way of; Maharlika Kuntaw - Way of the Royal Fist or Filipino >Art of The fist > >These fighting skills come from many different areas of the Orient. However, >the three main cultures which Kuntaw was derived from >were India, Indonesia and China. India gave the arts of weaponry and sword >fighting, Indonesians provided snake-like grappling and >striking techniques, and forceful kicks and blows were brought by Chinese >people. The three main Filipino Arts which Kuntaw is >comprised of are: Buno(Philippine Wrestling), Sikaran (Kicking Art) and >Bugtongan (Philippine Stick Fighting System). While these >arts are inherently Filipino, they were first influenced by non-filipino >fighting styles. > >Kuntaw primarily was developed as a defensive art, but it can be used as >an offensive art given the right circumstances. Weapons are a >major part of Kuntaw techniques. These weapons may be a fist, elbow, >knee, foot, or a hand held object such as a knife, stick or sword. >Movements in Kuntaw were developed from the use or defense of these weapons. >Though Kuntaw is basically evasive, it is dramatic >evasiveness. The movements used are light and fast to avoid an attack, >but they are designed to use this action to counter back to the >opponent. Movements do not stop an attack, or oppose the force delivered, >instead they re-direct back to the source by seeking control of >the force. In effect, using the opponent's own effort against them without >wasting much of your own energy. These movements direct >delivered force to an area that allows the practitioner to get in and take >the opponent's balance. This also gives the Kuntawista the ability >to lock, throw, sweep or strike the opponent from a safe vantage point. > >History > >Maharlika Kuntaw is the product of over 3000 years of cultural trade and >diversity. > >The island chain now known as the Philippines has served as a unique social >melting pot for centuries. From Islamic missionaries and >Chinese sailors, to Spanish Conquistadors, the Philippines have endured >countless invasions, yet forever persevered by means of >assimilation. > >This tenacious ability to adapt and yet preserve that which is most >effective, can be observed in Maharlika Kuntaw's historical roots and >continues today. > >Originally descended from a Chinese thread, but heavily influenced by >Indonesian and Malay styles, modern day Maharlika Kuntaw can >be traced back to the southern Filipino island of Mindanao. Before the >Spanish occupation of the Philippines, Maharlika Kuntaw was >practiced openly by the elite ruling class inhabitants of Mindanao Island. >Following the weapons ban and turmoil of later spanish >influence, a man named Yuyong Henyo Lanyada moved to the central island of >Luzon. Yuyong brought with him the bladed weapons >techniques and fighting concepts of Maharlika Kuntaw. Yuyong was later >forced to change his last name to Lanada following the 1849 >Decree of Cognomen, which forced Filipinos, in Spainish dominated provinces >to adopted Spanish surnames. The same decree also >carried the order that allowed people practicing native fighting arts to be >punished by law. > >Eventually this ban extended to include all forms of martial practice. >Consequently the masters of Filipino arts, such as Yuyong Lanada, >were forced to study their respective arts in a manner hidden from public >view. The sword was replaced with the stick, and fighting >techniques were hidden within dances. In this way, fighting arts could be >openly practiced, yet still remain hidden from view! All the >while lethal combative methods were practiced directly under the noses of >the Spanish ruling class. > >From generation to generation, Maharlika Kuntaw has passed from Mindanao's >tribal elders through Yoyong Henyo Lanada to his great >grandson, Carlito A. Lananda. Through the ages, traditions, and former >ceremonies associated with religious value have disappeared due >to Kuntaw's former underground nature, but the basic concepts regarding >self defense and scientific body movement continued to be >refined to today. > >Philosophy of Kuntaw > >For a person to be complete and at rest with themselves, they must find >a balance; Health & sickness; joy & sorrow; love & dislike. If the >body is in fine health, then the mind may function skillfully and quickly. >The body is the form and the mind, which is the spirit, is the >actual moving force. > >"Never too little, never too much, only that which is necessary" > >Do not criticize, be patient, kind and understanding to your fellow >Kuntawistas as well as others. > >Honor > >Unlike Japanese, Korean, or Chinese Martial Artists, Filipinos do not