Astig Lameco

 

In 1990 I had the good fortune to meet Edgar Sulite, the Punong Guro of Lameco Eskrima. He and a friend of mine, Lowell Pueblos, were planning an FMA demonstration, which  later become a turning point in my Martial Arts career. Although I had some exposure to the FMA in school in the Philippines, the training was more like physical education than martial art. So, when I observed Edgar demonstrating that day it kindled a burning interest in me that continues to this day.

 

When Edgar passed away in 1997, I decided to pursue one of Lameco’s primary arts, the original Kali Illustrisimo under the tutelage of Guro Christopher Rickets and Rey Glang of the Bakbakan organization.

 

Through the years, and with constant exposure to many different FMAs, I have come to some combat truths of my own. One is that unlike other FMA systems that emphasize short or middle range combat, my focus is on long range weapons combat that does not generally focus on blocking an opponents attack, and that rarely uses the alive hand to disrupt one.

 

The way I see it, I always ask myself, “How can I disrupt a strike in motion when it’s moving at over a hundred miles an hour?” The fact is one can not, or one would not want to do so.

 

In my system, non telegraphic striking can in itself be a form of blocking.   The concept is to preempt an attack with another attack. Put another way, you “block” an adversary’s attack with an attack of your own. The reality of weapons combat is that it is over very quickly. The one who strikes first or strikes effectively, usually wins. It really comes down to quick reaction and muscle memory. This concept is not new. As a matter of fact, it could be stated that it is the single signature attribute of “Tatang” Illustrisimo that has made him renowned as a fighter that he is.  This was shared with me by grand master Rey Galang of the Bakbakan fraternity.  He refers to it as the “eye of Tatatng Illustrisimo”.

 

Careful observation of sparring footwork of the grand old warrior shows him reacting to an attack not by blocking, but by somehow getting in between the rhythm of combat and literally beating the opponent to the punch.

 

This type of reaction requires intensive training, control, and nerves of steel.  The normal response is to stop or block an attack and then deliver a corresponding response or counter attack, assuming that the opponent is delivering only single layer attacks.  It takes a certain mindset to be able to see opportunities while one is under attack.  It takes heart of stone to not flinch but instead to practically ignore and bypass the attack and instead, use the openings and flaws inadvertently created by the opponent executing the delivery of an attack or a strike.

 

My training emphasizes controlling long-range encounters with broken flowing or combination strikes, thrown from all angles, in a small numbers.  Whether advancing or retreating, forward pressure is always on. After all, one doesn’t have to move much to make an attack or strike of your opponent miss. Likewise, precision strikes are accomplished within a matter of inches and split second timing.