AOF - The Art of Fighting

Public classes now available at Kampong Glam Community Centre!

2012-01-24T05:11:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce that classes in Bahad Zubu Kali (the art of self-defence using blades and sticks) are now available for the general public at Kampong Glam Community Centre at Beach Road, next to Beach Road Hawker Centre.

The timing is every Sunday morning, 11am-1pm.

Reflections on Body movements

2011-04-24T00:57:00.000-07:00

I am thankful to my teachers for showing me the way they move. They have been generous in their teaching.

I remember the times when they told me explicitly what to do, and what not to do. As I remember and imagine their instructions, I can see now, clearly, see how they move.

The most direct thing which GM Yuli Romo has taught me is this, "Don't be direct." When I remember him saying this, I can feel how he pulls my arms to shift my body, and now I taste the sweat and the fear in my body as he whips the blade like a cyclone around me. At that time, I thought it was only a fake-training blade with no edge. Haha. That is funny.

So I hear him say, "Don't always go direct!", and I see him move, and now in my mind I stop and imagine, and try to touch his arm, but I can only touch the wind, because he is no longer there, and he is already in the future, while I am in the present, which is to him, in the past.

So I see him move, in my mind, and now, today, I can feel him move -- his arms become my arms, his blade is now my blade. I have four hands and two blades, and I am grateful. Slowly now.....slowly.

Japan man with knife wounds 13 people outside train station

2010-12-16T18:51:00.001-08:00

A 49-year-old woman and 11 students were among the injured. -AFP

Fri, Dec 17, 2010
AFP

TOKYO - A Japanese man wielding a knife wounded 13 people Friday morning outside a railway station in Ibaraki prefecture northeast of Tokyo, the local fire department said.

"Thirteen people were wounded" by the attacker, an official at the fire department of Toride City said. "No one is dead."

Jiji Press news agency said a 49-year-old woman and 11 junior high and high school students were among the injured, though all remained conscious, and that police had arrested a 27-year-old man.

-------------

WHAT IF .... you were well trained, in top form, capable, and present at the scene. Would the outcome be different?

Antau Sikit - the new evolution

2010-12-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

I'm back from yet another exciting training trip in the Philippines, and GM has evolved yet again!

As long as the master is alive, the form will evolve. The engine is the same -- it is The Art of Fighting (AOF), but the label on the water bottle changes. Only when the master is dead, will the form fossilize. It fossilizes because nobody matches up to the greatness of the founder, and also because of respect which the pupils desire to express, to preserve what was handed down.

There are no secret techniques, but.....

Serrada Abierta drill

2010-07-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hit.....both together.....wait
Hit.....both together.....wait

The circle and the dot

2010-06-06T03:36:00.000-07:00

There is a circle, and there is a dot.

There is left, and there is right.

There is counter clockwise, and there is clockwise.

There is the thing which is behind the dot, which cannot be seen.

Bunga Santako training - March Madness Part 2

2010-03-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

Ok here are the details: I'll add more as things get firmed up!

So far, confirmed attendees are:

J Chong (Singapore)
Timur A. (Turkey)
Galip A. (Turkey)
Gilbert C. (Singapore? haha)
Myself (Singapore)

Venue: Orchard (Gil's place)
Time starting: 10am
Day/Date: This Friday, 26 March 2010

Things are getting exciting.....!

Bunga Santako training - March Madness

2010-03-17T03:51:00.001-07:00

Gm will be dropping by in Singapore on his way to Morocco. Est dates 26 - 28 March 2010.

Public training on Saturday and Sunday.

Monitor this......

Footwork

2010-01-27T03:28:00.000-08:00

Neutral.
There is no neutral.

Deal.
Deal is neutral.
Deal is false neutral.

Arm remains stretched out.
Move.....and...kill.

Bunga Santako

2009-12-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

Gm flies back to the Philippines

2009-12-20T17:17:00.001-08:00

We wish him a safe journey back home to his loved ones. We want to thank him for teaching us in a fun and enlightening manner! Till next year!

