MY PRIVILEGED WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS
By Jay de Leon
Part One

I have been blessed being able to practice, teach and promote martial arts most of my life, including traditional and modern martial arts, as well as the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) of arnis, eskrima and kali.  I have chronicled my martial arts journey in my book, “Remembrances of Dojos Past.” 

This two-part pictorial may be considered a companion to that book, and is just another way of acknowledging and saying thank you to the many martial arts teachers, taskmasters, students, peers and friends who have enriched that journey.  It is almost like a coffee table book without the coffee table. 

But even more than that, it is also a scrapbook of memories, a remembrance, a tribute.  As you will see, I have indeed been fortunate and privileged to have either trained with, interviewed, taught, socialized or simply shaken hands with most of the people pictured here.

Part One features mostly grandmasters, masters, guros (teachers) and peers who have helped me develop my art, and in some way or another, influenced my thinking and philosophy, as well as my actual training, about the martial arts.  Stretching that idea a little bit, this part includes authors of the written word as well as cinematic personas who have influenced and inspired me.  It is veritably a Who’s Who of martial artists in the United States and the Philippines during this time period.

Part Two includes students, sparring partners, martial arts friends, and supporters especially relatives and my own children who were also my students.  I did learn a lot from this second group just as much as the first one, and possibly had more interaction and enjoyment from them.

A handful of the grandmasters pictured here have concluded their earthly martial arts journey, and have passed on.  May you rest in peace with the thought that you have made this world a better and secure place to live in, and you take with you our thanks, thoughts and prayers.

I toyed with the idea of arranging the pictures chronologically, possibly by styles, like grouping all the Bakbakan people together.  In the end, I scrapped the whole idea of “order” altogether.  Just enjoy all these wonderful people.  Trust me, they are comfortable with disorder(s).

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang arnis!

PART ONE

GM Cristino Vasquez (right) with Jay de Leon at the 3rd FMA
World Festival in Cavite, Philippines in 2006.  GM Vasquez is
the highest ranking grandmaster in Presas Modern Arnis and
 in my organization, the International Modern Arnis Federation
of the Philippines (IMAFP) who is not a Presas (Lakan
Siyam/9th Degree).

The late GM Gerardo “Larry”Alcuizar (left) with Jay de Leon. 
This  photo was taken at the backyard of my residence in the city
of Murrieta, California, USA, in the early 2000’s.

The late GM Larry Alcuizar, originally a Grandmaster of Doce Pares,
as well as a master of tang soo do.  He eventually founded his own style.

GM Larry Alcuizar (right) and Jay de Leon.  GM Larry was the
 featured instructor at my Mini-seminar, Tipunan sa Glendora,
held at Steve Aron’s Temple of the Garage, in Glendora,
California in 2006.

Guro Ron Manrique (right) and Jay de Leon, outside a chapel of the
 Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California, USA on Sept., 2007,
 where the mortal remains of GM Larry Alcuizar lay in wake. 
Ron Manrique is the designated inheritor of GM Larry Alcuizar’s
 system in the United States.

“Judo” Gene LeBell (left) executes a trademark choke on Jay de Leon.
Gene and I worked on a couple of projects, and I watched Gene
teach a few seminars.  Did you think I would really get on the mat
 with Gene and give him the chance to put a real choke on me?

“Judo” Gene LeBell (left) and Jay de Leon at a location shoot somewhere
 in Los Angeles, California, USA.  Gene LeBell is a foremost pioneer of
the grappling arts in the United States, encompassing judo, wrestling,
jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.  Gene is also a movie stuntman and actor.

The late GM Roland Dantes (right) and Jay de Leon, at the Gala Night
of the 3rd FMA World Festival held in Manila, Philippines in July 2006.
Roland Dantes was an inspirational figure in FMA, and a
dear friend.  He was my son Mitch’s favorite grandmaster.

GM Roland Dantes’s wake was held at the Marian Memorial Chapels on
 Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal, outside of Manila, Philippines.   
He was eventually laid to rest at the Heaven’s Gate Memorial Park, also
 in Antipolo City. 

GM Roland Dantes will be sorely missed by the FMA community and
 the entertainment world for a long time to come.

GM Yuli Romo (left) with Jay de Leon at the Bakbakan Tournament,
held in Manila, Philippines on 2006.  Here he took some time out from his
busy refereeing duties to say hi to me.  In my books, he is one of the
living real deal FMA Masters of the Philippines.

GM Yuli Romo doing a little barong demo at the Rizal Park, Manila,
Philippines in 2006.  Considered one of the four pillars of Kali
Ilustrisimo, he also teaches his own style of Bahad Zubu.

Imposing statue of Lapu-Lapu standing guard
 at the Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines.  He is an
early Philippine hero, most especially to arnisadors,
for slaying Ferdinand Magellan on the shores of
Mactan, Cebu in 1521.

GM Elmer V.Montoyo (left) with Jay de Leon, taken at the YMCA
 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines in Dec., 2009.
GM Montoyo is a senior Grandmaster of the Original Filipino
Tapado System under current inheritor GM Benefredo “Bebing”
 Momar Lobrido, as well as the founder of the Filipino
Tang Soo Do system.  Photo courtesy of James U. Sy, Jr.

Master James U. Sy, Jr. (left) of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society,
GM Elmer V.Montoyo (center) of the Original Filipino Tapado System,
 and Jay de Leon of the International Modern Arnis Federation of the
Philippines (IMAFP),  at the YMCA in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental,
Philippines in Dec., 2009.  Photo courtesy of James U. Sy, Jr.

GM Christopher “Topher” Ricketts with Jay de Leon at the Bakbakan
Tournament held in Manila on 2006.   I owe Topher and his son
Bruce Ricketts a lot for supporting many of my events.  I have many
pictures with Topher,  but I decided to include this one
because for once, I was supporting his event in the Philippines.

