Informative Issue No. 121 2013 While the FMA Informative staff member was in the Philippines he was fortunate to be able to talk to Felipe P The Origins and Growth of UP LSAI Jocano Jr. about the program at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, ‘The Club” which was founded University of the Philippines, Diliman Arnis Club in 1989 as a small informal group of students meeting where ever they could find a space, actually it was a LESKAS Facts mixed group. The Brotherhood Continues Actually the club was not recognized until 2000, and there were some name changes until finally the LSAI and LESKAS - What’s the difference? club settled on the name of UP Sangkil Kalasag. The club mostly caters to undergraduates of the University of the Philippines. At the present time it is an on and off due to students being busy and with other interests. However the FMA Informative thought it would be interesting to have an issue on the club so readers could know some of the background and history.

Felipe P. Jocano Jr. After Master Ybanez departed for the USA; Nathan Dominguez found where Mang Ben was teaching and myself and Nathan where able to train with him. It was from Mang Ben that we received one last rank and the certificate from LSAI signed by Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema, to add with our certificate from Master Elmer Ybanez, which is very precious and historical, considering both of our teachers have passed away.

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Each issue features practitioners of martial arts and other internal arts, other features include historical, theo- retical and technical articles; reflections, , healing arts, the culture of the Philippines and other related subjects. The authors, publisher and owner of this online magazine are not responsible for any injury, which may result from the instructions contained in this online magazine. Before embarking on any of the physical activates described in the magazine, the reader should consult his or her physician for advice regarding their individual suitability for per- forming such activity. The ideas and opinions expressed in the FMA Informative online magazine are those of the authors or instruc- tors being interviewed and are not necessarily the views of the publisher, editor or owner of the FMA Informative. The articles are the property of the author’s that wrote them and cannot be used without the permission of the author. The FMA Informative is for the promulgation and promotion of the Filipino martial arts and the Culture of the Philippines. NO issue can be printed and Sold for Monies, without the express permission of the Owner and Publisher of the FMA Informative. The Origins and Growth of UP LSAI also brought with it challenges as was possible to learn the material together with Jon Escudero, Alex This issue is going to start with one of the original and main pracitioners of the program at the Univercity pf the well. While many members started earlier than the exam phase. He Ortinero and Joey Quiriones, Philippines, Felipe P. Jocano Jr. of LSAI/LESKAS. His remenberanes of the program. their training while University stu- felt that the use of belts was more who were ranked in LSAI. The dents, graduation and the need to useful for karate, judo etc., and group, UP Sangkil Karasak (Spear go to find work meant that training that the Filipino martial arts had to and Shield) still continues today, edgeable always been female practitioners was either drastically reduced or have their own system. We had a promoting and propagating Arnis yet humble even from the beginning. Many of curtailed altogether. Thus, except lot of discussion about the ranking among the undergraduates of the martial arts the women who joined our club for a small group, membership size system and in the end the use of University. Another group, UP An- masters I have became very strong practitioners fluctuated from year to year. levels was adopted. gkan ng Mandirigma (Clan of the ever met. in their own right. Empowerment 1997 brought about some Before he left, Guro Elmer Warriors), was founded in UP Los I was in- of the women members has always changes in composition and direc- awarded instructor ranks to five Banos. This group was led by Son- troduced to been a hallmark of our club. tion of the club. It was during this of us in LESKAS - myself (Felipe ny Mejia, who had trained in LSA Guro Elmer As our membership grew, year that Guro Elmer Ybañez was P. Jocano Jr.), Nathan Domin- and LESKAS and was himself a through a we began participating in various granted his immigration visa to guez, Manolo del Rosario, Joshua skilled judo and karate practitioner. mutual friend. activities inside and outside the the USA. Within one year, he had Medroso and Filomeno V. Buena. Another group, this time aimed at He knew of University. Our club participated in to take up residence in America or The group soon became known in the alumni and professionals was my interest