Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 17:50:24 -0800 (PST) From: eskrima-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: Eskrima digest, Vol 9 #64 - 6 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.8 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Sender: eskrima-admin@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: eskrima-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: eskrima@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net List-Help: List-Post: X-Subscribed-Address: rterry@idiom.com List-Subscribe: List-Id: Inayan Eskrima / FMA discussion forum, the premier FMA forum on the Internet. List-Unsubscribe: Status: O Send Eskrima mailing list submissions to eskrima@martialartsresource.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/eskrima or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to eskrima-request@martialartsresource.net You can reach the person managing the list at eskrima-admin@martialartsresource.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Eskrima digest..." <<-------------- The Eskrima/FMA mailing list -------------->> Serving the Internet since June 1994. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Filipino Martial Arts. Provided in memory of Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay (1944-2000). http://InayanEskrima.com See the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of the Eskrima/FMA list at http://MartialArtsResource.com Mabuhay ang eskrima! Today's Topics: 1. Bakbakan International and Kali Ilustrisimo (Esquire956@aol.com) 2. Streetfighting Essentials review (ABurrese@aol.com) 3. Re: Bakbakan International and Kali Ilustrisimo (Ray Terry) 4. RE: Blood Choke (Neil Hawkins) 5. Master Rey Galang , Bakbakan International , Kali Ilustrisimo (Richard Riccardi) 6. Lapu-Lapu (Ray Terry) --__--__-- Message: 1 From: Esquire956@aol.com Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 00:37:51 EST To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net CC: Bakbakan@aol.com Subject: [Eskrima] Bakbakan International and Kali Ilustrisimo Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Can anyone tell me what the difference is (if any) between Bakbakan International and Kali Ilustrisimo? In addition, does anyone know the biography of Master Reynaldo S. Galang, the chief instructor of the Bakbakan Martial Arts NAHQ in Lodi, New Jersey, as well as the author of "The Complete Sinawali"? I understand that he is conducting a seminar on or about March 9th, and was interested in attending. By the way, I once read that Master Reynaldo S. Galang often teaches some LEO's (Law Enforcement Organizations), as well as elite Military Special Operatives, such as the Delta Force. Is any of this true, or just hype? I saw some pictures of Master Reynaldo S. Galang with some great FMA Masters, such as Professor Visitacion, Leo Gae, Dan Inosanto, Edgar Sulite, and several others who have said some nice things about him, but I have never heard anything great about Master Galang. Does anyone out there know his credentials? Please advise. --__--__-- Message: 2 From: ABurrese@aol.com Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 09:47:36 EST To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Subject: [Eskrima] Streetfighting Essentials review Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Here is a review I received from a martial artists in the UK I believe: STREETFIGHTING ESSENTIALS - Videos 1 and 2 by Alain Burrese I always enjoy watching videos by Alain Burrese because he understands what he is talking about and can explain it very clearly. He also avoids saying how wonderful his style is and how terrible every one else's is! In both his videos on "Streetfighting Essentials", Alain selects effective boxing, hapkido and grappling moves which can be applied to the unlimited violence of streetfighting. The first video gives a very clear explanation of why footwork is important. It describes the most useful boxing and other hand techniques for the street. The targets for each technique are explained in a way which makes sense. Useful kicks for the street are described next. In the second video, Alain shows how to deal with grabs, chokes and locks as quickly as possible. Again his explanations are very clear. He gives an excellent plotted course on how to fall down without injuring yourself. A section on simple but effective takedowns follows. These can be used on the street. His section on kicking from the ground is brief but outstanding. I can recommend these two videos without reservation. They are ideal for anyone who wants to protect themselves on the street. Instructors, also, can learn a lot about how to explain techniques and their applications in a very clear way which makes sense. I look forward to Alain's next videos. Jack Watson (3rd degree in Choikwangdo and 2nd degree in Iai batto jutsu) --__--__-- Message: 3 From: Ray Terry Subject: Re: [Eskrima] Bakbakan International and Kali Ilustrisimo To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 11:35:34 PST Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net > Can anyone tell me what the difference is (if any) between Bakbakan > International and Kali Ilustrisimo? As I understand it... Bakbakan is an organization. Kali Ilustrisimo is one of several styles represented within Bakbakan. > I saw some pictures of Master Reynaldo S. Galang with some great FMA > Masters, such as Professor Visitacion, Leo Gae, Dan Inosanto, Edgar Sulite, > and several others who have said some nice things about him, but I have never > heard anything great about Master Galang. Does anyone out there know his > credentials? Please advise. Sure. He has been around for awhile. He was also a former member of this forum and then he just seemed to drop off the edge of the earth. We hope that he is ok. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 09:06:21 +0800 From: "Neil Hawkins" To: Subject: [Eskrima] RE: Blood Choke Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Sorry Tom but I'm with Kim on this, the vascular chokes (against blood vessels) are far more reliable and quick to take effect. Also with less chance of permanent damage (should that be your desire). There is much anecdotal evidence from special forces soldiers during the last war to prove that people strangled, even with a garrotte, struggle for much longer than those who are choked properly using a blood vessel. Strangulation or respiratory chokes reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, they do not affect the blood flow, so the brain is reasonably slow to stop reacting. Chokes against the blood vessel immediately have an effect on the brain, arterial ones starve the brain of blood, causing it to shut down non-vital parts to keep the rest alive. Venous chokes cause a increase in pressure within the brain which causes it to shut down very rapidly. The best one by far is the jugular choke, blood pressure build-up causes almost instantaneous unconsciousness, and as we're using high pressure there is less likelihood of the vessels collapsing as in a low pressure (arterial) choke. As always there is the possibility of permanent damage if the choke is not released quickly. Most LEO's are discouraged from using any form of choke, but most of the research I have read recommends the vascular choke as the most effective and least dangerous. And believe me when I say it works, 'cause I've had the full range done to me many times in training. Regards Neil --__--__-- Message: 5 From: "Richard Riccardi" To: esquire956@aol.com Cc: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 20:29:25 -0500 Subject: [Eskrima] Master Rey Galang , Bakbakan International , Kali Ilustrisimo Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net To Whom It May Concern, With response to your inquiry about Master Rey Galang's credentials. Check out the following books for reference: Filipino Martial Culture by Mark Wiley , Filipino Fighting Arts, Theory and Practice by Mark Wiley and The Masters of Arnis by Edgar Sulite. This should give you some idea who Master Rey Galang is . I myself have been a student of his for the past four years. The community of FMA teachers is a small one in the Tri state area. I was very fortunate to have met this man and to train and learn from him. I hope any information I have given you is helpful. Regards Rich Riccardi --- Richard Riccardi --- richkata5@earthlink.net --- EarthLink: It's your Internet. --__--__-- Message: 6 From: Ray Terry To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 18:24:52 PST Subject: [Eskrima] Lapu-Lapu Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Lapu-Lapu In Biliran? (A Tentative Hypothesis) By Rolando O. Borrinaga This is a tentative, speculative piece to support the following theories: 1. That Lapulapu, our first national hero, settled in a village called Bagasumbol, the old name of Naval, the capital town of Biliran Province north of Leyte; 2. That the word Bagasumbol was a reverential folk attribute to Lapulapu for his spectacular feat, the victory over the attacking Spanish troops led by the ill-fated Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan in April 1521; 3. That Bagasumbol was the "provincial" abode of Lapulapu, his vacation spot, and the farming and hunting ground of his tribe; and 4. That Mactan Island was merely Lapulapu's "urban" abode near Cebu (Sugbu), an ancient trade center, an abode which he shared with Sula, another datu (chief). These speculations surfaced quite eclectically after I had finished researching and writing the paper on the beginnings of Naval together with a group of local intellectuals.1 The Meaning of Sumbol The former name of the town of Naval was Bagasumbol (i.e., "like sumbol"). According to local folklore this "war-like" name, Bagasumbol, was changed in 1859 to a more "peaceful" name, Naval, supposedly to commemorate the historical La Guerra Naval de Manila in 1646, which was believed to have been won by the Spaniards against the powerful Dutch squadron because of the miraculous intercession of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. The Blessed Virgin is the adopted patroness of the town of Naval.2 The folklore of the town, therefore, has a ready explanation for the "Naval" name. However, the natives have always been at a loss to explain the origin of its former name, Bagasumbol. This old name has been provided with explanations by several authors and writers in the past. Artigas3 wrote that the word bagasumbol meant "an obstacle to enemies." Lepasana4 mentioned that the settlement was named after its founder who happened to be called Bagasumbol. Chico5 noted the theories advanced by Artigas and Lepasana, but added that whatever may be the case, "the place (Bagasumbol) may either refer to the founder who earned the name of an obstacle to the enemies for