GM Christopher “Topher” and Bruce Ricketts.
Probably the most well-known father and son
tandem in arnis history, known for their
scintillating Kali Ilustrisimo demos.  Thanks
for supporting my events, guys.

Jean Paul Zialcita is an arnisador, an innovative musician, a
man of letters and the arts,  and literally and figuratively, a
 drumbeater for Filipino Martial Arts (FMA).

GM Bobby Taboada (left) and the late GM Roland Dantes
with Jay de Leon (standing) at the Palms Casino
in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in 2004.

Master Jorge Penafiel (left) of Balintawak Arnis and Jay de Leon
at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in 2004.

GM Bobby Taboada (second from left) and Master Jorge Penafiel
(third from left) at one of their Balintawak belt promotions
in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

GM Jerry de la Cruz (right) and Jay de Leon.  GM de la Cruz
heads his own organization now, but has Modern Arnis roots
and occasionally participates in IMAFP events, like the
3rd FMA World Festival in Cavite, Philippines in 2006
when this photo was taken.

GM Rodel Dagooc (left) and Jay de Leon.  GM Dagooc heads
 his own organization now, but has Modern Arnis roots and
and occasionally participates in IMAFP events, like the
3rd FMA World Festival in Cavite, Philippines in 2006
 when this photo was taken.

Guro Rosauro (Roy) de Leon (right) and Jay de Leon
(no relation).  Roy is the IMAFP Commissioner for Iloilo.
The IMAFP Regional Commissioners are the backbone
of the IMAFP national organization in the Philippines.
Photo taken at the 3rd FMA World Festival in Cavite,
Philippines in 2006.

GM Rey Galang (left), Founder of Bakbakan International, and
Jay de Leon, at the Bakbakan International Tournament
held in Manila in July 2006.  Note Bakbakan seal behind them.

Master Jerry Evangelisan (left) of Dekiti Tirsia Serradas and
 Jay de Leon at the Gala Night of the 3rd FMA World Festival
held in Manila, Philippines in 2006.

GM Jerson “Nene” Tortal of Dekiti Tirsia Serradas (left), with Jay de Leon
at GM Tortal’s residence in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines
 on June, 2009.  GM Tortal is another living legend of arnis, as well
as a true gentleman and a gracious host.

Solomon Kaihewalu (left), Grandmaster of Lua, demonstrates
the use of the paddle against a staff wielded by Lua senior
instructor David Krapes, at the Tipunan sa Disneyland
at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California on Aug., 2005.
I also attended several of GM Kaihewalu’s classes at the
 Gasshuku in San Jose, California many years back.

 
 Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu (left) and Master David Krapes (right)
of Lua, and Jay de Leon (center), at the Tipunan sa Disneyland
 at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California, USA on Aug. 2005.

Rosauro (Roy) de Leon (left) and Jay de Leon (no relation)
at the 3rd Remy Presas Training Camp and Tournament
in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on June 2009.  Roy is the
Regional Commissioner of Iloilo for the International
Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP).

Master Nilo Limpin (right) with Jay de Leon at Master Limpin’s
residence in Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines in June, 2009.
Nilo Limpin is a former stuntman, arnisador, master of the
balisong, and a master craftsman of Philippine hardwood
products of weapons and other handicraft.

Archive photo of IMAFP blademasters.  From left to right,
Master Godofredo Fajardo, Master Nilo Limpin and GM Cristino
Vasquez in Manila, Philippines.

Archive photo.   IMAFP masters Godofredo Fajardo (right) and
Nilo Limpin work out with live balisongs in Manila, Philippines.

Master Dan Anderson (left) with Jay de Leon at Dan Anderson’s
Modern Arnis seminar held at Toma Rosenzweig’s Aikido Daiwa
School in Burbank, California on Oct., 2007.  Dan Anderson
 was a direct student of Prof. Remy Presas as well as a karate
 tournament legend in the 70’s known then as “Super Dan.”

Kung Fu Master Eric Lee (right) and Jay de Leon at Dan
Anderson’s Modern Arnis seminar held at Toma Rosenzweig’s
 Aikido Daiwa School in Burbank, California on Oct., 2007.
  Eric Lee and I attended Remy Presas seminars together
 in Los Angeles, California, USA in the 80’s.

GM Rey Galang (left) and Guro Edessa Ramos of Switzerland with an
oversized poster of Rey’s book “Warrior Arts of the Philippines,” at the
Tipunan sa Disneyland at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California, USA
on Aug., 2005.

GM Rey Galang’s book “The Warrior Arts”
published in 2005.

The late Mangisursuro Mike Inay, founder of Inayan Eskrima.
I was fortunate to meet him and attend a couple of his sessions
at the Gasshuku Training Camp in San Jose, California, USA
 in the early 90’s.

Suro Jason  Inay.  I had the pleasure of
working out with Jason when I lived in
San Jose, California, and Mike Inay
was still alive.  This photo was taken
around that time, in the early 90’s.

This is Tuhon Chris Sayoc, present head and
inheritor of Sayoc Kali.  He is an acknowledged
instructor of the Dog Brothers, and he has produced
numerous master bladesmen.  He is so humble
that he makes “mano” to me when he sees me.

This is world kickboxing champion Javier “Thunder”
 Mendez, whom I watched fight several times in San Jose,
California.  I also trained with him briefly in his gym
at San Jose, California called “American Kickboxing
Academy.”  After he retired from the ring, he got involved
 training fighters for the UFC and other fight venues.

Saekson Janjira (left) was a champion muay thai
kickboxer in the USA, based at the North Hollywood
 Muay Thai Boxing Academy in North Hollywood,
southern California  where I trained briefly for
 about a year.

World Muay Thai Champion Saekson Janjira
of Los Angeles, California, USA.

