Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 08:17:04 -0700 From: eskrima-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: Eskrima digest, Vol 9 #314 - 6 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: eskrima-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: eskrima@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net X-Subscribed-Address: fma@martialartsresource.com List-Id: Inayan Eskrima / FMA discussion forum, the premier FMA forum on the Internet. List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Unsubscribe: , List-Help: Status: RO X-Status: X-Keywords: 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 Inayan/Eskrima/Kali/Arnis/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/index.cfm 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. Master Roland Dantes (David Foggie) 2. Escrima in Rostock (kukulkan@gmx.net) 3. ACME Eskrima Instruction.... (Bobbe Edmonds) 4. Micheal/20 hrs (Catherine and Phil) 5. Re: Eskrima as a complete art (Kes41355@aol.com) 6. New Theories - part 1 (Ray Terry) --__--__-- Message: 1 From: "David Foggie" To: Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 15:46:34 +1000 Subject: [Eskrima] Master Roland Dantes Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Mabuhay kayong lahat, As a long time student of Master Roland Dantes, I have always tried to model myself on the way he approaches the art. That is to remain loyal to your teachers and be friendly with practitioners of all styles. But the time has now arrived for this silence to be broken. The relationship between Master Roland Dantes and the late Professor Remy Presas is well known in the Filipino martial arts circles. Their relationship went beyond simply that of student/teacher.To quote the web page of MARPPIO,"Roland Dantes was the late GM Remy A. Presas dearest closest friend and associate...." Master Roland has always spoken fondly of all Modern Arnis masters and practitioners. Even at this time, he is communicating with many masters of the art in order to ensure that the art of his much loved close friend and revered teacher continues to grow and prosper. My teacher has always placed the art above himself. Please extend him the respect for his stand. As a founding member of 'Arnis Philippines' (ARPI) which became the 33rd member of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Master Dantes has strong friendships with many leading masters of various systems. His devotion to the promotion of the art has afforded him friendships with such grandmasters/masters including Johnny Chuiten, Jose Mena, Ben Lema, Antonio Ilustrisimo, Filemon and Ondo Caburnay, Dr. Guillermo Lengson, Edgar Sulite, Vincente Carin,Cacoy Canete, Dionisio Canete, Christopher Ricketts, Tony Diego, Porfirio Lanada, Jose Villasin, Bobby Taboada, Leo GajeJr., and many others. There are many fine people contributing to the promotion of Modern Arnis. The teachings of GM remy Presas will continue to grow with the likes of Masters Rodel Dagooc, Jeremias de la Cruz, Vincente Sanchez, Shishir Inocalla, Kelly Worden, Dieter Knuttel, Randi Schea, Tim Hartman, Dan Anderson, Jeff Delaney, Dan McConnel, Myrlino Hufana, Leonard Trigg, and others. Maraming Salamat. David Foggie --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 09:14:37 +0200 (MEST) From: kukulkan@gmx.net To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Subject: [Eskrima] Escrima in Rostock Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net > > I am new to eskrima and to this list, and I have a question. > > > > I am a Judoka, and I want to open my school in Rostock in the former > east of Germany. > > > I also want to offer something with sticks or sword. I got a offer to > become a Eskrima teacher. > > > must pay about 500 Euro and I get 20 hours lesson, my equipment, and a > certificate that allows > > > to be a Eskrima teacher and have my own school. The certificate is also > by the only organisation ... There ist already an Escrima School in Rostock,I guess you can obtain more Information at www.escrima-rostock.de. Thry belong to the german Escrima Tournament Federation ( www.etf-escrima.de )I don't know if they are recognised by some government, but they are quite good, so you are going to have a hard time if you are going to compete with them having got only 20 hours of instruction..... Greetings from Berlin Ludwig -- GMX - Die Kommunikationsplattform im Internet. http://www.gmx.net --__--__-- Message: 3 From: "Bobbe Edmonds" To: Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 04:19:20 -0700 Subject: [Eskrima] ACME Eskrima Instruction.... Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Hi Michael. I have been following your posts, & wanted to tell you that enthusiasm in training is nothing to be ashamed about. You haven't insulted anybody, although it did make us smile! However, if you are a Judo instructor, you should already know this: Everybody starts at the beginning, & you must pay your dues. This simply means time in training, and Eskrima is no different. There is no easy way, and certianly nothing to be gained from "20 hours of instruction". The link you sent didn't load up on my computer, but I DO know of Frans Stroeven. From what I hear, he is a good teacher. I have been a member of Doce Pares for several years now, and training Eskrima for almost 20. In my opinion, Doce Pares is a great orginazation, however, I didn't realize it was "Officially Recognized by the Philippine Gov't", nor do I believe that Doce Pares can make a claim that it is EXCLUSIVELY recognized. Cacoy Canete, his nephew Dionisio, & Doce Pares are legends in Cebu, where they are headquartered, and fameous throughout the Philippines (and the world). This