in various tournaments, mostly under else forfeit his chance. It was also the campus as it began to perform set up by Felipe P. Jocano Jr. (my- Arnis and of- the auspices of then NARAPHIL the year that he married his fiancé demonstrations at different events. self). This was Telu Bituun Bagani, fered a chance or the National Arnis Association Maribel Padua; and it was during After Guro Elmer left, some of which means Three Stars Warrior. to meet his of the Philippines. There were also this time that LESKAS (Lema the instructors were able to con- The name was chosen to honor This article about the start of friend who he said was a very the demonstrations of the art at Scientific Kali Arnis System) was tinue training with Mang Ben, the my teachers in the martial arts and LSAI in the University of the Phil- skilled Arnisador. That Saturday various events in different colleges founded. founder of LSAI. These were Na- the styles that have influenced me ippines Diliman is mostly based morning was a turning point in my around the University as well LESKAS as it is known than Dominguez and Manolo del personally. Because of our origins, on personal memories of these martial arts journey. Guro Elmer appearing as guests on a noontime is essentially LSAI but taught in Rosario, and myself who by then we (Nathan Dominguez, Alex events. As a brief background, I’ve was highly skilled yet humble variety show. a more streamlined manner. Guro had already started a flourishing Ortinero and myself) and the next been involved in martial arts for martial arts master. His speed and Even then, we had no for- Elmer introduced a carefully de- association in Davao city, known generation of LSA instructors to thirty years now. My first art was power were unbelievable, yet his mal name for our association. We signed written curriculum broken as Mandirigmang Kaliradman or come from our ranks (Glen LLa- Shotokan Karatedo at our Uni- control was very, very precise. I were considering different names down into several levels. This took MK for short. Eventually we were mador, Kelvin Celis) decided to versity club. However, after three was awed by his skill and struck such as UP Arnis Klab (UPAK, the student through a progression, given rank in LSAI in addition to band together to create an umbrella years, our club disbanded; and it by his humility and grace; to me which in colloquial Tagalog meant starting with the stances, then foot- our existing ranks in LESKAS. association to keep the different wasn’t until 1987 that I found an he was the embodiment of the to hit) and UP SEKA (Samahang work, the strikes, the blocks and so As time went on, the groups together – UP LSAI. Arnis club, upon the referral of my ideal martial arts Master. Eskrima Kali Arnis). Such was our on. In addition, Guro Elmer intro- instructors pursued different From our beginnings as classmate. Our class started off with informality that we could not come duced his innovations into the sys- approaches to further developing a small group of enthusiasts to I soon learned that the style a small group. There was only to a final agreement on what to call tem, such as a set of combinations the system. Joshua Medroso and a large and diverse association was known as Lightning Scien- myself, Elmer’s cousin Judd and ourselves; yet we continued meet- using double strikes or doblada for Filomeno V. Buena began to plant encompassing different groups – tific Arnis or LSAI and that its his friend. Soon our group began ing and training anyway. the single stick and another set for LESKAS clubs in De La Salle the University of the Philippines grandmaster or the founder of the to grow, as more and more heard One of our more memora- the double sticks. Guro Elmer also University, University of Asia and Lightning Scientific Arnis asso- style was Benjamin Luna Lema. about the group and sought out ble moments was when we demon- introduced a completely differ- the Pacific and various other plac- ciation has indeed come a long My first teacher, Guro Carlos C. Guro Elmer for training. One of strated for the World Taekwondo ent ranking system for LESKAS: es as well. Within the University way. Our association is like a fruit Canilao, taught out of the garage my former students heard about Federation championship tourna- instead of using a belt system of the Philippines, a student-run bearing tree – as it grows and of his home in Cubao, Quezon the class and joined, and soon his ment held at the Folk Arts Theater such as that found in systems such group was eventually founded. flourishes, the fruits have fallen City. He was also a teacher of judo fraternity brothers joined as well. in Metro Manila in 1995. That was as karate, taekwondo, judo and This was organized by the under- in different places and have taken and so our classes in Arnis were Later on, we had members from an opportunity to demonstrate our aikido, he designated each stage of graduate students, with instruction root themselves. May our asso- held