Publisher Steven K. Dowd Contributing Writers Jamen Zacharias Nel Malabonga Antonio Graceffo Joel Morales Mitos Garcia Mike Loder Contents From the Publishers Desk Grand Pasantis Birador Rogelio 'Roger' Solar A Study of the Locking Arts - Part II Kuntaw with Stick and Daga Hari Osias C. Banaag Palo-ManoTodo Terreno Style Mexicano Guro Limuel "Maning" Bonsa Master Michael Giron Kali Majapahit Spreading Arnis in Saudi Arabia and Jordan Understanding Imua Tamaraw Escrima Kuntao Dinuguan for Brunch FMA Past Events FMAForum FMA Future Events FMA Educational Depot The TRG Knife SSS Grandmaster Porferio Lanada Sr.: Correction/Update Filipino Martial Arts Digest is published and distributed by: FMAdigest 1297 Eider Circle Fallon, Nevada 89406 Visit us on the World Wide Web: www.fmadigest.com The FMAdigest is published quarterly. Each issue features practitioners of martial arts and other internal arts of the Philippines. Other features include historical, theoretical and technical articles; reflections, Filipino martial arts, healing arts and other related subjects. The ideas and opinions expressed in this digest are those of the authors or instructors being interviewed and are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor. We solicit comments and/or suggestions. Articles are also welcome. The authors and publisher of this digest are not responsible for any injury, which may result from following the instructions contained in the digest. Before embarking on any of the physical activates described in the digest, the reader should consult his or her physician for advice regarding their individual suitability for performing such activity. From the Publishers Desk Kumusta This issue will bring you the reader some interesting practitioners and styles of the Filipino martial arts. You have, Grand Pasantis Birador Rogelio 'Roger' Solar of Sistema Birada, Guro Fred Evrard of Kali Majapahit, Punong Guro Jesus O. Rodriguez of Palo-ManoTodo Terreno Style Mexicano, and Hari Osias C. Banaag of the Global Sikaran Federation. Jamen Zacharias brings you the second part of “Studying the Locking Arts”. And Antonio Graceffo talks about Kuntaw stick and dagger with Master Frank Aycocho. Nel Malabonga brings a little insight about Guro Limuel "Maning" Bonsa of Arnis Rapado, and Master Godofredo Fajardo shares his experience in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. See what Master Michael Giron son of Grandmaster Leo Giron, is all about in building the Original Giron Escrima Federation. Joel Morales explains Imua Tamaraw Escrima Kuntao. The FMAdigest would like to welcome two new Editorials one by Jeff ’Stickman’ Finder called “Dinuguan for Brunch,” and if you have ever eaten dinuguan you either like it or you will not. This editorial may get spicy as time goes by. Another one the FMAdigest is welcoming aboard is “FMA Educational Depot” by Luis Rafael C. Lledo, Jr. bringing you the basics in Filipino martial arts from the ground up. And of course FMAForum by Roberto Trinidad is still aboard to share what is being said, about what and about whom. Got a couple weapons that may interest you and are explained in detail they are the TRG Knife and Singsing. So with this variety of information, the FMAdigest hopes you the reader find this issue interesting and knowledgeable. Maraming Salamat Po Grand Pasantis Birador Rogelio 'Roger' Solar Inheritor: 42 Tiros(Parada, Balikotao & Lanci-Avicidarios) Founder: IPEAC (International Philippine Eskrima-Arnis de Mano Confederation) and SBMAC (Sistema Birada Martial Arts Center) Grand Pasantis Birador (GPB), Rogelio 'Roger' Solar started martial arts at a young age initially with Okinawan Karate under Carlos Lomboy and later first learned eskrima through his uncle Disiong Banaag who used to bring such tools to his father for home use such as the bolo and sickle. Then later again studied Filipino martial arts under Grandmaster Ernesto Presas Sr. (Founder of the Kombatan system). At this point Roger grew and matured to one of the finest martial artists around, his mastery of various arts includes empty hands ( which includes Karate, Kickboxing, Judo, Ju-jitsu, Aikido, Grappling, Arnis de Mano and Mano Mano) and weapons ( such as Bo, Sai, Kendo, Arnis, Itak, Daga, Dulo-Dulo, Balisong ( Fan Knife ), Rope, Bangkaw ( long staff ) and Nunchaku ) techniques and systems. Grand Pasantis Birador Solar left the organization of Kombatan in 2002 due to some disagreeing point of views. Three years prior before leaving Kombatan, Roger remembered the old man called Tiyo or Mang Pedring that his Dad used to mention (later affirmed by a close friend and student named Ronald Frias) of having an unorthodox Arnis method and technique at their home town in San Carlos, Pangasinan. His curiosity grew about this strange way of stick fighting. Roger visited Mang Pedring one weekend which started his study of the Quarenta y Dos Tiros, which he further integrated to the fighting methodology he himself has mastery. This became the