The True Nature of Fighting

The true nature of fighting involves weapons. From time immemorial, wars were fought and won by men with the use of weapons. Kingdoms fell, countries torn, and nations emerged through the use of these tools for war. From pre-historic times, medieval times up until modern times, everything that man fought for involved some sort of an archetypal contraption for which would make his work easier tenfold.

Filipino indigenous warriors of the northern tribes

Why use weapons when hands and feet will do? Will a human use his bare hands against a 7-foot bear with sharp claws? Doesn't a hunter use a spear and a blade when he wanted to slay a lion roaming around his small town? Hands and feet just takes forever to finish the job especially when hundreds of armies fought in a great open battlefield. And up against someone who has a blade, depending only on your hands and feet already puts you at a disadvantage.

In times of peace, hand-to-hand competitions were organized to keep soldiers and men of battle to sharpen their skills and keep them on their toes. Thus, many sportive events even up to this day mirror these martial competitions. The sad thing is through time, many are disillusioned that these events are the end-all and be-all of fighting. To the public eye, these tests of pugilism and wrestling produce the ultimate fighters who cannot be conquered. Empty handed arts are only one aspect. Many have forgotten the true meaning of fighting.

Modern martial arts competitions may give you a false sense of security

In modern civilian times, people have waged war against the criminal elements prowling the streets in search for their next victim or source of sustenance. People have resorted to tazer guns and pepper sprays because bringing a knife is illegal in many parts of the globe. These thugs and gangs are aware of these tools as well. And they would do everything it takes to avoid falling victims when they supposedly are the aggressors.

Filipino prison gangs, a menace to society

In Pekiti-Tirsia, we believe in life not in death. If someone endangers someone’s life, it is our duty to protect that life. Endangering someone’s life breeds disrespect. If someone harms your life, he already disrespects you as a person and as a living individual. Desperate times call for desperate measures. In a situation where your life is threatened, it is only normal to get desperate and fight for your life. You cannot always ensure to protect your attackers' life if this happens. Your primary objective is to survive no matter what the cost. In an instance where weapons are concerned there are only three outcomes: (1) you die, (2) he dies, (3) either of you dies or survives.

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is not a martial art, it is a complete fighting system. We don't teach you martial arts, we save lives.

The Rules of Engagement

The Philippine marines are definitely familiar with the rules of engagement.

Whenever people ask me how one should approach someone who is trying to rob you in the street, my answer is always the same. There are no rules. Unlike any legally sanctioned fight, a street attack should be approached open-mindedly with no mental reservations. No matter how hard you train in the gym or in your martial arts class, you will never apply the skills that you've learned if you do not have the proper mental attitude. There were some incidents in the past wherein some notable personalities in the martial arts world was not able to apply the techniques they have acquired from years of practice given a street situation. A muay thai fighter got stabbed after doing some shopping in a dodgy place of town. An incident involving a famed Filipino Martial Arts instructor getting slashed in the arm when he was out with his girlfriend one time even after giving away his money. All of these are professional fighters and teachers. But why have they froze during an altercation with a street element who had no martial arts training whatsoever? Why did the muay thai fighter not apply his ill-famed roundhouse kick? Why did the FMA instructor not apply his numerous disarming techniques and stick skills that he demonstrates over and over again? Have you ever asked what the difference was between the street thug and these professional fighters? It is clear and evident that it is the will to survive! Street thugs always have the proper mental attitude when they're out to rob you. They are out there starving and/or living a difficult life. The minute they try to rob an innocent civilian, they would be always convicted in whatever sort of action they resort doing. When someone threatens you with an icepick to your neck, you know they would really plunge the blade to your skin (if they haven't yet) if they do not get what they want. To a junkie's line of reasoning, he would do anything and everything to get that next fix. He has no morals. All the people that he knows, family and friends go out the window once he gets the urge to get high.

