tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53741725999479239802024-03-14T02:56:47.051-04:00SE Asian Martial ArtsThe SE Asian Martial Arts blog is an open discussion venue dedicated to the exchange of information involving the South East Asian Martial Arts such as Escrima, Arnis, Pentjak Silat and Kuntao Silat in particular as well as other Asian martial arts in general. Our goal is to give our blog writers and readers a forum that encourages our members to share information, techniques, seminars dates and training camp dates.Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-54570985293647032032018-06-26T14:38:00.002-04:002018-06-26T14:38:49.955-04:00Atillo Posts successors list<span lang="">Last year (2013) GM Crispulo Atillo announced his "Successors-Disciples" and I posted a blog statement praising his public statement because he has eliminated for the most part any need for argumentation after he passes on. His announcement really was very forthcoming and progressive <br />
in terms of the usual bickering that follows the death of a system founder and/or Grand Master.<br />
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Of particular interest to me was the fact that GM Tom Bolden, GM Douglas Pierre and Master Peter Vargas were named to the highest level of succession as "Successors-Disciples". Since these three people have trained in Modern Arnis with GM Bolden and GM Pierre have earned lakan level ranking directly from the late Professor Presas, the designation by GM Atillo moves these men closer to the actual roots of Modern Arnis, through the Saavedra-Balintawak lineage. In spite of the efforts of some people both inside and outside of Modern Arnis as well as Balintawak Eskrima to discredit GM Crispulo Atillo as a major player in the art of Balintawak, the basic evidence supports his claims of being involved in the Balintawak System beginning in the 1950's. And tray as they may, no one has been able to show definitively that the art known as Balintawak is not a logical extention of the "corto linear" eskrima style that was developed and practiced by GGM Lorenzo Saavedra and his 3 nephews, Teodoro "Doring" Saavedra, Fredrico Saavedra and Venancio Saavedra Bacon. At one point in time, Teodoro Saavedra, was the instructor for Venancio Bacon, Vincente Atillo, Delfin Lopez, Timeteo Maranga and some 23 other people who eventually worked together to form the<br />
Balintawak Self Defense Club in 1952. There is no doubt that Bacon the principal instructor of the newly formed BSDC and every agrees that the new club was named after the street on which the new club house was located. The one seldom asked and never answered question is where did GM Bacon get the information that he used to establish the new Balintawak System?<br />
<br /><br />
As with so many situations involving conflicting groups of people involved in a similar organization<br />
the truth is often right in front of them and obviously hiding in plain sight. The plain and simple truth is that Venacion Saavedraa Bacon had only trained in one system, the Saavedra Escrima or Corto Linear system under Lorenzo and Teodoro Saavedra. He took that information and training from the Saavedra's through the Doce Pares Club to his new BSDC organization in 1952. GM Vincente Atillo taught the Saavedra Eskrima System to his son and they were members of the BSDC from it's inception. There is a very clear ancd compelling reason why we can not find a significant difference between the eskrima that GM Crispulo Atillo teaches and the art that GM Bobby Taboada teaches, along with the art of GM Bob Silver Tabimaina, or GM Nick Elizar. They are all engaged in teaching Balintawak. They all have the same core foundation and they have added other elements that best suited them as individuals. The Atillo detractors have to engage in tautologies to make their charges sound reasonable but when pushed with empirical evidence they fall back to allegations that the Saavedra system has nothing to do with Balintawak, therefore GM Atillo, should have refered to his system as Savvedra Eskrima.<br />
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Given what I have been able to find through my research efforts, I am very comfortable with the idea that the Atillo System is the Saavedra and Balintawak Systems are essentially the same with some new and very logical adaptations added by a number of senior people including GGM Bacon. My research results have convinced to amend my original flow chart to include the Saavedra-Atillo connections to Modern Arnis and Professor Remy Presas. The chart is reproduced below.<br />
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I understand that there will be some people who disagree with me and I fully respect their right to do so. My only stipulation is that they will have to give me a documentable set of alternatives, not merely someone's word of mouth accounts. As a sociologist as well as a martial artist, I want to see empirical documentation before I alter my flow chart again.<br />
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Respectfully yours,<br />
<br /><br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.<br />
GM & Datu,<br />
Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates<br />
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Martial Arts Lineage of Remy Amador Presas<br />
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Leon B. Presas<br />
</span></i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">Traditional Arnis</span><br />
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Espada y Daga<br />
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Remy Amador Presas<br />
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Founder & GM Modern Arnis<br />
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Lorenzo Saavedra<br />
</i></b>Founder & GM - Saavedra Eskrima<br />
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Teodoro Saavedra<br />
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Venancio Saavedra Bacon - Timeteo Maranga - Vincente Atillo<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Crispulo Atillo</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Arnulfo Mongcal</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Remy Amador Presas </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Founder & GM Modern Arnis</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Venancio Saavedra Bacon</span></i></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Grand Master & Co-Founder Balintawak Eskrima</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Arnulfo Mongcal </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Remy Amador Presas</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Founder & GM Modern Arnis</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Martial Arts Lineage of Dr. Jerome Barber</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i>Modern Arnis Lineage:</i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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</span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Remy Amador Presas</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></i></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Founder & GM Modern Arnis</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Donald F. Zanghi</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</span><br />
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</span>
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<b><i>Kepno Karate Lineage:</i></b><br />
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</i></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Hoon Chow </span><br />
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(Hung Gar) James Mitose<br />
</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">| (Kosho Ryu Kenpo)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">William K. S. Chow (Chinese Kenpo)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Adriano Emperado (Chinese Kenpo, Eskrima, Kajukenbo)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">| |</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Marino Tiwanak Edmund Parker, Sr.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(Kajukenbo, CHA-3 Kenpo) (Chinese Kenpo, American Kenpo)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
| |<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> Florentino Pancipanci Al & Jim Tracy<br />
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(CHA-3 Kenpo, Pancipanci Eskrima) (Tracy System Kenpo)<br />
</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">| / |</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Tom Bolden Ernest McPeek Donald F. Zanghi</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> (CHA-3 Kenpo) (Tracy System Kenpo)<b><i> </i></b> (Tracy System Kenpo) <b><i> </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(Pancipanci Eskrima) (Modern Arnis)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">
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<span style="font-size: medium;">|_____________________________________ |___________________|</span><br />
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</span> <b><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</span></i></b><br />
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</span> <i><span style="font-size: medium;">Tim Kashino - Richard Curren - Tom Verga - Paul R. Martin - Kenneth Q. Boehm, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: medium;"> Debra S. Moore - Keith Roosa - James "Buddy" Antonio, Frank Heinan,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: medium;"> Kathleen Geiger - Frankie Heinan - Stephanie Heinan,</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><em> </em><em>Mary Altair - Keri Marotti, Michael Zelli</em></span><br />
<i> (Certified Black Belt Instructors - IEKA)<br />
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Stephanie Heinan, Michael Zelli</span></i>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-64583941416512463092018-06-26T14:36:00.000-04:002018-06-26T14:36:31.947-04:00Poem: The Hangman
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A facebook friend referenced this poem earlier today and after looking it up and reading it, I was very impressed with the concept and moral character contained therein. I have posted it on a couple of sites that I frequent and asked for some feedback. I hope to hear from you guys as well.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">JB</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">_______________________________________________</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Hangman
</span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Into our town the Hangman came,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Smelling of gold and blood and flame.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And he paced our bricks with a diffident air,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And built his frame on the courthouse square.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The scaffold stood by the courthouse side,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only as wide as the door was wide;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A frame as tall, or little more,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Than the capping sill of the courthouse door.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we wondered, whenever we had the time,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who the criminal, what the crime,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That Hangman judged with the yellow twist</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of knotted hemp in his busy fist.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And innocent though we were, with dread,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We passed those eyes of buckshot lead;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Till one cried: "Hangman, who is he</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For whom you raise the gallows-tree?"</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then a twinkle grew in the buckshot eye,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And he gave us a riddle instead of reply:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"He who serves me best," said he,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Shall earn the rope on the gallows-tree."</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And he stepped down, and laid his hand</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a man who came from another land.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we breathed again, for another's grief</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the Hangman's hand was our relief.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the gallows-frame on the courthouse lawn</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By tomorrow's sun would be struck and gone.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we gave him way, and no one spoke,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of respect for his hangman's cloak.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day's sun looked mildly down,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On roof and street in our quiet town</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And, stark and black in the morning air,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gallows-tree on the courthouse square.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the Hangman stood at his usual stand</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the yellow hemp in his busy hand;</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With his buckshot eye and his jaw like a pike,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And his air so knowing and businesslike.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we cried: "Hangman, have you not done,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, with the alien one?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we fell silent, and stood amazed:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Oh, not for him was the gallows raised."</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He laughed a laugh as he looked at us:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Did you think I'd gone to all this fuss</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To hang one man? That's a thing I do</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To stretch the rope when the rope is new."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then one cried, "Murderer!" One cried,
"Shame!"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And into our midst the Hangman came</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To that man's place. "Do you hold," said he,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"With him that was meant for the gallows-tree?"</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And he laid his hand on that one's arm,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we shrank back in quick alarm,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we gave him way, and no one spoke,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of fear of his hangman's cloak.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That night we saw with dread surprise,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Hangman's scaffold had grown in size.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fed by the blood beneath the chute</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gallows-tree had taken root;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now as wide, or a little more,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Than the steps that led to the courthouse door,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As tall as the writing, or nearly as tall,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Halfway up on the courthouse wall.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The third he took — we had all heard tell —</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Was a usurer and infidel,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And: "What," said the Hangman, "have you to
do,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the gallows-bound, and he a Jew?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we cried out: "Is this one he,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who has served you well and faithfully?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Hangman smiled: "It's a clever scheme</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To try the strength of the gallows-beam."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fourth man's dark, accusing song</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Had scratched out comfort hard and long;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And "What concern," he gave us back,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Have you for the doomed - the doomed and black?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fifth.The sixth. And we cried again:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> "Hangman, Hangman, is this the man?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"It's a trick," he said, "that we hangmen
know</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For easing the trap when the trap springs slow."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so we ceased, and asked no more,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the Hangman tallied his bloody score;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And sun by sun, and night by night,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gallows grew to monstrous height.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wings of the scaffold opened wide,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Till they covered the square from side to side;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the monster cross-beam, looking down,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cast its shadow across the town.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then through the town the Hangman came</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And called in the empty streets my name -</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I looked at the gallows soaring tall</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And thought: "There is no one left at all,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For hanging, and so he calls to me</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to help pull down the gallows-tree."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I went out with right good hope</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to the Hangman's tree and the Hangman's rope.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He smiled at me as I came down,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To the courthouse square through the silent town,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and supple and stretched in his busy hand,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Was the yellow twist of the hempen strand.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And he whistled his tune as he tried the trap</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it sprang down with a ready snap—</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then with a smile of awful command,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He laid his hand upon my hand.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"You tricked me, Hangman!" I shouted then.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"That your scaffold was built for other men.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I no henchman of yours," I cried,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"You lied to me, Hangman, foully lied!"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then a twinkle grew in his buckshot eye:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Lied to you? Tricked you?" he said,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Not I. For I answered straight and I told you true:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The scaffold was raised for none but you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"For who has served me more faithfully</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Than you with your coward's hope?" said he,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"And where are the others that might have stood</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Side by your side in the common good?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Dead," I whispered; and amiably</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Murdered," the Hangman corrected me;</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"First the alien, then the Jew...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did no more than you let me do."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beneath the beam that blocked the sky,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">None had stood so alone as I -</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the Hangman strapped me, and no voice there</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cried "Stay" for me in the empty square.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">—Maurice Ogden<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(1951)</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-65079332502276497492015-11-21T10:28:00.002-05:002015-11-21T10:28:56.796-05:00Modern Arnis and the Long Blade: An Expository Essay Regarding Good Footwork
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Modern
Arnis and the Long Blade: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">An
Expository Essay Regarding Good Footwork<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">by
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">GM & Datu, Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The long blade and good footwork are an essential pairing regardless of the martial art system or style being considered. A good number of my fellow Modern Arnis instructors talk a good game but fail to fully execute the footwork that they mention in their classes. Modern Arnis is in reality a bladed art that is based on the bolo or long knife. The rattan stick is a training tool and was utilized by the late Professor Remy A. Presas to show the beauty of the art and to make the art acceptable for instruction in physical education programs involving children in the Philippines. Consider the following quote: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Imagine that
your stick is a sword and that you are “slicing” your opponent’s arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Modern
Arnis<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, Remy Presas, page 83, 1983</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">."<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Strictly
speaking (writing) for myself, I believe that mobility, footwork and
body-shifting needs to be emphasized more in the training of most Modern Arnis
students in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there
is one constant that I have observed in my 39 years of training within the
Modern Arnis System, it is that most of the practitioners do not demonstrate a
mastery of good footwork and body shifting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They typically ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">plant</i>’ their
feet, thereby ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rooting</i>’ themselves in
one spot as they practice their striking and/or defending themselves in the
various system drills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people tend
to rely heavily on their stick and empty supporting hand in defending
themselves against an attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of my
fellow Modern Arnis instructors will talk mightily about mobility and movement,
but in actual practice they fail to execute the very behaviors that they claim
are so integral to their art or instructional formats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I
have found that most of my fellow Modern Arnis instructors, regardless of
current ranking, have failed to establish any sort </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">of
definitive pattern with regard to triangulation stepping as described by the
late Grandmaster Remy A. Presas, in his various books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without that essential footwork foundation
these instructors can not establish any sort of alternate supplemental patterns
for evasive footwork to augment the primary evasion triangulation steps that
Professor shows in his books, particularly the Ohara Publications version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Modern</u></i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Arnis</u></i> (Modern Arnis: The Filipino Art of Stick
Fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remy Presas. 1983, p. 26).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merely talking about footwork and mobility is
not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One actually has to use it
in his/her own training sessions and drill it into their students until it is a
reflexive habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one were to closely
examine Modern Arnis stick strikes 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 it would be readily
apparent that these attacks can be evaded and neutralized by merely shifting
your body off the line of attack with either a single step and/or rotation of
upper body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The
integrated transitional concepts which are inherent within the logical
philosophy of blade avoidance in Professor Presas’ system should be readily
apparent to anyone who has studied Modern Arnis in depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing that makes the Modern Arnis System
so effective, efficient and logical is the built-in economy of motion that
establishes the foundation of the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the very core of the system is the reality that Modern Arnis was
built on the principles of the long Filipino blades, such as the bolo, itak,
kris, barong, machete and kampilan among others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Professor
wrote the following statement in his first Modern Arnis book in 1973:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What should be emphasized, however, is the
fact that the cane is only for practice purposes for its basiclly less lethal
in nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For in actual combat, the
standard weapon is still the bolo or any bladed weapon which is more stable and
convenient for this kind of combat technique</i>.” (Modern Arnis: Philippine
Martial Art “Stick Fighting”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remy
Amador Presas, Founder of Modern Arnis. p. 9, 1973.).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Blocking
incoming bladed strikes is simply not at all practical in many cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evasion and counter-striking are really much better
defensive actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Modern Arnis as
conceived by Professor Presas, the 12 stick strikes are “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…the life and soul of arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are the things around which all other techniques revolve</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Remy Amador Presas, 1973, p. 32).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that idea in mind, blocking, whether
with a stick or empty hands must be seen as a secondary behavior which compliments
body shifting and evasive footwork </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">because
these strikes are conceived of and presented as originating from bladed
instruments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">In
his books Professor always included information about stances and body
shifting. Professor believed that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">… your
body shifts almost automatically into the proper stances as you execute each
strike</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Presas, p. 31, 1983). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, how can one learn to step and shift
effectively if one has not been taught the correct methods for doing so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning to shift is tied to striking and
striking relies on footwork to place ones self in the proper position to effectively
execute the strike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Learning to employ body shifting in arnis is
extremely important. Virtually all the techniques in this book employ some degree
of body shifting to move your body away from the opponent’s angle of attack,
yet close the distance so that an effective defense can be used (counterstrike,
disarm, takedown)</i>”. (Presas, p. 26, 1983.).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Professor
Presas was quite adamant, in his printed materials, about the importance of
evasion and he wrote, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Body shifting is
very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eskrima player should
be shifty in positioning his body at a vantage point so that he can strike with
utmost power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proper body positioning will
also enable him to be outside the effective range of an opponent’s blow or
strike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Body shifting consists of
stepping, sliding, turning or (a) combination of these movements</i>.” (The
Practical Art of Eskrima: 2nd Edition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Filipino Martial Art of Attack and Defense with cane or barehands,
otherwise known as Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remy Amador </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Presas,
“Father of Modern Arnis”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1994, page 26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">When
Professor actually taught seminars and camps he often skipped right past any
references to stances and body shifting. He would immediately began teaching the
12 angles of stick attacks, plus the single stick and empty hand translations,
joint-locking, double stick and disarming techniques that were based on the 12 striking
angles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his later years (mid to late
1990’s) he included and emphasized sinawali boxing and tapi-tapi concepts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Presas also made the following
statement regarding the importance of the 12 stick striking techniques, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In the twelve striking techniques, the
learner is taught how and where to deliver a strike in order to achieve the
maximum power and efficacy.</i>” (Remy Amador Presas, 1974, p. 32).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combine the above quote with the following two
statements that Professor wrote in his 1983 version of Modern Arnis:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Notice that your body will shift almost
automatically into the proper stances as you execute each strike”</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Remy Presas, 1983, </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">p.
