No comments about The pure art of Cabales serrada escrima.

1 comments about Arnis Self-Defense: Stick, Blade, and Empty-Hand Combat Techniques of the Philippines.

1. Arnis is a Philipino system that is primarily based around the use of weapons such as the stick, the knife, and the sword. This book is an excellent primer, scratching the surface of many aspects of Kombatan, a system of Arnis developed by Ernesto Presas. The book beggins with several historical chapters that cover such topics as the name for Philipino martial arts ("kali" is apparently not widely accepted in the PI), some cultural information of the Philipino people, and how the system of Kombatan developed. Though this section is informative, I can't help but sense that there's a bias in the writting. Following that, we get to the technical aspect of Kombatan. The system seems to borrow from the Japanese Judo and Karate systems, especially in their stance, striking, and throwing techniques. Shotokan practitioners will find the stances very familiar. Single-stick work is given the most emphasis, with striking angles and gripping techniques being covered pretty well, as well as footwork. Knifework is covered next, and many of the strikes and counters are analogous to the stickwork. There's also a very good section on how to grip a knife without a cross-guard, an important distinction to make so that one doesn't injure oneself. The book finishes up with empty-hand work which, as noted, bears some resemblance to Japanese martial arts systems, and with some advice on training, weapons selection, and self-defense. One of the possitives about this book was that it often gave examples of impropper technique, which could aid students in understanding what they may be doing wrong. Overall, an above-average book that gives a broad overview of a deep system. Not a bad purchase for those new to Philipino systems, or for those interested in some weapons-based self-defense fundamentals.

No comments about Mano Y Mano - The Weaponless Fighting Applications of Modern Arnis.

1 comments about Giron Escrima: Memories of a Bladed Warrior.

1. Well... First of all, I do not agree with the previous reviewer regarding the technical portion of the book. Namely, GM Somera did a good presentation of the system, though I would prefer more systematic approach to individual styles within the system, as it would give the reader better opportunity to gain some understanding of the underlying principles.
   However, I must admit that the textual body of he book is not as good as I hoped for. first of all, there is quite a bit of reocurring information, which hence becomes redundant, and the space could have been used to gives us more of new/different stuff. I was also surprised to see that the author chose to dedicate more attention to the history of filipino societies in USA, not necessarilly related to the escrima background of the late GM Giron, at least not in the extent I would like it to be. Sure, these things are important to know and it is nice to spread that information, but than again I would rather see it available publicly in the Internet, since we're talking cultural background here. The money I paid for the book was hard earned, and I would rather spend it on the more narrow scope of interests, in this case FMA.
   
   BTW, I do not know how to contact mazon department in charge of doing shipments, but when I choose to have my books shipped via regular mail, I really mean so, I DO NOT want them shipped via UPS, whose services are more expensive than the books themselves. This happened twice already, and I would really be gratefull if you people paid more attention in the future.

2 comments about Warrior Arts of the Philippines.

1. Having trained mostly in Japanese martial arts I was not very familiar with Filipino styles. This book gives a very good overview of both the different styles and the people instrumental in their development. Some of the photo sequences are better than others but don't expect to learn any FMA from this book. That is not an especially negative comment because you can not learn most martial arts from a book. Its strong point is that it may help you decide which style you would like to explore and give you direction as you look for a person to study under. This book is also a very nice tribute to the people who have expanded and preserved their native arts.



2. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Rey Galang is now my favorite author on FMA subjects. In this book, just in "Masters of the Blade", he did a superb job of giving an excellent presentation of several chosen styles and their most respected exponents. This book is less "techically oriented" than the MOB book, i.e. there is more history and philosophy explined, as well as some methodology of training in various styles, while in the MOB book, every chapter featured an excellent training section too. Still, this is not a bad thing at all, cause like this one gets inspired in another way. I would even say that Mr. Galang has succeded in making the reader feel the "breath of old times" of FMA. After reading the conclusion, I can only regret that some of the people who were approached for the book did not take the opporunity to be part of something so good, but that again, nothing prevents me from hoping there might be the Part II... nad, just to make sure that there can still be improvements, I think that it might be better to skip someone from being presetned alltogether, than doing it like in the case of the late Sonny Umpad.

