Fire up your Internal Oven

If you're coming from a sedentary lifestyle, jumping immediately into the Kali program might not be the ideal choice for you. Most of the time, the body adjusts to new movement, coordination and high repetitive motions which are not the usual movements one does in school or in the office. Even if you are already involved in some kind of exercise or sport, you may still not be able to maximize the experience and material to be taught. One might be discouraged with Kali if one cannot perform the simple basic motions and body mechanics required for the first few weeks of training. These simple exercises can prepare anyone before undergoing your first few weeks of Kali class.

100 jumping jacks
30 pushups
20 burpees with jumps
20 squats
30 situps

Consider this a fitness test you can use even if you are coming back from an off season. Note that you do not have to do all of this in one sitting. Performing any 2 exercises consecutively may already suffice. Slowly building up the numbers by adding 10 repetitions each week can be a good motivational challenge.

Another notable issue one can face with training is blisters. I have had a lot of questions regarding blisters and writing it here hopefully helps those questions. Even if one is already accustomed to the strikes and techniques in Kali, after weeks or months of not practicing, blisters can still occur. These exercises will help address those issues:

100 broken strikes high load
100 broken strikes shoulder load
100 broken strikes medium load
300 bridging between broken, fluid and circular strikes

Varying the stick you are using from light to heavy then back to light, or even changing the orientation from wooden stick to iron pipe to baseball bat can also help solve blistering as well as develop power and control of your weapon. Of course as time goes by, you can even add tire hitting with 1,000, 3,000 to 5,000 strikes per day.

If you constantly train with different weapons, in the end whatever you have in your hand doesn't matter. Edged or impact weapon only change attributes, but mastery of control and power depends on the wielder.

2012 Pekiti-Tirsia Beyond Borders

The year 2011 has a lot of breakthroughs and fun memories for PTK Sandatahan. Closing the year with the Street Survival Seminar held in Dubai, UAE last 4th to 5th November, we still have a lot more to look forward to for the year of the dragon, 2012.

 Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Street Survival Seminar Day 1 - 04 Nov 2011

• 7 January - Training with Tuhon Uli Weidle
• 14 January - Beyond Borders seminar with Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr.
• 4th February - Training with Mandala Jasper De Ocampo
• 4th to 8th February - Bacolod Training Camp
• 18th February - Kerambit training with Agalon Ritch Soriano
• 25th February and 3rd March - Duelist Workshop II
• 15th to 18th March - 2nd PTK Asia Pacific Convention

These are just among the first line up of events for this year.

For the first half, we would like to develop fit and able fighters with no reservations for the PTKS Stickfighters Olympiads. Recruitment is ongoing and to be part of this group means to devote oneself in training every hour of everyday. The rewards are great and plenty for everyone provided we sweat in training now so that we would not bleed in battle later.

 PTK Beyond Borders seminar with Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr. - 14 January 2012

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali seminar with Tuhon Rommel Tortal

Strike, parry, twist, break. This was the gist of the 3 hour seminar we had with Tuhon Rommel Tortal last Saturday which focused on PTK's signature empty hands Dumpag and knife drills.

The seminar started out with some light stretching, followed by some simple empty hands drills which is a staple for all empty handed entries. We went immediately to limb destruction incorporating knuckle and elbow breaks with holds and parries. Outside and inside entries followed next with standup to ground applications and techniques. There was some concentration on ground movement which rivals those found in ground based arts like Brazilian Jiujitsu. Counters to different entries were also discussed.

Even with the participants quite weary from rolling, breaking and twisting like pretzels, it did not end there. We only had a few minutes to grab some water and take a breather until it was back again to business. The seminar was not complete without devoting the final hour to knife drills for hammer grip. It was a little bit to take for the newbie participants since it was the first time they experienced the ground work of Pekiti-Tirsia from Tuhon Mel. Fun, pleasure and pain all at the same time. This month has truly been a busy month for Pekiti-Tirsia Kali worldwide. Expect more in the coming days. More events, all action. Come to where the flavor is!

