FMATalk LIVE!

Image courtesy of  tiverylucky / FreeDigitalPhotos.net This week we will be talking about Spirituality and the FMA.  The history and relevance of spirituality in historical and modern FMA. Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Mark gives us an overview of the GSBA World Championships in Rome.  Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive

This week Federico calls in after his trip to the Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar in Colorado with Meastra Peachie Baron Saguin.  Fred also does a few quick interviews with guests and instructors of the seminar.   Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Image courtesy of  AKARAKINGDOMS / FreeDigitalPhotos.net This week we will be talking about FMA Sparring to Armor or not Armor. Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

This week we will be joined by Lloyd De Jongh of the deadly Piper knife system.  Lloyd is a master of the system and will be letting us in on some of the secrets, answering questions, sharing history, and clearing up any misconceptions. Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Image courtesy of  sakhorn38 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net This week we will be talking about sticks, bastons, garrotes, and more...  We will discuss the history and usage of sticks in FMA, how to determine quality in sticks, and what materials are great to use as a stick in FMA. Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

In addition to general FMA discussions we chat with Guro John about his system of FMA; "Tatlo Pusaka Senjata".  It's mission is to master the blade and conquer the dimensions of distance, timing and power, by training honestly and diligently in the martial arts that have been passed to us by our teachers. Tatlo Pusaka Senjata (Three treasures of weaponry) is a school of arms founded by Guro John Bednarski. The main curriculum of the school has deep roots in the South-East Asian martial arts, and is the result of nearly thirty years of training under various martial arts masters such as Remy and Ernesto Presas, Maung Gyi, Herman Suwanda, Jerson “Nene” Tortal and many others. Currently, the Tatlo Pusaka Senjata is headquartered on Chicago’s South West side. Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have GM Vincent Cabales of the world famous Cabales Serrada Eskrima.  Grandmaster Vincent Angel Cabales was born on April 30th, 1954. He started training with his father, the world renowned Grandmaster Angel Cabales, at the age of 8 years old. Grandmaster Vincent Cabales started doing demonstrations with his father when he was 14 years old and started teaching when he was 16 years of age. Grandmaster Vincent Cabales remained an instructor under the supervision of his father until 1990 when he officially took over the art of Cabales Serrada Escrima from his father. and obtained the tittle of Grandmaster with the blessings of his father Grandmaster Angel Cabales before his death a year later. School at 136 Harding way Stockton, Ca 95204. Visit his website:  http://www.cabalesserrada.com/ Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have World Champion Fighter and Instructor Master Ermar Alexandar.  Ermar 'Alex' Alexander began his Doce Pares training in 1999. Now, he travels to the Philippines to train at the Doce Pares International Headquarters in Cebu. Through the years, he progressed and eventually became a member of the WEKAF British Team - being the only Filipino until 2007. Within the 13 years of competing, he has won multitudes of Sparring and Sayaw (Forms) tournaments (2000-2013). Ironically, Alex never heard of Eskrima until one of his English friends told him that there was a Filipino martial art. He has tried different martial art styles before, but eversince he started training in Eskrima, he was hooked and focused on Doce Pares Eskrima only. A year into his training, Alex's teacher encouraged him to compete in tournaments to further understand the art and get into the fun part of Eskrima. Alex enjoyed the adrenalin rush and looked forward to his suceeding fights. Eventually, he got the 'knack' of it and excelled in the sport, becoming a world titlist (three times!). Many have told him to quit competing while he is at his peak. But Alex isn't chasing titles. He is competing for the love of the game. Now, he is training others - his students - to get into the fun of Eskrima as well. He teaches the full aspect of the art - from sticks to knife defense to empty hands and to the most understated, Sayaw (Forms). Alex now dreams of promoting Doce Pares and Yaw-Yan ArDigma, and the Filipino martial arts, primarily among the British-Filipino community and the British/European public in general. Alex now teaches under the supervision and gracious blessing of Doce Pares Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio 'Diony' A. Cañete. On 31 July 2010, the Doce Pares GB Headquarters in Willesden