much is true. However, there are MANY other styles & teachers who are fameous & well known throughout the islands as well. No one group holds the monopoly. So by all means, do your research, and don't take ANYBODY'S sole word as "law". I don't know what book you're reading on Eskrima, but I recommend Dan Inosanto's "Filipino Martial Arts". It's out of print now, but you can find it on the web, if a touch much overpriced. It's an excellent introduction to the FMA for beginners, particularly regarding the elements of technique. Good luck & train hard! Bobbe Edmonds --__--__-- Message: 4 From: "Catherine and Phil" To: Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 05:53:53 -0700 Subject: [Eskrima] Micheal/20 hrs Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Don't apologize, you asked a question, and you got an answer. It is good you would say who offered you such a thing, I will avoid that sort of nonsense my self. Ask more questions, that's what this sort of place is for, and friendly arguing. Your english is better than my german. Phil --__--__-- Message: 5 From: Kes41355@aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 11:05:45 EDT To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Subject: [Eskrima] Re: Eskrima as a complete art Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net In a message dated 9/6/02 5:01:36 AM US Eastern Standard Time, eskrima-request@martialartsresource.net writes: > >>>I hope I have not insulted you or your art. I feel ashamed. I have bought > a > Eskrima book and will start reading and stop asking stupid questions. I > would > never let a Judoka teach after 20 hours, or 200.<<< > Hi all, First of all, let me borrow from an old saying here..."the only stupid question is the one not asked." I can't speak for everyone here, but I for one was not insulted by your question; you showed a genuine interest in our art, and you have enough respect for the members of this digest to ask our opinion. I appreciate your confidence in us. The FMA's are commonly not looked upon as a complete art, with our own history, progression, and structure, but have been seen mostly as an "add-on" art, a good source for someone looking to add weaponry to their already punch/kick/grapple art. Most of the martial arts public doesn't know that we have as complete a curriculum as any art out there. We punch, kick, and grapple with the best of them; the progression of the FMA's for the most part has been a "weapons first" art, but we have very complete empty hand phases as well. And, we are as vulnerable to charlatans trying to make a quick buck, and gain a bit of notoriety, as anyone. This goes in cycles, and it may just be our turn. When this happens, we as a community need to speak out and make others aware of the reality. Not doing so makes us as guilty as those perpetuating the sham. Kim --__--__-- Message: 6 From: Ray Terry To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net (Eskrima) Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 08:02:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Eskrima] New Theories - part 1 Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net New Theories on the Origins of Eskrima by Celestino C. Macachor Regional ethnic pride seems to be the biggest obstacle in acquiring an unbiased historically correct account on the origins and evolution of Eskrima. The Ilonggos in West Visayas insist on the story of the ten Datus of Borneo that is widely believed to have brought with them an ancient form of bladed combat known as Kali. Congruent to the theory on Kali as the progenitor of Eskrima / Arnis are the hoaxes and fabrications on the Code of Maragtas and Kalantiaw. In his article Maragtas and Kalantiaw - History, Legend or Fraud?, Paul Morrow wrote: "How do historians know about events which, according to them, occurred before there were Spaniards in the Philippines while there are almost no known authentic written documents from that era? Much of what we know about the pre-Hispanic era came to us through legends. These are stories that were not written but were spoken by each generation to the following generation. Legends change with each telling because often the teller's memory is weak or mistaken- or the teller just wants to make additions to the story to spice it up. Legends are usually nothing more than stories about the creation of the world, the first man and woman and such. It is easy to see that they are not meant to be regarded as fact. However, there are some legends which do contain a kernel of truth." There is a kernel of truth in the story of the Ten Datus of Borneo that reach the island of Panay during pre-Hispanic times. However, the presumption that the Ten Datus sphere of influence spread throughout the Visayas lacks merit in the light of a research in 1968 made by historian William Henry Scott that exposed author Jose Marco's fabrication on the story of Fr. Jose Maria Pavon the supposed discoverer of the Code of Maragtas. Scott further revealed in his book Pre-Hispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History: "Jose E. Marco's contributions to Philippine historiography appear to be deliberate fabrications with no historic validity. There is therefore no present evidence that any Filipino ruler by the name of Kalantiaw ever existed or that the Kalantiaw penal code is any older than 1914." Unsettling as it may be for some Filipino ethnic group, but with the advent of information revolution, as quickly as it is to spread lies and fabrications it is also as quick to debunk them with serious hard work, patience, methodical research and a passion for historical accuracy. Such is the story of the First Mass in the Island of Limasawa, Leyte