escrima

Coming up this week we are excited to have World Champion Fighter and Instructor Master Ermar Alexandar.  Ermar 'Alex' Alexander began his Doce Pares training in 1999. Now, he travels to the Philippines to train at the Doce Pares International Headquarters in Cebu.

Through the years, he progressed and eventually became a member of the WEKAF British Team - being the only Filipino until 2007. Within the 13 years of competing, he has won multitudes of Sparring and Sayaw (Forms) tournaments (2000-2013).

Ironically, Alex never heard of Eskrima until one of his English friends told him that there was a Filipino martial art. He has tried different martial art styles before, but eversince he started training in Eskrima, he was hooked and focused on Doce Pares Eskrima only.

A year into his training, Alex's teacher encouraged him to compete in tournaments to further understand the art and get into the fun part of Eskrima. Alex enjoyed the adrenalin rush and looked forward to his suceeding fights. Eventually, he got the 'knack' of it and excelled in the sport, becoming a world titlist (three times!). Many have told him to quit competing while he is at his peak. But Alex isn't chasing titles. He is competing for the love of the game. Now, he is training others - his students - to get into the fun of Eskrima as well. He teaches the full aspect of the art - from sticks to knife defense to empty hands and to the most understated, Sayaw (Forms).

Alex now dreams of promoting Doce Pares and Yaw-Yan ArDigma, and the Filipino martial arts, primarily among the British-Filipino community and the British/European public in general.

Alex now teaches under the supervision and gracious blessing of Doce Pares Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio 'Diony' A. Cañete.

On 31 July 2010, the Doce Pares GB Headquarters in Willesden Junction (NW10) was inaugurated by Philippine Embassy representatives, including previous Philippine Ambassador Hon. Antonio Lagdameo and Deputy Chief of Mission Rey Catapang; along with representatives from various Filipino communities.

On 27 January 2014, Alex was promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt at the Doce Pares International Headquarters in Cebu, Philippines.

Alex is also the founder and the first one to hold the Seni Eskrima Championships and KOMBATA Limited Armour Championships. (Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.)

Visit his website:  http://hybrid-fma.com/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at  9 AM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We talk with Mandala Tuhon Philip Gelinas of Pekiti Tirsia Kali under GT Leo Gaje; he is also a full instructor in FMA under Guro Dan Inosanto.

Philip Gelinas (born in 1952) is a martial arts practitioner who lives in Montreal, Quebec. He owns and runs the Gelinas Academy of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), also known as the Cultural Martial Arts Academy. He is one of the founding Dog Brothers as well as one of the founders of the Brazilian Top Team Canada network of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies in Canada. Gelinas began his training in a style of karate known as Chito Ryu at the age of 14.




Check out his website for more information:  http://www.montrealmartialarts.com/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive



This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We chat with Master Jon Escudero of Lightning Scientific Arnis Israel.  We'll be chatting about his upcoming US tour and the importance of weapons training in the modern world.

Visit his website:  http://www.lsai.co.il/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive



This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We have Master Darren Tibon of Angel's Disciples and the USFMAF on the show.  Master Tibon comes from a long line of martial artists.  He began his martial arts study at the young age of seven, studying Goju-ryu karate.  In 1981 he began his training in the legendary art of Grandmaster Angel Cabales, Serrada Escrima, from advanced students under GM Cabales.  In 1987 he was privileged to study directly under GM Cabales further refining his knowledge and skill in Serrada Escrima.

With GM Cabales death, in 1991, Master Tibon and his good friend Master Jerry Preciado founded the Angel's Disciples Escrima Association focused on retaining the principles bestowed upon GM Cabales' students as passed down to Master Tibon.  Their association is also a powerhouse in the tournament scene, fielding many winning fighters throughout the California FMA tournament circuit.

He also hosts and promotes the Stockton Legacy Seminar and Tournament series, a series dedicated to honoring the various Grandmasters of Stockton. The next Stockton Legacy Seminar and Tournament is coming up this April 5th.