5 comments about The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo: The Filipino Fighting Art Explained (Tuttle Martial Arts).

1. This is a how-to-book which I think is inappropriate for escrima. This tract is some 200 pages but considering the illustrations, the actual text is less than 150. I read his whole book in four hours and it should have been a thousand pages to be complete in what little they intended to enunciate. A single movement has an almost infinite number of assumptions, antecedents, raison d' entre, and best practices. Escrima should be learned through corporal instruction.
   
   The non-instructional parts of this book, the backround of Kalis Ilustrisimo, the life of the grandmaster Antonio Illustrisimo (first name may be wrong) is very useful and enlightening. Mark V. Wiley wrote the preface to this book and as I understand it he is an adherent to the Ilustrisimo style. I bring it up because it is his and the authors' contention of the falsehood of the term Kali. Mark V. Wiley and cohorts conclude based on their research that the term "Kali" was made up the very prolific stickfighter grandmaster Floro Villabrille. My opinion is that it is very hard to question Villabrille, he is a stickfighter par excelance. While in Hawaii, in tournaments, he killed a second man before stickfighting tournaments were outlawed, and one must wonder the unknown people he killed in stickfights(in the old days and maybe even now, there is such an event as a deathmatch, there is even a special sign for it). By insinuating that Villabrille, by coining the term Kali may have been mistaken is very polemic indeed. And it is tacky since Villabrille is safely dead and cannot defend himself against attacks to his reputation.
   
   There are lapses in the writing in this book and there are two. The first is that it comes across that the only way that they learned from the grandmaster Ilustrisimo was by videotaping his counters and studying it. And that is the only way they learned, this is absurd, the grandmaster must have disclosed much more even thou he was reluctant to teach. Their style of Kalis Ilustrisimo is a complete style and there is much more to the pedagogy than videotaping the grandmasters' movements. The second is that they are very proud of the unbroken lineage of instruction within the Ilustrisimo family, but it comes across that Antonio Ilustrisimo rejected the strict regiment of his father and eventually washed out and left. Along the way he met and stayed with a man named Cortez for a long while. He must have learned from Cortez also, therefore his style must have been a composite style as most accomplished escrimadors are. This is because the very nature of escrima is to steal worthy styles from other escrimadores and make it their own. Antonio Ilustrisimo eventually returned to his family and learned more. But in their writing they leave out things that and contradict what is a misguided pride in the lineage.
   
   Antonio Illustrisimo is a typical grandmaster, he has anting-anting (part fighting mojo, part magical charm) that is tattooed to his body, he has oracion (very effective premeditated prayer). Much like his grandmaster peers he must have lived in a world of vicious casual violence, especially in a place like the Philippines which is just a collection of ghettos.
   
   I give the book three stars, I read the whole book in a convivial bookstore and did not purchase it, this is why I may be mistaken by the first name of the grandmaster since I don't have the book to refer to. It is sytopical with other escrima and arnis book on the market like the ones written by Mark V. Wiley. Wiley does not have a good reputation among some escrimadors. The authors of this book manage to put on airs about themselves as Mark V. Wiley is suppose to be known for. The senior instructors of grandmaster Ilustrisimo broke ranks with each other to form their own schools. One of my favorite, because on its name, is the Sagasa school, sagasa roughly translates to tagalog as "to run over". Another is Bakbakan International, bakbakan roughly translates in tagalog as "fighting strife".



2. The book is OK as an introductory overview. The first guy who made a review was mistaken because despite all the videos and books circulated by authentic arnis/eskrima masters, they were never meant to impart more than a little peek into the art. For sure, they never meant to teach through books or videos, hence don't be surprised if this book is just 200 or so pages.
   