Master Jay Auen (extreme right) strikes a pose with his pretty wife
(extreme left) and student Mike Long in Halloween costume. 
Jay Auen was a taekwondo master, tournament champion and
kickboxing fighter in San Jose, California, USA.  I taught arnis
at his dojo for a couple of years.

Archive photo.  Jay de Leon, Tony Radcliffe, Steve Aron and Phil Rapagna,
then senior instructors for Steve Aron’s Academy of Fighting Arts in
 Glendale, California, USA in the early 80’s.  The school curriculum
included Parker kenpo,  jeet kune do(JKD) and Inosanto Kali. 

Archive photo.  Jay de Leon (standing, extreme left), with students of the
Steve Aron’s Academy of Fighting Arts in the early 80’s.  I am cutting
Mary Aron’s  hair with a balisong.  This was an impromptu photo
 taken between the children’s class and the adult class.

Archive photo.  Jay de Leon (front, left) with his Parker kenpo demo
 team, somewhere in southern California, USA, sometime in the 80’s.

This is the late Nishiyama sensei, head of the shotokan
 JKA (Japan Karate Association) in  Los Angeles,
 California, USA.  Hidetaka Nishiyama was one of the
last surviving students of Gichin Funakoshi, founder of
shotokan.  Upon coming  to the US, I trained for many
 years in JKA shotokan under Enzo Ortega and Robert
 Hummer  of Glendale, CA in the 70’s and attended a
few of Nishiyama’s events and seminars.  He died
on Nov. 7, 2008. 

Bob Wall (left) and Jay de Leon pose after a training session
for “America-in-Defense,” which taught cabin crew self-defense
in response to the 9/11 attack.  Bob Wall is a martial artist,
 actor and co-founder of “WorldBlackBelt” with Chuck Norris.
He is known for his role as the villain “O’Hara” in the movie
“Enter the Dragon” with his friend Bruce Lee.

Bob Wall (left) as the villain “O’Hara” and Bruce Lee
in the movie “Enter the Dragon”(1974).

Jay de Leon in his uniform as an instructor for
Bob Wall’s “America-in-Defense”—black shoes,
black pants, and black t-shirt with embroidered
AID logo.  The bowie knife was optional. 
I travelled all over the United States teaching
this system to airline cabin crew members
including pilots and co-pilots. 

Entertainment trivia.  I was responsible for getting my IMAFP/
Modern Arnis crew hired for  the “Fightquest” TV series on
Discovery Channel.  I signed the contract in the United States,
and they filmed the arnis segment in the Philippines.  From left to
 right, Jimson Dearos, Jimmy Smith (one of the series’
protagonists), GM Cris Vasquez, and Cocoy Oyales.

These fierce warriors are really my IMAFP crew during another TV
reality show “Survivor” shot in the Philippines.  From left to right,
Master Godofredo Fajardo, senior guros Paolo Motita and
Nonoy Poblacion.

Just to give you an idea of the contestants of this particular show.  Yes,
lots of bare skin.  They wanted the viewership, and this was one of the
reasons why it was filmed in the tropics.

Our man in Jordan--Guro Wail Irshaid (left) of Filipino Fighting
Arts Int’l (FFAI) poses with oldest son Hamoda.

This is Master Felix Valencia (right) of LAMECO.  He was a featured
Tipunan instructor and supporter, and we were both martial arts
senior instructors for FrontSight, the huge gun training institute
in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.  Felix Valencia is an acknowledged
 FMA blademaster as well as a full-contact stick fighter and
 trainer.  I consider him my LAMECO guro, and a close friend.

This is the late Grandmaster Nick Cerio, a kenpo pioneer
in the US who studied under William Chow, founder of
 kenpo.  Nick Cerio eventually founded his own system,
known as “Nick Cerio’s Kenpo.” United Studios of
Self-Defense, founded by Charles Mattera,  teaches his
system.  I was an instructor for United  Studios of
 Self-Defense in North County, California for several
 years, teaching kenpo, kickboxing and arnis.  Remember
that I am a Parker kenpo instructor.  My son Mike, then a
yellow belt junior, and I attended a couple of GM Cerio’s
 seminars during this period.  He died on Oct. 7, 1998.

From left to right, Noah Harders, Jay de Leon, Willem
“Uncle Bill” de Thouars, and Jeremiah Stanley.  When this
picture was taken during one of Uncle Bill’s seminars in
northern California, Noah and Jeremiah were my students. 
They are  now jiu-jitsu instructors and FMA guros with
 their own students.  Willem “Uncle Bill” de Thouars is a
very well known kuntao and silat master in the US.

Hawkins Cheung is a Los Angeles-based
combat tai-chi master whom I met in my early
years of attending seminars in Los Angeles, CA.
We still run into each other in Los Angeles
at martial arts events.  

This is Shihan Gordon Doversola, head of Okinawa-te
in the USA.  When I lived in Glendale, CA, his dojo was a few
blocks away from my house.  He invited me to train at his
dojo for free, even though he knew I was training in
shotokan at a nearby school.  I took him up on his
offer.  Unfortunately, he moved his dojo after about a year.

Grandmaster Takayuki “Tak” Kubota.  When I lived
in Glendale, CA, my house was a few blocks away from
Tak Kubota’s dojo.  I would drop by his dojo and
talk “shop” with him.  He was always friendly,
smiling, obliging and accommodating, even though
he knew I was training in a shotokan school close by.

Jay de Leon with some dancers from the Palawan Dance Troupe from
Palawan, Philippines after their performance at Artesia, California, USA
on Oct., 2007.  If you do not know the correlation between Filipino folk
 dances and arnis, check with your arnis instructor or Philippine
history teacher.

The highly popular dance “singkil” with muslim influence.

This dancer has a sword in her mouth.  Are you beginning to see
the connection?