Training notes for final day

2009-12-20T01:34:00.001-08:00

Breakdown for retirada, recta directa, florete, trankada

Blindspot means finished

Hand and foot at the same time finish. Serrada-abierta

Double carrera

Saturday's Training notes

2009-12-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

Body 1
Body 2
Body 3

same for the other side

Thursday's training notes

2009-12-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

Footwork
Transition

Wednesday's training notes

2009-12-16T11:28:00.000-08:00

1-2-3-4
Move or die
Bungas Santako is the Fruit of combat
Dance forward and move back
Dance forward and move sideways (etc)
Fingers point towards the eyes
Look at the opponent
Monitor!

Tuesday's notes

2009-12-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

Hold loosely - that is my problem, not your problem
Bounce - double burn
Three hits in one movement - (serrada abierta serrada / reverse)
Clip
Brace
Triangles
Open and close the triangles (quickly, sneakily) - SUPER!

Monday's notes

2009-12-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

Move in, move out
Monitoring
Foundation, not upper
Deal and clip
Fighting form is killing
Control
Finish
Rolling punch
Picking the apple punch
Speed stick 36"
Moving like a madman
Peeling the skin
MONITOR

More notes

2009-12-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Dealing
Trainees want to be .....!
X
Power dance
Differences between KI, Mangtas Baraw and Bungas Santako
The King of Morocco
The fruit of combat

Training notes: 10-12 Dec

2009-12-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

Raise the level of Consciousness and Awareness = Monitoring
Footwork - Ankle, Knee, Hip/waist
Come from the heart
Angling
Compass 1 and Compass 2
Clearing
Clockwise and counter-clockwise
Who is crazy?
Thumb on hand - Thr (not tiger but human)
Open the gate, then he enters
When he leaves, then close the gate
Close range = behind
There is no middle range. Middle range = clash
Recoil
Opposite of up is down
Blade edge awareness

Training begins in Singapore!

2009-12-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

To all Bahad Zubu practitioners worldwide -- GM Yuli Romo is currently in Singapore training a select group. If you need to contact him, his Singapore number (valid until 21st Dec 2009) is +6598977431

BZ SINGAPORE BLADE SEMINAR DATES - 13th AND 20th December 2009

2009-12-05T18:12:00.000-08:00

Are you an expert in Karate? or Aikido? or the Mma? or Silat? or any number of traditional martial arts?

Would you like to equip yourself with the confidence of combat/duel-proven techniques to deal with attacks by goons armed with knives and batons?

Or perhaps you are concerned about the rise in the number of crime which involves parangs, and you just want to learn something to keep yourself and your loved ones alive?

If you would like to have a quick course on how to deal with attacks by gangsters armed with sticks and parangs, then this is the seminar for you!

GM Yuli Romo is a world-class martial artist who has trained professionals as well as the man-in-the-street from the USA, UK, TURKEY, JAPAN, SINGAPORE and the PHILIPPINES.

In his THIRD VISIT to Singapore, he will share with you a special sequence of fighting movements to deal with attacks by bladed weapons.

This is a CRASH COURSE, 2 SUNDAYS ONLY, 3 hours per session.

13th Dec: Bahad Zubu Combatives Singapore Seminar 2009 (Part 1: Basic baiting and evasion, with footwork)

Price: S$100

20th Dec: Bahad Zubu Combatives Singapore Seminar 2009 (Part 2: Advanced counters, locks and disarms)

Price: S$100

Time: 2pm-5.30pm

Don't wait any longer! These seminars are organised only once a year, and this is the FIRST TIME that I've opened it up for members of the general public to take part. I will screen for respectful behaviour and teachability. Be one of the few in Singapore to learn Bahad Zubu combatives, and use these moves immediately. It may save your life!

(These 2 seminars may be taken separately. They are designed for members of the public without any martial arts background to learn. Hardcore fighters in training can learn much from this, and should also join us in the 10 day training camp in Singapore, if you can afford it in terms of money and time.)

No discounts. GM is a world-class professional, and is featured prominently on the front cover of the book "The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo" ISBN 0-8048-3145-9. You may bring along the book to request for an autograph and a photo opportunity.

Don't wait any more. EMAIL ME NOW at remark20@gmail.com to BOOK A SLOT. PLACES ARE LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE TRAINING AREA!