   It's true that the Kalis Ilustrisimo masters learned by watching and videotaping Tatang Ilustrisimo. Most westerners like the first guy assume that arnis/eskrima has to be taught like a course or school subject. Sorry, but wrong. Arnis/eskrima is often self-learned in the Philippines by watching and training a few times with a few masters on sporadic instances. What makes them different from the much-looked down upon "seminar student" in the USA is that in the Philippines, you back up your training with LIVE and REAL sparring. Whereas in the US, they just attend seminars and collect certificates, videotapes, and photographs but don't spar w/o armor. Some masters and grandmasters here in the Philippines learned by just watching others practice or teach, and by imitating the moves and making them their own, AND THEN proving these techniques in sparring.
   
   The students of Tatang didn't split up. Sagasa is not a school of Kali Ilustrisimo practitioners; it's a kickboxing style taught WITHIN and AS AN INTRINSIC PART OF Bakbakan International. Although not all Ilustrisimo practitioners are members of Bakbakan, they all interact together to this day since they all know each other personally.
   
   Lastly, just because the late GM Villabrille was a great fighter, DOES NOT mean that he's incapable of telling tall tales. It is a very Filipino trait to tell tall tales especially in the FMA world where one-upmanship is the name of the game. The Filipino penchant for tall tales can be seen in the review posted by the Hawaiian first guy for this book, in which he describes the country of his ancestors' origins (I assume he's Filipino in ethnic descent due to his name and exposure to FMA, as well as his Hawaiian location) as NOTHING MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF GHETTOES. Exaggerated, isn't it? As I write this I am in the 52nd floor of an intelligent skyscraper in Manila.
   
   It's safe to say that ALL the masters exaggerated their stories of achievement. The notion that GM Villabrille invented the word "kali" has enough basis although that notion isn't final as proven yet. The exaggerations come from the fact that they are all Filipinos, that they were recalling the stories from old memory hence getting some details mixed up or exaggerated, and that there was a language and conceptual barrier considering that 99% of FMA grandmasters who made FMA famous in the West were unschooled and practically illiterate. That's why the only jobs they got were not U.S.-educated "pensionados" but rather Hawaiian and Californian fruit pickers and harvesters.
   
   All in all the book is great as an introduction and overview, and let's not begrudge the book's good traits just because we were hoping to learn Kalis Ilustrisimo from the book's contents. No, siree. If you want to learn Ilustrisimo, get yourself an AUTHENTIC teacher and train. Use the book only as reference and as a sort of primer on the style. Do not treat it as an instruction manual.



3. This is an interesting book. As Grandmaster Ben Largusa taught me long ago, all of the styles from the Philippines have something worthwhile to offer. I have also read Mark Wiley's books. Quoting older Filipino practitioners and passing it off as scholarly research is a dubious practice at best. It is ironic that most of the people who comment on the late Grandmaster Villabrille have never met, talked to, nor practiced under him or his disciples. I have trained with Grandmaster Ben Largusa, Professor Greg Lontayao and Professors Allen and Mario Magdangal...all who had direct access to the legend himself. I have spend countless hours learning from and interviewing Grandmaster Largusa, Villabrille's direct descendant. The Grandmaster and I are writing a book on Villabrille. Mark Wiley has absolutely no idea what he's talking about when it comes to Grandmaster Villabrille and should leave him, respectfully and in perpetuity, out of his conversations. Take the time to experience and endure the rigors of this very traditional Kali system before venturing into territory of which you have no knowledge. Most people don't have the tenacity and fortitude to study the Villabrille system, and I suspect that's why it is so much easier to simple "talk" about it (and him). Villabrille learned the rudiments from his Uncle. The remainder he learned from the Princess Josefina and combat, making use of his own natural gifts. Put in proper perspective, it's to ok to add this book to your martial arts library. Again, they all have something to offer.
   Guro Ron Smith



4. Previous reviewers have engaged in somewhat of "who's dady is the strongest" discussion, but that has nothing to say about this book. Now, I found the book very good in achieving the intended goal, i.e. giving an excellent presentation and explanation of the subject covered. My objection is that while it is nice to see applications of the same technique with different weapons, in some places the transfer is rather obvious, and I believe that that space could have been used better, maybe to show responses to some other types of attacks. Still, I have to note once more, thte book is very valuable to anyone interested in learning about FMA as it is, so I recommend it sincerely.