foundation that led to the development of the Birada Eskrima and Birada y Mano martial art technique. From time to time Roger visited Mang Pedring and the bond Rogelio Solar and Mang Pedring that developed between them became the seed for the continuance of this martial art. He still remembers what his Tiyo Pedring told him beforehand "Roger, I'm now an old man, now I am passing to you the art that was handed to me by my great grandparents use it for good things. I now have taught you everything that I know. Study, master and refine it, always be aware of whom you teach, you are now my successor." Roger took nearly four years in testing, training and finalizing the whole system (Sistema Birada). Painstaking effort was given during its translation with the different primary fighting tools (hands, foot, stick, knife and rope), and finally to certify its efficacy he then applied it to modern day dynamic martial arts. Sistema Birada was initially launched in Australia on November 2003, and with the successful outcome of applying the Birada techniques, he gained membership and recognition from various International Martial Art Organizations like The International Traditional Burmese Kickboxing Federation, The United Kingdom Ju-jitsu Association, and The Academy of International Martial Arts & Health. Several titles such as Saya/Master in Bando Burmese Boxing, 6th Degree in Yawara Military Jujitsu, and 3rd Degree in Seibu-Kaikan Karate-do was awarded to him. This is a very important and historic event for Grand Pasantis Birador Solar and Birada) since he was the first ever Filipino to be given such rankings and titles in Australia. This ultimately boosted the Sistema Birada methodology of fighting and training, and thus continues to gain several affiliations from various martial art groups and clubs." Sistema BIRADA To give clarity, the primary reason for Sistema BIRADA's existence is for the advancement and growth of one's martial art through the use of Filipino martial arts training and methodologies. Currently we have growing affiliations from various schools from countries like Australia, South Africa, Italy, Germany, Denmark and USA. Sistema BIRADA Instructors Rodney Bradley Alfredo Cuz Hugh Francis Doherty Arno Krolikowski Villamor Paredes Clarence Reyes James Soriano Elmer Robert Uy FMAdigest: The Sistema Birada is made up of: (can you give an explanation of each of these? What they are and the theory behind each? Grand Pasantis Birador Solar: Our idea of Birada System is a unified form of martial arts training composed of the following skills: Birada Hand to Hand Combat - This involves several effective forms of empty hand combinational techniques such as Grappling, Kicking, Punching, and Throwing. Several practical unorthodox methods are also studied for street fighting and survival moves like gouging, tearing, biting, and breaking (sometimes these are called "dirty techniques"). a) Birada Y Mano - birada system of empty hand combat using the birada principle. b) Balsakan Buno / Balsakan de Mano - empty hand combat in combination and emphasis on throwing and grappling techniques. c) Depakan - Western kickboxing rules, full leg kicks and punches. Birada Weapons Training - With Birada any physical tool can be used as a weapon depending on its properties whether if its sharp / blade like, pointed, short, long, or rope like. From this principle, weapons training such as Knife, Sword/Sticks (Arnis), and Rope can be used on any material that any combatant can find lying around (even a plastic cup can be turned into a weapon). a) Sinilot - Filipino art of rope gagging and trapping. b) Birada Dulo - Birada dulo-dulo fighting techniques. c) Pangbali - "To break", a 1/2 stick used for impact training and applications for self defense and arresting techniques. FMAdigest: Why did you go to Australia to launch the style? Grand Pasantis Birador Solar: The launching of Birada in Australia was an unplanned event, originally our plan was to invite our colleagues in Filipino martial arts who were interested, through a boot camp to demonstrate this new art of fighting. It was supposed to be held in San Carlos, Pangasinan on January of 2004 but fate intervened. I decided to go to Australia because Hugh Doherty the then Secretary General and Chief Instructor of Australia under Ernesto Presas invited myself to train him to the level he wanted to achieve rather than just be awarded a grade that is the common practice in IPMAF. While in Australia I was able to grade 6th degree in Yawara self defense style of Ju Jitsu by Wayne Brabham founding President of the Australian Ju Jitsu Association. I was able to be assessed Saya in Bando by Kevin Junior current President of Muay Thai Association and assisted with his fighters competing and in Full contact Sabaki Karate by Kancho Daido in which I passed the Sandan - 3rd Degree.I trained Hugh for 2 months while undertaking his arts. It has enabled me to see what other cultures do and be assessed on my merits.