1 seminar for $100, 2 seminars for $200.

I'll email you the details regarding the venue later.

Training dates confirmed! Counter armed tactics, and counter unarmed tactics - CAT and CUT Bahad Zubu combatives - learn to wield a blade

2009-12-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

Ok Gm Yuli Romo just called and he'll be training a small group daily in Singapore from 10th to 20th Dec 2009! That is THIS THURSDAY!

(GM only comes to Singapore to train once a year, and this year I am extending the invitation to members of the public. Obviously, I will screen for respectful behaviour and teachability.)

Venue: We'll meet at Geylang for breakfast at 8am and then go somewhere in the vicinity to train.

Training cost is S$100 per day, 8am-5pm, with breaks for lunch etc.
You don't need to train for the whole stretch, but it will obviously benefit you if you do. Places are limited so that you can receive attention and correction from Gm Yuli personally, on hand placement, footwork, body mechanics, and the art of the blade.

If you've ever wanted to learn how to deal with weapons and how to handle the threat of gangsters armed with knives when you go overseas for work and on tour, don't wait any longer - Learn how to defend yourself and your loved ones!

Email me now to book a place: remark20@gmail.com

Don't hesitate......MOVE......OR...DIE!

CHANGE IN DATES

2009-12-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

You want more training by GM Yuli, I'll arrange for more training!

Please take note of the change in dates, I'm asking GM to come to Singapore on the 9th of Dec, start training on 10th, and the last day of training will be the 20th of Dec, and then he flies off on the 21st.

One minor hitch: he's still out of contact and in Morocco, and does not know about the extension of dates yet! (The original dates which GM agreed to was from 14-19th Dec).

Don't worry, just practise.....

GM Yuli Romo in Singapore - Dec 10 - 20, 2009

2009-11-16T03:53:00.000-08:00

This will be GM Yuli's third trip to Singapore, to conduct training in Bahad Zu'bu combatives, to the select few.

Get ready!

Reaction times

2009-10-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

GM Yuli says, "Speed, timing and reaction, I cannot teach you, HAHA!"

Oh well! I'll need to work on some of these things then :-)

Touch - Untouch

2009-09-13T05:11:00.001-07:00

is the key.

State of Mind

2009-08-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

Expand your consciousness.

New trainees

2009-08-15T23:41:00.001-07:00

I find myself teaching new trainees simpler, more advanced concepts. Just Compass 1 and Compass 2. They learn fast too. But they don't know what to do with their hands (for now).

New Website for GM Yuli Romo

2009-07-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

Simon has created a new website for GM Yuli. Go take a look!

Just click on the link on the right.

Compass 1 and Compass 2

2009-06-14T02:45:00.000-07:00

After 6 months, I finally understand the meaning of Compass 1 and Compass 2.

Now, if you are under control when you are in Compass 1, move to Compass 2, and TURN ON THE SPOT, to transform your position back to Compass 1. The options for the counter will present themselves to you, for you to use against the opponent.

Training weapons for sale

2009-05-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for Bahad Zubu training weapons (and I know you want to hold it in your hand, to feel the blade and the power coursing through your veins), go to

http://www.bahadzubuflorida.com/BZ_-_Store.html

and take a look.

Good stuff there, and some of the designs foreshadow things to come!

Bahad Zubu in Turkey

2009-02-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Hey, check this out - we've really gone international, with Bahad Zubu practitioners in the Philippines, UK, USA, Japan, Singapore, and now Turkey!

http://www.bahadzubu-kali.com/

Bahad Zubu video 2008

2008-12-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well folks, here it is.

Don't learn all the wrong things from this, haha.

(Meaning, when you see my sleepy sloppy moves, don't imitate me. Imitate the speedy, sneaky moves of Gm Yuli!)

The primitive fighting art of the Philippine Archipelago

2008-12-18T02:24:00.000-08:00

Straight lines are good. Curves are even better.

Let your fighting art look natural.

Let your nature be artful.

Circular arcs

2008-12-18T02:19:00.000-08:00

Every circular arc has a point of maximum closeness to you, as the observer. If you think of a direct line from the centre of the circle going to the left or to the right, then that is the point of departure. Step forward, before and after.

