Basic Bigay Tama Drill

This short clip was taken by my brother, Master Eugenio Ogardo, Jr., at the UP Diliman DMST; March 22, 2009. In here I am supervising Mr. Mike Panlillo's basic training as requested by my brother and my teacher, Master Michael Ronald Ramirez; founder of the Iron Viking Society.

Arnis Law

Philippine Sports Commission To Lead Implementation Of Arnis Law
By marppio
philippine-sports-commission-to-lead-implementation-of-arnis-law

Philippine Sports Commission To Lead Implementation Of Arnis Law.

Manila, Philippines (AHN) – The Philippine Sports Commission will get P5 million to lead the implementation of a law declaring the martial art of arnis, a form of stick fighting, the national sport.cp Philippine Sports Commission To Lead Implementation Of Arnis Law | AHN

President Gloria Macapagal signed into law earlier this month Republic Act 9850 sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and Rep. Pryde Henry Teves. The legislation requires the Commission to work with the Department of Education in increasing awareness about the sport. The Education Department will create a physical education course to teach arnis to students.

The law declaring arnis the national sport would bring recognition to a popular pastime outside the Philippines that was also used by Filipinos to fight invaders during the pre-Spanish period. The measure will be promulgated by inscribing the symbol of arnis into the seal of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Arnis adds to the four official national symbols, none of which, contrary to popular belief, include a national sport or national hero. Sipa, a traditional sport similar to sepak takraw that involves kicking a rattan football, has been called the official sport of the nation despite no law declaring it so.

Apart from the national anthem, flag, official seal, coat-of-arms, and motto prescribed by the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the nation only has four other official symbols: the sampaguita as the national flower, the nara as the national tree, the Philippine Eagle as the national bird and the Philippine Pearl as the national gem.

And while Jose Rizal is listed in a number of reference materials and even taught in some schools as the national hero, there is in fact no law or proclamation declaring anyone as such, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Invictus

(Disclaimer: This short poem has been a source of inspiration to me in times of troubles. It has nothing to do with any martial art but the spirit of the poem speaks for itself; the very core of the warrior spirit. I do not claim any ideas to this work. All of it belongs solely to the author. Enjoy reading!)


by William Ernest Henley


Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Passing of Master Roland Dantes

Today the world mourns the passing one of FMA's famous master of arnis de mano; GM Roland Dantes, founder of his own system called "Free Style Modern Arnis." At exactly 1:00 am, he was rushed to the Phil. Heart Center when he had a heart attack. A few hours later he was pronounced dead. GM Roland Dantes was a student of the late GM Ben Lema for just a short time. But he was first and foremost a student of the late GM Remy Presas; founder of Modern Arnis. GM Roland was also one of the few who knew, by heart, the curriculum of the Classical Modern Arnis.

LSAI Fighting Method 12

I'm demonstrating one of the basic techniques taught by the late GM Ben Lema. This is an example of what we call Traditional Lightning Arnis. As one of the member of the Iron Viking Society, founded by Master Michael Ronald Ramirez, it is our sacred duty to preserve and promote the traditional martial art, as was taught by Mang Ben before his passing, in its original form; unchanged since the time of its creation.

LSAI Fighting Methods 10 to 11

I'm demonstrating one of the basic techniques taught by the late GM Ben Lema. This is an example of what we call Traditional Lightning Arnis. As one of the member of the Iron Viking Society, founded by Master Michael Ronald Ramirez, it is our sacred duty to preserve and promote the traditional martial art, as was taught by Mang Ben before his passing, in its original form; unchanged since the time of its creation.

LSAI Fighting Methods 8 to 9

I'm demonstrating one of the basic techniques taught by the late GM Ben Lema. This is an example of what we call Traditional Lightning Arnis. As one of the member of the Iron Viking Society, founded by Master Michael Ronald Ramirez, it is our sacred duty to preserve and promote the traditional martial art, as was taught by Mang Ben before his passing, in its original form; unchanged since the time of its creation.

LSAI Fighting Methods 5 to 7

I'm demonstrating one of the basic techniques taught by the late GM Ben Lema. This is an example of what we call Traditional Lightning Arnis. As one of the member of the Iron Viking Society, founded by Master Michael Ronald Ramirez, it is our sacred duty to preserve and promote the traditional martial art, as was taught by Mang Ben before his passing, in its original form; unchanged since the time of its creation.

LSAI Fighting Methods 1 to 4

I'm demonstrating one of the basic techniques taught by the late GM Ben Lema. This is an example of what we call Traditional Lightning Arnis. As one of the member of the Iron Viking Society, founded by Master Michael Ronald Ramirez, it is our sacred duty to preserve and promote the traditional martial art, as was taught by Mang Ben before his passing, in its original form; unchanged since the time of its creation.