31.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You must stay loose and move quickly, always pivoting to face the
strike and keep your balance</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Presas, p. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>45, 1983.).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It
appears to me that Professor Presas is making a strong case for assuming that
his Modern Arnis students would automatically find, use, as well as fully understand
the proper positioning and body shifting methods without his formal input. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately this assumption and instructional
omission on Professor’s part may be the major contributing factor to the
tendency of many of his top instructors (and by extension, their own students) standing-in-place,
relying on their hand and stick skills when practicing the art. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Presas was a strong and powerful man
with good upper body strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
also a very good counter-fighter who could effectively stand his ground and
prevail in an armed confrontation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore he was prone to say one thing yet actually do another when it
came to evasive footwork and body shifting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large number of his students followed his
physical examples rather than his spoken or written words when it came to
evasion and footwork.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">In
the Kenpo-Modern Arnis curriculum that I developed for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Erie</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Community College</st1:placetype></st1:place>
credit bearing self defense program, I included 4 basic methods of footwork and
body-shifting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These methods of stepping
are based on the traditional premise that Modern Arnis is a bladed art and the
primary striking tool is in reality an 18 to 26 inch blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My own choice for a training tool to
replicate the blade is a wooden replica of the Negrito Bolo, which is found on Professor’s
home <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Negros</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">There
shouldn’t be any doubt that Professor Presas clearly saw bladed weapons as
being at the heart of Arnis as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he
understood it</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, so as to remove
any lingering doubts, Professor added the names of some of the blades that were
featured in the art as he understood it, and taught it in the Philippines, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…kris, bolo, kalis, laring, barong, gunong,
kampilan, gayang,pira, punal, itak banjal, bangkcon, lahot and the panabas</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Remy Amador Presas, p. 10, 1973).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">In
conjunction with good footwork one should also have a firm foundation in terms
of stances and Professor mentioned this as well in his publications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">There are only a few
specific stances or ready positions in Modern Arnis, but learning them is
essential before they become a part of your automatic response in a self
defense situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Effective balance and
the ability to move swiftly backward and forward to facilitate blocking and
striking are the backbone of arnis or any martial art. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Stances or ready positions
are not static things to be assumed and then maintained throughout
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The body flows into each
appropriate stance as the situation demands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">(Remy
Presas, p. 21, 1983.).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Perhaps
one of the reasons that Professor Presas skipped right over the stance training
and footwork when he taught in the United States, Canada and Europe is because
he was initially teaching accomplished black belt martial artists who were in
reality studying Modern Arnis as an ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">add-on</i>
‘ or secondary art to their original karate or kung fu systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of these people were already well
established instructors within their ‘mother arts’ and were well beyond the
basics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this methodology worked
very well in 1975 when Professor first came to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but as time advanced and a
good number of his first generation students became Modern Arnis instructors,
the lack of footwork and stance training became more pronounced within the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These newly minted Modern Arnis instructors
were concentrating on the stick-work and consequently the emphasis on footwork
fell by the wayside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor apparently
assumed the instructors were teaching footwork within their schools when in
reality they were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2<sup>nd</sup>
and 3<sup>rd</sup> generations of Modern Arnis students in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> do not
appear to understand the importance of footwork within Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, the concept of Modern Arnis as a
bladed fighting art has been lost, in part because Professor did not want to
teach that aspect of the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted
people to see the grace and beauty of the art not the carnage that someone could
create with a long blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The
12 zone stick striking system is mirrored by the 12 zone stick blocking system.
A very important aspect of the blocking system requires the defender to move to
a safe zone while defending against the incoming strikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blocks are supposed “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…to be executed in one smooth and swift motion with no distinct pauses
between the block, check and counterstrike motions.</i>” (Remy Presas, p. 45,
1983). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Immediately
after learning the basic striking and blocking patterns with the stick, the
student must learn how to defend against random, non-sequenced strikes to different
areas of </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">their
own body. The empty hand translation stick defenses are most often taught in
conjunction with the stick training. According to Professor, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The beauty of arnis is in the translation
from stick to empty hand defense with no major modifications in reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This helps accelerate a student’s training in
arnis since he or she can learn both forms in practice at the same time, and
see the correlation between the two</i>.” (Remy Presas, p.45, 1983). The
necessity to reflexively move, step and use body shift are critical parts of
Modern Arnis training strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should
have become very apparent to the serious student at this juncture of their
training that mobility is actually a hallmark feature of Modern Arnis. The basic
training ideas mentioned above thereby sets the stage for the next level of intermediate
Modern Arnis skills which should also be acquired and mastered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Professor
Presas was not the only FMA system leader or GM who espoused the importance of
body shifting, footwork and mobility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">According
to Steven K. Dowd:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stances the foundation to any style of
fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For without t</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">he proper stance,
attacking, defending, or countering an attack will not have the power,
coordination, timing, or balance required for success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proper stances with the proper body alignment
give mobility and the ability for executing blocks and strikes with
confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Shifting from one stance
to another with agility and strong footwork is an art within itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is essential in combat for without it
balance and timing will not be correct and failure is assured</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Arnis Balite: The Filipino Art of Hand, Foot
& Stick Fighting; as taught by pundador Manuel M. Aguillon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steven K. Dowd. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page 4.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">As
the certified inheritor of the Arnis Balite System, I believe that Punong Guro
Dowd must know a thing or two about the FMA as taught and practiced in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
where he studied under the founder (pundador) of the Balite Arnis System,
Manual M. Aguillon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I have had the
opportunity to work with as well as </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">observe
PG Dowd, I can attest to his applicative skills as an arnisador. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Another
FMA system leader who advocates the importance of </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">footwork
and evasion was the late GM Leo Giron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>GM Giron was </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">one
of the masters who helped Guro Dan Inosanto gain his understanding of the
FMA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Giron was a scout for the Filipino </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Army
which battled the Japanese troops in WWII.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His very practical and pragmatic understanding of the importance of
evasion is battle-tested in the field of actual combat rather than some theoretical
paper constructions of what ‘might be’, ‘could be’ or ‘should be’ considered
effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Giron stated:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"To evade is to move out of the path of an
incoming blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This does not require the
assistance of a weapon, although for maximum protection an evasion is best done
in conjunction with a deflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Evasion is the most graceful motion in the art of escrima, for this
movement reveals the amount of training a player has</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Antonio E. Somera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>P. 52, 2003.).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The
late GM Antonio Ilustrisimo, a highly celebrate escrimador from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Cebu</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
stated that:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Any weapons-based fighting art must employ
the skills of footwork and evasion to a high degree.” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo: The
Filipino Fighting Art Explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Antonio
Diego & Christopher Ricketts. P. 61, 1999.).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Anyone
who seriously doubts the skills of the late GM Ilustrisimo, need only talk with
the American author of numerous FMA books, Guro Mark Wiley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He studies with the GM in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region> and
believes that the late GM was absolutely the best escrimador that he ever studied
under.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I
am a firm supporter of the idea that Modern Arnis is a ‘living martial arts system’
that should never be relegated to nor considered or treated as a “traditional
system”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as I am concerned Modern
Arnis, in reality, has to evolve as it is moved from one culture to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Furthermore the practitioners of the art have to adjust to the changing
times where ever it is practiced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Professor Presas stated:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arnis today has experienced changes in the
weapons used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the art still
makes use of the itak or bolo now and then, it has relied considerably on the
use of the cane as a self defense weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is not because the cane is less deadly than the bladed weapons but
mainly because in the later years, Arnis is engaged in more as a sport</i>.”
