Class: Dec 22, 2011

Attendence: Todd L, Lem

Notes:
Warm-up with 3 of 9 w/tapping
3 of 9 rh/lh/simultaneously
3 of 9 lf defeats rh
Counters against reflexive grabs
Cross-body parry drill
Ended with free-flow sparring

History Timeline: Sayoc Kali, "All Blade-All the Time"

I have always liked reading about the history of different Martial Arts and how they became great. For example, the start of Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has always intrigued me, as well as, Wing Chun's history and the birth of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do with Bruce Lee. I also like reading about Kajukenbo.

There are different systems that make up Filipino Martial Arts (fma). Each founder/master has their own flavor/style of sharing their expression of the blade or stick. I've read the history of Bahala Na's start with Grandmaster Leo Giron, a great warrior named Tatang Bo with Ilustrisimo Kali (escrima), Modern Arnis with Grandmaster Remy Presas, and GM Floro Villabrille with Villabrille-Largusa Kali system. More recently, I've been reading about the Atienza Kali family system which has evolved in New York City. Sayoc La has a good article about AK's history (scroll down to Atienza kali/escrima on the website).

There are many more fma's out there that I could list, but these are just a few that I liked reading about.

This leads me to the present. This article is a very insightful look into the timeline and history of Sayoc Kali. It's a very interesting read. In my opinion, this is a great look into Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc's life and how Sayoc Kali started. It also explains how the term 'Tuhon' came into use. Just check it out, I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

Class: Dec 11, 2011

Attendence:
Bryant (from Maharlika martial arts), Lem

Notes:
We warmed up by reviewing 3 of 9 w/tapping.
LH defeats RH
True Left
7 Count passing drill
Receiver grips
TD1
and started to learn TD2.

Class Notes: Nov 20, 2011

Attendence: Charlie, Lem

Notes:
Discussed blade protocol
Blade passing
3 of 9 template w/tapping
Knife Cross-body parry
Free flow

Getting Robbed @ MMA: Nov 15, 2011

Guro Bob asked each one of us . . . What would you and three other friends do if you were being robbed?

Would we all jump him at the same time? Would we sacrifice one person? Who would make the first move? In this scenario, we had one robber with a gun holding up 4 people. We tried a few things. . . one person tried for the gun while everyone else grabbed for a limb. We tried sneaking one person in while the gunman was being distracted. All our efforts fell short. One person or all of us were getting shot.

A tactic that worked consistently was to have the targeted person initiate the first move. His move has to be quick and committed to alter the target of the gun away from himself and his friends. Then each one has to help move the gun up and away while taking a limb.

Two groups of thought happens in this situation. It won't happen to me, so I won't need to think about it--reacting. Or if it happens, I have a plan--acting. Will you be the one reacting or will you be the one acting with a plan before it happens?

Immortals-God and Titans

I went to see this movie recently because I heard that Tuhon Rafael Kayanan from Sayoc Kali helped work on it. Another reason I wanted to check it out is because the directors also did the movie 300.

First, let me start by saying that it has some sweet action scenes. There were a few blade action sequences that showed a nice flow. There was a primal scene where the lead character, Theseus, faces off against a tall beast a.k.a. the executioner. He got some good slashes to the back of the knees to take out the tendons which dropped him, then to the neck area for a vital hit.

I wished the movie developed the story line better. Theseus' character was not as compelling as King Leonidas of 300. I really didn't cheer for Theseus. I just watched it for the action scenes. I think King Hyperion (Micky Rourke) had a stronger impact throughout the movie than Theseus' character. Micky Rourke did a great job depicting an evil mastermind.

If you like to watch a movie for some blade action, Immortals will not disappoint.

Training @ MMA: Nov 1, 2011

Training at Maharlika Martial Arts fun. Guro Bob went over what we learned with Tuhon Carl Atienza. We got to do some zombie scenarios and team scenarios. We also tried two vs two. I should have kept my awareness up because I got hit good in the head a few times.