GM Ranie Henson (left) and Jay de Leon at Ranie Henson’s shorin-ryu
 dojo in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines in May, 2008.   Ranie Henson’s
dojo was the last dojo I trained in before immigrating to the United States.
His school was the Philippine Combat Karate Judo Association (PHICKAJU)
which taught Latino Gonzales shorin-ryu, judo and Remy Presas arnis
(then in its infancy in Manila, where Remy Presas brought it from
Hinigaran, Negros Occidental).

Jay de Leon’s  ID while attending PHICKAJU in Cubao,
Quezon City, Philippines, circa 1972.  This particular school
 was owned  by Ranie Henson.  Note his name and
 signature at the bottom left corner.

The late Vic Vargas, the Philippine actor.  Before
he became an actor, he was our judo instructor
at the Ateneo de Manila High School Judo Club
 in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines,
in the early 60’s. We knew him then as
 Jose “Pinggoy” Asuncion.

Dr. Juan Pablo Nanagas, Ernie Diokno and Jay de Leon, at a reunion
held in Alabang, Rizal on Dec. 2007.  These three are charter members
of the Ateneo de Manila High School Judo Club taught by the Philippine
actor Vic Vargas, then known as Jose “Pinggoy” Asuncion.  They were
also classmates.  John lives in the Philippines, Ernie lives in Canada
 but works in Europe, and Jay lives in the United States, hence, the reunion.

Master Vic Ferrer of Sikaran, Dino Flores of LAMECO, and GM
Rey Galang of  Bakbakan International at the Palms Casino
in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in 2004.

GM Richard Bustillo is one of the highest ranking
Grandmasters of Doce Pares in the United States.
He is based in the Los Angeles area in the
United States, and so I have had numerous
 occasions to watch, interview or just chat
with him at martial arts events.

Archive photo.  Modern Arnis Grandmasters Rodel Dagooc,
Bambit Dulay, Rene Tongson and Cristino Vasquez of the
 International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines
(IMAFP).  They were all direct students of either Prof.
Remy Presas or Ernesto Presas, or both.

Bruce Ricketts models a Tipunan rain jacket.
  Bruce is also the nephew of Ronnie Ricketts,
one of the Philippines’ leading action stars, and
has co-starred with his uncle in several movies.

Bruce Rickets co-starred with his uncle Philippine
star Ronnie Ricketts in the movie “Mano Mano:
Arnis…The Lost Art,” which was an official entry
to the Manila Film Festival in 2004.  Bruce was
14 years old when this film was shot.

World kickboxing champion Kathy Long (right) and her business partner Maria
Bueno (left) pose with Jay de Leon at a casting call in Los Angeles, CA.  I have
known Kathy Long since her fighting days, having watched several of her fights
 then.  After a lengthy retirement, Kathy Long made a successful comeback, but
in Mixed Martial Arts.

From left to right, Manny Maer, Godofredo Fajardo and Wail Ishaid
pose proudly with their sparring gear and awards from the Kingdom
of Jordan.  As of 2008, Master Godo has returned to the Philippines,
while Manny Maer oversees Godo’s organization in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, and Wail Irshaid handles the Kingdom of Jordan.

The banner of Bamboo Martial Arts International, the organization of
Guro Nathan Walker of Filipino Fighting Arts Intl’l, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.   Note that his seal is a variant of the logo of Master
Godofredo Fajardo’s Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI).

Jay de Leon with Tipunan participants and his Filipino
Fighting Arts USA students Guro Jeremiah Stanley and
 kempo sensei Sam Sadler.  Note logo of Filipino Fighting
 Arts Int’l (FFAI) on Jeremiah’s and Sam’s t-shirts,
as well as Jay’s vest.

T-shirt showing the logo of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI),
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA chapter under Guro Jun Odal.

A military officer from the Jordan military (left) receives an award from
his commanding officer.  Note his black sweatshirt with a logo of the
Jordan Arnis Committee adapted from Master Godofredo Fajardo’s
logo of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI).

Jordan military officers about to present an award to military officers
who trained in arnis.  Note the logo on the award.  It is the logo of
the Jordan Arnis Committee, adapted from Master Godofredo
Fajardo’s logo of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI).

Petra Rock Award.  Jay de Leon, Commissioner of IMAFP for North
America,  received this prestigious award from the Arnis Committee of
the Kingdom of Jordan for helping promote arnis to their military
 through guros of the Filipino Fighting Arts Jordan.

From left to right, GatPuno Abon “Garimot” Baet, Jay de Leon, and
GM Ramiro Estalilla at a Tipunan event in the Los Angeles area, CA, USA.
The ever flamboyant Abon wins the contest hands down for the most
number of  patches on his vest.

Gat Puno Abon Baet of Garimot Arnis (left) and Roger Agbulos
of LAMECO demonstrate their respective largo mano systems
  at the Tipunan sa Disneyland at the Hotel Hilton
in Anaheim, California, USA in 2005.

GatPuno Abundio Abon “Garimot” Baet, originally from
Laguna, Philippines.  He was a stalwart supporter and
instructor of myTipunan seminars.  Note his belt made
of rope (lubid) which is a flexible weapon of FMA.

From left to right, Master Stephen Aron of Inosanto Kali and JKD, Jay de Leon,
and IMAFP guro Edessa Ramos at the Tipunan sa Disneyland in Anaheim,
California, USA in 2005.

Guro Edessa Ramos (right) with Jay de Leon at the Tipunan sa Disneyland
at the Hilton in Anaheim, California, USA on Aug., 2005.  Edessa Ramos is
the Commissioner for Europe for the International Modern Arnis Federation
of the Philippines (IMAFP), while Jay de Leon is the IMAFP
Commissioner for Northern America.

Edessa Ramos (right) and GM Cristino Vasquez of the International Modern
Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) training somewhere in the
hills of Switzerland in Europe.  Photo courtesy of Edessa Ramos.

Edessa Ramos (right) and GM Cristino Vasquez of the International Modern
Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) doing blade work somewhere
 in the hills of Switzerland in Europe.  Photo courtesy of Edessa Ramos.