Junction (NW10) was inaugurated by Philippine Embassy representatives, including previous Philippine Ambassador Hon. Antonio Lagdameo and Deputy Chief of Mission Rey Catapang; along with representatives from various Filipino communities. On 27 January 2014, Alex was promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt at the Doce Pares International Headquarters in Cebu, Philippines. Alex is also the founder and the first one to hold the Seni Eskrima Championships and KOMBATA Limited Armour Championships. (Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.) Visit his website:  http://hybrid-fma.com/ Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at  9 AM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We talk with Mandala Tuhon Philip Gelinas of Pekiti Tirsia Kali under GT Leo Gaje; he is also a full instructor in FMA under Guro Dan Inosanto. Philip Gelinas (born in 1952) is a martial arts practitioner who lives in Montreal, Quebec. He owns and runs the Gelinas Academy of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), also known as the Cultural Martial Arts Academy. He is one of the founding Dog Brothers as well as one of the founders of the Brazilian Top Team Canada network of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies in Canada. Gelinas began his training in a style of karate known as Chito Ryu at the age of 14. Since then he has trained in many styles including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kali, Muay Thai, Judo, Kempo, Kajukenbo, Jun Fan-Jeet kune do, Silat, and Capoeira. He obtained black belts in Kempo (1973) and Kajukenbo (1975).[2] In the 1980s he received a Muay Thai instructor credential under Tom Harink after meeting him in 1985.[2] Check out his website for more information:  http://www.montrealmartialarts.com/ Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We chat with Master Jon Escudero of Lightning Scientific Arnis Israel.  We'll be chatting about his upcoming US tour and the importance of weapons training in the modern world. Visit his website:  http://www.lsai.co.il/ Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We have Master Darren Tibon of Angel's Disciples and the USFMAF on the show.  Master Tibon comes from a long line of martial artists.  He began his martial arts study at the young age of seven, studying Goju-ryu karate.  In 1981 he began his training in the legendary art of Grandmaster Angel Cabales, Serrada Escrima, from advanced students under GM Cabales.  In 1987 he was privileged to study directly under GM Cabales further refining his knowledge and skill in Serrada Escrima. With GM Cabales death, in 1991, Master Tibon and his good friend Master Jerry Preciado founded the Angel's Disciples Escrima Association focused on retaining the principles bestowed upon GM Cabales' students as passed down to Master Tibon.  Their association is also a powerhouse in the tournament scene, fielding many winning fighters throughout the California FMA tournament circuit. He also hosts and promotes the Stockton Legacy Seminar and Tournament series, a series dedicated to honoring the various Grandmasters of Stockton. The next Stockton Legacy Seminar and Tournament is coming up this April 5th. Visit his website:  http://www.angelsdisciples.net/ Find his DVD series at:  http://www.empiremediallc.com/ Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunday at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Photo by Elle Gamboa Coming up this week we are excited to have Virgil Mayor Apostol.  Virgil Mayor Apostol has dedicated himself to the research, development, and promotion of Filipino cultural and healing traditions. He descends from a paternal and maternal bloodline of healers and from the teachings of respected elders. He continues to refine the traditional healing art of Ablon as a science, while his research into Filipino spiritual practices rounds out his holistic approach to health and wellness. His background in the Filipino martial arts, especially those styles of Northern Luzon, and wooden club swinging exercises from India also enhance his practical knowledge as a healer. His book, Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions, which is now in its second print, was released by North Atlantic Books back in 2010. He also coauthored Healing Hands of Hilot back in 1998. Apostol holds weekly classes in wooden club swinging, conducts healing workshops, participates in various cultural programs and projects, educational speaking engagements, and has enjoyed interviews for newspapers and magazines, blog-talk radio programs, and on TV. Contact info: Rumsua: Ancestral Traditions www.rumsua.org rumsua@mail.com Unified Health Concepts www.UnifiedHealthConcepts.abmp.com/home info@uhconcepts.com Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness. Listen to this show live and streaming this Sunay at 8 PM Central Standard time at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