on alternate days with his three fraternities working out and indigenous martial arts in front of advancement as a level. There was provided by Nathan Dominguez ciation be long lived and fruitful judo class. After a year and a half, training together - and the fact an international audience of tae- a specific set of material to be test- and Felipe P. Jocano Jr., (both indeed. Mabuhay ang Arnis! my personal schedule had changed that some of them are still buddies kwondo-in. ed for at each level, even though it ranked in LSAI and LESKAS), and so I could no longer go to today says something about the Being located in a Univer- his class. It was then in 1989 that relationships formed back then. sity brought with it opportunities I first met Guro (later Maestro) The group was never to share the art with undergraduate Elmer Ybañez, one of most knowl- exclusively male - there had students. However, such a location University of the Philippines, Diliman Arnis Club Eligible Students: First founded in 1989 as a the faculty members others were of the group being alumni profes- 1) Students (both undergrad and graduate) of the University of the Philippines small informal group of students graduate students and yet oth- sionals. He likes to keep a small 2) Alumni of the University of the Philippines meeting where ever they could find ers were undergraduate students, group so he has a better oversight 3) Students of other Universities a space, actually it was a mixed people would constantly come and and control of the quality of train- 4) Working Professionals group. Felipe P Jocano Jr. started go in the group. In 1991 and 1992 ing; of course he still supports the Note: The UP club welcomes personal study visits and/or inter-club sharing sessions. training in the Filipino martial arts the group expanded due to word undergraduate club. Contact: Felipe P Jocano Jr. - [email protected] in 1987 specifically Lightning Sci- of mouth and the club continued Before Master Ybanez entific Arnis under the instruction with really no formal name until migrated to the United States in of Master Carlos Canilao, which sometime in 1992 when it was 1997 he named 5 students which Felipe would go to Master Canilao called the UP Arnis Club. Actually started training with him at the be- home after work in Cabao. not recognized until 2000, there ginning as instructors to represent It was in 1989 that Felipe were some name changes then LASKES in the Philippines: Felipe met Master Elmer Ybanez, (at that finally the club settled on the name P Jocano Jr., Nathan Dominguez, time Master Ybanez was the No#2 of UP Sangkil Kalasag (Sangkil: Manolo Del Rosario, Filomeno student in LSAI, the NO#1 of spear / Kalasag: shield). The club Buena, and Joshua Medroso. course being Grandmaster Ben- mostly caters to undergraduates of All take different sections jamin (Mang Ben) Luna Lema). the University of the Philippines. of teaching, one with the under- Master Elmer just wanted to start At the present time it is an on and graduates, another with a small promulgating the art. off due to students being busy and group of professionals etc, of As stated before it was with other interests. course supporting LSAI, Leskas a small group Felipe was one of Felipe still has a small part and the Singkil Kalasag Club. An introduction to the most common Lightning exercises: UP Sangkil Karasak Bigay-Tama (Give-and-Take) - A training exercise that utilizes attacks and defenses with no set patterns. There is a designated giver and receiver for beginners, but at higher levels designations may switch at any time dur- ing the exercise. (The most common form of Bigay-Tama has the giver hold two sticks while the receiver holds one.) Solo Bigay-Tama (Single Stick, Give-and-Take) - Bigay Tama with both parties using a single stick. Espada y Daga Bigay-Tama (Sword and Dagger, Give-and-Take) - An advanced exercise. The giver utilizes a single stick and knife while the receiver defends with one stick. During the exercise the giver may switch the knife-hand from the conventional right-hand grip to the left. It was only in 2001 that the seniors decided to open the club Espada y Daga Serrada (Sword and Dagger, Closed) - An advanced ex- to current UP students, and thus Sangkil Karasak was born. The UP LSAI ercise, the giver utilizes a single stick and knife while the receiver defends club was legitimized with the University of the Philippines Office of Stu- with one stick. The hits are delivered in single and sometimes doubles, dent Affairs Committee in June of 2002. giving space in between strikes for the receiver to perform body hits, butt strikes, etc. Location: UP Diliman Vanguard, DMST Complex, Classroom 1 Master Nathan Dominguez and Master Felipe Jocano head the UP LSAI/ LESKAS chapter. Instructor Roster: Felipe P Jocano Jr. Nathan Dominguez Manolo Del Rosario Filomeno Buena Joshua Medroso Sangkil Karasak Men’s Forms Team Elihu. The two of them was then that he took The 2005-2006 Philippines National