(Remy Amador Presas, page 12, 1973.).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I'm interested in what the readers of this essay think, where we are in agreement and where we have a difference of opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-26406062465026888292014-08-25T16:28:00.000-04:002014-08-25T16:28:25.552-04:00A Forgotten Principle?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">As
I read through all of the posts on traveling to the Philippines and perhaps
being anointed a “legitimate” FMA master or grandmaster, I was reminded of
something that I learned from my first SE Asian martial arts instructors, Sifu
Don Zanghi and GM Remy Presas, “Make the art for yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t recall a seminar that I attended with
Professor that he didn’t tell everyone present that “You must make the art for
yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Presas was talking
about Modern Arnis, his own martial art creation, not some abstract,
otherworldly fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">From
1982 when I first began working with Sifu Zanghi, through the “Dorie Miller
Club” in Buffalo and before I joined the “Fighting Back Institute”, that highly
directive phrase was stated and re-stated time and time again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I first heard it from Sifu Zanghi, but he
always cited and referenced Professor as the originator of the statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I met and began training with
Professor in 1983, ‘make it for yourself’ was part of my training mantra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The orthodox training regime was to learn the
techniques, mechanics, footwork and guiding principles of the art and then
configure everything to fit your own bodily strengths, weaknesses and
idiosyncrasies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Professor
never spoke about ‘the necessity’ of going to the Philippines to acquire any
sort of refinement or fine tuning within the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not to say that he would discourage
people traveling to his homeland, far from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was very proud of his homeland, his culture and history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have numerous private discussions about the
Philippines and he was very adamant that I should learn about the Negrito
(Mayang, Aeta) people, who<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are the
original inhabitants of the Philippines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those conversations came about because of my usage of a wooden training
bolo, the “Negrito Bolo” from his home island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had already begun the process of ‘making it for myself’ when I adapted
the “Negrito Bolo” into my training regime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was exploring and gaining an understanding about the differences
between the use of a blunt instrument and a long blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ‘making the art for myself’ because
neither Professor nor Sifu Zanghi, were actively teaching bolo usage as part of
Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My explorations were at
first fueled by my conversations with WWII vets, who had fought in the
Philippines, their stories about the Filipino Scouts </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">as
well as my reading of Professor’s 1974 book on Modern Arnis in which he
mentions in his preface that the real weapon of arnis is the long blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’m
a strong advocate of Professors dictum of ‘making it for yourself’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His commitment to the idea of ‘making it for
yourself’ was very clearly stated in his 1983 book on Modern Arnis, when he
wrote that “The method should suit the person and not the other way
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is known simply as using
the “flow”.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can apply the
concepts, principles and techniques of Modern arnis as taught to me by Sifu
Zanghi and Professor Presas, then adapt those same concepts, principles and
techniques to suit my own body, then where is the need for me to go to the
Philippines in order to become more proficient in the art?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My going to the Philippines would be for the
cultural value, meeting some of his older students, my seniors in the art, and
having the experiences that ensued from my travels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’m
not one bit opposed to going to the Philippines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply reject the notion that I or anyone
else NEEDS to go there if they wish to be viewed as an authentic master of the
FMA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve found some dynamite FMA
instructor’s right here in the USA and Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Among those whom I’ve met and trained with several times are Sifu Don
Zanghi, Professor Remy Presas, GM Tom Bolden, Ama Guro Billy Bryant,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maha Guru Roberto Torres, GM Bobby Taboada,
Sifu Dan Donzella, GM Sultan Uddin, GP Abon Baet, GM Eddie Lastra, GM Jun de
Leon and GM Crispulo Atillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of
these men have given me solid, practical information and I’m grateful to all of
them for their insights and advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I
haven’t forgotten the ‘make it for yourself’ principle as taught to me by Sifu
Zanghi and Professor Presas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor have I
fallen away from another principle that Professor advocated when he talked
about “the art within your art.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Professor emphasized the idea that Modern Arnis helps martial artists
discover new things about their own style and use arnis to supplement their own
mother-art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is an entirely
separate post and this one is already long enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Jerome
Barber, Ed. D.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">GM,
Datu & Principal Teacher,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis
Associates<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-44246419751218149792014-07-13T14:50:00.000-04:002014-07-13T14:50:52.489-04:00Hand Tools & CRMIPT Seminar, July 26, 2014Hello Folks,<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Hello Folks,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">I'm just sending out this announcement to remind everyone that Guro Keith Roosa and myself will be conducting </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">a Hand Tools-CRMIPT Self defense Seminar on Saturday, July 26, at Alessi Holsters, 247 Cayuga Road, Buffalo, NY, </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">from 11am to 3pm. The admission fee is $40.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">The seminar is the first of 2 training sessions that we will hold prior to GM Bram Frank's weekend certification seminar </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">that will be held on September27 and 28 at the same site. In September, GM Frank will be conducting his Modular Training Program aimed toward granting instructor certification in the use of the "Close Range Medium Impact Tool" (CRMIPT).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">This hand tool is a non-lethal striking and locking instrument for gaining control of and compliance from an individual who </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">is acting out in a public situation. The tool was designed for security and police personnel as an option to the use of a baton </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">or </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">firearm in a less than lethal confrontation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">At the July seminar we will focus on the use of the following self defense hand tools, the Filipino-Hawaiian Palm Stick, </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">the Kubaton and the CRMIPT. We will comparing and contrasting the usage of each tool in a self defense, comply and </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">control situation. We expect that we will be joined by Sensei Mike Carvelli and you will have the benefit of being instructed </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">by the three instructors in the Western New York Region who are certified under GM Bram Frank in the use of the </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Gunting Tactical Folding Knife and CRMIPT.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the July training seminar.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Sincerely,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Principal Teacher,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates</span> </div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-4894000190439920952014-06-02T18:08:00.003-04:002014-06-02T18:08:19.406-04:00"D/C Serrada Escrima" Appears In Life Art Stage Performances<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9vuMxgftrtA" width="480"></iframe></div>Defensivecomnatinitiativeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17058484572480159688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-90771662964322506242014-06-02T18:08:00.001-04:002014-06-02T18:08:17.479-04:00"D/C Serrada Escrima" Appears In Life Art Stage Performances<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9vuMxgftrtA" width="480"></iframe></div>Defensivecomnatinitiativeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17058484572480159688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-38213048211811094412014-06-02T17:59:00.001-04:002014-06-02T17:59:52.985-04:00The Art & Spirit of the D/C Serrada System of Escrima<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YwZSBmitFus" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<object data="https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton" height="85" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="230"><param name="movie" value="https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="id=78a9a4df5378f032240e35dded2865c39bd18e3a&style=0" /></object></div>Defensivecomnatinitiativeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17058484572480159688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-83942496141633004312014-05-28T12:05:00.001-04:002014-05-28T12:07:51.759-04:00who's side are you on anyway?As per Doc's request, here is a repost from my personal blog:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wp.me/plJPJ-1Bn">http://wp.me/plJPJ-1Bn</a><br />
<br />
I've been doing this "leadership" think for a while now. I've done the NCO thing in the military, I've moved up the supervision chain in LE, etc.
While I hesitate to speak from a position of "expertise" on leadership ( I always feel like I'm still learning), there is an aspect of it I seem to see time and again that I would like to discuss and that is the confusion over "where your loyalty lies".
In a nutshell the question is this. Are you a representative of management there to "keep an eye on things", implementing your superiors policies and looking for "violators"? Or are you a "representative of your men" who looks out for their welfare and protects them from the wrath of your bosses? This issue is sharpest for that mid level leader like a Sergeant or Lieutenant who has direct contact with "the grunts".
In my opinion this is the first hurdle every new leader seems to face. If not understood it can become an entrenched mindset throughout their career, and only becomes magnified the higher up the leadership ladder they climb.
Of course...as with any complex issue, the reality is never as black and white as I paraphrased above. A good leader has to realize that he has a foot in two worlds. It's your job to make the ship go in the direction your superiors want it to go...you are not "one of the guys" anymore. However, you are never going to be the "leader of men" I would hope you want to be if you look at the people actually doing the work as drones vs "your people".
I look at it like this:
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1E5_y1k18GI/U4YI83tVvSI/AAAAAAAADOs/ptzHhID0ayY/s1600/ideal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1E5_y1k18GI/U4YI83tVvSI/AAAAAAAADOs/ptzHhID0ayY/s320/ideal.png" /></a></div>
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With superiors above you and subordinates below you you can look at yourself as an "advocate" for either side. Ideally you want to span a place somewhere in the middle. It's your job to implement the decisions of your superiors AND it's also your job to look out for the welfare of your subordinates (both personal and professional welfare) and to be a representative for them when dealing with your superiors.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KePt5AsWYRg/U4YJCRVIQAI/AAAAAAAADO0/WDBD36x63DI/s1600/suckup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KePt5AsWYRg/U4YJCRVIQAI/AAAAAAAADO0/WDBD36x63DI/s320/suckup.png" /></a></div>
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If you tend to be a leader who "sides" with your superiors in all situations, with no interest in standing up for your subordinates when you believe that a new policy is wrong, or that punishment being levied is unfair or excessive you will be seen as a suck up at best or a tyrant at worst.
If your boss tells you to "write someone up" for something you don't believe they did wrong, do you just do it? Are you always afraid that if you argue or disagree with your boss that you may harm your chances for a promotion? Are you "scared" of your boss so you just do what your are told with no regard to your personal opinions of right or wrong? You are placing yourself and your concerns over those of the people you are responsible for.
Of course there is the flip side:
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9s1svC9uvik/U4YJHFQzoGI/AAAAAAAADO8/YGKEilJjLWg/s1600/oneboy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9s1svC9uvik/U4YJHFQzoGI/AAAAAAAADO8/YGKEilJjLWg/s320/oneboy.png" /></a></div>
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Are you afraid of being disliked? Do you avoid difficult discussions or dread delivering orders that you know are necessary but are going to be disliked? Do you overlook things because it's easier than dealing with them?
You can't be "one of the boys" either. Part of your job is being the person who has to do the tough thing when it comes down to it. If you don't act like a leader your career as one will either be short lived or come to a dead end.
My suggestions? You have to look at yourself and make an honest appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses. A person who, in their heart of hearts, knows that they tend to be "one of the boys" has some hope. He/She knows that they have a weakness and that's the first step to correcting it. Small changes over time is usually the best remedy vs trying to become a "hard ass" overnight. It's the people who sincerely believe that their subordinates are simply people to step on in the climb for advancement that are the real problem.<br />
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And in conclusion:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otm4RusESNU"></a>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Otm4RusESNU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />tgacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343028795156870437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-12338289047948667472014-04-25T14:06:00.000-04:002014-04-25T14:06:10.089-04:00Teaching is an Opportunity for Leadership<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaching
is an Opportunity for Leadership</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Teaching
is similar to parenting in that teachers can provide a role model that will be
emulated and perpetuated by their students later in their own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both parenting and teaching are the art of
guiding, influencing and shaping the directions that child or student will
follow as they proceed through the instructions provided by their parents
and/or teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad practices in
teaching as well as parenting can lead to replications of these behaviors when
the students reach a point in their own lives where they are placed in charge
of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately,
like parenting, most martial arts instructors have not been taught how to
instruct nor have they acquired some practical hands-on experiences before they
walked on the floor/mat to begin their instructional journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are actually experimenting with live
students in an on-the-job learning format.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These instructors are forced to fall back and rely on what the
experienced as students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going
to channel their own instructor(s) because that is all that they have as a
basis for their own instructional format.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And like so many of us, who said as children, that we would never do
what our parents did to us, these instructors find themselves repeating the
same things that they learned from their instructors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When our
students see, hear and experience these examples they in turn are being
impacted with a behavioral imperative that will be repeated after they leave
the confines our schools and open their own martial arts instructional
programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a good number of cases the
results are closely aligned with the cult-followers syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The instructor both presents himself as and
is observed by his students as being the leading authority figure on the
art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most other instructors and martial
arts styles are seen as being inferior and should be avoided at all costs in
order to prevent yourself from becoming ‘contaminated’ with inferior techniques
and information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many cases this
attitude is not consciously and deliberately perpetrated by the
instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when an instructor
does not actively encourage independent thinking and research, the tendency to
move in the direction of cultism is virtually inescapable for both the
instructor as well as many of his students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is particularly true when there is a kids program at the
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young dragons are easier to mold
in one’s own image than adults who have enrolled in the program for their own
individual reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Paradigm Eskrima-Kenpo instructional program is grounded in the belief that a
student who is taught to observe and think positively will become a better
student of the arts and he/she can successfully transfer these concepts to all
other aspects of their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition these students become positive role models for others in almost every
situation that they are participating in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We strive to provide our students with positive behavioral
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want our students to
learn how to deal with adversity and failure as a springboard for future
successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our students are shown how to
evaluate themselves and accept responsibility for their own shortcomings, then
work to reverse the previous outcome at the next opportunity that becomes
available to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, we want our
students to make lemonade after they’ve been handed a batch of lemons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
basic instructional format is based on having a principal instructor and at
least 2 assistant instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
assistant instructors are usually 3 to 4 belt ranks higher than the newest
student who has joined our training group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We use a combination of class instruction, small group lessons and 1 on
1 training throughout our program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
assistant instructors provide the 1 on 1 lesson with specific tasks/goals
assigned by the principal instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These lessons are evaluated by the principal instructor at the end of
the training hour and corrections, if needed, are recommended at that time for
the next training session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time the
assistant instructors are assigned small groups ranging in size from 2 to 6
people to instruct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In both cases
mentioned above the assistant instructors are acting as tutors and resource
people, reviewing the techniques/drills that have previously been taught by the
principal instructor in the larger class format.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that the more individualized
instruction that our students receive the better they will become and the
faster they can progress through the underbelt ranks to black belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more confidence the students have in us
as instructors, the more confidence they will have in themselves as students
and martial artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This confidence is
easily transferred to other aspects of their lives because success in one area
is the best way to build success in other areas of a person’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since
our assistant instructors are most often higher ranked under-belts themselves
they are actually re-learning their basic skill sets as they instruct the newer
students in the 1 on 1 and later small group sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a win-win situation for everyone
involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a strong bond that
extends from the lowest ranked students to the principal instructor and
everyone is viewed as being a significant and important person within the
training group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not wear belts or
use titles in our training group, yet everyone understands where they are within
the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also stress ability over
time within the Paradigm Escrima-Kenpo Group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In other words, progress is determined by skills learned and mastered,
rather than any concerns for how long someone has been a member of the
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promotions are based on skill
development and are a measure of one’s commitment to study and work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone can pass another person in rank by
simply being better or more skilled than someone else regardless of how much
time each person has been a member of the training group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That potential situation keeps everyone
motivated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The newer people want to move
up as quickly as possible and the older students want to remain at a higher
grade than the people they might have instructed at an earlier point in time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Throughout
our training format, we are stressing skill development, cooperation,
competition and shared responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are developing communication and instructional skill
development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The PEK format is designed
and intended to provide our students with the information and training
necessary to make them good instructors if they choose to go into the
instructional field in any area of their own personal interest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At PEK
