I recently received a copy of the Mandirigma News, an FMA newsletter from Jose Saguisabal, a student of our own Kuntawman. Mandirigma meaning "warrior" or "soldier", at least that's what I've been told. 
Some of you already know about MN from Escrima Digest, which with time will hopefully go online. Jose asked me to do a review, so remember Jose, you asked for it.
Here's the contact and subscription info
$15 per year/$25 International. Address checks to
Typhoon Karate
3449 Rio Linda Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95838
Email at mandirigmanews@mailcity.com
The newsletter is an attempt at establishing a look into the FMA world, highlighting the well known and not so well known, and giving a glimpse into Filipino culture.
The issue I received had training essays by the Kuntawman and Khalid Khan, a tribute to Grandmaster Remy Presas, a short Tagalog/English dictionary, and an essay on the cane as a self defense weapon.
Bluntly, I liked the training essays mainly as some of the articles have been posted on the Net. The Newsletter does and can fill a niche in the FMA world as believe it or not, there are students, instructors, and schools with limited or no Internet access.
It's still raw and mostly text but with time it may grow into an outlet that allows access to styles, strategies, training methods and training materials to FMA stylists. As it's still young, MN is open to submissions and advertisers.
The training material is an issue with me, those of you who've read my reviews or talked to me know that I'm about getting past hype and secrecy, and getting the most for your $$. I've realized that I've been able to see some books/videos that you might not, are unsure about, or is unavailable to you. This year, I read a review of some FMA books and videos that were cut short due to space issues and basically told the reader nothing really about the content. That's a shame as anyone can say something is good but won't say why they think it's good. Hopefully, MN won't fall into that trap.
_____________________________________
The preceding review does not reflect the views of the owners of this site. As always, books and/or videos are not a substitute for
actual hands on instruction by a certified instructor.
Some of you already know about MN from Escrima Digest, which with time will hopefully go online. Jose asked me to do a review, so remember Jose, you asked for it. Here's the contact and subscription info
$15 per year/$25 International. Address checks to
Typhoon Karate
3449 Rio Linda Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95838
Email at mandirigmanews@mailcity.com
The newsletter is an attempt at establishing a look into the FMA world, highlighting the well known and not so well known, and giving a glimpse into Filipino culture.
The issue I received had training essays by the Kuntawman and Khalid Khan, a tribute to Grandmaster Remy Presas, a short Tagalog/English dictionary, and an essay on the cane as a self defense weapon.
Bluntly, I liked the training essays mainly as some of the articles have been posted on the Net. The Newsletter does and can fill a niche in the FMA world as believe it or not, there are students, instructors, and schools with limited or no Internet access.
It's still raw and mostly text but with time it may grow into an outlet that allows access to styles, strategies, training methods and training materials to FMA stylists. As it's still young, MN is open to submissions and advertisers.
The training material is an issue with me, those of you who've read my reviews or talked to me know that I'm about getting past hype and secrecy, and getting the most for your $$. I've realized that I've been able to see some books/videos that you might not, are unsure about, or is unavailable to you. This year, I read a review of some FMA books and videos that were cut short due to space issues and basically told the reader nothing really about the content. That's a shame as anyone can say something is good but won't say why they think it's good. Hopefully, MN won't fall into that trap.
_____________________________________
The preceding review does not reflect the views of the owners of this site. As always, books and/or videos are not a substitute for
actual hands on instruction by a certified instructor.