Visit his website:  http://www.angelsdisciples.net/

Find his DVD series at:  http://www.empiremediallc.com/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Photo by Elle Gamboa

Coming up this week we are excited to have Virgil Mayor Apostol.  Virgil Mayor Apostol has dedicated himself to the research, development, and promotion of Filipino cultural and healing traditions. He descends from a paternal and maternal bloodline of healers and from the teachings of respected elders. He continues to refine the traditional healing art of Ablon as a science, while his research into Filipino spiritual practices rounds out his holistic approach to health and wellness. His background in the Filipino martial arts, especially those styles of Northern Luzon, and wooden club swinging exercises from India also enhance his practical knowledge as a healer.

His book, Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions, which is now in its second print, was released by North Atlantic Books back in 2010. He also coauthored Healing Hands of Hilot back in 1998. Apostol holds weekly classes in wooden club swinging, conducts healing workshops, participates in various cultural programs and projects, educational speaking engagements, and has enjoyed interviews for newspapers and magazines, blog-talk radio programs, and on TV.

Contact info:
Rumsua: Ancestral Traditions
www.rumsua.org
rumsua@mail.com

Unified Health Concepts www.UnifiedHealthConcepts.abmp.com/home
info@uhconcepts.com

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunay at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We talk about the new Stick Fighting World championships with it's commissioner Datu Tim Hartman. Guro John gives us an overview of the deadly Piper Knife method from South Africa.    

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

Listen on iTunes and give us a good rating and leave a comment!


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have Maha Guro Brian "Buzz" Smith - founder of American Maharlika Kuntaw Association one of the first organized Filipino Martial Arts associations in the US.  Buzz began his Martial Arts training in 1968 when he stumbled onto a Green Beret, home on leave from the Viet Nam conflict, training on a beach near his home. Buzz became an active training partner, playing the aggressor and learning defensive tactics while being thrown to the sandy beach.  In 1969 Buzz enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes naval Training Center near Chicago.  On base, he discovered, was a Tae Kwon Do class.  All of his free time was spent there learning TKD.  By the time he finished his Naval Training School, Buzz had attained the rank of Green Belt.  His next duty station was a ship bound for the South China Sea (Viet Nam).  His overseas homeport was Subic Bay, Philippines, where he continued his studies by joining the base Kyokushin Kai Karate Club and the Combat Judo Club.  Within a year he had attained the rank of Green Belt in Karate and a Brown Belt in Judo.

During one of his liberty jaunts to the city of Olongapo, visiting one of the many dives that attract sailors,
Buzz was exposed to one of the Filipino Martial Arts in action.  A waiter was being threatened by a large sailor for stealing money from a table.  Buzz heard the sailor's friend tell the waiter to take the money as payment for their order of beer.  But before Buzz could come to the waiter's aid the small Filipino boy had the sailor on the floor with very little effort.  Without a fight the sailor had been beaten.  When quizzed on what style of Art had been used, the waiter said it was "Filipino", and that he was just a beginning student in the Art.  Buzz asked where to find the school and was told that it was for Filipino's only.  Intrigued, and not to lose this chance, Buzz continued to pester the Filipino to teach him or to take him to the school.  Realizing that Buzz was not the typical arrogant American and was truly interested, the Filipino agreed.  Buzz was taken to the Kuntaw Gym and introduced to the instructor, Carlito A. Lanada.  After many questions, Buzz was allowed to train at this school, the training hall or Bothoan at 109 Fendler Street in Olongapo.

For the next three years Mr. Smith would make this his home whenever he was not out on the line replenishing US ships in his capacity as a Navy sailor.  He was one of three Non-Filipino's allowed to do so.  Within three years Buzz had earned the rank of Black Belt, one of the first non-Muslim, non-Filipinos to be awarded a Black Belt in the Art.

Buzz left the Philippines with a charge from his Guro (Instructor) to propagate the Art and further his studies of the Filipino culture and systems.  In 1974 Mr. Smith returned home and determined not to lose what he had gained in the Philippines, began to train in his own back yard. Neighborhood kids would come and watch these workouts; soon he was teaching the art to several teens from his block. He expanded his teaching to the community center to allow for training during foul weather and to reach more youths. Soon the art was being offered as a community service class at the local high school. In 1974 Mr. Smith united his growing student following under the American Maharlika Kuntaw Association.