Have fun and play

2008-12-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

When you are close to your destination, there is no need to finish. Just have fun and play, then you can continue to move around.

Swinging vines

2008-12-18T02:13:00.000-08:00

The deeper into the jungle we move, the thicker the canopy. If you feel a breeze blowing you from behind, be sensitive and use the extra momentum to duck under a vine. Move your chest right next to the tree trunk, as if you are dancing with the tree. Keep your movements elegant, with your heel off the ground, and your toe hooking onto the sticky mud of Pilar. Imagine that you are doing ballroom dancing in the jungle.

Entering

2008-12-18T02:10:00.000-08:00

As we start to enter the jungle path, we become aware of our surroundings, and we do not become distracted by what is on the left or on the right. As we start walking, and if we see something interesting, we can always walk sideways and backwards, before continuing to walk forwards.

Arrivals and departures

2008-12-18T02:05:00.000-08:00

When we travel to a destination, we can choose to go directly, or we can take a long route. Now if we travel directly, and meet with a traffic jam, then we will need to make a detour. But if we can anticipate the traffic jam, then we will take the detour in the first place, and arrive earlier.

When we try to move in a circular motion to arrive at the destination, because our feet continue moving, the end result is a hand motion that looks linear.

Training weapons on Camotes

2008-12-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

In Bahad Zubu, the stick is a blade. So the mentality we have is that we handle all sticks like blades.

Now, the opposite of black is white. So, as our training progresses, we learn to handle blades like sticks, and even though the edge of the blade is sharp, we learn to hold the edge of the blade with our hand, without cutting ourselves. This is sensitivity training.

Training trip report: Dec 2008 - Camotes Island

2008-12-13T03:35:00.001-08:00

I just arrived back in Singapore from a training trip I took to Camotes in the Philippines. Gm Yuli was in great form as usual, and now my head is spinning, as I need to reflect and think about more effective training methods for myself and the members of the Bahad Zubu group here in Singapore.

I will post pictures, videos to Youtube, and some thoughts, after I sort them out in my mind. It might take a week or a month.

In the meantime, does anyone know of a good cha-cha dance instructor in Singapore?

Serrada - Abierta (Simple basics are the most advanced)

2008-09-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

I started thinking about the basic Serrada-Abierta drill which we do, and to me, it looks like two moves:

1. Half a florete

or

2. Chow Gar Wing-Chun Chao Zhang

which helps me to connect with the existing knowledge I already have.

Oh, and by the way, I'm planning to invite GM Yuli Romo over to train the guys sometime in the last week of November 2008. I still need to finalise the dates with the guys and collect money etc., but I'd say it's a 90% go-ahead at this point in time.

As usual, we'll probably run a seminar (or two) for the trainees who have attended the previous sessions.

Let's see:
2006 Bahad Zubu KI Singapore Seminar 1: Serrada-Abierta (Stick and Blade)
2007 Bahad Zubu KI Singapore Seminar 2: Retirada - Pigada (Barau - short blade work)
2008 Bahad Zubu KI Singapore Seminar : ??? (Too many things to be covered... probably one thing at a time, as usual)

Keep training!

It's all very simple

2008-03-05T03:10:00.000-08:00

"Move.......or......die"

"1..........2.......3"

"Past..........present........future"

(But quite difficult to do).

Fri, Feb 22, 2008

2008-02-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

"TEN suspects in a Tampines knife attack that left a 19-year-old boy with a gaping wound in his forearm a week ago were caught after a 30-hour police operation on Thursday.

And it turned out that the youths, aged between 14 and 22, are believed to be behind at least three cases of rioting with deadly weapons in Simei, Pasir Ris and Tampines between Feb 10 and 18 2008, said police in a statement on Friday.

Seized from them were two daggers, three long bread knives and a parang."

==================

The other day someone asked me why I bother to train to deal with knives and parangs.

"After all, I just take out a gun to shoot you, and that's it!"

Ok, so let me see you take out your gun in Singapore. Not very likely.

On the other hand, it is close to impossible to prevent anyone from carrying knives in any country. Kitchen implements can't be banned.

