Filipino Martial Arts Book

bjordan

bjordan

Joined
Oct 23, 2003
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Does anyone have a suggestion for a good book starting out? I'm interested in kali. I realize I'm only going to learn so much from a book, but I really just have a general curiosity at the moment and would like to learn more. I don't leave in a big city so I imagine I'll have trouble finding a Filipino Martial Arts instructor, so at the moment books are all I've got :(.

Thanks in advance for any info :)
bjordan
 
I really liked "The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo" by Mark Wylie. (I hope I got the author's name right!) I had read several books on FMA, and this one "clicked" for me, especially the footwork part. Amazon.com sells it, and I picked it up at either a Barnes & Noble or Borders.
 
Thanks Rex! "The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo" was one of the books on amazon I was looking at. I'm completely new to this and just want a good overview, both history and technique. Then I'll decided if I have the interest and drive to further pursue it.
 
You're welcome! For good overall background information, "Filipino Martial Culture" by the same author is good too. This one is full of history, and a brief overview of many FMA systems. I am a beginner at his too, and hope to actually try Pekiti Tirsia classes this summer. So far I have trained with Bram Frank for one day at a seminar and Steve Tarani for two seminars.
 
I think Bobby Taboada lives in Charlotte and I think there is a Modern Arnis guy in Raleigh. I'm sure there are seminars passing through.. I heard Ray Dionaldo gives seminars in Greensboro.

Bill
 
Copis: Thanks for the info. That is good news! I'm going to start looking to relocate really soon and Raleigh is one of the places I'm looking to move to.

Leo Daher: Thanks for the info and link!
 
While dated & some contraversy surrounds it, I think for a basic intro look for Inosanto's "The Filipino Martial Arts"---not sure if is still available (1980) --- it gives you a good start on the FMAs. Dan Inosanto is an encyclopeadia when it comes to FMAs.
 
Verzejd wrote:

"While dated & some contraversy surrounds it, I think for a basic intro look for Inosanto's "The Filipino Martial Arts"---not sure if is still available (1980) --- it gives you a good start on the FMAs. Dan Inosanto is an encyclopeadia when it comes to FMAs"


The book is great and still available. It is a collectors item and rather pricey....

Bill
 
Also check out the material (books and video) by Bob Orlando (www.orlandokuntao.com). Indonesian Fighting Fundamentals and Fighting arts of Indonesia are both great resources. (Martial Arts America is not an "instructional book". more philosophy I guess, and I haven't had a chance to watch the other two vids, but they're about at the top of my list.
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
I'm just curious about this one but what contraversy surrounds the Inosanto book? Thanks. ;)
Click to expand...


Hello Tyrkon,

The "controversy" with Inosanto's classic text, The Filipino Martial Arts as Taught by Dan Inosanto, revolves around the sketchy historical claims, as well as his incorrect classification of FMA styles (ie., "kali" as the "mother art", etc). Please know that I do NOT mean that in a disrespectful way--Dan Inosanto is an amazing martial artist and teacher (and his book remains a favorite of mine).

And, speaking of teaching ability, Inosanto's unfortunately long-out-of-print book remains one of the very best, in terms of clearly and easily explaining martial concepts, techniques, and strategies. Few books, in fact, have matched Inosanto's, in that regard.


Peace,

S e P
 
For a good overview of the different Filipino martial arts, buy Filipino Martial Culture and Filipino Fighting Fundamentals. Both books are available at Amazon.com.

Oops...I didn't realize I posted earlier. I thought this was a new thread.
 
bjordan said:
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good book starting out? I'm interested in kali. I realize I'm only going to learn so much from a book, but I really just have a general curiosity at the moment and would like to learn more. I don't leave in a big city so I imagine I'll have trouble finding a Filipino Martial Arts instructor, so at the moment books are all I've got :(.

Thanks in advance for any info :)
bjordan
Click to expand...

Bjordan,

It's unfortunate that you're currently limited to books, but perhaps that can be remedied some day.

In any case, the books I'd recommend as being especially well-done and useful would include:

The Filipino Martial Arts as Taught by Dan Inosanto by Dan Inosanto (See my comments above).

Filipino Martial Arts--Cabales Serrada Escrima by Mark V. Wiley (Covers the style of the late GM Angel Cabales).

The Secrets of Cabales Serrada Escrima by Mark V. Wiley (A revised version of Wiley's first text, sans the early general FMA history section).

Filipino Martial Culture by Mark V. Wiley (This book covers the history of FMA in some detail, and also includes sections on weapons, styles, masters, etc. A very good book).

Filipino Fighting Arts--Theory and Practice by Mark V. Wiley (A breakdown of various FMA styles).

The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima by Antonio E. Somera (Covers the style of the late GM Leo M. Giron).

Memories Ride the Ebb of Tide by GM Leo M. Giron (This book is essentially GM Giron's wartime memoires--to really get an idea of the psychology of combat, from a true modern-day warrior, you should read this book. GM Giron had to use his bolo to fight against Japanese soldiers with fixed bayonets and their katana-wielding officers. Stirring stuff).

Complete Sinawalli by Reynaldo S. Galang (Covers the double-weapon style of combat characteristic of the Pampangans).

Pananandata--The History and Techniques of the Daga, Yantok, Balisong, and Other Traditional Weapons of the Philippines by Amante Marinas Sr. (IMHO this text is too short when one considers the scope, but it is still useful and interesting. I also like how Marinas compares modern FMA combative ideas with those of 16th/17th century English fencing masters George Silver and Joseph Swetnam).

S e P
 
There are three books written by my teacher, the late Professor Remy Presas, on his art of Modern Arnis. In order of their publishing, they are:

Modern Arnis Stick Fighting (1974, published in English in 1997) (The “pink cover” book)
This is an oversize, 8 ½ x 11 volume, and a great resource.

Practical Art of Eskrima (197?)
Hard to find in the US, but available as a reprint from the Presas family in PI, in English. Notable for lots of espada y daga work, including Professor’s version of cinco terros done espada y daga.

Modern Arnis (Ohara) (1983) (The “yellow cover” book)
Basics of Arnis, the strikes, blocks, disarms, etc.

Professor Remy Presas brother, Grandmaster Ernesto Presas has five books available on his version of the family art, which he now refers to a Kombatan. These are:

Arnis Presas Style and Balisong (1988)
Filipino Police Combative Techniques (1996)
Filipino Modern Mano-Mano (1996)
Filipino Armas de Mano (1996)
Filipino Knife Fighting (1998)

Best,

Pete Kautz
 
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