In 1979 Buzz was appointed the U.S. Director of the International Kuntaw Federation by Master Lanada, a position he held for three years.  In 1982 he established the first Filipino Martial Arts course ever offered for college credit in the U.S.A., at Northwestern Michigan College, in Traverse City.  He currently holds the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt in Kuntaw NG Filipinas,  he has been recognized as one of the top 10 competitors in the MICHIGAN KARATE CIRCUIT and the CAN-AM KARATE CIRCUIT since he started competing in 1975. An all-round competitor, Buzz competed in every division available; weapons, self-defense, board breaking, team demo, forms, and fighting and has proven his abilities. Buzz has been called the "Most prolific winner on the Can-Am Circuit" by its Director Rudy Timmerman.

Mr. Smith has been the most competitive representative of Kuntaw in the United States. He has, in the past, trained in Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. He has trained with Dan Inosanto the late Bruce Lee's top student and head of The Jeet Kune Do organization. He has held seminars in the Filipino arts in Florida, West Virginia, Ohio, and Canada.  He was one of four Americans to be invited to the 25th. anniversary of the Seibukan Dojo (Japan's largest Goju Ryu school) in Nobeoka, Japan. He went to participate in several televised demonstrations of martial arts skills from all over the world, and to teach his art.  Only a small number of representatives from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, England, and the United States were invited. He has been an active competitor in the Michigan and Can-Am Karate Circuits since 1976. With over 1000 trophies and awards to attest to his ability. He also submitted a training program to the Council Lodge Institute for law enforcement and security officers of the Indian Nation. This program was accepted but was not implemented do to insurance problems. Training seminars were to be held in Las Vegas, Reno, New Mexico and Florida.  

Buzz also has been a stunt man and fight scene choreographer for several stage presentations and three motion pictures.  “Lost Treasure of  Sawtooth Island” with Ernest Borghnine, also in “Folklore”, a dark movie about powers from the earth and from nature., as well as Scourge a movie set in a post apocalyptic world where Buzz was one of the lead characters.                  

His list of Instructors is a veritable "Who’s Who".

Carlito Lanada - Co-founder Philippine Karate Association, Great Grand Master and Head Instructor of Kuntaw NG Pilipinas.

Remy Presas - Grand Master- Modern Arnis, Founder of Modern Arnis U.S.A.

Rene Latosa - Founder of Philippine Martial Arts Society.

Leo Gaje - U.S. Representative of NARAPHIL/NARUSA Pekiti Tirsia Kali/ Silat. Grand Master PTK

Dan Inosanto - Bruce Lee's protégé and current Head of the Jeet Kune Do System, world-renowned Filipino Martial Arts Expert.

Tim Tacket - JKD Vanguard Instructor.

Tom Bisio - World Champion full contact stick fighter.

Eric Lee - Once called "The Little King of Kata" Won Hop Kuen Do.

Pendekar  Paul De Thouars - Grand Maser of Serak System of Pentjak Silat.
           
Bobby Tabouda- Grand Master Balintawak

Buzz recently closed his school, the Northern Martial Arts Academy- a 4500 sq ft building , the largest martial arts school in northern Michigan, due to health issues.

“I am a warrior in the Filipino arts- not a master, just a foot soldier doing my best to understand, propagate, and promote that which stole my heart in 1970 and holds it still today.”

Visit his website for more information: http://www.kuntaw.org/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Live (on tape) from the Philippines.  We have the privilege to spend the afternoon with Grandmaster Rene Tongson of ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS and Modern Arnis.   Also GM Tongson takes us over to GM Rodel Dagooc's o(Modern Arnis) home and factory where we get an impromptu tour.

GM Rene Tongson:  philippineclassicalarnis.com





GM Rodel's Website:  http://www.arnismartialarts.com/

Live (on tape) in the Philippines - Professor Felipe Jocano of the University of the Philippines and Lightning Scientific Arnis International.  We had a chance to visit the Professor at U. P. and have a tasty lunch and some good conversation.

Link to a bibliography for further research into Filipino history and culture:
http://home.earthlink.net/~federicomalibago/bibliography.html

Our hosts will be Datu Tim Hartman, Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com

This week we interview the Carin Brothers outside the doors of their training facility in Cebu, Philippines. The brothers are senior masters of the style of their father Vicente "Inting" Carin Sr.,

Ingko Primo Maestro Alfredo Carin Sr. 