We talk about the new Stick Fighting World championships with it's commissioner Datu Tim Hartman. Guro John gives us an overview of the deadly Piper Knife method from South Africa.     Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.  Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive Listen on iTunes and give us a good rating and leave a comment! This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/

Coming up this week we are excited to have Maha Guro Brian "Buzz" Smith - founder of American Maharlika Kuntaw Association one of the first organized Filipino Martial Arts associations in the US.  Buzz began his Martial Arts training in 1968 when he stumbled onto a Green Beret, home on leave from the Viet Nam conflict, training on a beach near his home. Buzz became an active training partner, playing the aggressor and learning defensive tactics while being thrown to the sandy beach.  In 1969 Buzz enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes naval Training Center near Chicago.  On base, he discovered, was a Tae Kwon Do class.  All of his free time was spent there learning TKD.  By the time he finished his Naval Training School, Buzz had attained the rank of Green Belt.  His next duty station was a ship bound for the South China Sea (Viet Nam).  His overseas homeport was Subic Bay, Philippines, where he continued his studies by joining the base Kyokushin Kai Karate Club and the Combat Judo Club.  Within a year he had attained the rank of Green Belt in Karate and a Brown Belt in Judo. During one of his liberty jaunts to the city of Olongapo, visiting one of the many dives that attract sailors, Buzz was exposed to one of the Filipino Martial Arts in action.  A waiter was being threatened by a large sailor for stealing money from a table.  Buzz heard the sailor's friend tell the waiter to take the money as payment for their order of beer.  But before Buzz could come to the waiter's aid the small Filipino boy had the sailor on the floor with very little effort.  Without a fight the sailor had been beaten.  When quizzed on what style of Art had been used, the waiter said it was "Filipino", and that he was just a beginning student in the Art.  Buzz asked where to find the school and was told that it was for Filipino's only.  Intrigued, and not to lose this chance, Buzz continued to pester the Filipino to teach him or to take him to the school.  Realizing that Buzz was not the typical arrogant American and was truly interested, the Filipino agreed.  Buzz was taken to the Kuntaw Gym and introduced to the instructor, Carlito A. Lanada.  After many questions, Buzz was allowed to train at this school, the training hall or Bothoan at 109 Fendler Street in Olongapo. For the next three years Mr. Smith would make this his home whenever he was not out on the line replenishing US ships in his capacity as a Navy sailor.  He was one of three Non-Filipino's allowed to do so.  Within three years Buzz had earned the rank of Black Belt, one of the first non-Muslim, non-Filipinos to be awarded a Black Belt in the Art. Buzz left the Philippines with a charge from his Guro (Instructor) to propagate the Art and further his studies of the Filipino culture and systems.  In 1974 Mr. Smith returned home and determined not to lose what he had gained in the Philippines, began to train in his own back yard. Neighborhood kids would come and watch these workouts; soon he was teaching the art to several teens from his block. He expanded his teaching to the community center to allow for training during foul weather and to reach more youths. Soon the art was being offered as a community service class at the local high school. In 1974 Mr. Smith united his growing student following under the American Maharlika Kuntaw Association. In 1979 Buzz was appointed the U.S. Director of the International Kuntaw Federation by Master Lanada, a position he held for three years.  In 1982 he established the first Filipino Martial Arts course ever offered for college credit in the U.S.A., at Northwestern Michigan College, in Traverse City.  He currently holds the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt in Kuntaw NG Filipinas,  he has been recognized as one of the top 10 competitors in the MICHIGAN KARATE CIRCUIT and the CAN-AM KARATE CIRCUIT since he started competing in 1975. An all-round competitor, Buzz competed in every division available; weapons, self-defense, board breaking, team demo, forms, and fighting and has proven his abilities. Buzz has been called the "Most prolific winner on the Can-Am Circuit" by its Director Rudy Timmerman. Mr. Smith has been the most competitive representative of Kuntaw in the United States. He has, in the past, trained in Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. He has trained with Dan Inosanto the late Bruce Lee's top student and head of The Jeet Kune Do organization. He has held seminars in the Filipino arts in Florida, West Virginia, Ohio, and Canada.  He was one of four Americans to be invited to the 25th. anniversary of the Seibukan Dojo (Japan's largest Goju Ryu school) in Nobeoka, Japan. He went to participate in several televised demonstrations of martial arts skills from all over the world, and to teach his art.  Only a small number of representatives from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, England, and the United States were invited. He has been an active competitor in the Michigan and Can-Am Karate Circuits since 1976. With over 1000 trophies and awards to attest to his ability. He also submitted a training program to the Council Lodge Institute for law enforcement and security officers of the Indian Nation. This program was accepted but was not implemented do to insurance problems. Training seminars were to be held in Las Vegas, Reno, New Mexico and Florida.   Buzz also has been a stunt man and fight scene choreographer for several stage presentations and three motion pictures.  “Lost Treasure of  Sawtooth Island” with Ernest Borghnine, also in “Folklore”, a dark movie about powers from the earth and from nature., as well as Scourge a movie set in a post apocalyptic world where Buzz was one of the lead characters.                   His list of Instructors is a veritable "Who’s Who". Carlito Lanada - Co-founder Philippine Karate Association, Great Grand Master and Head Instructor of Kuntaw NG Pilipinas. Remy Presas - Grand Master- Modern Arnis, Founder of Modern Arnis U.S.A. Rene Latosa - Founder of Philippine Martial Arts Society. Leo Gaje - U.S. Representative of NARAPHIL/NARUSA Pekiti Tirsia Kali/ Silat. Grand Master PTK Dan Inosanto - Bruce Lee's protégé and current Head of the Jeet Kune Do System, world-renowned Filipino Martial Arts Expert. Tim Tacket - JKD Vanguard Instructor. Tom Bisio - World Champion full contact stick fighter. Eric Lee - Once called "The Little King of Kata" Won Hop Kuen Do. Pendekar  Paul De Thouars - Grand Maser of Serak System of Pentjak Silat.             Bobby Tabouda- Grand Master Balintawak Buzz recently closed his school, the Northern Martial Arts Academy- a 4500 sq ft building , the largest martial arts school in northern Michigan, due to health issues. “I am a warrior in the Filipino arts- not a master, just a foot soldier doing my best to understand, propagate, and promote that which stole my heart in 1970 and holds it still today.” Visit his website for more information: http://www.kuntaw.org/ Our hosts will be Guro Federico Malibago, Guro John Bednarski, Guro Mark Basel and anyone else we can convince to join in on the madness.  Listen to this show live and streaming at: http://mixlr.com/fmatalklive This show is sponsored by http://philippinecombatarts.com http://bahadzubu.org/