we believe that leadership skills can be taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By giving our students an opportunity to work
in an instructional mode very early in their training, we have identified those
people who have a knack for instructing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We do not leave instructional skills and leadership development to chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our program is very well structured and
planned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We use a standardized
methodology and evaluation process to identify those people who could become
excellent instructors both in and outside of the martial arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that we can develop leaders and we
may very well be the first organizational entity in a student’s life that gives
them some definite and specific responsibilities within an organizational
structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We use both informal and
formal evaluation processes to help our assistant instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each assistant instructor is responsible for
monitoring lower ranked assistants and making suggestions to the principal instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time the assistant instructors will be
asked to discuss their observations with the lower ranked assistants in formal
training sessions and demonstrate the areas needing corrections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The PEK
instructor training program is a by-product of our main mission which is
teaching practical and realistic self-defense to all of our students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not focused on retention and getting
every single person who enters our program to black belt status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We take students who come to us with a very
specific short term goal as well as people who are interested in a full program
agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is understood that not
everyone is seeking a black belt when they enter our program and it is our job
to give each student the best training and information that we can provide
while they are training with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
equally important to train every student to maximize his/her potential for both
the short and long terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for those
students who go through the full training curriculum it is important that they
leave our program with strong leadership and teaching skills that they can use
throughout their lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grand Master, Principal Teacher, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0North America35.840612109834922 -103.5948944091796910.318577609834922 -144.90348840917969 61.362646609834925 -62.286300409179688tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-46009070725483184522014-04-17T13:29:00.000-04:002014-04-17T13:29:01.817-04:00Neighborhood Watch Program Standards and George Zimmerman In a thread that appeared on the LinkedIn site Martial Arts Black Belt forum, the question was raised as to whether or not martial arts training should be different for persons of color. As the discussion developed, the Trayvon Martin case was brought in. Admittedly this was a tangent and took us to a very different set of comments and points of view. I was even accused of being a racist in an indirect passive-aggressive manner by a gentlemen who's position is that George Zimmerman acted in self defense when he shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Obviously we disagree on that contention but not for the reason that most people would think. While race was certainly a major factor in Zimmerman physically confronting Martin, thereby leading to the shooting, my contention is that if Zimmerman had followed the directive of the 911 operator and stopped following Trayvon Martin, he never would have been in the situation where he needed to use his firearm. <br />
<br />
I further contend that if Zimmerman had followed the generally accepted behavioral standards of the Neighborhood Watch Patrol philosophy as found on any number of websites that discuss the program objectives, he would not have approached Martin, nor would he have been armed. <br />
<br />
I believe that the following information makes it very clear that Zimmerman had an additional personal agenda on the night that he approached Trayvon Martin, that went well beyond his duties and objectives as a Neighborhood Watch Captain and patrol person. I can only speculate as to what that additional agenda might have been so it is better to set it aside and reflect on the more objective information that is available to us. Zimmerman did follow the basic operational standards for a Citizen on Patrol individual by calling the police to report a suspicious individual in his community, however, what followed was clearly outside of the accepted standards of patrol conduct.<br />
<br />
Below is a fairly standard protocol for neighbor watch organizations:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stpete.org/police/pdf/crime-prev/crime%20watch%20book-01-11.pdf">http://www.stpete.org/police/pdf/crime-prev/crime%20watch%20book-01-11.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<em>Reporting Suspicious Activity </em><br />
<br />
Anything that seems slightly “out of place” or is occurring at an unusual time of day could be criminal activity. Report all suspicious activity. Do not worry about bothering the police or about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove to be unfounded. Think instead about what could happen if you don’t act.<br />
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<strong>Do not attempt to apprehend</strong> a person committing a crime or to investigate suspicious activity. Call the police immediately. (Emphasis added.)<br />
<br />
The Citizens On Patrol (COP) program is designed to be an additional component of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program. A successful Neighborhood Crime Watch group may decide to get out of their homes and into their cars to patrol their neighborhoods. COP members are the “eyes and ears” of the police department, reporting suspicious activity and deterring any future crime.<br />
COP participants actively patrol their own neighborhoods observing and reporting suspicious activity through the use of cellular telephones. <em>COP members will not have to place themselves in dangerous situations and are trained to identify potentially harmful situations and learn how to stay safe.</em> (Emphasis added.)<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Citizens On Patrol is considered an advanced observation program, not focusing on intervention or confrontation. Participants will not need to carry weapons, and are prohibited from doing so. </em></strong>(Emphasis added.)<br />
<br />
The police department will provide educational programs and materials designed to inform the COP participants in general topics of police functions, including legal issues, communications, property offenses, and patrol procedures.<br />------------------------------- End of Quotation ------------------------------<br />
<br />
Please note that Zimmerman exited his own vehicle in order to follow and then physically confront Martin. Zimmerman was also armed with a handgun while 'on duty' as a Neighborhood Watch Patrol person. I tend to view his behavior in the context of the behavioral standards noted above and with the added point that he was advised by the 911 operator that he was not needed to follow the "suspicious person" because the police had been dispatched to the scene. It seems to me that Zimmerman took it upon himself to overstep the bounds of the standard behavioral protocols of a Neighbor Patrol person leading directly to the death of a young man who was not engaged in any type of illegal or criminal activity at the time he was confronted. <br />
<br />
I understand and accept the fact that the jury did not find Zimmerman guilty of murder. I also fully understand and accept the reality that he can never be tried again on that charge. My questions with regard to the trial are as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Should the prosecution team have brought up the "generally accepted standards" argument in their presentation to the jury? How difficult would that have been to research?<br />
<br />
2. Should the prosecution team have brought up the fact that in a civil case against the Homeowners Association that authorized the Neighborhood Patrols, that the Martin Family won their case for financial compensation because of the 'wrongful death' of Trayvon Martin which was caused by a member of their authorized patrol.<br />
<br />
I understand that the civil case is different from the criminal case but I am sure that in the civil case the defendants, the homeowners association, had to produce evidence regarding the training of their patrol personnel and sought to separate themselves from George Zimmerman to avoid incurring an even larger financial liability.<br />
<br />
3. Should the prosecution team have brought up the right of Trayvon Martin to defend himself against an unlawful assault and harassment by a unknown person whose actions were unwarranted <br />
because Martin was legally in a public place where he had every right to be and not engaged in any sort of illegal or criminal activity at the time he was accosted by Zimmerman. Didn't Martin have the right to defend himself under the Florida "Stand your Ground" statutes?<br />
<br />
4. Under what statutes of Florida law did Zimmerman have the right to physically follow and/or pursue and then physically engage Trayvon Martin?<br />
<br />
I believe that if these questions had been asked and presented to the jury that there might have been a different verdict rendered. \ A lingering question that I have for the legislators and governor of Florida is why won't they amend the "Stand your Ground" statute to restrict for the most part any sort of pursuit behavior for non-criminal or non-felony actions in a public place? In other words, if someone has to follow, chase or otherwise pursue another person, how can that be called and legally viewed as 'Standing Your Ground'? The law could certainly allow for pursuit of a person if a felony crime had been committed and witnessed, but otherwise, leaving a "safe place" in order to engage another person should not be allowed under the law as standing your ground.<br />
<br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.<br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-17326665000467122082014-03-03T13:44:00.001-05:002014-03-03T13:44:23.285-05:00Where to Purchase a CRMIPT 2<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello All,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I'm sorry that I neglected to mention where you could purchase a CRMIPT 2, either standard or magnum:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Write to either <a href="mailto:SoniaM.Waring@cssdsc.com">SoniaM.Waring@cssdsc.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">or <a href="mailto:Arnisman@aol.com">Arnisman@aol.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-67046467424016026642014-03-03T13:04:00.002-05:002014-03-03T13:04:42.831-05:00The CRMIPT 2 Magnum Rescue Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn8Pc1Ex5l9qVB6OsdpFc_pxAhmMoXUxTQqOSpT8JEQFbWs4F-zND4wfVHLGY1v6RY1zWlTITuCtLBbXwIjMFBACYWKkLkLAfVR9TCQFaVSgp2cZktuQEizU-A718hi7vhEDPtUvseKg/s1600/Phone+images+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn8Pc1Ex5l9qVB6OsdpFc_pxAhmMoXUxTQqOSpT8JEQFbWs4F-zND4wfVHLGY1v6RY1zWlTITuCtLBbXwIjMFBACYWKkLkLAfVR9TCQFaVSgp2cZktuQEizU-A718hi7vhEDPtUvseKg/s1600/Phone+images+067.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This past week I had an opportunity to work with my good friend GM Bram Frank and assist him as he taught a group of security officers in Clearwater, FL</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the S2 Institute. That gave me an chance to see and work with Bram's newest <em>CRMIPT 2 </em>rescue hand-held tool. In the above photo you can see the original CRMIPT that is about inches in length and the new magnum size at about 6.5 inches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Honestly folks the magnum is more to my liking because of it's increased size and fit. Even at the standard size it is very effective and is a great tool for security people to have while on duty because it can be used to punch through glass and the hook configuration at the heel of the tool is a cloth, rope, seatbelt and wire cutter. It <em><u>can</u> <u>not</u></em> be used to cut flesh, making it as near a perfect non-lethal tool as can be created for use by a security or police officer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Several of my former students and current associates carry the standard CRMIPT when they are on duty in the security business and 2 have actually used the tool in self-defense situations at bars to control a belligerent patron and escort those individual from the business place without inflecting any serious injuries to the people being removed. The CRMIPT 2 would have made the job even easier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The training sessions were conducted under GM Bram's standard curriculum <em>"Perspectives of Modular"</em> instructors guide which I have worked with several times over the past 15 years in both Buffalo and NYC training sessions. GM Bram was "training the trainers" who will go back to their respective job sites and introduce the CRMIPT concepts to their fellow officers in the coming weeks and months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The basic concepts of usage are based on Modern Arnis stick striking angles as taught by the late Professor Remy Presas, consisting of angles 1-4-12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">(the open position), 2-3-12 (the closed position) and the 1- 2 - 2 (mixed position). The instruction also includes using and defending against strikes and/or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">punches in a high line as well as a low line levels. An additional element is the use of some Small Circle Jiu-jitsu concepts from the late GM Wally Jay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Of particular importance to some folks is the fact that the CRMIPT (both standard and magnum models) are designed and used in a non-lethal manner as impact and locking hand held tools. Although modeled on an earlier tactical folding knife design that GM Bram named <em>"The Gunting", </em>the blade of the CRMIPT does not have a honed cutting edge, instead it is serrated to increase the gripping power for locking a limb if the blade is opened in a confrontation. Most of the self-defense usages of the CRMIPT are based on the earlier knife and have been retained, the key concept behind the tactical folder was that it has 3 possible functions, impacting, locking and as a last resort cutting. The CRMIPT totally eliminates that third option, making it an excellent choice for security officers and their employers in terms of liability and lawsuits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our training sessions went very well. Our students were serious, professional people and they absorbed the lessons with a balanced blending of humor, laughter and a willingness to listen, question and learn. Make no mistake about it, when working with the CRMIPT you will be tweaked and pinched in a manner that most martial artists, security and police officers have not experience before in their profession training. This is quite simply a case of steel being placed on flesh and bone. Steel wins! The joint locks applied with the CRMIPT are stronger. more painful and far more difficult to resist then when applied by a human hand. It didn't take a second or third lock for any of our students to fully understand the power of steel against their body parts. Control and compliance comes immediately when the CRMIPT is used to assist the officer in controlling a disruptive individual.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I have been a fan of the CRMIPT for quite some time and strongly recommend it as an operational tool for most security officers in their job situations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Respectfully submitted,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">PS: Thanks Bram for giving me an opportunity to get out of that damned 'NE icebox' for a week.</span><br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-53226158261024939142014-01-28T16:06:00.000-05:002014-01-28T16:06:08.158-05:00Atillo Balintawak Successors - My Observations and Comments
This essay is a re-posting that was originally published in the FMA Informative #108 that was released on Saturday, January 25, 2014. I have added the revised and updated linear charts for Professor Remy Amador Presas and myself . I understand that there will be some people who object to my charts, but I challenge them to do their own research, cite sources and show us where we are in error. Until they can document their objections there is nothing that they can say that has any merit or that anyone should consider as being relevant.<br />
<br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.<br />
___________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Atillo Balintawak - Saavedra Eskrima Successors; My Observations and Comments</strong></em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On July
10, 2013, GM Crispulo Atillo posted a notice on his FB site announcing his
official listing of the Atillo Balintawak Eskrima, Masters, Disciples and
Successors-Disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That notice was
duly reported in the FMA informative, Volume 12, Number 8, on page 17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to repost the notice here but I
would like to comment on several things related to the notice because in my
opinion GM Atillo did a very smart thing publicly naming those people who he
wants to see carry on the Atillo Balintawak –Saavedra Eskrima tradition in the
future after he passes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Historically there is usually a
very large, nasty and ugly intra-system fight among the top students after a GM
has passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the fights
have included family members battling amongst themselves and with some non-family
members of the organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone will
claim that they are the best qualified people to take over the leadership
responsibilities of the system while their opponents are phonies and
under-qualified status seekers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
fights are never pretty, they drag on for many years and splinter groups are
formed with each claiming to be the only true lineage of the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched from the sidelines as this very
thing happened in Modern Arnis after the illness and passing of the late
Professor Remy Presas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bickering was
very disturbing to watch and worse yet was the fact that I knew some of the
people participating in the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
refused to get involved or support any of the participants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">GM Atillo’s listing of Masters,
Disciples and Successor-Disciples is a wonderful gift to all of us who have
trained with him and learned from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those people named on the list are clearly legitimate heirs and the next
generation of Atillo-Saavedra Balintawak Eskrima leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clearly states that the list members are
the only legitimate proponents of his system and all others are acting on their
own and without his official sanctioned endorsement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This endorsement is better than being named
in a will because it allows everyone who is interested to ask GM Atillo
directly why someone was left off the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It eliminates the shill argument that the endorsements are misleading or
falsely contrived by someone other than the GM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If only Professor Presas had compiled a similar document and made the
listing public prior to falling ill in 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to congratulate everyone
named on the GM Atillo’s list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition I also want to especially recognize three (3) people on the list who I
know personally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GM Tom Bolden, Master
Peter Vargas</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Master Douglas
Pierre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>All three of these men are
personal friends and associates of mine who I have known and trained with for
the past 24 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the fact that
these men are being acknowledged by GM Atillo with the highest honor of being listed
as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Successors-Disciples</i></b>,
speaks volumes regarding their martial arts skills, personal dedication and
integrity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fact that I am referencing
these three men should not be construed as a slam against the other people
named to the same position by GM Atillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is simply that I do not know any of the others personally and have
not trained with them in the past therefore I can comment on them from my own
personal perspective as a martial artists and teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Successor-Disciple award recognition
is doubly impressive to me because of the fact that GM Bolden and Master Vargas
is a teacher-student pairing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is as
far as I can recall in my 35 year career in martial arts the first time that I
have seen or heard of a teacher-student pair being promoted at the same time
and within the same organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
want to point out that GM Bolden, GM Pierre and Master Vargas, are the only
Modern Arnis trained people on GM Atillo’s successor listing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is quite significant because most of the
so-called Modern Arnis leaders in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">post-Remy
Presas era</i> that began in 2001 after the passing of the system founder and
GM have studiously avoided acknowledging or working with these three men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These three men have been characterized as
minor or marginal players in the Modern Arnis world, in spite of the fact that
GM Bolden and GM Pierre were instrumental in building a following for the late
Professor Presas in the Mid-Hudson and NYC regions respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it was GM Bolden who first brought
the art and Professor to the eastern side of NYS and along the Hudson River
Valley between Albany and NYC in the mid 1980's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The MoTTs (Masters of Tapi-Tapi)
and the WMAA (World Modern Arnis Alliance) leaderships were adamant that anyone
not associated with their respective groups were not and should not be considered
as Modern Arnis Players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heads of
the aforementioned groups would not recognize the rank certificates issued by
Professor Presas and insisted that everyone who joined their organization would
have to be re-tested under the new organizational rules and standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These same leaders, through their own
students/associates were also quite critical of Master Peter Vargas because he
had not trained directly with the late Professor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That standard is very interesting because if
one applies it across the board to everyone some of their own students in 2001
and beyond could not be considered <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">authentic
Modern Arnis students</i> because those people had never had the opportunity to
train under Professor Presas at a seminar or camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been criticized for bring up the
re-testing rule of both the MoTTs and WMAA, but since I spoke with Dr.