Eldest son of Inting. A GrandMaster in the Doce Pares system. Founder, Executive Director and Chairman of Eskrima Carin.












Ingko Maestro Vicente Carin Jr.

Namesake of Inting. Holds a Master rank in the Doce Pares system. Founder, Director and Chief Instructor of Eskrima Carin.











http://www.eskrimacarin.org/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

This episode is a special recorded interview with SGM Diony Canete.  Dionisio belongs to the second generation of the  famous Martial Art advocates, the Cañete brothers of Cebu City, Philippines. He is the youngest son of GM Eulogio (Ylong) Cañete, the principal organizer of Doce Pares, who headed the organization since its founding in 1932 until his death in June 1988. 

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Back from a three week journey to the Philippines, for our last live show of the year, join the show hosts as we talk about training and traveling in the Philippines.  We will not only discuss some of the upcoming recorded episodes of FMATalk Live, but also we will also go over tips for Westerners traveling to the Philippines.  Learn valuable lessons that our hosts have learned the hard way, on how to make your training trip to the Philippines memorable, affordable, and fun.  From what to bring, where to go, what to do, and what to bring back, we will help you make your next Philippine trip a once in a lifetime adventure.

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

GMA Network Kapuso Foundation Link

http://www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/

Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

This episode we chat about our recent visit to the Minnesota Weapons Collectors Show.  Also we discuss how to pick a quality FMA School and what to look for.

Coming up this week we are excited to have Halford Jones, Martial Arts Enthusiast, Author, Elder Statesman, and Adventurer. A little bit about him, in his own words:

"I consider myself a 'martial arts enthusiast', an occasional practitioner, and a sometimes writer on martial arts. I have been interested in self-defense and related activities since childhood and I am now 77 years old. I have been privileged to have met a number of outstanding martial artists as well as many others along the way. I started in formal training in judo in 1959, then karate shortly afterwards, and eventually arnis and a few other arts, but I do not wear as a rule any uniforms, gis,etc..., unless required on some occasions. I prfer impromptu methods, backyard training sessions, and do not have any students nor want any if I can avoid it. I do not belong to any formal associations except by previous associations and I do keep a large contact with others usually at their behest via Facebook, e-mail and letter and once in a very rare occasion by telephone. I have traveled to a few places around the world: Philippines,Hawaii, Japan, Korea, HongKong, Cambodia, Burma, India, Egypt, Jordan, Jerusalem, Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Holland, France and would like to do more. I was born in Windsor,Vermont, and have lived mostly in New Hampshire over the years when I have not been elsewhere. I have done a number of jobs in various endeavors too numerous to mention and describe and am retired from active employments. HALFORD E. JONES"

 Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. 

Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have Mahaguro Nate Defensor, Supremo of the Illinois Katipunan and Founder of the Defensor Method of Filipino-Indonesian Martial Arts.  Maha Guro Nate Defensor,  founder of the Defensor Method of Filipino and Indonesian Martial Arts was born in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental Philippines. Since his youth till now Guro Nate has been a student of the indigenous fighting arts of the Philippines. Countless hours of training and learning from the masters of Filipino Martial Arts and other various fighting forms have culminated into what is now known as the Defensor Method of Filipino Martial Arts.

Defensor Method is a combination of Inayan System, Pekiti-Tirsia, Inosanto Blend, Tobosa/Villabrille System, Pusaka Dwipantara Silat, Jalur Putih Pencak Silat, Doce Pares Eskrima, Derobio, Balintawak, Ilongo Style, Muay-Thai, and Kuntao. Guro Nate, through his years learning and training with different masters of Filipino Martial Arts, has systemized the whole of his experiences and the core principals of various styles into a curriculum for the purposes of learning, teaching and promoting Filipino Martial Arts. Guro Nate Defensor has been teaching the Defensor Method of Filipino Martial Arts for over 30 years in the Chicagoland area and is continually striving to promote the effectiveness and simplicity of Filipino Martial Arts to his students around the world.