Contemplations from the Duelist Workshop

Moro duel dance

The Duelist Workshop whose aim was to celebrate our brave Filipino ancestors who engaged in duels to settle disputes has just concluded last night. The 8 hour workshop which was split into 4 days final session concentrated on several footwork drills for mobility in bladed weapon combat. This also aimed to enhance one's ability in edged or impact weapon applications in preparation for one on one duelling. At least 8 2 minute rounds of sparring was completed throughout the entire workshop.

Conditioning

We believe that without a properly conditioned body, one may be effective in skill but may not last long enough under constant pressure. Longevity against multiple opponents or duels that last for several minutes were taken into consideration in conditioning.

Maneuvering and Mobility

The exercises and drills were not only limited to the trademark Pekiti-Tirsia triangular footwork but also touched on the conventional way of linear and circular movement.

Beats, Tempo, Timing

Whole, half, 1/3, and quarter beats were practised in strike and entry applications. Hand movements were combined with different footwork expressions to be familiar with variations in execution. The idea was for one to get comfortable with expressing oneself with multiple combination striking and not be so dependent with delivering only one powerful shot.

Speed and Accuracy

Principles of speed and accuracy were stressed all throughout the workshop. Skill building in terms of execution and finishing the fight as soon as possible (First Fatal Strike) were the main focus as opposed to power strikes which can only be advantageous to larger opponents.

Strategy and Tactics

Engaging, disengaging, cornering and baiting one's opponent were explored and practised throughout the workshop and greatly applied in all the drills and sparring sessions. The idea was to practise the strategies during the drills first and then applied later on in sparring under real-time pressure. One needed to understand that one needs to have variations by not being too predictable in a fight otherwise one's own strategies may be turned against him. One was also expected to read the opponent like a book.

Range, Entering, Evading

Principles of range were kept in check through various trademark Pekiti-Tirsia footworks. One is advised to get in and get out while constantly moving the weapon so as not to be caught by the opponent.

Stick Grappling

Combat is not limited to only weapon fighting. If two starts out with weapons, none, either one or both may end up without having a weapon. Upon entry, takedowns and grappling may come in. These realities were also touched during the workshop. One cannot rule out the possibility of grappling and striking in medium to close range since the empty hand is also considered a very dangerous weapon.

Sparring from day 2 of the Duelist Workshop

More to come

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Sandatahan will continue to conduct Duelist Workshops in the future which will serve as a regular training fight regimen for members of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Sandatahan to promote and propagate the true nature of fighting for regular civilians as the need arises. Stay glued for further updates.

One of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Sandatahan's goal is to be the premiere group to produce the best fighters in Kali/Combat sports in the world. Soon, we will be inviting like minded individuals from all martial arts disciplines from all walks of life to test their skills. No egos, no prizes, no trophies. Just pure camaraderie and learning done in good light for the love of Kali.

Aside from this, expect more future training sessions to include scenario based sparring with exposure to different elements, low light, off-hand, different terrains and volume (one against many, many against one, team tactics). Scenario based sparring sessions will also incorporate various impact weapons for testing. If you have it, we'll test it here.

Duelist Workshop

Every Wednesday evening starting September 21 until October 12 at 6 to 8 PM, we will be conducting a 4 day Duelist workshop. This is to celebrate our brave Filipino ancestors who have engaged in duels to settle disputes for personal, familial or with a national purpose. We have just purchased new sparring gear and would like to try them out. The workshop would concentrate on technical duelling with development on speed, timing, accuracy and precision. The practitioner is encouraged to apply strategy and tactics as opposed to strength and power to develop quick mindedness in fights.

Training will cover but not be limited to:

Conditioning
Drills
- Speed Development
- Maneuvering and Mobility
Strategy and Tactics
- Stick adaptation
- Blade adaptation
Sparring

RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST:
2 light rattan sticks
2 heavy sticks or pipe
2 padded sticks
2 training knives
headgear (wekaf or fencing mask)
gloves (hockey or any padded gloves)

LOCATION:    
Philippine Gymnastics & Athletics Academy - Bldg #8b, La Fuerza Compound, Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas, Philippines

History Repeats Itself

The first Filipino badass, Datu Lapu-Lapu

Everyone wants to be a badass. I just watched a video wherein one instructor was criticizing some Filipino Martial Art saying not to worry about techniques that worked 400 years ago in the Philippines and worry about what works today in the railroad station. They were even making fun about students making a fuss on the continuity and flow of movements. And what are the "better" techniques they would like to show? I watched more. I saw pushing, slapping and more pushing. I say go to any place in the Philippines and apply that and you will find yourself at the receiving end of the blade. After reading this, to some, the Philippines appears to be such a deranged country, but in reality it is quite the opposite. It just so happened that people here are a bit more passionate in everything they do especially when it comes to love and war.