Randy<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Schea, Mr. Jeffery Delaney (MoTTs)
and Mr. Timothy Hartman (WMAA) personally and through e-mail exchanges, there
is no doubt in my mind about their positions in 2002 on the matter of rank
recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their current associates
can decry my statements as loudly and often as they wish, none of those people
were part of my conversations with these three men in 2002.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If these organizations have subsequently
changed leaders and/or policies that is fine with me and I am not making an
argument that nothing has changed since 2002.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is also the matter a good
number of Modern Arnis and Balintawak Eskrima people in the USA are not willing
to recognize GM Crispulo Atillo as a senior Balintawak practicitioner whose
credentials go back to 1953 when joined the newly formed Balintawak Self
Defense Club as a charter member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
BSDC was founded <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Cebu City,
Philippines by Venancio Bacon, Delfin Lopez and Vincente Atillo with Bacon
serving as the lead instructor and Atty. Eulalio Causing as club president. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cebuano Eskrima, </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neprangue & Macachor,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>p.167).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The BSDC
was the first group to utilize the word “Balintawak” in its club name wnd the
first spin-off from the BSDC was the Balintawak International Self defense Club
led by GM Jose Villasin and GM Teofilo Velez in 1957.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Crispulo formed the “Ogok Gang” in 1957,
which consisted of a number of younger Balintawak stylists from the BSDC and in
1975 GM Atillo founded the Philippine Arnis Confederation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Cebuano Eskrima, p. 170).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He later changed the organizational name to
the World Balintawak Arnis-Eskrima Association after Marcos era of martial law
ended in the Philippines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Atillo is among the last of the people who
knew the Saavedra's, Lorenzo and Doring, personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His art is the closest thing that we have to
the original Saavedra Eskrima System, which is also known more popularly as
"Balintawak Eskrima".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couple
that fact with the reality that Crispulo Atillo assisted his father, GM
Vincente Atillo, with teaching the art of Balintawak to a future Balintawak GM
Arnulfo Mongcol, who in turn was Professor Remy Presas’ first Balintawak
instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a significant set of
connections because the Saavedras were the instructors of GM Bacon, GM Lopez,
GM Timeteo Maranga and GM Vincente Atillo and all four men trained under GM
Teodoro “Doring” Saavedra prior to WWII at the Doce Pares Club in Cebu
City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the training sessions took
place at the Atillo home and the younger Crispulo Atillo knew all of people
mentioned in this paragraph and witnessed their training sessions at his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He formally began his eskrima training under
his father Vincente Atillo at the age of 14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was trained in the Saavedra system of eskrima and credits his father
as his instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Atillo maintains
that there is no real difference between Saavedra Eskrima and Balintawak
Eskrima<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>other than the name used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After training with GM Bobby Taboada for 4
years in the Toevel’s Balintawak system, plus viewing a number of Balintawak
people on YouTube such as Nick Elizar, Bob Silver Tabimina and Henry Jayme, I
have to agree with him on this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The differences are not significant and they all can easily be
identified as Balintawak people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Atillo’s taught GM Anfulo<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mongcol, who in turn served as Professor Remy
Presas' first Balintawak instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Afterwards, the young Remy Presas was passed along to GM Timeteo Maranga
for further training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Maranga was a
classmate of GM Vincente Atillo, GM Bacon and GM Delfin Lopez under the
Saavedra's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The network couldn't be any
tighter and we must keep in mind that Balintawak forms one (1) aspect of the
five (5) arnis methods that are at the root of Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These five roots as mentioned by Professor
Presas in some interviews are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Balintawak,
figure 8 striking, banda y banda striking, palis-palis method and crossada
method.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latter two methods are
espada y daga styles of mid to long range fighting and were taught to Professor
by his grandfather, Leon B. Presas, who was Professor’s first arnis/eskrima
instructor at the age of 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Based on the information cited above,
I will re-write my own lineage chart to reflect the newest information that I
have found regarding the roots and lineage of Professor Remy Presas through my
immediate Modern Arnis and Kenpo Instructor, Sifu Donald F. Zanghi to myself
and beyond to the students who earned their black belts and instructional
certifications under me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">GM Tom Bolden, Master Douglas
Pierre and Master Peter Vargas have been training with the man who indirectly
helped to establish part of the foundation for Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been acknowledged and accepted by
GM Crispulo Atillo as highly skilled practitioners of the Atillo-Saavedra
connection to Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
extremely happy for them and wish each of them even greater success in the
future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grand Master, Datu & Principal Teacher Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Modern Arnis Lineage Chart of Founder/GM Remy Amador Presas<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leon B. Presas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> / </span>Traditional
Arnis: Palis-palis, Crossada, Banda y Banda, Figure 8,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
|<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arnulfo Mongcol – Balintawak Instructor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Timeteo Maranga – Balintawak Master<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Venancio
Bacon – Balintawak GM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remy Amador
Presas – Founder, Grand Master, Professor,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Modern
Arnis – International Modern Arnis Federation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Palis-palis, Crossada, Banda y Banda, Figure 8, Flow, Up
& Down,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abanico,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rompida,
Espada y Daga, Stick & Sword Disarming,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trapping Hands, Redonda, Single/Double/Reverse Sinawali, 12 Zone
Striking, 12 Zone Striking Defense<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saavedra Eskrima and Balintawak Eskrima Lineage to Modern
Arnis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Lorenzo Saavedra – Founder<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teodoro
(Doring) Saavedra – Master Instructor<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Venancio Bacon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Timeteo Maranga<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Vincente Atillo (Balintawak)<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crispulo Atillo<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Saavedra & Balintawak)<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arnulfo Mongcal<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Balintawak Instructor <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Remy Amador Presas</em></strong> –<em> Founder, Grand Master, Professor,<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>Modern Arnis –
International Modern Arnis Federation<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Palis-palis, Crossada, Banda y Banda, Figure 8, Flow, Up
& Down,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abanico, Rompida, Espada y
Daga, Stick & Sword Disarming,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trapping Hands, Redonda, Single/Double/Reverse Sinawali, 12 Zone
Striking, 12 Zone Striking Defense<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Martial Arts Lineage of <strong>Dr. Jerome Barber<o:p></o:p></strong></em></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Modern Arnis Lineage: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Remy
Amador Presas</strong>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Founder & GM -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Modern Arnis<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Donald
F. Zanghi</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong> </span>Vincente Sanchez <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|_______________|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong><em>
</em></strong></span><strong><em>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</em></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM, Datu & Principal Teacher, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Independent
Escrima Kenpo Arnis Associates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kenpo Karate Lineage:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hoon Chow <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Hung Gar)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>James Mitose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Kosho Ryu Kenpo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">William K. S. Chow (Chinese Kenpo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adriano Emperado (Chinese Kenpo, Eskrima, Kajukenbo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marino Tiwanak<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edmund Parker,
Sr.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Kajukenbo, CHA-3 Kenpo)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Chinese Kenpo, American Kenpo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Florentino Pancipanci<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al & Jim
Tracy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(CHA-3 Kenpo, Pancipanci Eskrima)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Tracy System of Kenpo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>/<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Bolden<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ernest McPeek<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donald F. Zanghi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(CHA-3 Kenpo)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Tracy System Kenpo)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Tracy
System Kenpo) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Pancipanci Eskrima)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Modern Arnis)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Modern Arnis)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>|____________________________|_________________|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <em>
</em></span><em><strong>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</strong>, </em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM,
Datu & Principal Teacher,</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em> Independent Escrima Kenpo Arnis Associates </em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em> </em>
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
__________________|_____________________________ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tim Kashino - Richard Curren - Tom Verga - Paul R. Martin -
Kenneth Q. Boehm <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Debra S. Moore - Keith Roosa - James “Buddy” Antonio - Frank
Heinan <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kathleen Geiger - Mary Altair - Keri Marotti – Frankie
Heinan – Stephanie Heinan <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael Zelli<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Certified IEKA Black Belt Instructors) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Additional Martial Arts Influences for</em> Dr. Jerome Barber:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bram Frank, Billy Bryant, Dan Donzella, Bobby Taboada,
Abundio Baet,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eddie Lastra, Ric Jornales, Roberto Torres,
John Kovacs, David Battaglia, Ernie Delts, Dan Carr<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-32566027780650751222013-11-19T09:53:00.002-05:002013-11-19T09:55:09.265-05:00Interview or a Set Up to Call Me a Liar?Hello to All,<br />
<br />
Below is a re-post of an essay written by Datu Kelly Worden that I believe is important and should be<br />
given a lot of thought, particularly by those people who are associated with the late Professor Remy Presas and his Modern Arnis system. <br />
--------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/111/">Interview or a Set Up to Call Me a Liar?</a> <br />
<div class="entry-meta">
By <span class="author"><a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/author/kelly/" title="Kelly">Kelly</a></span> on <span class="date">November 17, 2013</span> <span class="comments right"><a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/111/#comments" title="Comment on Interview or a Set Up to Call Me a Liar?">22</a> Comments</span> </div>
<!-- post content --> <br />
<div class="entry-content clearfix">
“Interview or a set up to call me a Liar?”<br />
A few weeks ago, I was requested to do an audio interview on FMAtalk; I agreed. I was rather surprised when my junior in age, life experience, and Modern Arnis, Datu Tim Hartman was sitting in on the interview. It became evident he had nothing useful to say and said literally nothing for over an hour even when I personally addressed him; well, maybe there was a “mouse squeak” but nothing of substance.<br />
I didn’t understand why he needed to be involved but a few days later it became evident.<br />
Initially I was just responding to simple questions but the interview quickly became fairly hot and active regarding my personal and professional opinions on the current state of martial arts in America. Imagine that?<br />
When asked about Modern Arnis I responded, “I was actively involved in Modern Arnis since 1982 and promoted to Datu by Professor Presas in 1988. Prior to that time I trained in boxing, Isshinryu karate, Shotokan, YaoMun Kung Fu and trained with J.Cui Brocka in Combat Arnis who was directly under Ernesto Presas. I believe this is why Professor decided my foundation in Arnis was established and made the decision he did. I didn’t pay for certification and I was not physically tested for the promotion to Datu.<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244015801246080.jpg"><img alt="129244015801246080" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-112" height="300" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244015801246080-207x300.jpg" width="207" /></a><br />
The certification was nothing I asked for or actually pursued, strangely enough, when promoted to “Datu” I didn’t even know what the term met, I’m not Filipino nor do I interpret Tagalog fluently, few westerners do.<br />
I just know Professor dropped that “title bomb” on me and that was that, then and there I became the non-Filipino Datu. Politically it was challenging and I was left to respond to many statements regarding an American using that title. In short, there were lots of physical challenges to stabilize that unheard (non-Filipino) use of status and title.<br />
Over the early years of using the datu title, I shook my head and questioned the logic but people I admired such as Shishir Inocalla, Leonard Trigg, Sonny Umpad, Ted Lucaylucay assured me it was the honorable thing to accept his blessing and work hard to bring credibility to the title. In reflection, I believe I did do just that, today it matters very little as I believe time in the arts, accomplishments, honor, integrity, and respect stand far above martial art ranks or titles. What was difficult to achieve in martial arts years ago is purchased openly today for those that may choose a different path other than “time honored training.”<br />
Now, I am not sure when Tim actually started training but I was informed by Rocky Paswick that he tested Tim for his Brown belt and at that time Rocky was a 4th degree black belt,, I just know it was maybe 12 years after my promotion that Tim Hartman got promoted to Datu.<br />
“Who?” I had never heard of him and internationally I am in touch with thousands of martial artists who had never heard of him as well. I do know, since I am now “61 years old” Tim is a lot younger than me so his actual time in the arts is minimal compared to the years I have been actively involved.<br />
At this point in history, Professor Presas has passed on (RIP) so time moves on and although I teach Modern Arnis, my art has always continued to also evolve; “I honestly believe that is why Professor Presas called his art Modern Arnis and not “Presas Arnis” he never publicly referenced his art as “Presas Arnis!”<br />
Of course <em>“History does not change; those who dishonor the past through deception merely seek to devise their own reality!”</em><br />
However bizarre it seems Tim Hartman is trying to rewrite history, at least that is what seems to be happening!<br />
Within Modern Arnis documented history, there were 6 practitioners promoted to datu beginning with Shishir Inocalla, myself, Ric Bong Sun Jornales, Dieter Knuttell, David Hoffman, and Tim Hartman was the last in the succession yet today “he is advertising that “He is the highest ranked Modern Arnis practitioner and the highest tested Datu?” Please also bear in mind, this really has nothing to do with the datu issue as much as it has to do with arrogance, ignorance, disrespect, and commercial marketing of fabricated history.<br />
Wow, now realize how perplexing it was to have Tim Hartman sitting in the background during my interview and not say a peep?<br />
Yet, a couple days later he decided to do his own interview and <strong><em>“Set the record straight!”</em></strong><br />
Maybe the readers of this message can listen to my interview and let me know why Tim didn’t <em>“Peep up when I offered him the opportunity to speak?”</em><br />
After a little reflection, I personally just think he didn’t have the balls to <em>“Set the record Straight;”</em> or maybe he just needed a non-resistive audience to swoosh his fabricated story of fantasy. For whatever reason, he didn’t call me and ask me to sit in on his interview? “Now isn’t that special?”<br />
I’m an old school practitioner, anyone who started the art prior to me is my senior and that include the distinct honor of being a practitioner of different arts, I have no problem recognizing truth and for me truth is <em>“time in the art!”</em> Equally relevant I recognize time more than I do paper; <em>as a matter of fact I don’t value certificate paper much at all, I specifically value and respect “time in the art.”</em><br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244006566995013.jpg"><img alt="129244006566995013" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-114" height="217" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244006566995013-300x217.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
That said I can list a whole lot of people in Modern Arnis who are <em>my seniors or peers in the art</em>; it’s called mutual respect and not commercial marketing or “One-ups-man-ship!”<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Lee-Lowery.jpg"><img alt="Lee Lowery" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-125" height="224" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Lee-Lowery-225x300.jpg" width="168" /></a> <a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/michael-bates.jpg"><img alt="michael bates" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126" height="222" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/michael-bates-177x300.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