Team: Men’s Synchronized Anyo Team were closest in age, so the classes at UP Diliman two of them were always to earn his PE degree. Master Nathan Dominguez, Instructor Kelvin Celis, and together. They watched a Elmer immigrated Instructor Glen Llamador placed 1st in the Philippine lot of martial arts movies, to the United States on National Arnis Tournament (2005) in Men’s Synchronized especially Bruce Lee mov- May 18, 1998 in order Forms, thereby claiming their position as the Official Syn- ies during the martial art to propagate the LES- chronized Anyo Men’s Team in the Philippines. craze of the 70’s. Martial KAS system. Before art clubs were at the height establishing LESKAS of their popularity then in Seattle, WA. Elmer too- Elihu joined the Karate spent his days work- club. Elmer, ever the non- ing as an accountant conformist, searched for and training. He met something different. and trained with dif- Elmer found what ferent instructors such They represented the country in the 2005 Grandmaster Lema and Maestro Ybanez South East Asian Games and won the gold he was looking for when as Madeline Coffin, in the Men’s Synchronized Forms Divi- he saw Grandmaster Benjamin Hong Kong, Singapore, England, Myrlino Hufana, and Denise De- sion. Likewise, they were also part of the ‘Mang Ben’ Luna Lema success- Germany, and Seattle, WA. Elmer vereaux. He spent some time with Philippine delegation in the World Martial fully defeated all of his opponents earned his Diploma in Physical Jun and Paul Lema, Mang Ben’s Arts Festival held in Chung-ju, Korean on at the Grandmaster’s Tournament. Education at the University of the sons in Olympia. He did demos, September 29, 2005 Mang Ben moved with an unusual Philippines in Diliman, Quezon seminars, and training sessions in grace and lightning quick swiftness City. It was in UP Diliman that California, Texas, and other states. while striking with deadly accurate Elmer first established LESKAS LESKAS Facts On December 16th, 2003, blows. Elmer was very impressed and convinced the school board Elmer was rushed to Northwest Name: Lema Scientific Kali-Arnis System (LESKAS) and sought Mang Ben out. He to add LESKAS as part of the PE Founder: Maestro Elmer Ybanez [1953 - 2004] Hospital around midnight. He was became a devoted follower; wher- curriculum. complaining of fatigue, constant Established: 1996, University of the Philippines, Diliman ever Mang Ben went, Elmer went. Elmer had many achieve- Affiliations: LSAI shortness of breath, tingling sensa- He became like a son to Mang Ben ments during his lifetime. In tions, and paralysis from below and at 20 years, is Mang Ben’s addition to his Physical Education LESKAS is a Filipino martial art that focuses on practical self-defense, and was the waist. He was diagnosed with longest running student. degree, Elmer also had a Diploma founded by Maestro Elmer Ybanez. LESKAS is the sister organization of Lightning Acute Lymphoblastic Non-Hod- Elmer started LESKAS in Business Administration with a Scientific Arnis International. kins Lymphoma, (A deadly form of in 1996 in honor of Grandmaster Major in Accounting at the Phil- Leukemia with only a 35% of sur- ippine Christian University. He The Brotherhood Continues Lema who passed away in 2003. vival rate). Elmer spent Christmas He started with just a handful of worked for companies such as at the Oncology unit surrounded by LESKAS is a brotherhood, which family and the senior students who Elmer Ybanez was born students- Nathan Dominguez, Noritake and Mariwasa, as well as family and friends. Elmer was the comes together and grows as a are carrying on the standards and the 5th child out of seven siblings Felipe “Bot” Jocano, Manolo del for the Bureau of Internal Revenue only patient in the hospital with his family. Pure in combat without the ideals of Maestro Elmer Ybanez. to Attorney John Minosa Ybanez Rosario, and Joshua Medroso, in the Philippines. He attended law own Christmas decorations, tree, to name a few. These gentlemen school at the San Beda College theatricals, the speed, the power, Who was and Adelaida Boholst Ybanez on music, and presents. Despite the are now teachers of the LESKAS while he was working. When he the correct posture and form which Maestro Elmer Ybanez? August 13, 1953 in Cawayan, circumstances, he remained con- was preserved by Maestro Elmer Masbate. He is the youngest out of system with groups in UP Diliman, was two years away from a law fident and cheerful. He underwent Ybanez from Grandmaster Benja- the male children; he has 2 broth- UP Los Banos, degree, he decided that practicing chemotherapy and radiation and min Lema is what has been known ers and 4 sisters. The order of Davao. There are even law wasn’t for him. Elmer felt that was released on January 5th, 2004 as lightening with realistic scientif- birth is as follows: Dorcas Ybanez International LESKAS groups in teaching was his true calling so it cancer free. ic flowing movements. Constantly Rocabo, Edwin Ybanez, Deborah