5. A good book that gives a peek into the Kalis Ilustrisimo system. It would be impossible to show the finesse and level of efficiency and effectiveness of this system other than experiencing it under a qualified instructor. The level of development of this Art is impossible to capture in still photography, the finer (and most important) aspects are literally "lost in print". Still, this is very useful to the beginner wanting to get a glimpse, though for further study I would recommend training under Tony Diego.

3 comments about Classic Arnis.

1. I really didn't understand what I was buying when i ordered this book....but I'm so glad I did. This is the first written record of Arnis in the philippines, that can only be found in the Philippine national archives; originally in archaeic Tagalog that modern Filipinos can't understand. Rey Galang just brought all this wonderful mystery to the modern world. Believe there are no sticks here..this is all blade, all the time! Now I can really see what the old folks were talking about! The best part is the Classic Espada y Daga...not stick and knife. Sword and Dagger! Been looking arond for a real good book on Espada y daga this is it! Plus the extra Sinawali techniques...thank you Rey Galang I will be waiting for your next book...please don't stop writing.
   
   one word: QUALITY



2. This book is a surprise; it is all double blade work. Lots of information. On the down side, sorry but the Tagalog names are distracting. The pictures are too small; it's hard to pick up at times what each blade is doing. BUT......big but..... there is more good stuff packed in this book that in a good 90% of other books on the subject. Get it and get really good reading glasses : )



3. This is another excellent book by Rey Galang. I also received it in two business days. This is a must for any afficianado of the FMA (filipino martial arts). Just like his other books, Mr. Galang does a great job writing about and showing the techniques. This book is mainly about espada y daga, however, it also touches upon sinawali. I highly recommend this book (along with his others-Masters of the Blade, Warrior Arts of the Phillipines, and Complete Sinawali)to anyone wanting to learn more about eskrima, arnis, kali. One can use this book as a reference or actually use and practice the techniques shown.

5 comments about The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima (Secrets of the Martial Arts).

1. This book provides the reader with a very good taste of Grandmaster Giron's system of self-defense. It is particularily strong in the largo-mano or long range area, with clearly photographed techniques using sticks, knives and empty hands. In addition to the techniques, he puts his system into an ethical framework. The only part I would have liked to see more of was the excellent empty hands techniques present in the Filipino martial arts, including guntings and limb destructions. Nonetheless, this will make an excellent addition to anybody's library with interest in the subject matter.



2. This book is bad for beginner and practically useless for a master. There is no comprehensive description of training complexes, footwork drills and other important details, which were completely omitted. It gives just an overview of the system in general, so the reader can have some vague feeling of what Giron escrima is.



3. I`ve bougth this book in order to support my own escrima training. As a rookie in escrima, it gives you the basic understandings in the escrima-fighting art of Grand Master Leo Giron. I think it`s not written with the intention to replace training under a qualified teacher. In my view it supports your training as a beginner in the art. What's more, it gives you a good overview including the origins. Escrima has to be practised to be learned.



4. I really liked this book. I know it was not as deep in technique and theory as many would have liked, but for the price it is a great introduction. I would like to see a more in-depth version, akin to Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do the text book, or something as nice as either of the new Gracie Books. I am still waiting for the Filipino book that gives real grasp to the newbie, but still has a lot for the experienced player. In short I am looking for some thing with the thought and grace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Theory and PRactice, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense, or maybe a book as comprehensive in its coverage as is Simco's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text.
   Never the less it is still good to see old Giron, moving around and swinging a stick.
   Nice job.



5. This book told a lot about the background and philosophy, but didn't offer a lot of instruction. It was also hard to read and understand.

5 comments about The Secrets of Cabales Serrada Escrima (Secrets of Series).

1. For those of you that haven't heard of me, I have studied Serrada extensively in Stockton, California. I read the other reviews, and Master Khlid Khan, should not have complimented Mark Wiley. He did so to promote the book because he is in it. Guru Dennis Servaes, also in it and has trained with Grandmaster Vincent Angel Cabales and gave a review which tells it like it is. I would also advise against the purchase of books by Mark Wiley, or anything to do with Daren Tibon. Angel would not have authorized either book, and I cannot recommend either of wiley's books! Too much misinformation. I understand Daren is no longer recognized as a Master!