that until the overthrow of Marcos and to appease her flamboyant First Lady a native of Leyte, was taken as irrefutable historical fact written in textbooks and taught in all our schools. There is now an overwhelming archaeological/documentary evidence presented by credible historians, anthropologists and archaeologists of Agusan del Norte that proves the First Mass was in fact celebrated in Masau - present day Butuan City. Like the Limasawa story, Philippine history is replete with fake stories and fantasies concocted by self-serving politicians especially the ruling elite of the Manila and other vested interest groups. This will go on while there are still scams like the textbook bribery scandal in 1998 involving Mary Ann Maslog. Finding physical /archaeological evidence to determine the exact origins of the Filipino Martial Arts is a very remote possibility, nevertheless, we can collate a wealth of information from the academe and other reliable sources to piece together our theory that: THEORY 1. Contrary to popular belief that it is pre-Hispanic, Eskrima / Arnis / Estokada is a relatively new Martial Art and did not precede the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and developed mainly in the coastal towns of Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Negros, Leyte, Panay and coastal towns of Luzon like Pangasinan, and Pampanga that became a favorite predatory ground for marauding Moro pirates. From a retreating and defensive mode, the early Visayans shifted strategies that once relied on Cottas to more aggressive offensive tactics. Extracted from Cebu in Legend and History by Evangeline Lavilles de Paula and Angel in Stone by Fr. Pedro G. Galende, OSA are these stories: 1.1 MOALBOAL - Southwest Cebu Coast This story is probably the first historical account on the use of canes and Latin Oracion against Moro Invaders and the significant contribution of Bohol style Eskrima to the Cebuano Martial Arts. Again, I would like to reiterate that the writers belong to the mainstream academe and were in no way involved in the research of Filipino Martial Arts history. "Oral tradition relates that Boholano pioneers founded the town of Moalboal. A substantiation of this contention is that its leading families - the Gadors, Cabarons, Bableras, Redobles and many more - came from Bohol. Another fact is that many residents, especially the older ones, still speak with Boholano accent. The first Boholano to settle in the town was Laurente Sabanal. He was captured by the Spaniards in Bohol for having killed a guardia civil. But he later escaped on a rowboat to Cebu. He chose Moalboal as his new home, having found the land fertile and the sea abundant with fish. He lived alone for a while, but he later returned to his native town and brought back with him his family and some relatives to emigrate to his new-found home. Expectedly, he became the ruler of the settlement. The Muslims also directed their raids at Moalboal, being already a prosperous settlement. But led by Sabanal, the inhabitants successfully repulsed the invaders. They attributed their victory to Sabanal's oracion. When he died, it is said that he was buried by the shore marked by his magic cane. To this day, a part of it could still be seen. In his honor, the people named a street along the shore." 1.2 SPANISH PERIOD - BANTAYAN ISLANDS Kinatarcan Island, which belongs to the Bantayan group of Islands, is the birthplace of GM Floro Villabrille and GM Antonio Ilustrisimo. A colleague Juris Fernandez who comes from Doong Island told us about his Great Grandfather Tata Lucio Pastor who is one of the longest living Eskrimador of the island. Tata Lucio Pastor who lived up to 106 years old used bakhaw a fire hardened wood cut from mangroves as fighting stick. The lineage of Tata Lucio Pastor's Eskrima is untraceable but the fact remains that his Eskrima is indigenous to the island of Doong and that it was probably developed to repulse superior weaponry and martial skills. "The Parish of Bantayan was then under the direct control and supervision of the Archdiocese of Manila. Fr. de Ocampos then, built a church made of nipa and bamboo. This church was put on torch by the Moro raiders in 1600, when according to Blair and Robertson , some 800 Bantayanons were taken as captive and sold as slaves to rich Mindanao Muslims. A second church was again erected and was again put on fire by the marauding Moros. The stone church as we now see is the third church erected. Construction of this church began on 1839 and completed on year 1863. It was Fr. Doroteo Andrada del Rosario who built this church with a tall belfry and tall walls that surround the plaza. Fr. Del Rosario being aware of the Moro attack built several lookout towers. The towers were located at Balwarte (Suba, Bantayan), Do-ong Island, Bantigue, Kabac, Daan Patio (Madridejos), Kaongkod (Madridejos), Tamiao, Ocoy (Sta. Fe), Cota (Sta. Fe) and Sulangan. Of these towers, only Bantigue and Sulangan have no ruins. To serve as signal of the incoming attack each tower is equipped with virso (a canon like cylinder wherein explosives were set to make a very loud noise). If one tower sees the incoming invaders, they would make a signal. The next tower upon hearing the signal would in turn fire their virso and so with the next towers, a chain explosion is achieved until the signal would reach the town proper. The church bells would then ring the bells to warn the populace about the incoming attack and prepare for the said attack while the olds, woman and children are cloistered to the confines of the tall walls surrounding the church. 