his prowess and fearlessness against the hostile attacks of the enemies, or it may refer to the inhabitants themselves, who were reputed for their bravery and courage which enabled them to repel the almost insuperable (sic) invasions of their antagonists." The diverse interpretations of Bagasumbol, borne largely out of word-play rather than out of a discreet inquiry into the etymology of the word, certainly did not put an end to the debate. In 1990 I finally came across a direct reference to the word sombol, together with its definition, in an English translation of the Alzina manuscript of 1668. Alzina defined the Bisayan word sombol as "a great feathered ornament (gran plumaje) which they tie to the prow (of their boats, when returning from war or a mission) as a symbol of their victory or as the greatest sign of conquest."6 The word therefore always referred to the ethnic, self-made equivalent of the modern victor's trophy. Thus the word Bagasumbol or baga sumbol had always meant "like or similar to (baga, in Waray) a symbol of a great victory or conquest (sombol)." With the meaning of Bagasumbol now known, I was left with speculating on how the place became referred to as Bagasumbol. "Urban" and "Provincial" Abodes Pigafetta's account of his observations in Limasawa Island gives us some clues that the native datus in 1521 had both "urban" (i.e., near a trade center) and "provincial" abodes, where they farmed, hunted, or vacationed. For instance, the brothers Rajah Kolambu and Rajah Awi, whom Magellan and Pigafetta met in Limasawa, happened to be in that island at the Spanish contact only because they had previously agreed to meet each other and do some hunting there.7 In the case of Rajah Awi, he appeared to have an "urban" abode in Butuan, but his "provincial" abode appeared to be Calagan (Surigao). As for Rajah Kolambu, Limasawa Island appeared to be just a favorite "provincial" abode, but he probably came from his "urban" abode in the present Carigara town in north Leyte, which was the abode of his grandson, Rajah Bankaw, of the Bankaw Revolt fame in the 1620s.8 With the above examples in mind, we might surmise that Lapulapu, the other datu of Mactan, must have also had a "provincial" abode. And this could have been Bagasumbol, the old name of the town of Naval in Biliran Island. Historical Inference The historical proof for Bagasumbol as the "provincial" abode of Lapulapu could partly be inferred from the accounts on the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565.9 When Legazpi and his expedition settled in Cebu that year, he found that the people of Mactan persistently refused to come to terms with the Spaniards, as Lapulapu had done to Magellan in 1521. When Legazpi tried to negotiate peace with them, the Mactanese instead fled eastward, to Leyte. Later, when a force was about to be sent to Leyte, the refuge of the Mactanese, the people of Cebu begged of Legazpi not to launch the attack until they had warned their relatives trading there to get out.10 One of the interesting native characters dealing with the Legazpi expedition was a person named Makyaw. He was the brother of Rajah Tupas, the datu of Cebu in 1565, and the husband of a woman and the father of two girls who had been taken hostage by Legazpi to guarantee peace following the burning of Cebu by the Spaniards. After his family was released, Makyaw played a front-line role in a native attempt to drive the Spaniards out of the islands by hunger, a passive resistance approach to preserving their way of life. But this tactic failed because the Spaniards had decided to settle in these islands, though they left Cebu after a few years in favor of Panay, from where they proceeded to Manila to establish their permanent settlement.11 Makyaw appeared to be the same person as Capitan Basio (a corruption of Makyaw?), the legendary founder of the settlement of Kawayan, now a town 18 kilometers north of Naval. The historical data paper of Kawayan tells that Capitan Basio was a resident of Cordova in Mactan. It also tells that he fled from Mactan and settled in Kawayan supposedly to escape the injustice inflicted on his family by the Moros and the Spaniards.12 If Makyaw of history and Capitan Basio of legend were indeed the same person, then we have proof that Biliran Island was the Mactanese domain in Leyte where Makyaw fled to.13 This could provide a tenuous association with the claim that the neighboring Bagasumbol may have been the "provincial" abode of the famous Mactanese, Lapulapu, who probably sired a similarly brave and defiant son who also became chief of Mactan.14 Was Lapulapu Bagasumbol? Lapulapu's victory over Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan in the morning of 27 April 1521 was a memorable event in the Western world. Magellan's death was mourned as a great loss to world history. However, if my speculation is correct, the natives of the Philippines at the Spanish contact may have also acted like true victors: they apparently memorialized Lapulapu's victory by revering him as a living human trophy, baga sumbol ("like a symbol of a great victory"). Taking Lepasana's explanation cited earlier, was Lapulapu the person called Bagasumbol, the founder of the settlement of the same name? In a previous article published in Kinaadman concerning the beginnings of Naval town,15 I apparently erred in interpreting Artigas's Bagasumbol, "obstacle to enemies." I wrote