Guro Edessa Ramos of the International Modern Arnis Federation
of the Philippines (IMAFP) poses with double bolos somewhere in the
hills of Switzerland in Europe.  Do you hear that arnis yodel coming
out of the hills?  Photo courtesy of Edessa Ramos.

GM Christopher “Topher” Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo and Bakbakan
International with Jay de Leon at the Tipunan sa Disneyland held
at the Hilton in Anaheim, California, USA on Aug., 2005.

Master Stephen Aron of Inosanto Kali and Roger Agbulos of LAMECO
pose at the Tipunan sa Disneyland held at the Hilton Hotel in
 Anaheim, California, USA on Aug., 2005.

From left to right, Roger Agbulos, Jay de Leon, Dino Flores, GM Topher
Ricketts and Bruce Ricketts, at the Mini-Tipunan in Toluca Lake,
Los Angeles, California, USA held in 2005.  My thanks to friend
Roger Agbulos for acting as the master of ceremonies in my
Tipunan events.

One of the enjoyable things I have been asked to do is to
write reviews of upcoming books.  Here is one book I wrote
a review for—“Pananandata:  The Guide to Balisong
Openings,” co-authored by the father and son team of
 Amante P. Marinas Sr. and Amante P. Marinas Jr.
I have known PG Amante “ Mat” Marinas since
the 80’s here in the USA.

PG Mat Marinas (left) working out with son Mat Jr., the
designated successor to his system Pananandata.
Photo courtesy of Mat Marinas, Sr.

Mat Marinas, Jr., of
Pananandata, with
double balisongs.

This is a photo of my actual book purchased in the
Philippines, “Pananandata:  Arnis Double Sticks
Fighting.” This particular book is one of many books
authored by Amante P. Marinas, Sr. and published
in the Philippines.  PG Marinas has since authored
several more books and produced several videos
 in the USA.

PG Mat Marinas, Founder of
Pananandata Arnis.

Archive photo.  PG Mat Marinas (kneeling, right) and GM Leo Gaje
of Pekiti-Tirsia (kneeling, left) with their tournament fighters in 1975,
  in the USA.  Both grandmasters are acknowledged as pioneers of FMA
in the USA.  Many FMA masters and guros arrived at the United States
from the Philippines around this time, including Remy Presas and myself.
Photo courtesy of Mat Marinas.

Roger Agbulos (left) and John Jacobo were featured instructors
at the Tipunan sa Disneyland at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim,
California, USA on Aug. 2005.

Master John Jacobo is a Bakbakan stalwart
with his own organization and products, and
 was a featured instructor in several Tipunan
events.

Master Jon Escudero (left) of Lightning Scientific Arnis and
Jay de Leon at the Gala Night of the 3rd FMA World Festival
in Manila, Philippines in 2006.  Master Escudero has since
moved to Israel to set up an arnis school.

 GM Roberto Labaniego of Lightning Scientific Arnis (left)
and Jay de Leon at the Gala Night of the 3rd FMA World 
Festival in Manila, Philippines on July, 2006.

From left to right, Guro Rohnee Gumpal, Jay de Leon, and Master
Ronaldo Garciano.  At that time, the two gentlemen taught arnis,
Garciano style, out of the YMCA facilities in Dagupan,
 Pangasinan, Philippines, around 2007.

Jiu-jitsu master Hans Ingebretsen (left) with Jay de Leon
at the belt test at his dojo held  in San Jose, California, USA
on Aug, 2007 .  I flew to San Jose just to lend support to my arnis
student Jeremiah Stanley who was testing for his second degree
black belt in jiu-jitsu.  But Jeremiah and I also ended up giving
an arnis demo during the belt test, decidedly an honor.

Suro Jason Inay (right), now head and inheritor of Inayan Eskrima,
and Jay de Leon at Hans Ingebretsen’s belt test in San Jose, California
 USA on Aug., 2007 .  Many of Hans’s peers and students in the
Kilohana system train in Jason Inay’s Inayan system.  Note board
behind them honoring departed masters of the Kilohana system,
including Mangisursuro Mike Inay, founder of the Inayan System.

Jiu-jitsu master Russ Rhodes (left) and Jay de Leon at Hans
Ingebretsen’s belt test in San Jose, California, USA on
Aug., 2007.  Usually stern and combative, Russ Rhodes
had a rare smile for this picture.

Jeremiah Stanley (extreme left) happily poses with Jay de Leon
and a couple of his peers after his belt test at Hans Ingebretsen’s
dojo in San Jose, California, USA on Aug., 2007.  Jeremiah
is also now a full Lakan instructor in Modern Arnis.

From left to right, Linda Pulido, a top arnis tournament competitor,
Jay de Leon, and Graciela Casillas, an arnis guro and recognized
blade expert in the United States, at the Gala Night of the
3rd FMA World Festival in Manila, in 2006.  All three are
FMA guros in the United States.

From left to right, Armando Soteco, Master Godofredo Fajardo, Guro
Jeremiah Stanley, Salvador Demaisip of the International Modern   
Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP).  Jeremiah was my
student in the USA  who passed his black belt test during the
4th FMA World Festival in Boracay, Philippines in July 2008.

Yaw-Yan coach and former ring fighter Louie Yap (right),
Jay de Leon, and Yaw-Yan fighter and friend Dino Pineda
 (left), at a private Yaw-Yan workout at Dino’s residence
in Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong, Philippines in 2007.
Note Yaw-Yan kicking post at the corner.

From left to right, Rei Samson, Master Godofredo Fajardo and Jay de Leon
outside the Wack Wack Country Club restaurant in Mandaluyong,
Philippines in 2007.  Godofredo Fajardo and Jay de Leon are
co-founders of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) based in
Manila, Philippines and Rei Samson is the Commissioner for
 the Cordillera Region based in Baguio City, Benguet Province.