bow >their heads to their instructors. This is not a sign of >disrespect, it is a sign of difference in cultures. > >In Japan, Korea and China the average person was considered to be inferior >to governors, soldiers, educators and emperors. It was not >uncommon for a soldier to cut off a commoners head if it was felt that >the commoner did not bow down low enough. In the Philippines, >no such culture existed, bowing was not the recognized sign of respect, >as everyone felt that they were/are equal to one another. > >The general salute/honor or greeting is the right hand is held over the >heart then is placed over the left closed hand, about stomach level >in front of you. At the same time, your hands meet, you are stepping your >left foot out to the side. Then, you bring your left foot back to >your right foot, place your hands to your sides. > >In meeting a teacher or respected friend the handshake was used with the >left hand on the back of the other person's hand. > >The Honor means "Friend (open hand) or Foe (fist) - you be the judge". It >also means "I come to you with an open mind to grasp the >knowledge you have to offer me". end snip Nice try, romantic story, but I don't think so. The history and culture of pre-hispanic Philippines was documented mostly by the twisted point of view of Spaniards and the equally evil (perhaps I should say "Ethnocentric"? No--EVIL. If you'd like, I'll explain later) Catholic missionaries. Most of what we have from a Filipino (and not necessarily more reliable) point of view is by oral tradition. Therefore, we have *many* versions of stories and explanations for things that exist in our world. However, coming from a man (with all due respect) who changed his story from "my father CREATED Kuntaw" to "I organized all Kuntawistos under my organization" to "The Kuntaw masters of the Philippines made me 'top dog'", I don't think so. When we met some Kuntaw masters along the way, and my instructor is one of them, everyone admits that he does not know the exact origin of the art and how it got its name OTHER than who taught him and how the teacher's teacher learned it. So what we didn 't do such a great job documenting its history? Does that change the fact that Kuntaw is one of the most effective fighting arts around? No! However, when a story like this one circulates and becomes accepted as fact--as in many of the incorrect Tagalog terms and historical facts spread by the Inosanto group, as innocent as it may have been--it does two things: 1. Makes the Filipinos who do know these arts but don't have access to American media look like they don't know their own arts, and 2. Turns a fabricated theory/opinion/story into a "fact", accepted by the general community. This is why we now have Filipinos who come in contact with foreigners and have hundreds of "drills" and quasi-Tagalog terms like hubad lubad, "Datu"(;-P), pananantukan, and others. They're not substantiating this historical rape, they are *capitalizing* on it! So let me say this now: the story you've just read PERTAINS TO CARLITO LANADA'S KUNTAW! NOT __ALL__ FORMS OF FILIPINO KUNTAW SHARE THIS HISTORY AND STRUCTURE! Master Smith, no offense, but my classmates, my instructor, and I all share the same desire as you do to promote the martial arts of the Muslim Filipino, but we want the most accurate information to be given! Now, another topic: >> But culturally the Moros were Malays. >> Mixed with the blood of negro slaves, >> Filipino tribal hillmen, Chinese, and >> Dyak pirates the result was a unique >> and ferociously independent people. end snip Again, nice try. But it seems like a Eurocentric attempt to make the Negro African (is that pc?) look like he was capable of no more than to be "brought" somewhere, like baggage. The Africans were in the Philippines long before the Portuguese, who actually lay claim to "discovering" the Philippines. As a matter of fact, Abu Bakr, the missionary credited with forming the first Islamic ummah (community) in the Philippines was from the region known as Nigeria. It's a fact, and any educated Muslim would know that. In some history books the Philippine region is called "Kathay". So much for the "Maharlika" theory. And about Africans "moving" to Samoa and Fiji: It was the result of African seafarers, who traded and sailed the seas long before the Slave trade. Which could explain why the Chinese have the mythical "Lion", which is not found in China, nor are giraffes, which were presented to an early Chinese emperor by an East African king. But I digress.... It may not seem like an appropriate time, but when I logged on, I was preparing to ask the community for four things: 1. Articles about your style, school, favorite training method or technique(no pictures yet), seminar/tape reviews and non-commercial announcements. 