In this short clip, I am demonstrating the first 4 fighting methods of Lightning Arnis; one of the basics of our art.

T L A's, Espada Y Daga (with knife)

In this short clip, I demonstrate TLA's espada y daga; taught and preserved in my martial art school. Here I show Mang Ben's espada y daga, in its purest and undiluted form, exactly what was taught to us, me and my brother, by our teacher; Master Ronald Ramirez.

Basic Nunchak

In this short clip, I demonstrate some of the weapons I teach at my martial art school called the nunchak. Contrary to popular belief, the nunchak is not a Chinese nor a Japanese weapon. Its origin is purely Filipino. The Nunchak (called Chako in the Philippines) was used originally by farmers to tie up and carry the rice bags. During the occupation of the Japanese in the Philippines, the farmers, who were skilled arnisadores, were forced to use their skill in arnis by using the "nunchak" as an alternative weapon.

This weapon was first introduced by the late Bruce Lee in some of his movies, like "Way of the Dragon" and "Game of Death", as a secret weapon of Jeet Kune Do. This weapon, like the Arnis sticks, were virtually unknown in the martial art world.

LSAI Logo: Its Origin and Meaning

Every martial arts in the world has its own logo that symbolizes their art and ideals. Most of them borrowed their logo, or was inspired, from other schools. But only a few of them knew the origin of such practices; how it originated and why it was practiced.

In ancient times, the first "logo" were used by ancient warriors and different clans, they were called "coat of arms" or / and "family crests". Only the nobility and the warrior class use such devices in their shield, armor and flags. It can also be seen in different nations and creeds; like the europeans, and some asian countries, like Japan, China and the Philippines. These devices, according to historians and anthropologists, were also in the warrior's weapons as well. Each "coat of arms" and "crests" symbolizes a family's or warrior's belief and history. It is also a symbol of one's status, rank and, sommetimes, political power and influence in a certain society. Sometimes it is use as a symbol of fear to ward off enemies in times of war. But now it is mostly used, in our modern times, as a form of commercialism.

GM Benjamin Lema was no different from other martial art founders.

Traditional Lightning Arnis Espada y Daga

A 15 seconds demonstration of TLA Espada y Daga; which I, Master Jose Antonio "The Dagger" Ogardo, have performed using a short bolo. My very first attempt in uploading my own video.

In Honor of Mang Ben!

(This letter was written by Master Michael Ronal Ramirez and was published at Rapid Journal, vol. 7 no. 4 Book 26, 2003. This is an excerpt from a series of letters written by many of Mang Ben's students after his passing. Every January, from the time of his death in 2003, we, the LSIA community, remember the passing of the legendary master from Panay; GM Ben Lema. I posted this letter as my way of remembering the passing of the great man of arnis. May he rest in peace!)

"Every once in awhile I get to bump into some of the old arnis masters who studied under Grand Master Benjamin Lema and when I hear the stories of his exploits in the fiel of arnis, I still stand in awe and amazement despite the times I had spent with this great old man. It is sometimes said that familiarity breeds contempt, but my rendezvous in Lightning Scientific Arnis under and side by side with Mang Ben has enabled me to gradually form a growing but appreciative opinion of him, seperating the man into his image as a formidable fighter and into his ordinary down to earth humanity. My personal concept lay in the latter, and that is why the narratives I hear and the dedication and devotion of all his former students continue to puzzle me, but with a feeling of respect and nostalgia.

Stories of His Past.

Many arnis grandmasters love to tell stories about their adventures and conquests; whom they hve beaten and whom they had killed. But not so with Mang Ben, who was more of a doer than a talker, preferring to take a challenge or give one than talk about it or excuse himself form it. He was never wont to tell me about his World War 2 experiences as a guerilla under General Macario Peralta. Tales of his past would trickle slowly and only when he let them tumble out, and it was for this reason that his past was a jigsaw puzzle to be pieced together by all his relatives, students acquiantances, and friends, each of who had a story to tell.

He once mentioned to me that during his youthful days, he owned a carabao, as many land-tilling men in Capiz did before. Another farmer offered a challenge to let their animals battle it out and the owner of the losing brute would have to give the other owner a bottle of tuba, a real treat during those days.

Mang Ben, being the competitive person he has always been, accepted the deal and wisely sharpened the horns of his field-animal, and that was the beginning of the end of the carabao competition. Displaying one of the negative traits that characterize Filipino culture the other owner whose carabao passed away, in short notice, got pikon, pulled out a bolo, and hacked out a "chip" of Mang Ben's hair. (I mentioned "chip" because Mang Ben's hair was a bit hardened by some concoction, Valentino style, maybe pamode - that was the late 20's). Eventually, the farmer's leg got notched by the swift movement from the young arnis expert.