I don't need to teach you how to use a knife to kill or hurt somebody, that act of killing and maiming can be done by any Tom, Dick or Harry. What I train is to respond appropriately to an attack by someone armed with a weapon.

Why not just train in the empty hands?
That is because in the real world, if someone is upset with me and wants to do me harm, they are not going to train for 6 months in a Muay Thai gym before coming after me. What they will do, is to go to NTUC Fairprice and buy a $3 knife, and come after me.

Can I respond appropriately when I am attacked with a weapon? That is the question on my mind.

The Key

2008-02-17T03:13:00.000-08:00

I finally understand the key, after 2 years.

The is the trunk, and there are the branches, and there are the fruits of combat.

I knew what the key was, but I couldn't do it.
I couldn't understand why I couldn't do it, even though I knew what it was.

But now I understand it, and I can do it, and I can teach others how to do it. Without the key, all the techniques will not work as effectively.

With the key, all the techniques will work like magic.

I must be one of the slowest Bahad Zubu students around :-)

Training Dec

2007-12-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

Because he is your friend, you hug him and put your head next to his.
Because he is your friend, you hug his knee with both hands.
Because your grandmaster is a "crazy" master, you do bathing.
Because your grandmaster does not like martial arts, you do dancing.
Step, anticipate, step, anticipate, step. Heel and toe, heel and toe, heel and toe.

Knife attacks in Singapore

2007-11-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

Although Singapore is one of the the world's safest cities, and its citizens and visitors enjoy a great sense of security when walking around the streets, sometimes a few criminal elements cause harm to people.

In the following article, which was published in The New Paper, a local Singaporean newspaper, on Nov 7 2007, you get to read for yourself the horrific facts about the way in which some criminals attack others. This article was written by Kor Kian Beng.

(Start of article)

'They came out of nowhere'

THE parang attack ended as swiftly as it had begun.

In less than five minutes, the attackers had fled the scene after pouncing on a group of seven friends.

The silence was telling too. It was as if the gang of around eight male attackers was focused on just slashing their victims.

One victim said the attackers were so quiet that all he could hear was the sounds of parangs slicing their bodies.

But the ferocity of the attack was never in doubt.

It left two victims lying in a pool of their own blood.

One had his left hand nearly chopped off - he "could feel it dangling".

Another victim managed to flee the scene, but not before getting a deep cut that stretched from his right ear to his mouth.

A fourth man and the three women who were with them escaped unharmed.

All three victims, men in their mid-20s, survived the vicious attack, which happened outside Liang Court shopping complex near Clarke Quay at about 4am on Sunday.

It was the latest in a string of similar horrific incidents.

The trio, who are colleagues at a pest control company, and their family members declined to be identified when The New Paper spoke to them in hospital.

All three victims claimed the attack had been unprovoked and that neither they nor their friends had offended anyone recently.

They also insisted they had not stepped on anyone's toes while partying at the nearby Ministry of Sound (MOS) on Saturday night, shortly before they were attacked.

Other knife and blade attacks on victims in Singapore in 2007

Bar manager Eugene Chua, 31, beaten up after leaving a pub at Clarke Quay on 23 Apr. He died two days later. Three women and two men have been jailed for the attack.
Five friends attacked by seven parang-wielding men at the void deck of Block 13, Eunos Crescent on 7 Sep. They suffered injuries to head, stomach and hands.
On the same day, a 17-year-old was attacked by six parang-wielding men at the void deck of Block 463, Tampines Street 44. He suffered injuries on head, back and shoulder.
An 18-year-old attacked by three parang-wielding men near Block 159, Tampines Street 12 on 15 Jun. He suffered hand injuries.
Mr Zainal Nek, 46, died after being attacked by a motorcycle gang near a Central Square nightspot on 17 Sep last year. Six men have been jailed for the attack.

For more details of the horrific attack, get your copy of The New Paper today.

(End of article)

The way I look at it is -- it doesn't take any training for a person to pick up a kitchen knife from a supermarket, and kill or seriously injure the common man. Therefore, training a person does not make him a killer, since training is not a necessary component for killing somebody.