List of credentials and accomplishments:  

• Studied Okinawan Karate privately from Black Belts of Club 45. Shotokan Karate under Mike Vasquez, 1971-72 Philippine Karate Heavyweight Champion and Head Instructor of All Philippine Karate Federation. Including instructions from Japan Karate Association under Sensei Sugiyama and Sensei Mahmoud Bamboyani.

• Karate, Kung Fu, & Shorin-Goju from Nate Morgan.

• Korean Karate, Tae Kwon Do from Master Shin, Military Arts Institute, Master Han Cha Kyo, Clayton Cortes. Wing Chun, JKD, & Modern Arnis from Jerry Cervantes

• Goju-Shorei from the University of Illinois Chicago.

• Inayan System of Eskrima under Alan McLuckie, Rob McDonald, Benjie Berry & Mike Inay.

• Pekit-Tirsia under Tuhon William McGrath and Tom Bisio.

• Certified Instructor of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali under Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr. (1982-Present). Chicago Representative of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali.

• Certified Instructor of Pusaka Dwipantara Pencak-Silat under Pandekar Suryadi Jafri and Chicago Representative of Pusaka Dwipantara (1982-Present).

• Certified Instructor and Representative of Jalur-Putih Pentjak-Silat under John DeJong.

• Instructor at the Degerberg Blend of Martial Arts Academy under Fred Degerberg (1981-1984).

• Apprentice Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto (1982-Present).

• Certified Instructor under the Tobosa/Villabrille System of Kali-Eskrima under Batikan Raymund Tobosa and holds the title Sergeant at Arms of the Filipino Martial Arts Association of Hawaii.

• Seminar Certificates in Muay Thai under Ajarn Surachai Sirisute.

• Seminar Certificates in Wing Chun-Do under Sifu James DeMile and featured in Sifu DeMile's book of Chi-Sao.

• Seminar Certificates in Serrada Escrima under Angel Cabales, Jimmy Tacosa, and Michael Amistosa.

• Seminar Certificates in Doce Pares Escrima under Dionisio Canete and Cacoy Canete.

• Seminar Certificates in Garimot System of Arnis/Escrima under Gat Puno Abon Baet.

• Studied Balintawak under Gabriel Go and Eugene Nepangue.

• Studied Kodokan Judo from Larry Witkowski.

• Studied under Vincent Black in the Internal Chinese Martial Arts.

• Katipunan 2009-2012 Instructor/Katipunero.

• Taught Filipino Martial Arts classes in Chicagoland's Academic Institutions such as: University of Illinois Chicago, University of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, & The Field Museum of Natural History.

• Filipino Martial Arts contributor to Philippine News, VIA Times, Inside Kung Fu, & Black Belt Magazine.

• Provided Online Lessons in Defensor Method through fmapulse.com & provided seminars throughout United States in Defensor Method of Filipino-Indonesian Martial Arts.

Visit his website for more information: http://www.defensormethod.com/

For more information about the Illinos Katipunan:  http://katipunanil.weebly.com/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have Guro Harley Elmore of Warrior's Way Martial Arts Academy.  Guro Harley Elmore has been in the martial arts for nearly twenty years. He is certified under some of the best martial artists of our time.

Mr. Elmore holds Instructor certification under Bruce Lee's protégé Dan Inosanto to teach the Filipino Martial Arts as well as Lee Jun Fan Gung Fu.  In addition he is certified by the late Terry Gibson in Lee Jun Fan Gung fu/ Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Filipino Kali-Silat, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Indonesian Pentjak Silat and grappling/ground fighting.

Mr. Elmore is among the top ranked Instructors under Tuhon Chris Sayoc in Sayoc Kali. He is also a team leader for Sayoc Tactical Systems with whom he has trained Law Enforcement Officers, S.W.A.T., Army Special Forces, and F.B.I.

Mr. Elmore's Academy is also an Affiliate school under Grand Master Tony Somera in Bahala Na and the Giron Arnis-Eskrima system. He has also trained with other notable instructors such as Ajarn "Chai" Sirisute(President of the Muay Thai Association U.S.A,) and the late Pendakar Herman Suwanda (head of Mande Muda Pentjak Silat.) He is also a Second Degree Black belt in Shinjutsu Kempo Karate and a second level Black Sash in Kuai Shou Pai Gung Fu under Master Instructor Monty Atchley.