Then there was the "Battle of the GrandMasters" in which Mang Ben demolished in grand style a top, formidable fighter from Cebu.

Everyone Wants To Be Like July.

Two groups of people continue to amuse me: The Mang Ben wanna be's and those who claim to have beaten (or can beat) Mang Ben. Of the former, there are many; of the latter, there is now a growing number.

Mang Ben loved clothes and a spanking look was the image he always wanted to portray. Long sleeves, slacks, and leather shoes were his trademark in a field were camisa de chino and red pants, muslim garbs, and sporty outfits were the norm. To top it all of, he also wore a cap. At certain times, he liked the Mark Twain all-white look and this made him really stand out from the rest.

Nowadays, many arnis practitioners also wear semi-formal outfits, or caps, or even all-white clothes in arnis gatherings and exhibitions. Ay, Caramba! I see this not only among some of the practitioners of other arnis styles, as well. Moreover, some of Mang Ben's former students claim to have learned all the secrets of the old man and are the legitimate heirs becoming the new Mang Ben/s.

Outside LSAI is a growing number of men claiming to have beated Mang Ben into a bloody pulp in some far away province during the early times and would like to teach their style (for a fee, of course) to anyone willing to learn the secrets of it all! Mismo! Incidentally, no witnesses to any of these confrontations can be found.

Whatever impact thos may bring, I do see some good in them, but in a larger scale. Mang Ben has become truly the standard of arnis, the point of comparison for all practitioners, whether he is the arnis master to be emulated or the arnis master who had supposedly been beaten. Not only will those groups who exploit his name and memory benefit, but all other groups as well. Whatever martial art that has anything to do with such men as Bruce Lee, Tan Ka Hong, Sun Lu Tang, Morihei Ueshiba, Jigoro Kano, Helio Gracie or any other formidable grandmaster, is worth its salt and wothy promoting. In like manner, arnis will surely flourish because of the memory and legacy of Mang Ben."

Baston: The Great Equalizer

Many members of the LSAI community have often used the famous phrase "the baston (arnis stick) is the great equalizer". But, unfortunately, they failed to explain to the students of the art of Lightning Arnis the true definition of the phrase or the person responsible in coining the phrase. Often a student of theirs would always end up confused with their "own" definition, using "new age" philosophies, without even coming up near the mark to its true meaning. Master Ronald Ramirez, my mentor, would often describe them as "armchair philosophers"; all talk but no sense. Only a few knew that this phrase "the baston is the great equalizer" was actually coined by, none other than, Master Ronald Ramirez; founder of the Iron Viking Society.

But, somehow, faith has conspired to make the author of the famous phrase unknown. Why? I have my theories but I will not divulge my thoughts as of now. Suffice it to say that I only wish to set the record straight and to, finally, give credit to where it is truly due by describing exactly why the baston is called the "great equalizer."

According to my mentor, Master Ronald, the real reason why the baston is the "great equalizer" is because the baston (arnis sticks) "levels the playing field." It "equalize" or neutralize any advantage the enemy has over you in a fight. It doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman, an adult or child, or weak or strong' it is all the same to an arnisadores expert. An arnis player, armed with the deadly sticks of his craft, can immediately gain a 50% or more advantage of winning and be victorious in the field of battle. It is an advantage that no other unarmed martial art can ever have. It is a boastful claim, one may say by those who are not familiar with the art, but it is the absolute truth in every sense of the word.

Let me give you an example to give you a clear idea of what I am saying. Imagine that you are a karate black belt expert, 5th dan, weighing 150 lbs., with a height of 5' 6". And then imagine your opponent is also a karate black belt, with the same style of karate as yours and a rank much lower than yours, but the only difference is he is 7 feet tall and weighing 300 lbs. of pure muscle. Who do you think will win? Isn't it obvious?! The one who is more stronger, and whose reach advantage is greater than he's enemy, who usually wins in this fight.

Let us try the same example, but the difference is both are arnisadores black belts and the smaller guy ranks higher in skill than the bigger guy. Who do you think now will win? Of course, obviously, the one who is more skillful than the other will win. Why? Because in a fight with weapons the one with the most experience and skill will always win since the fight is dictated, not by the strength of ones muscles, but by the players skill and strength of his/her weapon (baston). That is the reason why "the baston is the great equalizer."

Many of you may not believe my argument, for it is after all debatable, but still no one can argue that it does not make sense. Let's be truthful for once shall we? Isn't it true that no matter how strong you are, or skillful in fist fights, the man that holds a very powerful and deadly weapon always wins?! Even Mr. Tim Larkin, founder of the self-defense seminar called TFT (Target Focus Training), believes on these premise. And this is one of the many reasons why I studied and practiced the art of arnis de mano, the ancient combative art of our forefathers, in the first place.