Just like in a cage match, when someone asks for your money with a knife, do you tell him wait, hold on, let me take out my knife as well so the fight would be fair, or wait, let me change to my gi first or let me take off my shirt and change to my board shorts before I fight you. In some technique oriented schools probably they even think of the different angles that his attacker may possibly make. So out of the 5 angles of attack that he already knows, once the angle does not fall in one of those 5, he is already dead. Ironic isn't it? Funny even how some people, after being presented with blood, sweat and tears training, still go back to their comfort zone form number 75 and forego any skill he has learned from you. They would rather spend hours and hours of useless movement and exercises when all they have to do is train wisely. You can learn all the techniques you like, but when someone makes an attempt at your life, will you make it look as simple as if you were just coming out of ballet class?

I would rather watch her than do a horse stance for 2 hours.

After all those years of studying different katas, becoming a black belt, shouting "kiai" or "aye" once you strike the final blow and yet you still cannot apply any of these given a real life situation, in my opinion you should stab your instructor for giving you a false sense of security or maybe just to see if his blood is red. Or maybe your instructor will do the same and freeze when presented with a blade. You maybe able to run a marathon without breaking a sweat, do a full side split and still smile or properly do all these magnificent chokes and holds with your eyes closed, but if you do not have the proper mental attitude and discipline, all of these are useless.

So what are the rules of engagement again?

None.

Would you be the next victim?

The Illusion of Disarming

From my experience, bladed weapon disarming is something like wishful thinking. One could only disarm a bladed weapon from an opponent given three situations: (1) you posses good skill while your opponent is a beginner in fighting with bladed weapons
not familiar with handling bladed weapons; (2) the attack is telegraphed and travelling at a tremendously slow velocity; (3) you already got hit before you have performed a disarming move on your opponent. If one of these three things is not true, then I'm sorry to say that either you would lose a limb, get severely wounded, or die in battle.

People who say that as civilians, you should fight to disarm, is I think disillusioned from watching too many martial arts flicks or has either already signed your death warrant. Out in the street, against a crazed lunatic who is out to kill you and take everything you have with him, you need not be overly concerned with your assailants' welfare. The important thing is first and foremost, to survive the encounter.

If one is only concerned with disarming a bladed weapon from an assailant when attacked, he would be only fighting at half his maximum potential. An individual would be aiming to control two things here: (1) to get out unscathed and (2) not to severely harm his opponent. As a victim, you have every right to protect your life and the life of those you are protecting.

If someone successfully disarmed an opponent from his weapon, then well and good. But if the opponent is not knocked out yet, you cannot be complacent that he wouldn't still have a go at you. There are many factors to consider in weapon disarming and if one still has not honed his skills to its full potential, he shouldn't be concerned too much about disarming. As a beginner, one is stupid to spend hours and hours of fancy disarming drills and techniques in a martial arts class where the feeder is travelling in slow motion while you, the receiver, on the other hand is barely moving at blinding speed using your best effort. You are wasting your time for something that won't work. Always remember that like any other normal empty-handed attack, a bladed weapon can change direction, strike, lock/trap, and take you down if need be. The myth of bladed weapon disarming seems to be a reality with most Arnis and Eskrima classes all over the world today. If this is your cup of tea, then expect your fingers do the walking when the blade sings its tune.

What is Pekiti-Tirsia Kali?

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is a close-quarter, in-fighting combat system from the Philippines against multiple opponents based on the use of the Blade. Pekiti-Tirsia is a system of complete strategies and tactics utilizing all close quarters weaponry, at all ranges, which provide protection from strikes and attacks, destruction of opponent’s weapons, and domination of any combat or self defense situation.

The Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system is an authentic Filipino fighting art formulated and perfected by generations of the Tortal family of Negros and Panay islands. The family patriarch, Grand Tuhon Conrado B. Tortal, passed this system and its attributes onto his only grandson and sole heir, Grand Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje, Jr.


Today, Pekiti-Tirsia is trained and executed in combat and survival by military operators, law enforcement officers, and citizens across the free world. The strategy, tactics, and techniques of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali are ancient in origin, yet ultra advanced that its fighting values always remain new. Weapon ranges vary from but are not limited to single and double stick/blade, single and double knife, stick and dagger, empty hands, Dumog (combat wrestling), malayu sibat (spear).