Prestigious “Kampilan” Award presented to Jay de Leon by the
International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) for
 his efforts in promoting FMA both in the USA and Philippines, given
during the 4th FMA World Festival in Boracay, Philippines
on July 2008.

From left to right, GM Cristino Vasquez, Datu Dieter Knuettel of Germany,
Guro Michael Gubat, and GM Rodel Dagooc at the 4th FMA World
Festival held in Boracay,Philippines, on July 2008.  Dieter usually
brings a huge contingent of students to the Festival, mostly DAV
students from Germany.  Photo courtesy of Michael Gubat
of Manila, Philippines.

Just another day in paradise…

Just another informal dinner reunion of masters and guros of the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) at the Grilla Restaurant
in Makati, Philippines on June, 2009.  From left to right, GM Bambit Dulay,
Master Godofredo Fajardo, Jay de Leon, Bobong Burbano and Pani Nagen. 

This is another book that I wrote a review on, “Eskrido”
by GM Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete of Doce Pares.
Unfortunately, Manong Cacoy was travelling around
the time the book came out, so I had to settle for an email
interview to get the scoop on this book.  This book came
 out in Sept., 2004.

Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete of Doce Pares
(right) in action using his famed “Eskrido.”  As of
this writing, in 2010, Manong Cacoy is still teaching,
travelling and doing arnis demos all over the
world, at the age of ninety years old.

 GM Efren L. Apresto (right), chief instructor of the Tacurong arnis club,
and his son (left), who also coaches the team, with Jay de Leon at the
3rd Prof. Remy Presas Training Camp and Tournament at the Robinson’s
Mall in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines in Dec., 2009.

From left to right, Joe Tan, Jay de Leon and LAMECO stalwarts
Bud Balani, Roger Agbulos, Felix Valencia, Ron Balicki, Dino Flores,
and Arnold Noche during a break at the Tipunan sa Los Angeles
Seminar in Los Angeles, California, USA in 2006.  These LAMECO
guros were direct senior students of the late GM Edgar Sulite.

Masters Group at the 3rd FMA World Festival in Cavite, Philippines in 2006: 
Cristino Vasquez, Bram Frank, Rodel Dagooc, Jerry de la Cruz,
Jay de Leon, Godofredo Fajardo, Rene Tongson, Roy de Leon,
Paolo Motita, Dieter Knuettel, Dan Anderson, Brian Zawilinski,
 Bambit Dulay, and Rico Acosta.

On May, 2007, Mike Gubat (right) flew with his family to the USA for their
 annual vacation.  As you can see, Mike and I happily hoisted a few at the
tony Cameron’s Seafood Restaurant and Bar on Colorado Boulevard
in Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, California, USA.
Mike Gubat is a guro as well as the archival expert for IMAFP,
 and a dear friend and trusted confidante of mine.

Punong Guro Steven Dowd (right) of Arnis Balite and publisher of
FMAdigest with Jay de Leon at the Tipunan sa Disneyland
at the Hotel Hilton in Anaheim, California in 2005.

GM Bram Frank of Florida, USA at the 4th FMA World
Festival in Boracay, Philippines on July, 2008.  He was also
 a featured instructor in Tipunan sa Disneyland in Anaheim,
California in 2005.  He is an acknowledged FMA blademaster,
conducting seminars all over the world all year round,
including Israel and Europe.  A direct student of Prof. Remy Presas,
he is highly respected by many Filipino FMA grandmasters and
is also a close friend to me and my son Mitch. 

GM Bram Frank (second from left) and Edessa Ramos (third from left) at
Bram Frank’s blade camp, “Commandments of Steel,” in Israel, in the
early 90’s.  Photo courtesy of Edessa Ramos.

GM Bram Frank (left), with the late GM Roland Dantes in Manila,
  Philippines.  Both Roland and Bram were direct senior students
of Prof. Remy Presas, Roland in the Philippines and Bram
 in the U.S.

Romy Ballares at the 4th FMA World Festival in
Boracay, Philippines in 2008.  He is an aikido master
teaching in Tokyo, Japan as well as a Modern Arnis
guro affiliated with IMAFP.

IMAFP Christmas get-together at the Aristocrat Restaurant on Roxas
Blvd. in Manila, Philippines on Dec. 2007.  Clockwise, Romy Ballares,
GM Bambit Dulay, Master Godofredo Fajardo, Panni Nagen and
Jay de Leon.

Two of my IMAFP home boys just chilling at the
4th FMA World Festival at Boracay, Philippines
in 2008—senior guros Jimson Dearos (left) and
Nonoy Poblacion.

Guest instructor Balintawak GM Nick Elizar (right) demos his
system at the 4th FMA World Festival at Boracay, Philippines
in 2008.

Guest instructor Master Doza of the Golden Kamagong Club
of Bacolod City under GM Ibarra Lopez in action at the 
 4th FMA World Festival at Boracay, Philippines
in 2008.  Photo courtesy of Michael Gubat.

Life is a beach.  Guro Jeremiah Stanley of northern
California, USA, at the 4th FMA World Festival
 in Boracay, Philippines on July 2008.  Jeremiah has
 been my student since the San Jose dojo in the early 90’s
 and is now a full-fledged Modern Arnis lakan guro.

GM Edring Casio (in red gi) displays his throwing skills at his seminar
at the wrestling facilities of Mount San Antonio College in the city of
Walnut, California on Oct. 22, 2006, which I attended.  He is a direct
 inheritor of San Miguel Eskrima founded by the late master Filemon
“Momoy” Canete of Cebu, Philippines.  GM Casio resides in Cebu.

Jay de Leon (center), Commissioner of IMAFP for North America,
receives his Certificate of Commendation from Atty. Salvador
Demaisip (left) and GM Rene Tongson of the International
Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) at the
 Gala Night of the 3rd FMA World Festival at the Heritage
Hotel in Pasay City, Philippines in 2006.