However, in order to respond appropriately to an attack, takes some training and common sense.

Train hard and train often! (with understanding....)

Footwork!

2007-11-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

"Footwork!"
.
.
(No response)
POW!

"Footwork!"
.
.
(Footwork)
.
.
"Good!"

Special training this Friday

2007-10-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Guro Jon Chan, who has been training under Gm Yuli Romo for 8 years. We look forward to training with him soon!

Welcome to Evan

2007-09-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Evan joined us for training today.

What did we do tonight?

Retirada-Pigada (revision)

Baraw drill - 1234 Basic

Baraw drill recoil - left arm under, grab right triceps, squeeze shoulders together

TOUCH - Baraw drill recoil - same as above, but with the opponent reaching for the baraw - lock with right elbow, left hand free to strike or elbow, rotate the opponent's elbow (from below or above)

UNTOUCH - same - but opponent doesn't get to touch your hand - go counterclockwise

Poke his biceps

Play magic tricks to avoid 50-50 brute strength struggles.

A good time was had by one and all!

Doing it the right way

2007-08-17T19:21:00.001-07:00

Gm Yuli doesn't seem to be too happy with our efforts....

So he sets the standard for us to follow!

Bahad Zubu Seminar at Toa Payoh SAFRA

2007-08-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

The focus was on Retirada.

Remember the footwork!

Training in Singapore 2007

2007-08-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

Learning without tears.
Learning and laughing.
Learning in a stress-free environment.

Sometimes, you want to learn under battle conditions.
But I learn best when my muscles are loose, and I can breathe properly, and I can understand properly. After learning and understanding, then we start to talk about other matters such as dealing with stress, chaos.

Without the form, there is no fighting art. There is only a brawl. If there is only a brawl, there is no need for learning. Since I am interested in the fighting art, then I need to have learning and understanding. I learn best when I am relaxed and mentally alert. What about you?

Training notes:
Learning = wrist. Understanding = many options.
Recoil.
The meaning of sanchin (according to Gm Yuli!).
The meaning of 3 star exercise (according to Gm Yuli!)
The meaning of The Art, not Bahad Zubu, not the name of the container, not the name of the martial art.
The meaning of perceiving the thing for itself, and not the glass, not the container.
Verbal, Physical and State of the Mind.
Defang the snake. You can't defang the snake. Defang the snake.
Loose lubrication for cyclone.
Elbow drill. Elbow drill is knife drill.
Throw away your fear.Adam, Gm Yuli Romo and Andy.

A few more days of training to go!

Seminar in Knife and Stick combat open to the public

2007-07-28T01:21:00.000-07:00

As you already know, GM Yuli will be in Singapore to train members of Bahad Zubu in August. I've also arranged for him to train members of the general public at a seminar. The details:

The seminar will cover mainly the core techniques in the use of stick, edged weapon & disarming. Any specific request can be accommodated at GM Yuli’s discretion.


Date:	Sunday 12th August 2007
Time:	2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Cost:	S$95.00
Venue:	Thomson Room. SAFRA Toa Payoh Club, 293 Lorong 6, Toa Payoh, Singapore 319387

For Seminar registration, send me an email (remark20@gmail.com) or call Ken Lau at (+65) 90462963

Training camp in Singapore

2007-06-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

"Master the Threat of Stick and Knife with GM Yuli Romo" in Singapore, August 2007
Train in the Filipino Martial Arts with personal close supervision from GrandMaster Yuli Romo!

Total Training Package @ USD 1,250 per person (see link for details)

How much is your life worth?

Kali Ilustrisimo - Bahad Zubu
Mangtas Baraw Era

5 days to change your life this August.

Dates: August 18-23 2007
Location: Singapore

Apply for leave from your office, and book a place with Kylie now, at
http://www.bahadzubu-singapore.com/program.html

Strictly limited to 10 places only.

Updates on friends and upcoming events

2007-05-02T03:42:00.000-07:00

1. Andy and I just had dinner the other day with Guro Rey Dominguez and Gm Roland Dantes. They had come to Singapore to run a seminar in Katong Mall, and for grading. We had a good time discussing arnis in general, and we were honoured that they had agreed to spend a little time with us, sharing with us as brothers. Note: Rey is Mr Crab, and Gm Roland is Mr Fish.

