Filipino Kuntao????

Kali-Kid

Kali-Kid

Joined
May 26, 2000
Messages
44
I recently saw an add in Paladin Press for a video on Filipino Kuntao. I don't mean to hit on semantics, but wouldn't it be more appropriate to call it Chinese Kuntao from the Philippines? Or does the art really exist with its origins in that country? Can someone help enlighten this poor soul
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?

Thanks for any info.
 
Hi Kali-Kid,

As I recall, "kun tao" is from the Hokkien dialect of Chinese and translates (not literally but most accurately) as "boxing principles". Based on this, calling any MA "Kuntao" would imply to me a Chinese origin.

Putting "Filipino" (or "Indonesian" for that matter) in front of "Kuntao" would imply to me a Filipino (or Indonesian) interpretation of a Chinese Kun Tao art. On the other hand, calling it "Chinese Kuntao from the Philippines (or Indonesia)" or "Chinese Kuntao as practiced in the Philippines (or Indonesia)" implies (to me) that the art is still a pure Chinese art. I have seen no evidence of a pure Chinese Kun Tao art practiced in Indonesia or the Philippines because for this to happen, there would have to be absolutely no local influence. The only way that could happen is if the Kun Tao players were totally isolated from the local Pentjak or Kali players and only fought or otherwise interracted with each other.

To sum it up, I think that "Filipino Kuntao" or "Indonesian Kuntao" is more accurate ... not to mention being easier to say/write
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Respectfully,

Dave Fulton



------------------
Full Contact Martial Arts Association.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."


 
There is a lot of confusion about kuntao/kuntaw in the Philippines.

The paladin video is by Hernedez and it is the art of Prof. Vee. Some of his students have taken to calling it Kuntao, such as Roberto Torres who produced a set of tapes for Unique, Kalasag Kuntao Silat. Prof Vee art is an ecletic art(chinese, indian, Filipino,...). He himself changed thre name a few times Vee jitsu, Vee Arnis Jitsu...

There are styles that are strickly Chinese in nature practiced in the Phil., such as Ngo Cho (Five Ancenstor) the Hokkien predessor to Okinawan styles like Goju Ryu. (excellent source is "5 ancestor kung fu" by Alex Co, Tuttle Publishing)

There are are Filipino/Chinese high bred styles such as "Tat Kun Tao" which is blend of the Balintiwak eskrima and 5 ancsestors.

There is also the Kuntaw art of Carlito Lanada. Which depending who speak to say it is related to Shonin Ryu or Silat.

As well there is kuntao from the muslim regions of the Philippines such as Sulu. Kuntaw/Kuntao here generally refers to the empty hand methods that resembles silat. Just as a side bar, an associate of my father who did his Master's thesis in Jolo, Sulu saw one of my silat tapes. The person on the tape was performing Kembangan ("Flower dance") and he recogzied it as Kuntao. My father's associate had no martial arts training

Hope this answers you question.
 
Thank you Dave and Bukidnon. It makes a little more sense now. Understanding the origins of this particular art from Bukidnon's information was more than insightful.
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Sorry to bring back an old thread...but there is also what is called Filipino Kun Tao that was brought back by Joe Rossi after WW2. He basically learned what was considered "jungle fighting" from the natives there, and brought the teachings back. I've studied with many of the inheritors of the system for many years (including Rossi as well). There's a decent explanation of the system here: http://www.realistictrainingconcepts.com. Having studied well over 20 different arts/styles, I can say it's the most no-nonsense, complete system I've studied. While I certainly don't rely on any one system of combatives, it has a whole lot to offer.
 
the vid in question is an offshoot of kuntao by rick hernandez.excellent videos and an excellent instructor.ive trained briefly with him when he was in atlanta.he has a set of 6 tapes that are great.
 
Guys ,Prof Hernandez is the real deal,he is also excellent with a blade.Not only an excellent Instructor but a great guy.During one of his seminars I was working with him LH & scaling the blade up,accidently hit him in the face.Stopped & apologized.Have worked with others that would have tried to get "payback".Not Rick!
Jim Clifton
 
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