Individuals such as <em>Lee Lowry, Tom Bolden, Dan Anderson, Doug Pierre, Michael Morton, Fred Shadian, Dan Carr, David Converse, Dr. Jerome Barber, David Ng, Billy Bryant, Fred King, Bob Quinn, Jim Ladis, Terry Warham, Richard Roy, Rocky Pawsic, Bruce Chiu, Jim Power, Roland Rivera, Jim and Judy Clapp, Pete Katz, Richard Roy, Michael Bates</em> are due equal respect across the board and alongside of me. Granted many are not my age but many had more time in Modern Arnis, either way, respect is relevant and although only six individuals were promoted to Datu, all others are still seniors within Modern Arnis. Now let’s address a little more immediate issue of rank and title, which would in fact be the last ranks and title Maters of Tapi Tapi presented to <em>Randi Shea, Chuck Gauss, Ken Smith, Brian Zawalinski , Jim Lantis, and Jeff Delaney.</em> It was this group that Professor entrusted to the Official IMAF Organization, not his supposed “son anuk, Tim Hartman.”<br />
Let me also clarify, Datu status does not give us seniority over anyone within Modern Arnis, it is utilized in a tribal sense, we were promoted or appointed as <b><i>“Tribal Chief” of our own branch of Modern Arnis, </i></b>simple as that! My Modern Arnis is not like anyone’s and that is what Professor Presas was acknowledging; my independence and my freedom to formulate my own expression of the art. The “Datu title” allowed us the independence to create our own branch of Modern Arnis. <b></b><br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Professor-Remy.jpg"><img alt="Professor Remy" height="190" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Professor-Remy-300x190.jpg" width="300" /></a> <a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Datu-and-Roland-Victoria0011.jpg"><img alt="Datu and Roland, Victoria0011" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-131" height="189" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Datu-and-Roland-Victoria0011-300x239.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
<strong><em>Roland was with Professor while he was still mentally alert and they discussed Modern Arnis at great length in both English and Tagalog</em></strong><br />
<em><strong></strong></em><strong><em></em></strong><em>Modern Arnis was left incomplete, no “heir to the system was announced prior to Professor Presas passing. I was there at his bedside along with Roland Dantes (RIP) if there was a successor Professor Presas would have had it documented in writing and witnessed by his longest most trusted friend and student “Roland Dantes. Roland was with Professor while he was still mentally alert and they discussed Modern Arnis at great length in both English and Tagalog so I know for a fact there was little or no confusion as to how anything Professor may have said could have been misinterpreted! So to clear up an confusion, let me clarify it was not Jeff Delaney nor Tim Hartman, it was not anyone. Modern Arnis was Professor Remy A. Presas’ gift to the world!</em><br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129243999690562734.jpg"><img alt="129243999690562734" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113" height="300" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129243999690562734-168x300.jpg" width="168" /></a> <a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129243998327653575.jpg"><img alt="129243998327653575" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115" height="300" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129243998327653575-169x300.jpg" width="169" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244038013111360.jpg"><img alt="129244038013111360" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-116" height="173" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244038013111360-300x173.jpg" width="292" /></a><br />
<em><strong>Pay real close attention,</strong></em> <strong><em>we did not inherit the Modern Arnis system, or “The Presas name, no one inherited the use of the Presas family name!</em></strong><br />
<strong><em> The Presas name is legally reserved for actual Presas family descendants, we are all merely Modern Arnis practitioners!”</em></strong><br />
<b> So one question we should all consider would be; “How much arrogance does it take to “take another family’s name? without written consent”</b><br />
<b> Really, take a minute and just ask yourself, “Who gets to take <i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">your family name</span></i> and use it commercially?</b><br />
Although I will digress a bit, bear with me it took many years of silence within Modern Arnis for the webs of deceit to be weaved into fabricated undocumented stories of grandeur.<br />
I think we can all agree that “We as mere mortals cannot change documented history;” yet publicly Tim states he was the “Highest Tested Datu?”<br />
Wow, the truth is Tim Hartman was the only one tested for the title of Datu and he was the last one appointed in succession of the six.” No one else was tested, not Shishir, not me, Bong Sun, Dieter, David, none of the others; does that not seem strange, that five out of six practitioners appointed the title were not tested?<br />
“No one except Tim Hartman was physically tested, that is special treatment, wouldn’t you say?”<br />
You’ll have to speculate why that was the “special case,” it is really not that big of a mystery if you do your own research into why some students are tested and others are awarded their ranks in what sometimes appears to be a random surprise to the individual being honored by their teachers.<br />
<em>Keep in mind, the truth is none of the other Modern Arnis practitioners Professor appointed the title of Datu needed to be tested; why?</em><br />
Because we didn’t know we had earned his blessing or were even considered being worthy of his acknowledgement, there was not celebrations, no test, no preplanned cake and ice cream gathering. It was Professor’s decision; he ruled his organization independently and he did what ever he felt was right, everyone in the industry knows this to be fact!<br />
None of us asked for the title or asked to be promoted!<br />
Isn’t that what being an honorable martial artist truly means, “Being humble and respectful enough to allow you’re teacher to decide your fate?”<br />
Am I missing something? WTF?<br />
<strong>A</strong><strong>dditionally, I find it strange that “if” Professor took the time to present Tim with a certificate of rank and title, </strong> i<strong>t would only seem appropriate</strong><b> Professor Presas would also present Tim Hartman with physical proof of a certificate or a letter authenticating Tim’s additional claims of seniority!</b><br />
<b>I further content if Tim Hartman has</b> “<b>no paper, no letter, no document, and no physical proof” that whatever he is claiming is nothing less than his misinterpretation of the facts! History and seniority does not change just because an individual wants his website to reflect his superior status without actually earning it!</b><br />
<em><strong>Let me reiterate,</strong></em> <strong>i</strong><b><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">f “Tim Hartman is setting the record straight” it is only logical, professional, and honorable that Tim Hartman “set the record straight with documented proof!”</span></i></b><br />
Now just as a general point of reference, Professor Presas sacrificed his life, family, country, his health, and a whole lot more than any one person could even imagine just to establish his art and his reputation. There does not exist a person on this earth that does not bear the Presas name that deserves to “Inherit his sacrifices!” We as practitioners do not inherit our teacher’s skills, reputations, and sacrifices!<br />
Our teachers merely share their art with us and we develop our own skills, reputations, and sometimes we too, make our own sacrifices. That is the way of the warrior, truth in steel, and the code of honor which is as old as the time of mankind and the warrior ways.<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Presas-family01.jpg"> <img alt="Presas family01" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-123" height="300" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Presas-family01-280x300.jpg" width="280" /></a>______________________<br />
<em><strong>Professor Presas sacrificed his life, family, country and his health, just to establish his art and his reputation.</strong> </em><br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244055444869760.jpg"><img alt="129244055444869760" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-122" height="209" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/129244055444869760-193x300.jpg" width="134" /></a> <a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/chuck-gauss.jpg"><img alt="chuck gauss" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-127" height="208" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/chuck-gauss-202x300.jpg" width="140" /></a> <a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Doug-Pierre.jpg"><img alt="Doug Pierre" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-128" height="208" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Doug-Pierre-208x300.jpg" width="146" /></a> <a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dan-anderson.jpg"><img alt="dan anderson" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-129" height="208" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dan-anderson.jpg" width="167" /></a><br />
<em><strong> Professor Presas prided himself in creating leaders!</strong></em><br />
Let me also clarify that above all Professor Presas prided himself in creating leaders and teaching leaders, and sadly “to a fault.” This situation is a direct result of his kindness and his desire to make every student feel “they are number 1” a simple statement he made dozens of times during a weekend event. Maybe it would sound more like “Oh my God, you are number one!” and you would get a pat on the back, big smile, a hug, and then he would even call you family.<br />
<em>That was one of the sacrifices many people do not realize or even think about “we, the students, would leave the seminars and go home to our families, Professor would go to a hotel room alone or maybe stay with a student’s family; his home was lost when he sacrificed his family and country for his art.” There were many of Professor’s students whom he felt were close enough for him to “feel welcome in their homes;” they know who we were and that alone was a great honor to be trusted with the responsibility to care for and share our homes with Professor when he needed us!</em><br />
<em><strong>We were always students, were not his “Real Family, we are not Presas family members!</strong></em><br />
I was there in Victoria B.C. at the Care Facility when the real Presas family finally found out he was in dire straits and on his death bed. I answered the telephone, and when he knew it was them he immediately began to cry and said to me out loud <strong><em>“I did not know my family still loved me!”</em></strong><br />
He could not speak to them; I told Mary Ann I would call them in short order once I was able to stabilize Professor’s emotions. I was emotionally drawn in and together we embraced and cried until he could speak; it was then that a “Presas” family reunion was planned directly in the days to follow. It is important that everyone know at this time that Professor Presas was closing the door on his physical life and during the times Roland Dantes and I were with him, Professor was continually “Thanking God” for bringing his family back into his life.<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/093.jpg"><img alt="093" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-121" height="201" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/093-300x201.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Just to clarify how consistently upset Professor was at Tim, I will share a brief statement I received from Dan McConnell regarding Tim’s constant reference that “I was like Professor’s son.”<br />
The following words are how Professor Presas personally stated his feelings on the subject of ‘anuk’ to Dan McConnell!<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/serious_Guro-1.jpg"><img alt="serious_Guro (1)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-119" height="224" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/serious_Guro-1-246x300.jpg" width="183" /></a><br />
<em>“One of the times I was up in Victoria, Remy, Yvette and the kids, Maureen and I went to have dim sum. The term ‘anuk’ got brought up with regard to Tim and Remy said in his own words”-</em><br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/REMY-picture.jpg"><img alt="REMY picture" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-120" height="206" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/REMY-picture.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<b><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">“Anuk means little baby. If it meant son, he would keep his mouth shut, but he will not keep his mouth shut”.</span></i></b><br />
Funny, how Tagolag is so easily misinterpreted by western thinking? <b><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i></i></b>Professor said many things to many people, He called me his <em>“bodyguard,”</em><br />
Did I ever do any executive protection details for him? No!<br />
I recall him telling another martial artist he was a <i>master of Sinawali</i>, yet it is reported that another practitioner was appointed the <i>Guardian of Modern Arnis Kuntao;</i> oh shit, and my personal favorite a <i>Governor of Modern Arnis!</i><br />
Professor told everyone from white belt to black, they were <em>“Number 1″</em> in truth it was up to each and every one of us to prove it with our own accomplishments; Professor Presas despised coat-tailing and expected all his students to <b><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">“Do your own work!”</span></i></b><br />
<em><strong> Anyone recall that statement?</strong></em><br />
<em> ”Unfortunately miscalculated impacts due to fabricated history, creates confusion above and beyond the small circle of the insecure. These fallacies actually destroy the integrity of truth for others!”</em><br />
“<em>History reveals the beauty of truth and natural evolution, yet within that sphere of natural progression<b> we all can see</b> the distorted manipulation of life and truth from human intervention; the manipulators of truth with a hunger to control others, to glorify their self-aggrandized position of power and importance.”</em><br />
It is now I contend that if there is no <b>“Letter of truth, no written documentation, no certificate of authority”</b> that Tim Hartman can produce then he needs to <strong>“Shut up”</strong> and step back in line; specifically in the lineage line that has proven to be the truth in all martial arts systems since recorded history of martial arts! History that is well documented, that is until the <em>recent inception of commercialized American martial art marketing, you know, where you can claim anything on your website</em> <em>and not have to physically back it up on the floor or in the alley of life!</em><br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Modern-Arnis-logo.jpg"><img alt="Modern Arnis logo" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124" height="128" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Modern-Arnis-logo.jpg" width="100" /></a><br />
Even Professor himself called his art “Modern Arnis” he did not reference it as Presas Arnis as Tim Hartman is attempting to do?<br />
<div>
<strong><em>“Standing silent is what allows ignorance and arrogance to flourish.” </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>I can guarantee Professor Remy A. Presas would not have allowed anyone,,, literally anyone,, to take his family name and use it as a marketing tool for personalized glory.</em></strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Remy-Juramentado.jpg"><img alt="Remy-Juramentado" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-117" height="173" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Remy-Juramentado-237x300.jpg" width="136" /> </a><a href="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/remyjr07.jpg"><img alt="remyjr07" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118" height="175" src="http://www.kellyworden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/remyjr07.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<strong><em>If Professor Presas wanted an “Heir to rule the system or he specifically wanted a highest ranked Datu to rule over all of Modern Arnis, he would have taken the steps to assure his wishes were followed by the letter!” </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>“No letter, no documentation, no physical proof?” </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Well you decide…</em></strong><br />
<em><strong>Respectfully, “Setting the Record Straight,”</strong></em><br />
<strong><em>Kelly S. Worden</em></strong><br />
<strong><em> Modern Arnis Practitioner</em></strong></div>
</div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-25789822658981084632013-09-08T10:30:00.001-04:002013-09-08T10:30:52.919-04:00Visayan Arnis/Eskrima: The Origins of Eskrima By: Dr. Ned R. Nepangue<a href="http://visayanarniseskrima.blogspot.com/2010/06/origins-of-eskrima-by-dr-ned-r-nepangue.html">Visayan Arnis/Eskrima: The Origins of Eskrima By: Dr. Ned R. Nepangue</a>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-24794525897683703592013-08-16T12:04:00.000-04:002013-08-16T12:04:26.081-04:00Some rumbles elsewhere & huberous Hey Doc,<br />
<br />
I have been following a thread on mtc that was created from one sentence in your recent blog post under the "My Comments" regarding the Atillo list of disciples and successors. The posters on mtc are making big deal out of the fact that you stated that several organizations were not recognizing the rank and rank certificates of people who had earned their statuses from the late GM/Professor Remy Presas. You did send a private e-mail to one guy and he mentioned that fact in his post on the thread.<br />
You were talking about some exchanges that you had with the new leadership of the IMAF/MoTTs back in 2001/2002. Several of your critics are saying that the current leadership never mentioned that they would not honor or recognize rank certificates given by the late GM Presas. I think that they have missed the point of your comments to the one gentleman, who I am assuming posted the correct information about exactly who had been mentioned to him.<br />
<br />
Here's my take on the entire matter. Back in 2001/2002, when Jeff Delaney and Randy Schea were the co-leaders of the IMAF?MoTTs group of Modern Arnis, they were requiring everyone with rank given by the then recently deceased GM/Founder of Modern Arnis, to re-test with the new leadership.<br />
That was (and still is) a bogus requirement in my opinion. Neither of the two people mentioned above have or ever had the stature and reputation of Professor Remy Presas. They were way out of bounds in making that sort of requirement of anyone who already had a rank certificate from the system founder. They should have acknowledged and accepted the rank already earned and then they<br />
could have required new tests for continuing advancements in the IMAF.<br />
<br />
However if they followed that line of logic and showed deference to and respect for their deceased GM, it would have cost them some money (testing fees). Since the departure of the 2 people mentioned above, their successors may not be following the examples cited by you as reported to the mtc by one of the posters. That makes since to me. New leadership brings out some new approaches to the way an organization is run.<br />
<br />
My impression is that some of the posters were not reacting to the information presented as much as they were reacting to the fact that you were the person who made the initial comment and subsequent clarifying private e-mail to one person. Once some of those folks found out that Dr. Jerome Barber was the source of the information, it was time to honker down and get defensive. That's really too bad but I understand why you didn't want to post on the thread itself.<br />
<br />
BTW, I agree with your idea that the GM Atillo list is news and should be given wide distribution.<br />
