Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 02:48:21 +0200 From: eskrima-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: Eskrima digest, Vol 15 #138 - 1 msg 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 List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: Eskrima-FMA discussion forum, the premier FMA forum on the Internet. List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 2.63 (2004-01-11) on plus11.host4u.net X-Spam-Status: No, hits=0.3 required=5.0 tests=NO_REAL_NAME autolearn=no version=2.63 X-Spam-Level: Status: O 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 Sudlud-Inayan Eskrima/Kali/Arnis/FMA mailing list ---->> Serving the Internet since June 1994. Copyright 1994-2008: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Filipino Martial Arts. 2600 members. Provided in memory of Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay (1944-2000). See the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of the Eskrima/FMA digest at http://MartialArtsResource.com Mabuhay ang eskrima! Today's Topics: 1. Lito (Eskrima-FMA) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 16:23:31 -0700 From: Eskrima-FMA To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Subject: [Eskrima] Lito Reply-To: eskrima@martialartsresource.net Grand master Lito Pista sa Nayon martial arts demo includes colorful Concepcion By RICH FREEDMAN/Times-Herald staff writer Vallejo, Calif He's 64, a retired mechanic, and he can snap a beer bottle in half within seconds. Sure, at 5-foot-3, 145 pounds, Lito Concepcion looks more like the man who should be walking his poodle at the waterfront. Don't be fooled. Concepcion's hands are magician quick, his footwork worthy of the best Irish dancers. And, for nearly a year, he's been a grand master in the Filipino martial arts genre of kombatan, a composite of various classical and modern fighting systems. Many have challenged Concepcion. Few succeed. He defeated a 6-foot-3 hulk on the way to winning the world title in his age division in Florida. And he whupped a former Navy Seal who thought Concepcion was ripe for defeat. "Never," said Concepcion, "underestimate your opponent." Concepcion showcases his immense talents June 7 in a demonstration of Filipino martial arts during the annual Pista say Nayon Festival. Mel Orpilla, coordinator for the "Eskrima Kali Arnis" Tournament, couldn't be happier 11 years after meeting this BMW mechanic with a shop on Springs Road. "What impresses me most about grand master Lito is his complete devotion and undying passion for Filipino martial arts," Orpilla said. "He is always teaching me something new about some aspect of the arts, even though we are from different styles." Concepcion, added Orpilla, "is not content to just sit on his grand master title. He wants to go out and compete and test his skills against others in tournaments. And he wins." Concepcion is content with his place in martial arts lore, and content as a father of three and husband of 31 years. "I found out that everything in the extreme is bad," Concepcion said. "If you become so nice, a lot of people take advantage of you. If you're so bad, a lot of people hate you. I learned in martial arts, base life like the weather. When it's so hot, it's not so good. Same if it's too cold." Don't, said Concepcion, work yourself to death. "Of your time, 25 percent should be your job, not 100 percent," he said. "And 25 percent should be with your wife, 25 percent with your kids and 25 percent you should have for yourself. It's hard to balance. You just can't pay attention to any one area and everything can be in good harmony." Yes, there is a bit of Mr. Myogi from "The Karate Kid" in Concepcion. His wisdom is apparent. And he deplores those who use their martial arts ability merely to bully others. Concepcion held off competing until he was 62. "It's for self-defense," he said of kombatan. "It's a game. If there are no winners, there are no losers. If there are no losers, there are no winners." The son of a Navy man, Concepcion was trained as a Mercedes-Benz mechanic in the homeland before securing a job in San Francisco after he arrived in 1972. "Martial arts was never in my head back then," he said. "Though the Philippines has tae kwon do, karate, you name it, I didn't really pay attention." When Concepcion was in his 40s, he decided to take his twin 10-year-old boys to Master William Kim's martial arts school in Vallejo. The instructor offered Concepcion a free lesson. "And I started liking it," he said. "It helped me have a good relationship with my boys with some bonding, so I joined." Good thing. Though Concepcion was involved in other sports, it came with a price. IF YOU GO What: Pista sa Nayon Festival When: Saturday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Vallejo Waterfront, Mare Island Way Admission: Free Contact: vallejopistasanayon.com "I'd go bowling, then end up drinking. I'd go fishing and end up drinking," he said. "I'd go do billiards, and end up drinking. I thought, 'There must be ways to get sports benefits without drinking.' " Martial arts did it. He worked hard until exhaustion. "And I never stopped," he said. "I've always worked out. I was in my 50s and thought, 'There must be a way to slow the process of aging mentally and physically so you can enjoy your life.' I just didn't want to sit on the couch. I wanted to be active." His white hair may be a clue to his age, "but to me, I feel like I'm between 35 and 45," Concepcion said, smart enough to surmise that "parents don't know everything." "I learn from my kids and I learn from my students," he said. And, apparently, his victims learn from him. Take the 17-year-old he defeated on the way to the national championships. "Since we both had helmets on, I didn't know he was 17," Concepcion said. And the teenager didn't know he was tussling with a man in his 60s. "After I won, his father came over and asked if I would take a picture with his son," Concepcion said. Concepcion "flows like someone 30 years younger," Orpilla said. "Young people can learn that one's reflexes don't have to diminish with age." Though Concepcion's strengths are many, he still has that one weakness: Benson & Hedges cigarettes, hiding a pack in his sock during the interview. "My mom told me, 'Lito, I don't want you to smoke and drink if you can't afford to buy it.' " After saving enough to retire, he's comfortable keeping his one vice. "I can smoke now and drink in front of my mom," said Concepcion smiling. "She can't say anything, right?" And nobody can tell the grand master to remain in Vallejo. Two days after the Pista sa Nayon, he heads back to the Philippines to live. "I'm going back to my roots," Concepcion said. --__--__-- _______________________________________________ Eskrima mailing list Eskrima@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/eskrima Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://eskrima-fma.net Old digest issues @ ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com/pub/eskrima Copyright 1994-2008: Ray Terry, MartialArtsResource.com, Sudlud.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of Eskrima Digest