Rose Sorooshian, kung fu instructor at the American Tiger
Institute in Westminster, California, where I taught arnis
and kickboxing for a couple of years.  When I jumped in
for kung fu classes, Ms. Sorooshian was usually the
instructor, so we were sifu and student to each other.

 
The American Tiger dojo on Westminster Blvd., Westminster,
California.  I taught a kickboxing and an arnis class here for 
two years.  This dojo hosted a mini-Tipunan in Oct., 2008.

GM Michael Giron of Vallejo, California (middle), son of the founder of
Bahala Na system Leo Giron, with Jay de Leon (right), at a seminar in
Orange County, California hosted by Blaise Loong of Orange County,
California, and John Brown of Utah, USA on April 21, 2007.

 
John Brown (left) is a certified guro of Yuli Romo’s
Bahad Zubu here in the USA, while Blaise Loong is
an FMA and silat master as well as a weapons and
self-defense specialist based in Orange County,
 California, USA.  Yes, John Brown stands at
about 6’5”.

Jay de Leon (center) with Bahala Na arnis instructors from northern
 California who taught at the seminar in Orange County, southern
 California hosted by Blaise Loong of Orange County, California, 
and John Brown of Utah, USA on April 21, 2007.  My student
 Sam Sadler and I attended this seminar.

GM Nestor “Nes” Fernandez (right) and Jay de Leon in Camaley,
Binmaley, Pangasinan in the Philippines in 2009.  GM Nes is a
master of Pangasinan arnis, and had FMA schools in San Francisco
 and Daly City, in northern California, USA for many years.
  He also conducted seminars and produced FMA videos under the
auspices of the “Tiger Claw”martial arts supply company.  He
and I are cousins.

Billy Blanks is a taekwondo black belt, a champion karate
point-fighter, and a high ranking arnis lakan in Modern
Arnis under the late Professor Remy Presas.  He has also
starred in several martial arts movies, and is the originator
of the highly popular “taebo”workout.  How much more
talented can you get? We see each other at Bob Wall’s
“WorldBlackBelt” events in the Los Angeles, CA area.

Martial artist and actor Lorenzo Lamas during his
“Renegade” days.  Coincidentally, he and I attended
martial arts dojos in the Burbank, California area
about the same time.  Years later, he and I traveled
on a few promotional tours with Bob Wall for his
WorldBlackBelt events, like Joe Corley’s Battle of
 Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia and others.  He attracted
the crowd while I sold Bob’s stuff.  There’s no
business like show business.

Fumio Demura (right), a popular karate pioneer in the US,
poses with a student of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l – Las Vegas
at the Ozaka Cup Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008.

Ernie Reyes, Sr.  is a taekwondo master and
FMA guro.  He pioneered entertaining demos
 featured in Las Vegas and other venues.  He has
   also served as a fight choreographer for movies
 featuring his son, actor Ernie Reyes, Jr.  I have
attended several events with him and his son
Ernie Reyes, Jr.  in San Jose, CA as well as
Bob Wall’s “WorldBlackBelt” events in Los
Angeles, California, USA.

Ernie Reyes Jr. is a taekwondo black belt,
a muay thai ring fighter and a movie actor.
I watched his first ring fight in San Jose, CA.
I have attended several events with him and
his father Ernie Reyes, Sr.  in San Jose, CA
 as well as Bob Wall’s “WorldBlackBelt”
events in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Ernie Reyes, Jr. was a child star.  Here was one
 of his early movies.  You have to start somewhere.

Archive photo.  Prof. Remy Presas, Founder of Modern
Arnis (right) and GatPuno Abon Baet in Paete, Laguna,
Philippines.  Now you know why there is deep affection
between my friend Abon and Modern Arnis practitioners.
Photo courtesy of Abon Baet.

Marc Denny, aka Crafty Dog, (that would be the
human on the left), Founder of the Dog Brothers.  For
 all their achievements, the Dog Brothers will forever
 be remembered for their full-contact stickfighting event
known as the “Gathering of the Pack.”  Marc has invited
me as a guest a couple of times at the Gathering in the
Los Angeles area, California, USA, where he makes
“mano” to me, and referees fights using that oversized
 stick he is holding in the picture. 

Eric Knaus, aka Top Dog, co-Founder of the
Dog Brothers.  He is ageless, and is still the best
double stick fighter at the Gathering.  The Dog
Brothers have generated tremendous interest
in FMA, and now have worldwide chapters
(kennels?).  Woof.

Badger Jones, a second generation Modern Arnis
instructor, also teaches kung fu in Saskatchewan,
Canada.  He earned a small measure of notoriety for
 founding an arnis style and calling it “Siling Labuyo
Arnis.” When I asked him why he called his system
that, he answered that his system was just like the
 “siling labuyo”-- hot, lively, and Filipino to the core.

Dr. Jerome Barber was a direct student of Prof. Remy Presas,
and a featured instructor at Tipunan sa Disneyland
at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California on Aug., 2005,
flying all the way from the New York area to attend the
event.  Thanks, Professor.

Master Mar de Leon (right) of San Diego, California with
his student at the Mini-Tipunan sa Murrieta held at the
Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) USA dojo in the city of
Wildomar, California, USA in 2005.  He was the featured
instructor  for the event.

Guro Abner Anievas has Modern Arnis roots, and
at one time was Commissioner of Hong Kong
for the International Modern Arnis Federation
of the Philippines (IMAFP).

Master Godofredo Fajardo (right) of the Philippines
 and Jay de Leon of the United States of America,
co-founded Filipino Fighting Arts, Int’l (FFAI)
based in Manila, Philippines with FMA chapters
 all over the Philippines and the world.

Archive photo.   Master Godofredo Fajardo (right), and
Jay de Leon of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI)  work
on their double sticks sinawali patterns at the patio
 of Jay’s house in Binmaley, Pangasinan, Philippines
 in 1992.