It is easy to say to not worry about techniques that worked before. How many ways is there to inflict damage on another? Even on the physical sense, just like a triangle, there are three: strikes, submissions and weapons. Little do they know, that history repeats itself. People are programmable beings and rarely diverse from tradition and comfort zones. Just take a look at music, fashion trends, and news. What do they want us to forget, how someone could chop your head off in a single swing? Or how your hand can fly if you try to block a machete? Or maybe how your belly can be punctured like a pig's if you constantly push and shove your attacker to a corner? Okay, I won't worry about my next move but just stand and wait for what my opponent gives me. What does that spell? Defense. In a sport fight, you can apply defense why not. Attack and defend and wait what your opponent gives you. But in street survival, once a threat is seen, you should already be able to assess and execute freely your available options. Hitting your assailant only provokes him from doing you more harm. No need to reinvent the wheel for it has already been invented. Simply improve and make it better. Those that do reinvent or try to may just discover a square wheel and end up right where they started.

The Manila Pitbulls circa 2003 teaching at the Balikatan Exercises together with
Kuya Doug Marcaida, Guro Jun De Leon, Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje and Tuhon Rommel Tortal

People should learn history. As the saying goes, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Be very careful about what martial arts or systems you learn for the purpose of survival. Some people may be teaching you to die faster without you knowing it.

Getting back on the horse

Everyone of us experience downtime, time of inactivity, a loss or defeat, sickness, injury. Though we believe in good health and not in sickness, there are times when we do not control the elements. In training, when you push yourself too much, you reach a point where you eventually breakdown. How do you get back from a slump? How do you get back that drive and be motivated enough to get back on the same stupid horse from which you just fell from?


Here are some simple tips for the everyday Joe:

1) Get proper nutrition
Doing this doesn't require eating gourmet meals with expensive ingredients all the time. Your food may be simple, may not taste great, but very good for your body. Our forefathers just picked fruits and vegetables from trees and on the ground, washed them and shoved them in their mouths to survive. They sometimes even ate animals which were not fully cooked. Just like fighting, you need to get down and dirty sometimes.

2) Get enough sleep
Your body should be able to recuperate well in order for it to be loaded with heavy work again. Without the proper rest, even if you are that skilled, you would not be able to reach your full potential. Rest builds strength more than working out. It is when you rest that you get stronger.

3) Meditate
Think about how you got into your slump in the first place. What events triggered this. Reflect on it, set it aside, and put it away. It is day 1 again and you will be building a new you. The sun is up, the birds are chirping, time for some action!

4) Leave your ego at the door
You maybe good before, but what good is having a full cup and still wanting to be served more? You might not be as good as you once were. There will always be someone better, stronger, faster, more good looking and who has a better personality than you. Accept it. You are doing these things for a higher purpose.

5) Find your motivation
It can be a bully in school, a rumor monger, an annoying coworker, the government, a thorn on your side, or just simply food stuck between your teeth. Find a way to get mad and channel your energy towards training.

6) Train slowly but surely
During your first few days of getting back, your movements should not be executed fast at once. Your body is still recovering from being sedentary and may not respond like it used to. Start slow, get the proper form into movement. Execute it once then repeat it. Keep repeating until the movement is memorized by your body. Once you nail the form down, add a little speed. Execute it with proper precision and accuracy. Repeat til you get tired. Add a little power. Power follows speed. A bullet maybe small but with speed, it is powerful. Repeat until tired.

7) Get a training partner
Training by yourself can be boring at times. You have to be extra crazy to be training by yourself for a long time without having a third eye checking your movements. Training with a partner enhances your sensitivity and trains your timing in execution. You can get a lot of useful feedback from a knowledgeable training partner.