Guro Harley ElmoreMr. Elmore has had the honor of being the Program Director and an Instructor at the prestigious Gibson's Martial Arts Academy, one of the top Jeet Kune Do schools in the country and is also a member of Gibson's Martial Arts International and the Inosanto International Martial Arts Instructors Association.

In addition to his martial arts training, Mr. Elmore had gained invaluable experience as a former U.S. Marine, bodyguard (Pete Rose, Lou Brock, Nolan Ryan) and the head of security for a national chain of nightclubs. He has also developed a highly successful women's self defense program called "Stay Alive" and trained thousands of women over the years.

Mr. Elmore now teaches full time at Warrior's Way martial arts academy in Wichita Falls, Texas. He also heads an organization of Instructors called Warrior's Way International, a group dedicated to promoting the martial arts through quality instruction and providing a network system for individuals and schools alike. He also teaches martial arts seminars all over the United States, works with private security personnel, police officers and rape prevention organizations. He does guest lectures and workshops for a wide variety of groups.

 Visit his website for more information: http://www.warriorswaytx.com

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have Grand Master Danny Vedua, the founder of Askal Hybrid Balintawak.  Danilo Vedua was born in the town of Lorega, a town in Cebu. At an early age of 11 years old, an uncle by the name of Willy ‘Iking’ Solon introduced Danny to the world of boxing where he practiced with denim gloves.  Hunger and the incapacity to buy food motivated and prompted Danny to compete in boxing of which at that time a single banana was given to the winner. Trained and equipped with skills, he always won every boxing match there was. He also became a household name of boxing competitions during town fiestas where unlike the usual banana award; 10centavos was also given to the winner. By 1966, at 17, he joined Diamond Glove, a boxing organization, as an amateur boxer. During this time due to his record of several winnings with no losses, he was adjudged as Champion in the organization.  At that time boxing did not provide a quite promising future for him, and so he decided to permanently hang his gloves.

With the fast paced spread of Bruce Lee movies in 1974, Karate became a trend in the Philippines. Danny, 24 then, started training Karate under Mr. Jimmy Prodinciado.   He also had training with Mr. Roy Paguidopon, this time it was called Sikaran, the Filipino version of Karate. Although belt promotion was already an in thing with Sikaran, Danny refused to be part of a system for promotion since he was a non-believer that Kata is the best way to evaluate ones skill in Karate. Despite all this, his training in Sikaran and his undoubted skills and power made him to always bring home the top place, Over-all Champion in 3 invitational games held in Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan and 1st runner up in Ozamis. He also won twice as Champion in the National Level held in Marikina City (where he was also crowned as the best fighter) and in Folk Arts Theatre. Due to Danny’s overwhelming record, and because he was the only one in his group who brought  home the then elusive gold medal, he was granted a special promotion from a white belt to a 2nd Dan black belt by his master as a form of recognition of his achievements. Danny’s achievement also opened employment opportunities. He was able to work as a Head Security for prominent business establishments, of which he was able to handle effortlessly the bar fights, which at that time occurred almost every night. . He also worked for the former Mayor of Tagoloan, Vicente Emano as a personal close-in security for 7 years. Former Mayor Emano became a good friend of Danny, of which he was then recommended and then hired as a close in security of the former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Pablo Magtajas for 15 years.

In 1980, Rico Cariño, a former police officer and friend, invited Danny to give Arnis a try. Hesitant at first to train for  Arnis, since he was used to having  without a weapon and have defended himself against a stick a lot of times.  With Rico’s constant persuasion, he finally gave it a try and saw several advantages to learning and training with Arnis and the rest was history. Along the way, Danny observed that certain techniques in the traditional Balintawak Arnis were not practically applicable in an actual street fight. Danny had to modify certain techniques to make it street-fight effective. With his continual process of questioning himself, Danny was able to add more techniques for Arnis and thus gave way to the birth of the Askal Hybrid Balintawak System.