By making his list of successors public, prior to his passing away, GM Atillo has taken all of the steam out of a possible succession fight of the type that we have witnessed so often in the past and in so many systems when the GM passed on. I believe that he done has a great thing for the students and followers of his Atillo-Saavedra Balintawak Eskrima System and I hope that other GMs will look at this as a precedent setting way to do business in the future.<br />
<br />
Of course these are all my own opinions and hopefully people will read it as simply one man's thoughts about some public discussions. There is no need for folks to their knickers all knotted up over my opinions, they are free to have their own opinions and disagree with me ;-)<br />
<br />
Adam ToussaintMosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517546233112180491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-36398491129997912013-07-16T11:15:00.000-04:002013-07-16T11:15:40.547-04:00Atillo Balintawak Successors - My comments
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am writing this separate post regarding the official
listing of the Atillo Balintawak Eskrima successors, disciples and masters that
was first published on July 10, 2013 on the FB site of GM Atillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is in my opinion a stand-alone
announcement and it deserves to be seen in its entirety without any
accompanying statements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to
congratulate everyone named on the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition I also want to especially recognize three (3) people on the
list whom I know personally, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GM Tom Bolden, Master Peter Vargas and Master Douglas
Pierre.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All three of these men are personal friends and associates
of mine who I have known and trained with for the past 24 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the fact that these men are being
acknowledged by GM Atillo with the highest honor of being both Disciples and
Successors, speaks volumes regarding their martial arts skills, personal
dedication and integrity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This award
recognition is doubly impressive because of the fact that GM Bolden and Master
Vargas is a teacher-student pairing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is as far as I can recall in my 35 year career in martial arts the
first time that I have seen/heard of a teacher-student pair being promoted at
the same time and within the same organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It should also be pointed out that Bolden, Pierre and Vargas
are the only Modern Arnis trained people on the Atillo successor listing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is quite significant because most of the
so-called Modern Arnis leaders in the Post-Remy Presas Era that began in 2001
after the passing of the system founder and GM have studiously avoided
acknowledging or working with these three men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have been characterized as minor or marginal players in the Modern
Arnis world, in spite of the fact that GM Bolden and Master Pierre were
instrumental in building a following for the late Professor Presas in the
Mid-Hudson and NYC regions respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact it was GM Bolden who first brought the art and Professor to the
eastern side of NYS and along the Hudson River Valley between Albany and NYC in
the mid 1980's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The MoTTs (Masters of
Tapi-Tapi) and the WMAA (World Modern Arnis Alliance) leaderships were adamant
that anyone not associated with their respective groups were not even
considered as being Modern Arnis Players, unless those people joined their
groups and retested for the rank grades that were earned under Professor
Presas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were also quite critical of
Master Vargas because he had not trained directly with the late Professor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Equally important is the fact that these group leaders were
equally, if not more disdainful of GM Atillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They refused to understand that GM Atillo was an original member of the “Balintawak
Self<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defense Club” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that was founded in 1952 in Cebu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the very first Balintawak Club, with
all others being spin offs that were formed years later after some disputes
among the original founding members as well as their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Atillo is among the last of the people who
knew the Saavedra's, Lorenzo and Doring, personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His art is the closest thing that we have to
the original Saavedra Eskrima System, which is also known more popularly as
"Balintawak Eskrima".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couple
that fact with the reality that GM Atillo assisted his father Vincente, who
taught future Balintawak GM Arnulfo Mongcol, the art of Balintawak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Mongcol, who served as Professor Remy
Presas' first Balintawak instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Afterwards, the young Remy Presas was passed along to GM Timeteo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marranga for further training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GM Marranga was a classmate of Master
Vincente Atillo, under the Saavedra's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact Vincente Atillo was a classmate of Venancio "Ancong"
Saavedra Bacon under GMs Lorenzo and Doring Saavedra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The network couldn't be any tighter and we
must keep in mind that Balintawak forms one (1) leg of the three arts that are
at the root of Modern Arnis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">GM Tom Bolden, Master Douglas Pierre and Master Peter Vargas
have been training with the man who indirectly helped to establish part of the
foundation for Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
been accepted and later acknowledged as highly skilled practitioners of the
Atillo-Saavedra connection to Modern Arnis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am extremely happy for them and wish each of them even greater success
in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grand Master, Datu & Principal Teacher,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates</span>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-89867635351014170252013-07-16T09:57:00.000-04:002013-07-16T09:57:52.183-04:00Official Masters, Successors and Disciples List of GM Crispulo Atillo Balintawak
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Official Master, Successor & Disciple,
and Disciple of ABWAE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July
10, 2013 at 1:17am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> July 9, 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THANK YOU to everyone who attended the
Atillo Balintawak seminar award/ceremony at Inosanto Academy this past weekend
especially to Guro Dan Inosanto, Adviser & Consultant of the ABWAE (Atillo
Balintawak World Arnis-Eskrima), and a very good friend, who hosted the
event. On the day of the event, the <b>“official”</b><i> Master</i>, <i>Successor
& Disciple</i>, and <i>Disciple</i> of the ABWAE, Original Saavedra Style,
were announced by GGM Atillo along with Guro Dan Inosanto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please note, any names not listed below who
have received Masters prior to this date are null and void – due to NOT having
the complete system, inactivity, and/or questionable character.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MASTER</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: “... is awarded
the honor and rank of <i>Master </i>having satisfactorily trained, completed,
and fulfilled the requirements for the rank of Master through the personalized
guidance and keen instructions of GGM Atillo as governed by the standards of
the Atillo Balintawak World Arnis-Eskrima, Original Saavedra Style”.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em>Derrick Dalan <o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dennis Dalan <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SUCCESSOR AND DISCIPLE</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:
“... is chosen and awarded the honor of <i>Successor and Disciple </i>having
acquired exceptional knowledge, skills and ability of an Eskrima practitioner
through the personalized guidance and keen instructions of GGM Atillo as
governed by the standards of the Atillo Balintawak World Arnis-Eskrima.
Your responsibility is to continue learning, to represent, and to propagate the
art of Atillo Balintawak Original Saaverda Style of Eskrima”. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alex Mancao, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alfredo Parayno, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Andrew Do,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Andyz Koh, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Butch Sepulveda, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Che Navidad,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dan Anderson, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daniel Lonero, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dennis Dalan<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Derrick Dalan, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dieter Roser, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Doug Pierre,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eric Sutz, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Geyo Esmas, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Glen Boodry,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greg Sepulveda, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harley Elmore, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Helena Cauliffe,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ike Sepulveda, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JD Lopez, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesse Devera,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe Medrano, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe Navidad, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joel Clark,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jordan Devera, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LaVonne Martin, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">March Halleck,</span></em><br />
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marco Librera, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Neil Cauliffe, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nino Pilla,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peter Shu, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peter Vargas, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quinton Egson,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ramon Rubia, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ron Goldstein, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Salem Assli,<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sam Halim, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tom Bolden, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">William Torrefeil.<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
</em><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DISCIPLE</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: “…is chosen and
awarded the honor of <i>Disciple </i>having acquired exceptional knowledge,
skills and ability of an Eskrima practitioner through the personalized guidance
and keen instructions of GGM Atillo as governed by the standards of the Atillo
Balintawak World Arnis-Eskrima. Your responsibility is to continue
learning, to represent, and to propagate the art of Atillo Balintawak Original
Saaverda Style of Eskrima”.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alfredo Dagatan, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amir Deleon, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brando Haworth,</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris Callahan, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christopher Bruce, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">David Murphy, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Edwin Williams, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Felix Hermocilla, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">George Dalan, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gil Gozo, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Glen Brooks, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jeff Morris, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ken Lehrer, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michael Martinez, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ric Lin, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thomas Heinig, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Timothy Becherer.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-41976439186873278762013-07-12T12:45:00.000-04:002013-07-12T12:45:23.493-04:00My resignation letter to the Mataw Guro AssociationEarlier today I sent the following letter to the Mataw Guro Association, tendering my resignation from that organization. As the long time followers of this blog know I was a charter member of the 10 Mataw Guro inductees in 2010. I was quite proud and pleased to be recognized as a teacher of the FMA. I believed that the subsequent organization would be a viable umbrella group that stressed the basics of FMA and prepared new students to the FMA with a strong foundation that they could take into any specific system/style as they continued their studies. That was the promise made at the first MGA Gathering and organizational meeting. That promise has not been kept and I have decided to sever my relationship with the organization. My letter follows:<br />
<br />
An Open Letter to ALL MGA Members<br /><br />Please be advised that I WILL NOT be attending the 2013 MGA Gathering.<br />Several things have led me to this decision:<br /><br />1. My understanding of what the MGA was supposed to be and what it has morphed<br />into between 2010 and 2013 are very far apart philosophically.<br /><br />2. My critique of MGA policies have gone unanswered. My expectation was that as<br />equals within the organization that ideas would be exchanged and debated. When that<br />does not happen, there is little to no opportunity for growth and development either as<br />individuals or as a collective group.<br /><br />3. There is a persistent and pervasive undercurrent of ethnocentric xenophobic behavior<br />within the leadership ranks of the MGA which I simply can not understand and will not be<br />a party to for any reason.<br /><br />4. The MGA Board of Directors is totally non-functional. The BoD members have refused<br />to meet and discuss policies and other matters related to the business of the MGA. I hereby<br />formally resign my position as a member of that board, effective today, July 12, 2013 at 5pm,<br />EDST.<br /><br />5. I am also tendering my resignation from the MG Association, effective today, July 12, 2013,<br />effective at 5pm EDST, so that PMG Lou Lledo will have time to name a person to serve out the <br />remainder of my 2 year appointment as a member of the BoD.<br /><br />I shall not be using the MG designation after 5 pm EDST today and any communications that any<br />member of the MGA might wish to have with me should use the title "Dr." or "Professor" since<br />both are earned titles and not associated with the MGA in any manner. I will retain the "MG"<br />as part of my professional resume since it was awarded prior to the formal organizational structure<br />of the MGA.<br /><br />Good bye to all.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />Dr. Jerome Barber,<br />Grand Master, Datu, Principal Teacher,<br />INDEPENDENT Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis AssociatesJerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-62930315197602914762013-07-06T15:37:00.002-04:002013-07-06T15:37:47.427-04:00Professor Park and the Gathering of Eagles<table class="form-table comment-ays"><tbody>
<tr class="alt"><th scope="row">Author</th><td>Michael D. Park</td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row">E-mail</th><td>michael.d.park@verizon.net</td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row">URL</th><td><a href="http://www.kempokarateofplano.com/">http://www.KempoKarateofPlano.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><th scope="row" valign="top">Comment</th><td>I met and trained with Dr. Barber at the Gathering of Eagles / Kenpo Hall of Fame. I found him to be an honest representative of authentic technique and one of the few that impressed me with a solid tactical understanding and complimentary philosophy. He is a humble, effective and accomplished teacher of martial-arts.<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
I just met Professor Park at the 2013 Gathering of Eagles in Chicago, last weekend, through a mutual friend Master John Bain. We were able to attend one another's seminars, which ran 90 minutes each and it gave us an opportunity to compare notes <br />
and ideas about personal self-defense tactics and techniques. All three of us share a Kenpo/Kempo background, but have introduced elements from several other styles<br />
within our presentations.<br />
<br />
Professor Park and Master Bain are "old school" trained and their ideas and philosophies are quite similar to my own. For instance, in training our students, the student is shown the technique, run through several repetitions and then given an opportunity to practice <br />
against new partners, critiqued and only then allowed to ask questions. Then we explain the details and give a possible variation if necessary. We expect our students to execute the techniques correctly in practice and "short-cutting" is not an option available to our students because we know that under the stress of an actual street confrontation our students will not be able to perform the technique at 100% efficiency, therefore getting it right in practice means the student has an 85 to 90% chance of making the techniques work in the street, where it will count the most and there are no 'do-overs'.<br />
<br />
I want to thank Professor Park for his kind words and I am looking forward to working with him again in the near future.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Jerome Barber, Ed. D. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-52991862262287729752013-05-29T12:47:00.000-04:002013-05-29T12:47:41.688-04:00Master Teacher: An Expository Essay in Leadership
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my belief</i> that a Master Teacher is
someone who knows, understands and is very dedicated to the art and science of
teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Master Teacher goes well
beyond simply presenting information or training regimes to his/her students. Transmitting
information or transferring knowledge is an important and necessary activity
that must <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>happen with every new
generation whether it is in a formal educational setting, an apprenticeship
program, a job training program or martial arts academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some subtle yet significant
differences between a trainer, a coach and a teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main difference is that a teacher
educates his/her students for both the current moment and a future time which
neither can fully anticipate or predict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trainers and coaches are usually concerned with preparing their people for
the immediate short term successes of the times, here and now, without any real
concerns about the long term future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Master Teacher educates his/her students by giving them both the physical and
intellectual tools that they will need to make their own informed decisions
about what directions to take in life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The life
lessons that a Master Teacher provides to his/her students are not always obvious
nor immediately understood by the students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These lessons are realized and utilized later in life and in ways that
neither the student nor the Master Teacher could have fully anticipated in
advance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most important
components of these life lessons centers on making the students independent