Training Mentality

Why do you train? People train for various reasons. What a few know is that your intention to train dictates your approach to your personal training. There are technique driven individuals, there are fitness driven individuals, there are machismo driven individuals, and there are even money driven individuals, showy types, passionate types, and so on... a combination of all or some.

There is also a big difference between training with a sports mentality and a combative mentality. It's all in the intent. Training with a sports mentality should only be a start and not the end. Winning should not hinder your growth but serve as a challenge to oneself. Conquering the arena of life is what everyone should strive for. Obtaining trophies, medals and awards does not give you a bulletproof vest out in the real world. These merits are even sometimes seen as a bullseye by your competitors. It pays to be top dog yes, but it also comes with responsibility. Winning at competitions or tournaments should only enhance your ability and not a limiting factor. Complacency is a mortal sin. Anyone can brag about obtaining certificates and belts from different arts but it does not automatically make you a good fighter. It only shows you are a good businessman since you've invested in knowledge where you may earn money from in the future.

In the end, no matter how much martial arts training you have done, it does not mean your life is already insured. But it's always better to be equipped in case the need arises.

Train with a good purpose. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

PTK Dubai Sicas Famosus Class Schedule

Venue: The World Black Belts Center
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road (behind the House of Cars showroom), Dubai, UAE
Timings: Monday 8:30 PM to 10 PM, Saturday 8:30 PM to 10 PM

Venue: Al Safa Park (inside Gate 2)
Address: Al Wasl Road, Jumeira 2, Dubai, UAE
Timings: Sunday 6 PM to 10 PM, Wednesday 8 PM to 10 PM

In The Midst Of Adversity

The opening of the year 2009 welcomes us with new challenges.

Possible threats linger in every corner, dark or light. The need for haste and vigilance is upon us. In the midst of the global crisis, people will be more aggressive. More people will be killed, more situations will be taken advantaged of, and more families will be torn apart due to this catastrophy. No one will be spared, not the old, not the women, not the children. The vultures will come down from its perch, the chameleon will shed its true colors.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Too late to worry about yesterday, too soon to worry about tomorrow, no better time to act than now. As protectors of the weak and guardians of the peace, we will act in defiance of the current trends. We will state our own terms and dictate the course of action. Throughout history, it is not these over zealous politicians or scholarly statesmen that dictate the pace of the world, but it is the man with the weapon. If steel has gone through fire and brimstone to perform in its utmost ability, shouldn't its wielder do the same?

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali evolves through time and adapts itself to its environment while still staying true to its core discipline and underlying principles.

Expect more hard training, blood, sweat and tears all together.

This is our mission. This is our destiny.

Counter-Offensive Moves, Strategy and Tactics

Many ask about the difference between Defense and Counter Attack. In Pekiti-Tirsia, we practice counter attacking procedures rather than defense. In the war game, attacking is the only way of having a good surviving chance to come out unscathed. Having the mentality of defense or self-defense already puts the person in a disadvantageous position. If that person is attacked, there is no objective whatsoever in fighting back within a defensive mentality. Controlling the aggressor is more of the primary objective. However, most of the time, the aggressor cannot be controlled. If the attack is well-planned, the defensive party would have a hard time controlling the attacker. Your training dictates to you the kind of mentality and attitude one practices when faced with conflict. The way you train is the way you fight and vice versa. If someone trains purely defense, then you will be expending a lot of energy nullifying the attacks if it can be nullified in the first place. In my opinion, running is the best defense although most of the time, running cannot be the best solution either. When placed in an isolated area, it doesn't matter whether you run or not. Your attacker/s can still catch up to you. In our system, we do not practice defense. We practice offense and counter-offense. With these procedures laid out, there is a good chance that you will survive not only an attack but an onslaught.