2. Interviews with instructors, or if you'd like to be interviewed, please let me know. 3. If anyone would like to advertise in my newsletter ("The Mandirigma Newletter"), we have two sizes...the business card size ($50), and the listing ($20). 4. Mailing address For those who were wondering what happened to us, my computer died, then my email account was closed, then the building my office was located in burned down, including two issues in progress, my mailing list, and everything my primary business relied on. But I am attempting a comeback, after some gracious instructors and Pinoy businessmen offered to back me. We have our first issue almost complete, and should mail them out in the next month. As before, the first three issues are free. Note: I am not trying to compete with Eliot Shearer's FMA magazine. I simply enjoy the FMAs and want to share news with others. Sincerely, Jay Get 250 color business cards for FREE! http://businesscards.lycos.com/vp/fastpath/ ------------------------------ From: "al sardinas" Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 08:02:38 -0400 Subject: eskrima: Another Misconception about FMA - "Borrowed" Last night, The Learning Channel (TLC) repeated the showing of the feature "Martial Arts - The Real Story" that discusses various martial art systems. About one hour and 8 minutes in the show, Guro Arnulfo Cuesta is profiled. The show is very good but during Guro Cuesta's segment, the narrator states that the FMA's emphasize stick and knife and that the empty-hand techniques found in the art are borrowed from judo and other Asian martial arts. Wrong! And in the email message forwarded by the honorable Ray Terry, the author, Brian "Buzz" Smith writes "Kuntaw is a martial art that was developed in the Philippines. Fighting skills were "borrowed" from the many cultures that arrived in the Philippines by migration or invasion and were organized into a viable fighting system." "Borrowed, Borrowed, Borrowed" - let me go on record and say that anyone who uses this word to describe FMA's has limited exposure and does not really comprehend the FMA's. Most hand and stick techniques were developed in the field, on the farm and in the jungle against human and animal foes. They were developed by Filipinos for the preservation of Filipinos. They were not borrowed. To say anything different would be ignorant and plain disrespectful. I never heard anyone say the Chinese, Japanese or Korean borrowed this or that for their arts. Hey, maybe I have limited exposure? I don't think so! Respectfully, Al Sardinas Student of Garimot System of Arnis ------------------------------ From: kalkiusa@netscape.net Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 09:36:41 -0400 Subject: eskrima: Dayaks Oh yeah, now I memember :-) Dayak, also Dyak, name applied to aborigines of the island of Borneo, particularly to the tribes of the interior of the state of Sarawak. The Dayak are divided into six groups: the Penans, Klemantans, and Kenyas, who represent the oldest Dayak elements of Borneo, and the Kayans, Muruts, and Iban, who are later arrivals. Physically, the Dayak are the result of long-term admixture of Chinese, Malay, and Negrito (African) peoples. The Iban, known as Sea Dayak and famous as pirates and conquerors, were probably the latest of the Dayak to arrive in Borneo; they alone of the Dayak groups inhabit the coastal region. They bear strong ethnological similarities to the Malays, who came to Borneo in the 12th century. Many Iban have been converted to Christianity, some practice an amalgam of Christianity and traditional beliefs, and some still follow their traditional beliefs. The other Dayak groups, especially the Kayans and Penans, have maintained their ancient customs, habits, and religious beliefs to a much greater extent. They follow a polytheistic rite of worship that incorporates a system of major and minor gods. The form of worship and the nomenclature of the respective gods vary from tribe to tribe. Mitakuye Oyasin. Be well, Mik __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 7:36:06 PDT Subject: eskrima: . ------------------------------ End of Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V8 #334 **************************************** To unsubscribe from the eskrima-digest send the command: unsubscribe eskrima-digest -or- unsubscribe eskrima-digest your.old@address in the BODY (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and the Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.