analysis, criticizes, and questions Ybanez Quinto, Elihu Ybanez, El- Some of Elmer’s martial arts achievements are: other arts so to improve one’s self mer Ybanez, Ropeca Ybanez, and in LESKAS. Rebeccah Ybanez. • 1990 National Champion of the Philippine Union of Martial Arts Arnis Tournament The momentum and eager- Elmer was always interest- • 1991 National Champion of the Philippine’s National Kali-Eskrima Tournament ness of LESKAS is on the move ed in martial arts, partially through • First Runner Up of the Second World Eskrima Kali Federation Championship and growing, with the Ybanez the influence of his older brother • 1997 Delegate (along with Mang Ben) to the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace in Washington D.C. Elmer started complaining of underlying principles involved. other hand had a more fluid, slash- art, LESKAS has only five certi- of abdominal pain and nausea; he Maestro Elmer’s background in ing quality to it. Both LSAI and fied instructors. These are Felipe was rushed back to the emergency other arts also made its mark in LESKAS however share the same Jocano, Nathan Dominguez, Filo- room at midnight on January 20th. LESKAS. Due to this, one will find power-oriented striking combina- meno Buena, Joshua Medroso and He would be hospitalized until his some drills and techniques from tions as well as the basic prin- Manolo del Rosario. There were death on March 31, 2004. Maestro Elmer’s ciples, strategies and techniques no LESKAS instructors who were days being practiced by LESKAS of Tercia, Cadenilya, Serrada, and given Master Ranks in LESKAS practitioners (something which is espada y daga. although some of them were given LSAI and LESKAS - What’s the difference? absent in the other LSAI groups). Another main difference Master’s Ranks in LSAI. First of all, let it be stated that the relationship of LSAI to LESKAS is a paradox. It is These drills and techniques were between the two was in their rigid- Despite the differences, as both the same and it is not. Before we proceed, a little background is in order. added due to their usefulness as far ity. Maestro Elmer was a more stated earlier, LSAI and LESKAS as student skills development was open individual in that he readily are still one and the same art. They The late Grandmaster Ben- Maestro Ybanez was a long time concerned. It is important to note adopted techniques; concepts and are both powerful, graceful and jamin Luna-Lema, also known as personal student of Mang Ben and however that these additions were drills, which in his eyes had value rely on basically the same set of Ben Judo or Mang Ben, founded is considered by many to be his not taken as is, but were modified granting these, did not contradict techniques, strategies and prin- lightning Scientific Arnis Interna- foremost protege that is of course, to suite basic LSAI striking and the basic principles and strategies ciples. Mang Ben was regarded tional (LSAI) in 1937. It was es- apart from Mang Ben’s own sons. movement qualities and strategies. of the LSAI system. Thus, as men- internationally as a legend in the tablished in Mambusao, Capiz, on Master Elmer has won numer- Not all of the techniques tioned earlier, LESKAS practitio- Filipino Martial Arts and was a the island of Panay in the Philip- ous national titles in arnis sport Mang Ben taught were brought ners practice certain drills, which revered Grandmaster primarily in pines. It is a system which stresses competition. LESKAS was for- over to LESKAS. There were some one will not find in other LSAI the Philippines. Maestro Elmer on speed and power and relies on a mally recognized and legitimized techniques, which were peculiar schools. Mang Ben on the other the other hand was known as Mang combination of techniques and by Grandmaster Lema in 1998. to Mang Ben’s personal charac- hand might be what one would Bens protege in the Philippines and styles namely Tercia- a close range Maestro Elmer’s background is teristics and physique. Apart from consider a purist as far as his style gained his own reputation more fighting style, Tercia meaning one- as varied as his mentors (Mang being left-handed, Mang Ben was was concerned. He would often in the United States where he was thirds (in referral to the fighting Ben also engaged in Judo and also an unusually tall individual frown upon seeing his students considered by practitioners there range), Cadenilya - which stresses Karate). He studied Modern Arnis (by Filipino standards), and had practicing or adopting method- both as a Grandmaster and legend the fluid linking of various attacks under Master Vic Sanchez, as well long arms and legs as well as huge ologies from other arts. This was in his own right. Both individu- resulting in a continuous barrage as Boxing. Maestro Elmer spent hands. Due to this, Maestro Elmer understandable considering the als are however always mentioned of blows, serrada - which means almost 20 years studying under although he did have POI, this POI no