Visit his website for more information:  https://www.facebook.com/AskalHybridBalintawak

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

This week we're doing a special panel show at special time and location, where the panel gets to chat about FMA training live and in person.  We are excited to have on this panel a previous guest Tuhon Tim Waid.  Listen to his last guest appearance on FMATalk Live or visit his website for more information:  http://www.ptkgo.com/

Our other panelists will be show hosts Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on
the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

Coming up this week we are excited to have Mataw Guro Marc Lawrence - Punong Guro of the Modified Pangamut System and chief instructor of the South Bay FMA Club.

Hometown: Torrance , CA
Occupation: Municipal Fire Captain

Personal Information: Married, 20 years, two children 14 and 18-year-old boys, hobbies are Filipino Martial Arts, fishing, woodworking, camping and writing.

Books and Magazines Written: The Basics of Filipino Martial Arts, How to make your own Filipino Martial Art Supplies, PAKAMUT-The Original Filipino Fighting System of Stick, Knife & Hand to Hand Combat, Mataw Guro Notebook- 2nd Annual Mataw Guro Gathering, FMA Digest Special Editions Filipino Weapons A-Z, PAKAMUT, Doce Pares, Homemade Training Aids, misc. articles on events.

Fighting & Teaching Background: Mataw Guro (Master Teacher), Punong Guro of the Modified Pangamut System, Certified Instructor of Arnis De Mano by the Arnis Professional Association, Instructor University of Cavite Arnis De Mano, Master- Reiki Healing Arts, Certified Master & Instructor for PAKAMUT Filipino Fighting Arts, trained in Cinco Terros (family fighting art) system with family members, Doce Pares system under Master Erwin Mosqueda, Cacoy Doce Pares system with Guro Luis Isadero, Kwan Do with Master Greg Park, Judo with Sawtelle Judo club, Kuk Sool Won with Grand Master Hyuk Sul.

Tournaments:
- 2011 WEKAF Western Regional 1st Place Single Stick Sparring
- 2010 West Coast Eruption Seeder Jose Pacheco Dojang Mixed Weapons Sparring Grand Champion
- 2010 Angel Cabales/Serrada Legacy Tournament Mixed Weapons Sparring First Place
- 2010 UFTC 1st Place Weapons Forms
- 2010 UFTC 1st Place Black Belt division Solo Baston
- 2009 West Coast Eruption First Place Weapons Forms
- 2009 West Coast Eruption Grand Champion Empty Hands Forms
- 2009 West Coast Eruption Seeder - Jose Pachaco Dojang 1st place Self Defense Division and 2nd Place Sayaw/forms Division
- 2008 Best of the Best Tournament Masters Division Champion
- 2008 USFMAF Nationals Men's 1st Place Form Division
- 2008 USFMAF Men's 1st place Self Defense Division
- 2008 USFMAF Nationals 1st Place Men's Senior Padded Stick Point Sparring Division
- 2008 USFMAF Nationals Senior Men's 1st place Padded Stick Continuous Sparring Division
- 2008 USFMAF National Senior Men's 2nd place Live Stick Point Sparring Division
- 2008 USFMAF National Senior Men's 1st Place Continuous Live Stick Sparring,
- 2008 6th Annual Battle for Carson Eskrimador’s Challenge 1st Place Men's Senior Heavy Weight Division
- 2008 6th Annual Battle for Carson Eskrimador’s Challenge 3rd place Team Sparring Division
- 2008 WEKAF Nationals Wild card Team Competition 2nd Place
- 2008 WEKAF Nationals-US Team single stick competition 4th Place, US Team Completion
- 2007 WEKAF Western Regional 1st Place Men’s Senior Single Stick, 1st Place Men’s Senior Double Stick
- 2007 Eskrimador’s Challenge 1st Place Men’s Senior Single Stick, 1st Place Men’s Senior Double Stick, 2nd Place Open Knife Division
- 2007 International Karate Championship 1st Place Men’s Senior Division -Pacific Fighting Arts Division Single Stick Fight
- 2007 Compete 2007 Black Belt Championship 1st Place Men’s Senior Division Single Stick Fighting
- 2006 KA Open International Martial Arts Championship/ LA Sheriff’s Cup-1st Place Men’s Senior Division Single Stick Fighting, 1st Place Men’s Senior Division Knife Fighting, 1st Place Men’s Senior Padded Stick MMA
- 2006 Battle for Carson , Eskrimador’s Challenge 1st Place Men’s Senior Single Stick, 2nd Place Open Knife Division
- 2000 Guerrero’s Invitational 2nd Place Men’s Division