Archive photo.   Master Godofredo Fajardo of
 Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI)  works out at
 the patio of Jay de Leon’s house in Binmaley,
Pangasinan,  Philippines in 1992.

Archive photo.  Jay de Leon of Filipino Fighting Arts
  Int’l (FFAI)  works out at the  patio of his house in
 Binmaley, Pangasinan,  Philippines in 1992.

Master Godofredo Fajardo (left) and senior guro Cocoy
Oyales of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) practice
blade work in Manila, Philippines in the early 2000’s.

Master Godofredo Fajardo, guro Felipe Villanueva of Chile
and senior guro Rei Samson (from left to right), of the Filipino 
Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI) during a training session
in Forbes Park, Manila, Philippines in 2007.

Guro Edessa Ramos (top) and GM Bambit Dulay perform
 a knife exhibition in Europe.

Senior Masters Godofredo Fajardo and Bambit Dulay representing
the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines
(IMAFP) at the funeral of the father of IMAFP guro
Rico Acosta in Manila, Philippines, 2007.

This is arnisador Van Fuentes (known in FMA circles by his
nom de guerre, Talibung Antike) showing off his custom talibung,
 the bolo version of Antique, Philippines.  Van’s talibung is primarily
 a combat weapon.  Photo courtesy of Mert Altares, who met with Van
 in the Visayas during this particular trip in 2009.

Gat Puno Abon Baet of Garimot Arnis, based in
Florida, USA,  in full regalia at the Tipunan
 sa Disneyland in Anaheim, California in 2005.

This is a rare, informal picture of the Tipunan sa Disneyland
held at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California in July 2005.
Standing are Jeremiah Stanley, GM Topher Ricketts, a
Tipunan guest, GM Rey Galang and Bruce Ricketts. 
Kneeling  in front are Jay de Leon and Edessa Ramos.

This is another rare, informal picture of the Tipunan sa Disneyland
taken at a room at the Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California in July 2005.
First row : Jay de Leon and Roger Agbulos.   Second row: Rey Galang
and Edessa Ramos.  Last row:   Topher Ricketts, Abon Baet, 
 Bruce Ricketts and Jeremiah Stanley.  Photo was probably
taken by Mitch de Leon.

Archive photo.  Master Godofredo Fajardo, Prof. Remy Presas,
and this appears to be Jimson Dearos when he still had hair.
Photo presumably taken in the Philippines, courtesy of
Godofredo Fajardo.

This is a picture of my actual copy of Remy’s first book,
 printed and bought in the Philippines, sometimes referred
to as the pink book because of the color of the cover. 
Remy autographed it during one of his seminars
in the US.  It is beginning to get unglued.

This is the revised US edition of Remy’s pink book.
Yes, my copy of this book was also autographed by
Prof. Remy Presas in the US.

This is a picture of another actual book I bought in the
Philippines a while back, by GM Benjamin Luna-Lema
of Lightning Scientific Arnis.  I do not know if it is still
 in print in the Philippines.

Guro Edessa Ramos of the International Modern Arnis Federation
of the Philippines (IMAFP) performs an arnis demo in Tirol, Europe.
Photo courtesy of Edessa Ramos.

The tough guy in the front row, middle, is GM Vince Palumbo of Australia, who is
a Cacoy Doce Pares master and professional fighter.  To date, I have not had the
privilege of personally meeting him, but we have maintained email correspondence
and he has been kind enough to provide my website with articles about his
arnis activities in Australia.  So I thought he and his macho and masochistic
arnis fighters deserved at least one picture in this opus.

Archive photo.  Master Godofredo Fajardo in Riyadh, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, with the banners of his twin organization behind him—
the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP)
and Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI).  Eventually, there would be
two chapters of FFAI in the Middle East, one for the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia and one for the Kingdom of Jordan.  How time flies,
that this photo can now be considered an archive photo.  Master
Godo is back in the Philippines, but our organizations are alive
and thriving in the Middle East/

This is the punch that put Ricky Hatton down for the count in his
championship fight against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines
at the MGM Grand Hotel  in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
on May 2, 2009.

This is simply our tribute to Manny Pacquiao, boxing world champion
from General Santos City, Philippines in multiple divisions,
arguably pound for pound  the best fighter of his time, and
 our  brethren and idol in the fighting arts.

Bruce Lee, originally from Hong Kong.  Okay, I never
had the pleasure of working out with him.  In one of my
articles entitled “Those Responsible for the Spread of
Filipino Martial Arts in the USA,” I named him as one
of those responsible.  Go read the article and find out
how he specifically made his contribution.

The other Bruce, Bruce Ricketts, originally
 from the Philippines.   This was the very first
picture I took of Bruce in the United States,
taken at Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004.  I remember
thinking how much poise he had for somebody
so young.  He was probably 14 or 15 then, the
 same age as my son Mitch.  They got to be friends
 hanging out with Topher Ricketts and myself.

Finally, take a bow, Professor…

The late Prof. Remy Amador Presas, Father and Founder
of Modern Arnis.  I saw him  and attended his seminars
over a period of three decades in the USA.  Most of my
  IMAFP brothers in arms in the Philippines were Remy’s
 students.  Remy is the bond that holds us all together, even
 after all these years.  At FMA World Festivals, when his
  picture is flashed on the screen in remembrance and
 acknowledgement, many of the masters would unashamedly
  cry and hug each other.  Such is Remy’s influence on his
 students even up to now.  We miss you, Professor.

Copyright, Jay de Leon, USA, 2010

Photo credits to Godofredo Fajardo, Michael Gubat and
James U. Sy of Philippines, Mat Marinas of the USA,
Carolyn Dean of Great Britain, Mert Altares of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Vince Palumbo of Australia,
and Edessa Ramos of Switzerland.