2. If the book had been a more technical treatment, that would have been great. It has that, but not enough. But even still, what it did have would have been ggggreat if, only if, Mark had not put in a bunch of sillyness.
   What is the sillyness you ask? It is the goofy stories. I couldn't stand his little asides about the Magical Angel. I am so weary of the the "super-master" stories that some martial artists find so appealing. Keep in mind that I am not criticising Master Cabeles in anyway at all. I am sure he was great. But I think we diminish the greatness of lives lived when we begin to exagerate the reality of them. Let us be in awe of the real, not the fabrication we can easily make up.
   At times Mark seems like a 4 year old who sees in his mentor superhuman quality. That can be endearing the hands of a capable writer, but that Mark Willey is not.



3. Despite the controversial and critical reviews of this book, I found it useful in learning about some of the history and background of grandmaster Cabales, and also the techniques of Cabales Escrima. I can't comment on the criticisms posted here on Wiley's book, as I'm not primarily an escrimador, being mainly a karate, kobudo, and iaido practitioner. However, I've trained in the Philippine stick arts too and I was just looking for a book that could provide some basic history on the art in addition to what I already knew.
   
   The first few chapters are a brief bio of master Cabales, from his boyhood in the Philippines to his eventual arrival in the states, and his opening up the first Escrima school in the U.S. It was interesting to read about master Cabales's early training experiences and his teacher, F. Dizon, the origins of the first Doce Pares organization (which Wiley claims precedes by over a hundred years the current organization under the Canete family), and other interesting bits of history. After many years of working odd jobs everywhere from the Tondo docks in Manila to Alaska, master Cabales finally settled in Stockton, where he stayed the rest his life, founded the first Escrima school, and saw his art spread from a small inland valley school in California to dozens of countries and thousands of students around the world.
   
   The following chapters are written by students and instructors who were close to master Cabales and who relate their training experiences with him, and the last half of the book is devoted to actual techniques. These show the basic strikes, blocks, disarms, and wrist and armlocks. I enjoyed these chapters too, although the problem with books on the martial arts these days is that you can get video tapes that are excellent on literally hundreds of martial arts which show the art far better than the static photos in books. I myself have dozens of tapes by a number of masters on various styles of Escrima and other Pacific Rim arts that are far better than the photos in any book. Nevertheless, since the book basically combines a brief history and biography of the master, a number of personal memoirs of the master, and a presentation of the basic technical aspects of the art, I didn't mind that too much.
   
   Now not only is Cabales Escrima well established in the U.S. but a number of other Pacific Rim arts as well, including Filipino and Indonesian Kuntao, other Filipino styles and arts such as Pekiti Tersia, Lameco Escrima, Kali Illustrisimo, Kaji Kali, Bakbakan Kali, Arnis, Panajakman, Panantukan, Sikaran, and a number of styles of Indonesian Pentjak-Silat, such as Serak or Sera, Tongkat, Cikalong, Cidepok, Mande Muda, Bukti-Negara, several styles of Cimande, Suci Hati, Perisai Diri, and some others I'm no doubt forgetting. I've studied Kali Ilustrisimo, Inayan Escrima, Ted LucayLucay's style of escrima, Serak Silat, and Wagi Kali Silat myself, and enjoy them very much although they're not my main focus as a martial artist, as I said. But I've certainly learned to appreciate the Philippine and Indonesian arts more, which are truly great martial arts themselves, and I think it's great they're finally getting the recognition they deserve, although it looks like the Escrima world has the same political problems as the rest of the martial arts.
   
   However the controversy surrounding this book plays out, it's amazing to consider that a once obscure art only about 20 years ago is now an international phenomenon with hundreds of instructors in the U.S. and many more overseas. Angel Cabales's Serrada Escrima has perhaps had the greatest influence of all and I hope his and the many other fine Filipino stick arts continue to grow and prosper.