Awards:
-2013 Martial Arts History Museum Honor Award
-2013 Kick Punch Golden Stick & Blade Award
- 2010 Kick-Punch Blood & Sweat award for Martial Arts Support
- 2010 Mahar Martial Arts TV Show Award for Stick Fighting
- 2010 Kick-Punch Award-Top Rated in Weapons by UFTC
-2010 FMA Digest Master of the Pen Award
-2010 Master Hall of Fame Life Time Achievement-Silver Division
-2009 FMA Digest Competitor of the Year Award
-2008 Tri-County Tae Kali Do Supporter Award
- 2008 USFMA Regional Sports Organizer (RSO) of The Year Award
- 2007 Presidential Fitness Award- Gold
- 2006 Presidential Fitness Award- Silver

Visit his website for more information:  http://www.southbayfmaclub.com/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive


This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com

Coming up this week we are excited to have Datu Kelly Worden founder of Natural Spirit International/Worden Defense System.  Datu Kelly  Worden began his personal defensive training in western boxing at the tender age of eight years old. Since that time, he has trained in a multitude of systems; what arts he has not researched his students have. As a young man the reality of street violence was a way of life and as such Kelly always sought to functional self-defense in his personal research.  Mr. Worden instills the Warrior Credo and ethical values of “Honor, Trust, and Respect.”   Within Natural Spirit Int’l this Warrior Credo for personal development still exists today, integrated into all aspects of the system and balanced to train the Mind, Body, and Spirit as a way of life rather than just seeking physical fighting skills.

Mr. Kelly S. Worden is the founder of Natural Spirit International, a system that embraces all styles by “Connecting the Systems.” All elements of personal defense are researched including the historical significance of foundational forms passed from generation to generation from the original founders of all martial arts. Worden relates “movement simply as movement,” with emphasis on strategic variables of intent cross referencing lethal weapon tactics into a devastating unarmed close quarter approach adapted to each individual practitioner.

Worden formulated his no nonsense conceptual approach to street defense known as Renegade JKD, and has received high kudos from Bruce Lee’s original students including: Bruce’s first students Jesse Glover and Ed Hart. JKD enforcer Richard Bustillo certified Worden as a 2nd Generation Jeet Kune Do instructor and a Senior Instructor of the world renowned IMB Academy. The Patriarch of Jeet Kune Do and living legend Taky Kimura refers to Worden as an “American Icon of Progressive martial Arts”.

Mr. Worden has produced dozens internationally acclaimed instructional video programs and is the inventor of the popular self-defense tools: The Travel Wrench, The Saf-T-Wrench, Silent Fighter Training Dummy Simulator, and the WORTAC Tactical Knife.   Additionally he dedicated many years as the “On the Edge” radio talk show host, authored countless articles on reality based self-defense, weapons training and was a former editor for Full Contact and Fighting Knives Magazines.

The combative efficiency of his system has been embraced by the U.S. Army 1st. Special Forces Group at Ft. Lewis Washington. Inspired, Mr. Worden to formulated the Worden Defense System Module Training Manual and curriculum which earned hm the title of Datu and Senior Blade-Master of Modern Arnis in 1988 from Grand Master Remy Armador Presas. Kelly S. Worden’s innovations  has  recently been acknowledged by martial art historian and living legend Professor Leonard Trigg. During the 33rd Annual N.S.I. Water and Steel Training Camp 2011, he was recognized for his lifelong commitment to the arts by the American Institute of Martial Science and awarded certification and the title “Professor of Martial Arts” by Dr. James R. Samuels. This was presented directly from Professor Leonard Trigg. Innovator, Datu, Grandmaster, or Professor of Martial Arts, through it all Kelly S. Worden has maintained a humble existence and approachable status in the arts he treasures so dearly. “Call me what you want, just say it with a smile; if I earn your respect then you can address me with a title if you so choose!”

Visit his website for more information:  http://www.kellyworden.com/

Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.

 Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive



This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com