that Bagasumbol became the name of the old poblacion site of Biliran pueblo only after the local residents showed a belligerent attitude against their deluded and heretical first parish priest, following the latter's decision to transfer the poblacion to another site sometime between 1765 and 1775. I now believe that Bagasumbol had been the name of this village long before it was made the poblacion of Biliran pueblo, and that the "obstacle to enemies" perception contextually evolved out of a different "war-like" stance showed by the local residents -- that of protracted resistance. The new meaning expanded, but did not necessarily alter, the original meaning of Bagasumbol. But it might be asked, if the village was named after Lapulapu, why was it not named Lapulapu? Why Bagasumbol instead? The answer to this question reflects the civilities, terms of courtesy, and good breeding of the prehispanic natives. Their greatest courtesy was in their form of address. They never spoke to anyone as "you" or in the second person but always in the third person.16 Thus, in the case of Limasawa Island, for example, the island was not named after Rajah Kolambu in his name, but after one of his probable attributes -- his having five wives (i.e., of him who has lima asawa).17 One of the interesting events in Naval history occurred sometime in the 1930s. The predominantly Spanish names of the town's 14 streets were abruptly renamed mostly after illustrious local forebears.18 However, one old street name was retained: Magallanes. (Another renamed street, Gran Capitan or Great Captain, probably referred also to Magellan.) It probably would not strain our credulity if the redundant folkloric reference to Magellan in this town subconsciously alluded to the fact that it was Magellan's conqueror who founded the settlement that became known as Bagasumbol and who may have brought there some trophy from the battle of Mactan. NOTES This chapter was originally published as an article in Kinaadman (Vol. 17, No. 2, 1995), pp. 207-214. 1 Rolando O. Borrinaga, et. al., "Beginnings of Naval, Biliran Island: A Revisionist Account," Kinaadman XIV, 2 (1992) 129-140. 2 Ibid., p. 133. 3 Manuel Cuerva Artigas, Resea Historica de la Provincia de Leyte (1914). Cited by Chico, see Note No. 5. 4 Esmeraluna Lepasana, "History of Leyte," 1954 masteral thesis. Cited by Chico, Note No. 5. 5 Eduardo A. Chico, "A Short History of Naval" (Unpublished 1957 undergraduate thesis at the Leyte-Samar Museum Library, Divine Word University, Tacloban City), 44 pages. 6 Cantius J. Kobak OFM, "Ancient Bisayan Literature, Music and Dances: In Alzina's Historia de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas ... 1668," Leyte-Samar Studies XI, 1 (1977) 49. 7 "Pigafetta's Account," in The Philippines at the Spanish Contact (ed., F. Landa Jocano). Manila: MCS Enterprises, Inc., 1975. pp. 50-51. 8 Eduardo Makabenta and Victoria S. Salazar, "Carigara: Ancient Capital of Leyte," Leyte-Samar Studies I, 2 (1967) 180-193. 9 Martin J. Noone SSC, The Discovery and Conquest of the Philippines, 1521-1581 (Manila: Historical Conservation Society, 1986). pp. 299-363. 10 Ibid., p. 362. 11 Ibid., pp. 348, 351, 354, 357, 362. 12 Historical Data Paper for the Town of Kawayan, in Historical Data Papers - Leyte (Vol. V). 13 Several prominent families (i.e., Veloso, Aznar) in mainland Cebu own large haciendas in northwest Leyte, but not in western Biliran Island, where small landholdings of families from humbler origins are common. Bruce L. Fenner, in Cebu Under the Spanish Flag, 1521-1896: An Economic-Social History (Cebu City: San Carlos Publications, 1985), mentioned family names such as Veloso and Antonio. These were also among the prominent landowning families in northwest Leyte (i.e., Villaba, Tabango, San Isidro and Calubian towns) at the turn of the century. 14 Noone, op. cit, pp. 353-354. Fr. Noone made mention of Dagami, "the chief of Mactan (who) was captured and convicted of the murder of Pedro de Arana and executed" nearly one year after the arrival of the Legazpi expedition. Was Dagami the son of Lapulapu? Dagami had urged the native chiefs not to make peace with the Spaniards, "but to drive the invaders out, especially by hunger, and threatened the others with dire consequences if they made peace." 15 See Note No. 1. 16 "Chirino's Account," in Jocano ed. (see Note No. 7) pp. 135-136. 17 Ann R. Rogador, "The History of Triana, Limasawa" (Student Note, 1990). 18 1987 Naval Fiesta Souvenir Program, p. 2. The old and new street names of Naval are as follows: San Fernando (Vicentillo); Real (Padre Inocentes); Sta. Cruz (Santissimo Rosario); Marquis de Cadiz (Corvera); Gran Capitan (Caneja); Unnamed street (Trece, i.e., 13th); Esperanza (Garcia); Urdaneta (Redaza); Burgos (not changed); Del Rosario (Castin); Magallanes (not changed); Legazpi (Sabenorio); Rizal (Ballesteros); Colon (Abad). Two old street names, Gran Capitan and Magallanes, referred to Magellan. However, when the streets were renamed, two new street names referred to the founder of Naval, Fr. Juan Inocentes Manco Garcia. Theseare the Padre Inocentes and Garcia Streets. --__--__-- _______________________________________________ Eskrima mailing list Eskrima@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/eskrima Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and the Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11! End of Eskrima Digest