4. This book is very helpful in that you get a deep understanding of the fascinating history of where the Cabales Serrada System comes from. You also get step-by-step outlines of many Serrada applications, which only gets better when you have a solid base knowledge of Escrima in general, and Serrada in particular. Mark Wiley brings Cabales Serrada into a new light with this book. The negative press? "Shine it"... you read the book for yourself, and you'll see for yourself! I myself study Serrada Escrima- actually mostly Inayan, from my uncle Mike who learned from my great-uncle Ray Subega, an early student of Inay's. The way I see it, the proof is in the pudding. Wiley has his diploma, who else here can boast that? I agree with Art Miraflor, it is a very GREAT book! Great job Wiley! I also read Wiley's Arnis book, and five stars on that one, too! For those who love to just soak it all in, this book has it! Wiley went to the farthest jungles of the Philippines to get instruction as well as mass info for that project, and well worth the price. I can't wait to read his other books on Filipino MArtial Arts!!!
   Peace & Blessings, ~John



5. So much for revealing the "secrets" of Cabales Escrima. Unfortunatly this book is quite the opposite. Wiley misquotes Angel on the back cover. Angel gave permission for a series of books on Cabales Serrada Escrima - Not just one book with all the good techniques left out. I'm sure the Grand Master would have been bitterly dissapointed with this effort by Wiley. The idea was to spread the knowledge of this fantastic system throughout the world in its entirety through a series of books - Not for an insecure person to greedily hoard the techniques for himself to reveal at seminars and private tuition.

5 comments about Modern Arnis: The Filipino Art of Stick Fighting.

1. Now over 20 years old, this was one of the first books in English on escrima. At just over 150 pages and with 9 chapters covering the different topics, Guru Presas packs much good information into this small book. Many of the most important topics and skills are covered, and the photos and decriptions are clear and easy to understand. Although I have a more recent edition, the photos are still clear and not too dark or too light, as sometimes happens with the plates with older books. Close-ups are used when needed to show the details of hand positions. There is also a brief history of escrima at the beginning of the book.
   
   Nowadays videos have in many ways replaced books as instructional materials in the martial arts, but video was still relatively new when this book was written, and it still stands on its own as one of the best early treatments of escrima. To see the actual movements, though, there is really nothing like a video, many of which are available used on the web for less than the price of the book. But books on the martial arts can still serve a useful purpose by discussing more technical matters such as theory, strategy, and topics like history, and perhaps as as catalogs and references for the techniques of a particular style.
   
   Among Guru Presas's many legendary abilities, he was perhaps best known for his ability to perform disarms, and this is covered in the last chapter of the book, in addition to hand techniques, flow drills, trapping, the various single and double stick techniques, and other topics.
   
   I have to mention that I had an opportunity to do a demo for Guro Presas back in the mid-80s with my teacher of Chinese Chin Na, the Kung Fu holding and locking art. As you probably know Guro Presas is also skilled in the Filipino version of this art, and was also a champion in Dumog, or Filipino wrestling and grappling, when he was younger. He enjoyed our demo and was very impressed with my master, Sifu Tony Ho, and his skill.
   
   I am also a certified instructor in Kali/Escrima through the Ted LucayLucay lineage under Chuck Gonzaga, and have studied Serrada Escrima in addition to Kali. Chuck is a great martial artist himself and I am proud to be one of his students and instructors, and to have had the honor to demo for Guro Presas many years ago when I was still a young martial artist.



2. Received the book in excellent condition and as described. Just needs to send an update via email of when the book was shipped.



3. .
   
   This book is a great way to supplement your formal instructions.



4. This is a good introduction to the system. It is unfortunate that master martial artists have not worked with professional writers to produce detailed volumes chronicling their systems. This, like most works of its kind- leaves the advanced student wishing MORE had been written.
   
   The book will be informative to the beginner of Modern Arnis and a source of fond nostalgia for advanced students who know that this great man taught us all so much MORE than the pages of this book contain.
   Filipino Combat Systems: An Introduction to An Ancient Art For Modern Times



5. Contains all the basics you need to start learning the art.
   
   Classic book!