2. Adrian couldn't join us because he is shifting house, and Ken is in HongKong. Nevermind, there'll be a next time!

3. Adam joined me for a first experience in Bahad Zubu training on Tuesday morning, and he says that he'll be back for more. He has some background in other martial arts, which is a good beginning for learning Kali Ilustrisimo.

4. Upcoming event of the year

Gm Yuli will be in Singapore in August to conduct a 5 day training camp. If you aren't able to travel to Cebu in July, then this is your other opportunity to set aside time and concentrate on your personal development.

Challenge yourself and push yourself to the limit! Break through new barriers in mind and body!

If you have reached a plateau in some martial art (Gm Yuli wants to teach people with a background in some sort of martial art, or kinesthetic experience, so that he can impart all his skills, instead of dealing with basic body mechanics), then this is your chance for a breakthrough.

How much will it cost?

Well, when I flew over to Manila to train with him, I paid US$100 for 4 hours, and I trained with him for a number of days.

As of 5 June 2007, the following line is no longer true - {The training camp in Singapore includes accomodation at a good hotel in Singapore, meals, transportation, massages, sightseeing trips etc., so it won't be cheap.} I've decided to delink the cost of training from the cost of accomodation etc.

If you want, you can still ask Kylie to arrange for hotel accomodation and sightseeing trips for you and your family (great shopping in Singapore, and a lovely zoo).

Figure in the cost for flying him over, and his hotel accomodation, and his food, plus a cut for the organiser, and you will need to start saving money now, and the next step will be to apply for leave from the office.

For more details, get into contact with Kylie, the organiser, at this website http://www.bahadzubu-singapore.com

ONLY 10 spaces will be available, as we want to maximise the amount of personal instruction from Gm Yuli. This is your chance. Don't miss it!

How much do you value your training?

2007-03-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

How serious are you in training? That is the question which I ask myself.
If I'm very committed to training, if I'm very interested in training, why would I pay my instructor less than what I pay my tuition teacher, or my piano teacher, or my professional wedding photographer?

If you pay peanuts, you will only be able to get a monkey to work for you.
If you want world-class instruction from a world class martial artist, then you pay top dollar.

And if you can't afford it, then it's ok. Just choose to do something else with your time.
You can save up $50 per month, and over a few years, you will accumulate enough.
And the constant saving up of money, little by little, where you discipline your mind, as you discipline your body, is also kungfu training.

Training equipment

2007-01-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Any stick is just a stick. A knife is a stick. A pen is a stick. A finger is a stick. An arm is a stick.

I was doing some reading up on the Ilanun pirates from long ago, and Peter Rutter in the book The Pirate Wind, says that the Ilanun used to travel around South East Asia in boats crewed by slaves, and one of their weapons was the tampilan. The hilt of the tampilan was decorated with hair, so that it looked like a head, and the little horn at the tip of the blade was removed after the first kill. The Ilanun would attack their opponents "with a downward sweeping motion" (sound familar?), and for every kill, they would insert a brass plug into a hole drilled into the blade. In the book, he quotes an eyewitness report of a tampilan with up to 27 brass inserts.

Starting out the new year

2007-01-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

There are some key concepts in Bahad Zubu, which can be termed the essence, or the secret knowledge or wisdom, of how to understand the movements, and how to generate them.

Without a deep and proper understanding of the essence, then one merely becomes a collector of techniques, instead of being able to generate situational destructiveness.

For all my Bahad Zubu brothers and sisters, the concepts are touch-untouch, clockwise-counterclockwise, up-down, left-right, front-back, the key and the padlock, the key and the doors, inside-outside, basic-transition, learning-understanding, planting the seed-reaping the fruits, breaking the basics-the fruits of battle, large circle-small circle, day and night, male and female, abierta-serrada, yin and yang.

See, I've shared with the whole world all the secrets which I have personally learned from Gm Yuli. Now, who can understand? Hahaha.

You see, but you do not see. You hear, but you do not understand.

And if you understand, then we share many happy secrets together, you and I!