1.3 PILAR, CAMOTES ISLAND, CEBU The next story from Lavilles de Paula recalls another vivid historical account on the use of strategy and Martial Arts against marauding Moro pirates and probably the importation Leyte Eskrima to Cebu: "In search for a better place to live in, a family from Cabalian Leyte crossed the Visayan sea to a nearby island and they became the nucleus of a settlement in Cebu which grew into a town. Solferino Borinaga was attracted by the fertile soil and the rich fishing grounds of a place called Palawan. It was so named as there was a spring (Palawan in the dialect) in the area. He brought his wife Alejandra and son Martin. Since life seemed much better in their new home, Solferino went back to his native town and encouraged his relatives and friends to immigrate to Palawan. A group - about ten families - went with him. Together, they organized into a barrio. The inhabitants - prosperous as they were - were objects of forays by Moro pirates. Discovering the new colony, the Muslims would raid and seize properties, food, and even people. But Solferino Borinaga was an exceptional leader, not only good in organizing, but an expert in the art of battle. Together with only a few men, they did not only defend their village successfully , but they also mounted offensive attacks on the veteran sea warriors, fighting them face to face. Surprisingly defeated, the Moros fled and never disturbed the village again. News of unprecedented victory over the Moros spread and soon many went to Palawan to settle there permanently. It grew into a town and quite naturally, it was Solferino Borinaga who was its first capitan." 1.4 RONDA- South of Cebu is only 5 kms from Moalboal. "Huluyaw was the former name of Ronda. The name may have come from the name of a banana plant Huluyaw, which grew abundantly along the banks of the settlement. It could have originated also according to a popular legend, from incidents when pirates from Jolo would plunder this southern village to loot and run away with properties and kidnap natives, who would be heard shouting "Jolo, ayaw!" (Jolo, don't!). During World War II, the Ronda-Alcantara (87th Infantry Regiment of the resistance movement) was organized in the town, which also became its stronghold." THEORY 2. The Province of Cebu stretching from Bantayan Islands in the North to Santander in the South became the focal point in the development of Eskrima and that its development and tactical use outlived the Moro raiders. The Art of Eskrima was also effective against Spanish and American colonizers and also against the Japanese invaders. More heroic stories of the coastal towns in Cebu from Evangeline Lavilles de Paula's book: Cebu in Legend and History: 2.1 BADIAN- A heroic struggle of a small town against three foreign invaders. "Badian is a town well-sheltered from natural elements like typhoons and floods. It has high mountains protecting it and it is located on elevated spot. The strategic position also served the people as protection from Moro raids during the olden times. As was a practice of early inhabitants to associate and subsequently name their place after a plant, or animal, or a natural formation. Badian was also named after a plant abounding in its locality called Badyang. Finding it hard to pronounce, they shortened it to Badian, with its Anglicized spelling. Badian was the site of a number of historic battles. During the Filipino-American war in 1898, a firece encounter occurred at Barrio Bugas. Filipino freedom fighters led by Col. Hilano Alino inflicted heavy casualties on the American forces. It was also in Badian where the nucleus of the resistance movement of southern Cebu during the World War II was formed by Sgts. Gregorio Sungcad, Torquato Antiporta, Geronimo Dacillo, and others. Badian was the scene of many clashes between guerilla forces and Japanese invaders. In retaliation, many innocent civilians were massacred by Japanese soldiers who raided barrio Manay-as on August 17, 1944." ALOGUINSAN- This is where the first successful rout of Moro invaders by Cebuano natives probably took place. "Bulwarte, a historic landmark, still stands as a mute testimony to the courage of the early inhabitants of Aloguinsan. Because of the frequent Moro attacks, the natives, under the supervision of Spaniards, constructed a watchtower on top of a hill at the mouth of a river. From this vantage point, they could see incoming Moro vintas. One night (it was a full moon, and the winds were favorable), the Muslim invaders approached the village. With old people, women, and children safe behind the hills, the men began firing their cannons and did not stop until the pirates were annihilated. It was the end of Moro assaults. The historic hill of Villona between the barrios of Olango and Cawasan was also the site of a battle between the American forces and Filipino revolutionist. The rebels under the leadership of Anastacio de la Cruz encountered the forces of Lt. Walker on Holy Thursday on April 1903. Lt. Walker and a number of his men were killed. The following day, Good Friday, Lt. McCoy took over the command of the American troops and outfought the Pulahanes (the rebels because of their red headbands were known as such.) who were defeated. The courage and patriotism of the Aloguinsan were again tested in World War II. Guerillas from the place stubbornly and fiercely resisting Japanese invaders in barrio Konguigon resulted in the death of many Japanese soldiers. The enemy retaliated by killing many civilians, including babies." [end part 1 of 3] --__--__-- _______________________________________________ Eskrima mailing list Eskrima@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/eskrima http://eskrima-fma.net Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11! End of Eskrima Digest