from the tyranny of conformity and seeking the lowest common denominator as an
acceptable standard of social existence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those students
who have learned to think for themselves, ask critical questions and research
the possibilities and alternatives for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will usually find alternatives to the standardized,
generally accepted societal answers that give so much comfort to those people
who are willing to accept the opinions of the so-called ‘experts’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those simplistic, canned, oft-recited
statements that serve as the correct answers to our social and political
problems are actually mental, social, intellectual and emotional
blindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of socio-emotional blindness
allows the emotionally insecure to escape taking responsibility for their own
behaviors and ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We can see it so clearly in
the martial arts when students cite the opinions of their instructors as hard
and fast facts, beyond any need for questioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can see it in instructors who refuse to
get involved in calling into question the moral or ethical shortcomings of
other instructors, because they do not want to get involved!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the people, who as students,
followed the party-line and faithfully quoted their own instructors, word for
word, idea after idea, until they were given their black belts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can see it in so-called martial artists who
will jump from system to system and instructor to instructor until they find
someone who promote them based on how much money they were willing to pay for
those promotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Master Teachers are the bane of every
dictatorial minded person and their emotionally weak true believers in public as
well as private life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can find those
dictatorial personalities in every area of human activity including the martial
arts. The Master Teachers are there as well and they offer a viable alternative
to this conformist malady. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Teaching
is both an art and a science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
learnable craft and there are formal institutions established for the express
purpose training people in the art and science of teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the USA, we have teacher education colleges
as well as teacher education programs in some larger colleges and universities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no such equivalent in the martial
arts systems as they are taught in the USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact most current martial arts instructors in the USA have never had
a formal instructional training program made available to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most martial arts school owners-operators
they opened their schools with little to no formal training in the art of
teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are engaged in
on-the-job-training with their paying customers as their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very difficult for these instructors –
owners – operators to move beyond being someone who coaches or instructs
martial art students to the status of Master Teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set all the titles aside and simply look at
what these coach-instructors are actually doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are providing guidance and instruction
in acquisition of physical movements and skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Punching, kicking, rolling, tumbling,
grappling and weapons manipulations are physical skills or exercises for the
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond the cultural courtesies of
bowing, training barefooted, learning some words and expressions, counting in
another language, what life lessons are being taught by most martial arts
coaches/instructors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This does not mean that all
these coach-instructors are not skilled teaching professionals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good number of them are accomplished
trainers with students who have earned many awards and lots of well-deserved accolades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that these coach-instructors
are focused almost exclusively on the development of physical skills in their
students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most of
the coach-instructors teach what they were taught and in the very same manner
in which they were taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not
know how to develop a curriculum or lesson plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The do not have instructional alternatives
for their students – they use a “one size fits all” approach and if a student
is not successful within the confines of their program it is the student’s
fault – the student is ‘defective’, has a ‘flaw’, lacks ‘heart’ or is not
motivated for success within ‘our championship black belt dojo program’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coach- instructors are primarily technicians
who are focused on physical skills development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are not well versed in character development nor have they mastered
the critical principles of teaching and learning beyond the physical realm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Coach-instructors
are generally at the center of attention while their student- trainees are
interchangeable, disposable and continually replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all is said and done, the “magic” of
success resides with the coach-instructor, not the student-trainee who went on
the floor and performed in the competition with student-trainees of other
coach-instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The student-trainees
will come and go while the coach-instructor will remain in place over a long
period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end it is all
about the coach-instructor and what they were able to accomplish with their
student-trainees in competitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within
the martial arts world there are a large number of coach-instructors who
establish the training regimes and schemes that their student-trainees followed
in the quest for championship medals and recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to recognize and appreciate that it
is the coach-instructors who have pushed their student-trainees through the
physical training programs that focused on winning at the tournaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their teaching methods were centered on
providing the correct mechanical and technical skills development needed to win
medals, but they did not intentionally work on helping their student-trainees
to understand how those skills could be blended into other aspects of lives in
society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Master
Teachers are skilled people help their students to move beyond the mechanical
and physical skills development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
use the lessons taught in the present to prepare their students for future
situations both inside and outside of the martial arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Master Teachers understand that they are
involved in a ‘performance art’ which can be improved on and further perfected
through practice and experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are inclined to critically evaluate their own performances as teachers just as
they will evaluate the accomplishments of their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Master Teachers demonstrate the importance of
continual learning and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge through their active
behavior on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lead by
example while clearly demonstrating to their students that they know,
understand and live the maxim:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Proper prior
preparation prevents piss poor performances</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Master
Teachers place their emphasis on the intellectual, emotional, and physical
development of their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
not seeking the limelight; they do not need to be viewed as legends in their
own time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They understand that success
is only possible if one has also failed from time to time and learned from those
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with coach- instructors,
the students of Master Teachers come and go over time, the major difference is
that Master Teachers encourage their students to learn the lessons well, and
then move on, continuing to learn as they grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Master Teacher is an educator, even if they are not working in a
formal educational institution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
bring out the very best in their students and prepare them for life in the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a
student I had the benefit of learning from and being under the guidance of a
number of people whom I consider to be Master Teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were people who in some cases I sought
out and in other cases I was assigned to them by some means without any input
from myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to acknowledge and
thank, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mrs.
Whetstone, Mr. Harry Whitesides, Dr. Harry Randles, Dr. Sidney Willhelm, Sifu
Don Zanghi, GM Tom Bolden, Ama Guro Billy Bryant, Gat Puno Abundio Baet, PG
Eddie Lastra</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">MG Roberto Torres</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Master
teachers are leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lead by
example and inspire others to accept the challenges of studying, learning and
teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were teaching role models
who presented learning as a lifelong pursuit and sharing as an ethereal gift to
those who are able to accept it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are educators in mind and spirit who share a common bond even when they have
never met or talk with one another because the gift of knowledge that they gave
lives on through their students as well as their student’s students. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No one can legitimately claim to be a
Master Teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a title that
one can confer on himself or herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The title is earned over time and comes from the accomplishments of your
students as seen and understood by people totally outside of your sphere of
influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of people have tried
to claim the title, but they never accepted the responsibilities that always
come with the designation, Master Teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all know a true Master Teacher when we meet him/her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never have to tell anyone that they are Master
Teachers and they will not use that title to describe themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jerome Barber, Ed. D., </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Grand Master and Principal Teacher, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Independent Escrima-Kenpo -Arnis Associates, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Hamburg, New York.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April
12, 2013 </span>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-88361313439224585982013-05-07T15:46:00.001-04:002013-05-07T15:46:33.737-04:00White Collar vs. Blue Collar Instruction in the FMAI read this reply by the author listed below on <myfma.net> and as I read through the whole post and comments sections I was amazed that there is a FMA instructor who uses the white collar approach to teaching FMA!<br />
<br />
Just going through the motions? Whoa! Gotta take some time to really think about this one, but at the same time I couldn't just close out the site and walk away. <br />
<br />
<a class="fn url" href="http://www.myfma.net/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=1whrh8alhjbiy">Edward Talib</a> <em>on <span class="timestamp">April 30, 2013 at 12:50pm</span> </em><br />
<dd><div class="description" id="desc_3158179Comment191652">
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<em>By White collar I mean, a laid by back approach, just going through the motions with little to no resistance. By Blue I meant working against a moderate level somewhat of resistance. I hope that helps clarify.</em></div>
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</dd>Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-80175804370390429922013-04-18T15:57:00.001-04:002013-04-18T15:57:25.457-04:00Modern Arnis HoF - A Honor and an OversightOn March 22, 2013, there was an announcement of the martialtalk.com Modern Arnis forum:<br />
<br />
<em>Remy Presas Memorial Training Camp & Black Belt Hall of Fame - Philadelphia 2013 </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div>
<em>I wanted to announce that John Bryant, recently deceased, is going to be posthumously inducted into the BB Hall of Fame this summer in Philadelphia. This is a wonderful way to honor him. He founded the first Modern Arnis school in the United States and was the first instructor of Tim Hartman.<br /><br /> Yours,<br /> Dan Anderson </em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
<div>
I find that announcement to be a bit curious because John Bryant had not been involved in training or instructing in Modern Arnis or any other martial arts since about 1988 until his death a few weeks earlier in 2013. There are a number of other people who I think would have been better choices for induction because they have been continuously active in Modern Arnis for at least 2 decades and taken a number of their students to Lakan Isa / 1st degree black belt and higher.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Awarding John with a posthumous induction is a wonderful gesture and I won't argue against it for 2 reasons, 1. John was a friend and classmate of mine at Fight Back Institute in Buffalo and 2. one should never speak ill of the deceased. From my perspective, John's teacher, Sifu Don Zanghi should be inducted into the MA Hall of Fame. It was Sifu Don who brought Professor Presas to Buffalo, it was Sifu Don who was the first certified Modern Arnis Instructor in the Buffalo area, it was Sifu Don who attended the 2 week long Modern Arnis training camps, then the week long camps before they devolved into weekend events. Without Sifu Don Zanghi, Professor Remy Presas would not have gotten to Buffalo in 1980, 5 years before John Bryant opened his "<em>Filipino Karate Academy</em>", after leaving FBI before he had earned his black belt in either Tracy Kenpo or Modern Arnis.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
If Sifu Don Zanghi had not worked closely with Professor Remy Presas, it is possible that the following people in the Buffalo area might never have become involved in or gave instruction in Modern Arnis, Guro David Battaglia, Master Bill Adams, Master Ernie Delts, Sensei Dan Carr, Sensei Gary Castanza, Lakan John Bryant, Lakan Jeff Rech, Lakan Tim Unger, Lakan John Bryant, Dayang Tammy Wilson, Lakan David Smith, Datu tim hartman, Master Tim Kashino, Master Richard Curren, Master Paul Martin, Master Keith Roosa, Lakan Tom Verga, Lakan James "Buddy" Antonio, and myself. All of the aforementioned people were associated with Sifu Don, either directly as students or indirectly as people who trained with him and Professor from time to time in the Modern Arnis system.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
It is an incredible irony that the man who founded the first and arguably the most productive Modern Arnis program in the Western New York region, including Buffalo and Niagara Falls would be overlooked in favor of a student of his, whose school was only open for 3 to 4 years and who produced only two black belt students, Dayang Wilson and Lakan Smith.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Others may have a different opinion but when all of the facts are considered, I believe that Sifu Don Zanghi should be recognized by the selectors at the Modern Arnis Hall of Fame on the basis of fairness and documented achievements in terms of promoting and promulgating the growth of Modern Arnis during the first 15 years of Professor Presas' 25 year teaching career in the USA. </div>
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</div>
<div>
Respectfully submitted,</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.</div>
<div>
Grand Master, Datu & Principal Teacher,</div>
<div>
Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates</div>
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</div>
Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374172599947923980.post-13819083677029505152013-03-27T17:41:00.002-04:002013-03-27T17:41:46.420-04:004th Annual Mataw Guro Association Gathering<div class="c_ic_blueframe c_ic_bar" dir="ltr" id="rmic1_bar" style="visibility: inherit;">
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Hello to Everyone,<br /> <br />I just received the following information from Sifu Dale Yeager, <br />regarding the Mataw Guro Association Gathering that he will host on July <br />17 & 28, 2013 just outside of Philadelphia, in Phoenix, PA.<br /> <br />Sifu Yeager has changed the date for Gathering from June to July and <br />wanted to update everyone about the change. Below you will find all of <br />the pertinant information regarding the Gathering. It will be hard to <br />beat the price quoted for this event and the there are some highly <br />skilled and talented people who will be attending the gathering.<br /> <br />Sincerely,<br /> <br />Jerome Barber, Ed. D.<br />-----------------------<br /> <br />From: Dale Yeager <daleyeager@live.com<br />Subject: MGA Gathering Offical Date 2013 <br /> <br />PLEASE READ AND FORWARD to OTHERS:<br /> <br />4TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MATAW-GURO GATHERING 2013<br /> <br />LOCATION: KUNTAO Martial Arts Club </div>
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400 Franklin Ave Suite 115, Phoenixville, PA 19460 <br />www.kuntaomac.com<br /> <br />[We are 45 minutes from the Philadelphia airport, and approx. 2 hours <br />from NYC or Washington DC.]<br /> <br />TRANSPORTATION:<br />•Preferred airport Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) <br />Transportation from the PHL Airport<br />•AAA Airport One Direct, (215) 677-3544 <a href="http://www.aairport1.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">http://www.aairport1.com/</span></a> <br />•GO Airport Shuttle Service <br /><a href="http://goairportshuttle.com/philadelphia_airport_shuttle#" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">http://goairportshuttle.com/philadelphia_airport_shuttle#</span></a> <br /> <br />HOTELS:<br />French Creek Inn, 2 Ridge Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460<br /> (610) 935-3838 <a href="http://www.frenchcreekinn.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">http://www.frenchcreekinn.net/</span></a> <br /> <br />Courtyard Philadelphia Valley Forge/Collegeville, 600 Campus Drive, <br />Collegeville, PA 19426<br /> (800) 321-2211 <br /><a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/PHLVG-Courtyard-Philadelphia-Valley-Forge-Collegeville" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/PHLVG-Courtyard-Philadelphia-Valley-Forge-Collegeville</span></a><br /><br /> Additional hotels are available in King of Prussia, PA which is 15 <br />minutes away for the location. <br />------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> <br />DATE: JULY 27-28<br />FEES: $50 per person donation for MGA members. <br />Non-members $75 per person donation. <br /> <br />Host: Dale Yeager, CEO,<br />daleyeager@live.com<br />SERAPH; DIRECT: 866-468-7962 ext 801<br />SKYPE: seraphdaleyeager <br />Facsimile: 702-995-8251<br /> </div>
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Jerome Barber, Ed. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09139035947740401731noreply@blogger.com2