longer included things, which fact the he (Mang Ben) came from and featured in tandem, back to to close off (a close range check/ Mang Ben. He relocated to the however only covered the basics. he felt were not applicable to your the old-school and from a time back as mentor and student, and as jamming approach) and espada y United States in 1998, where he This meant that the more advance average typical Filipino (who and culture which was a lot more outstanding Filipino Martial Arts daga - the concurrent use of both a stayed until his unfortunate pass- aspects of the art was no longer tended to be shorter in stature and ethno-centric and closed whereas practitioners and technicians indi- long and short weapon (sword and ing due to cancer. taught in a systematic manner built differently). Master Elmer was a thoroughly vidually in their own right. dagger). Mang Ben learned the art and was dependent more on what As stated earlier, Maestro modern individual. Many people today con- In that Maestro Elmer’s bulk of Mang Ben wanted to teach. Thus, from his father and other masters knowledge in Filipino Martial Arts Elmer had a distinct and articulated Due to these similarities fuse the two. Many consider of the art in the region. LSAI has in the more advanced stages of standard as far as striking quality and differences, one can say that LESKAS to be the new name for came from Mang Ben, it would be practice, it was up to the student to many chapters, mainly in Metro safe to say that LESKAS is basi- and movement were concerned. all LESKAS Manila and Mang Ben has taught make sense of the techniques and Due to this, his students tended to practitioners cally LSAI. The techniques taught principles behind the techniques the likes of Roland Dantes (former and drills used are the same. move similarly. This is not some- are LSAI, Mister Philippines), Congress- Mang Ben was showing. Maestro thing one will readily find in the however not all However, in closer inspection, the Elmer on the other hand, had a man Raffy Recto, and the former differences become obvious since rest of the LSAI community where LSAI people Vice-Governor of Capiz province background in Physical Education. one would find practitioners who are LESKAS. LESKAS practitioners have a He grouped similar techniques, Noede Villareal. distinct quality of movement when move in sharp snappy movements Although there The Lema Scientific Kali- added drills and combinations practicing among others who move are many LSAI compared to other LSAI practitio- to the teaching curriculum and Arnis System (LESKAS) on the ners. in more rhythmic fluid, flowing Masters and In- other hand was formally estab- articulated specific qualities and motions. Maestro Elmer empha- structors span- The main difference is in characteristics in the execution of lished in 1996 in the University the Program of Instruction (POI), sized fast, snappy strikes, which ning the six or of the Philippines in Diliman, techniques. His POI was designed were in broken rhythm as well as seven decades teaching methodology and student for faster student development, Quezon City. The late Maestro progression. Mang Ben’s teach- specific footwork and position- in which Mang Ben (Jun) Lema jr., Grandmaster Luna Lema, retention, and easier understanding and Maestro Ybanez Elmer Ybanez established it. ing style was old school in that ing. Mang Ben’s movement on the Ben taught his LSAI. Indeed, given the intimate relationship of the two, this is understandable. They are both the same and not. They both share the same essence, and yet, are distinct personalities- sort of like the triune relationship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In a way, the LESKAS and LSAI relationship embodies the Filipino concept of Kapwa. They are at once the same and at once different. Today, Mang Ben’s son, LSAI Chair Patty Lema Caballero Benjamin, Junior who is the rec- ognized heir to the LSAI system, Ethel Padua, niece of Grandmaster Elmer Ybanez and current secretary of LES- heads the LSAI Organization. KAS Seattle and Maribel Padua Ybanez, the late Grandmasters wife His older sister, Patty Jean Lema- Caballero, represents Ben, Jr. in the Philippines. The Ybanez fam- ily, primarily by Maestro Elmer’s widow, Maribel Padua-Ybanez, on the other hand manages LESKAS organizationally. This is done in close coordination with three of the original five LESKAS instruc- tors.

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Maestro Felipe Jocano (left) with LSAI Chair Patty Lema Caballero

The Filipino martial arts world owe a great deal to these two gentlemen who unselfishly shared their art, their knowledge, and their lives for future generations. It is now up to us, the next generation LSAI and LES- KAS practitioners, to embody the principles and ideals these two gentlemen once did. It is to these two gentle- men that we pay our homage and utmost gratitude. Mabuhay ang LSAI at LESKAS!

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