Our training regimen is no different from an athlete training for a fight. The more you bleed in training, the less you bleed in battle. We believe that if you train this way, you put yourself in a warrior's mentality that you have to win and survive at all costs. If you were a serious martial artist, you shouldn't be wasting your time on defense, making flashy moves or looking good to a public viewer. One should not overly concern himself about looking good in martial arts since the fight game is an ugly business. Blade disarming and stick disarming is simply just wishful thinking. If someone was attacking in slow motion, then a disarm maybe possible. But in reality, if someone was going to whack you with a lead pipe at full force, going for a disarm may only result with you having a destroyed hand or a fractured skull. Disarming techniques are only for movies. It may only work with a child or someone who was completely out of his game. But with a person who even has beginner skill level in impact weapon manipulations, it would be near to impossible to do a disarm. One should not shy away from sparring either. In the civilian world, only through sparring can one test the knowledge they have learned in the arts.

Strategy and Tactics are well-planned maneuvers wherein you are not compromised in battle. In the Filipino Fighting Arts, the way you hold a weapon, the way you chamber the stick, the way your body moves after delivering an attack are simple examples of how tactics are employed. Strategy and tactics are essential most importantly when faced with multiple opponents. Without tactics, one would just be a sitting duck up for target practice. You should always be at an advantageous position to your attacker. Having leverage and first strike always is a healthy practice. If your tactics doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean that it is inefficient. Your strategy and tactics should be flexible enough for it to adapt to the current situation. Strategy and Tactics are studied at an intermediate to advanced level of Pekiti-Tirsia once the basics have been mastered.

Blood, Sweat and Tears

As civilians, we will never truly know how it is to fight side by side with our fellow comrades for the sake of our country’s freedom for ours is a different battle. Although it is not our solemn duty to take lives of enemy insurgents and terrorists, we should not limit ourselves to passiveness. Civil vigilance should be exercised at all times. In this dire time of global crisis, in the civilian world, we have yet another war to face. Chaos and disorder is in our midst and it is just a matter of time before it personally happens to us. Families are torn apart, lives are destroyed due to drugs and violence, and people have lost touch with their spiritual side. All of us one way or another has dreamed of luxury like our little piece of heaven on earth. Complacency has taken over where vigilance should have been present. Alertness and total concern have been side-tracked because everyone had been busy by either earning an extra buck or spending time thinking of how to spend it. The person’s core values have been lost due to several distractions in this lifetime. Traditionally in the Philippines, each member of the family sits down together to eat dinner and talk about pleasant things. Now, everyone sits in front of the TV or computer while talking on the phone as if no one knew each other. There is even a vast disparity between rich and poor. The rich, treated as kings gets away with everything while treating their poor brethren as slaves. This even happens between family members. Survival has a different meaning in this world we call TODAY. It is still dog eat dog world, but in modern times. Those who are wicked can get away with everything, while the righteous are the ones who are blamed and therefore suffer the consequences. Survival of the fittest doesn’t mean the fittest are righteous.

Discovery Channel's Fight Quest with Doug Anderson training Pekiti-Tirsia

Despite everything that is going on around us, through training, we re-live these traditions that we have forgotten. In Pekiti-Tirsia, although we are not born from the same bloodline, we become family and brothers through hard work, training and dedication. There is enough motivation for us to excel because there is nowhere to go but up. We right the wrong and we throw away the rubbish. Fighting is inherent to Kali warriors because it is the only thing we know. Through war, we achieve victory. We don’t shy away from being aggressive and determined if we know we are righteous. We are humble and proud at the same time. If we are down and beaten, we stand up and spit right back at that person’s face and tell them that they cannot keep a good man down. We cross the bridge and burn everything to the ground and come out victorious. The blood, sweat and tears that we experience, we enjoy, because only by this we know we are truly alive. After hardships, there is success. We don’t take no shortcuts. If someone doesn’t go through hardships, he will not enjoy triumph. For in the end, the righteous will be rewarded and the foolish damned. Only when you take it upon yourself and truly say that you are a warrior who does not give up the fight, you emerge the winner.

Save My Life Before I Die

I found this while rummaging through some past blogs by Grand Tuhon. It's a prayer composed by Mr. Dino Martinez of the Florida PTK Pitbulls after taking inspiration from a quote from Grand Tuhon.

"Save My Life Before I Die" by Dino Martinez.

Save my life before I die... that I might not perish from this earth a small and meaningless thing, without having touched greatness, without the siren call of destiny to guide me to something greater than myself; that my searching was not in vain but that I, in the end, walked with Titans.