8) Train with intent
Going through the motions may be fun, but if it is not purposeful, you are just wasting time. Visualize. You need a very vivid imagination especially if you are training by yourself. What good is a movement or routine if you keep going at it at 50% all the time. Come crunch time, you might still deliver it at 50%. Train like you fight and fight like you train. Enough of the fancy work, kill the enemy already!

We all forget about the basics all the time: we need to have them repeated to us our entire lives. These are just a few sure fire tips that I have and still put into practice. I hope these have helped you too. If you’ve been away for a while and are intimidated about coming back in, do it anyway. Do it today even if you get frustrated at yourself for not doing it correctly. Do it anyway. Get yourself back in the game. Think about the saying, “The slowest person in class is still lapping everyone who’s home on the couch.” Now get out and hit that tire!

Where Were You?

After over a year long hiatus, the writing bug has bit me again. So let me bore you with my thoughts while you sip a cup of coffee.

It has been ages since I've posted on this blog and at times it seems that life has taken over. The last 20 months since I've moved back to Philippines has been truly colorful and interesting bustling with numerous events and challenges. People come and go, some remain, but everyone fights the good fight. This year of 2011, we were able to successfully host several events under PTK Sandatahan which is the group I have formed since moving back in January 2010.

January - Kali Clinic: Baptism of Fire

This 3-day clinic focused on the following activities:

• Body conditioning
• Mental conditioning
• Maneuvering and Mobility
• Strategising
• Drills
• Sparring

This occurred every Sunday of January 2011 which served as a supplementary training to the regular Tuesday and Thursday group classes.

Trainer: Agalon Ritch Soriano

Psalms 144:1 [Of David] Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle

January - Kasangga Mo Ang Langit TV feature

Aired on January 22, 2011 @ IBC TV 13 5:30 PM. Kasangga Mo Ang Langit featured the "Baptism of Fire" training event conducted by Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Sandatahan at the Sunken Garden, New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, Philippines.

The weekly TV documentary is hosted by father and son tandem Rey and JR Langit.

April - A Close-Quarter Affair To Remember with Tuhon Rommel Tortal

A Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Sandatahan seminar with Tuhon Rommel Tortal

Coverage was: Knife counters, Stick grappling and Dumpag

With this seminar, one expected to:

• Develop skills and instinctive reaction to close quarter combat
• Learn to how to grapple with or without a weapon in a combative mindset
• Confidently maneuver in and out of edged and impact weapons

Trainer: Tuhon Rommel Tortal

July - Wood and Steel 7/11: Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Philippines Cross Training event

The long awaited second part of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Philippines Cross Training.

A cross training between PTK clubs in Metro Manila which was hosted by the Pekiti-Tirsia Sandatahan group under Agalon Ritch Soriano.

Trainers: Mandala Jasper De Ocampo, Mandala Mikey Alcaraz, Mandala Eric Laulagnet, Agalon Ritch Soriano, Agalon Buddy Acenas

October - Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Street Survival Seminar in Dubai, UAE

To be hosted by Pekiti-Tirsia Kali UAE Dubai Sicas Famosus. The event which is long overdue is finally here! The seminar objective is to equip regular civilians and young professionals self-preservation skills to use during crisis situations.

I was maybe out of this blog, but I was surely there during these events. Where were you?

Warrior's Camp July 2010: Essentials of the Urban Warrior

Over the course of our daily lives, we have been constant witnesses to various street crimes. Men, women and children have been robbed, raped or even murdered on a daily basis due to lack of street awareness.

On July 24-25, 2010, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Sandatahan will offer a dynamic, two day street survival training camp in Earth Heaven, San Mateo, Rizal entitled, "Warrior's Camp: Essentials of the Urban Warrior" which aims to equip the everyday civilian and young professional the necessary skills they could use when presented a crisis situation.

With this training camp, one should expect to:
- Develop the values, inner strength & winning mind-set you need to keep yourself motivated, effective and safe on the street.
- Gain valuable insight into new less-lethal options available to you.
- Learn to use crisis rehearsal and mental preparation strategies to prepare yourself for virtually any situation you may face
- Prepare yourself and your family to take immediate, potentially life-saving action during an unexpected encounter.
- Gain the mental edge you need to survive and WIN.

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.