MT: Arnis Self Defense by Jose Paman

[balita]

Arnis Self Defense by Jose Paman
By Dan Anderson - Thu, 10 May 2007 00:20:41 GMT

====================

Jose Paman has put forth a pretty good book on Kombatan arnis, the system of Ernesto Presas, and is worth picking up. There is one section in the chapter From Modern Arnis To Kombatan that needs commenting on.

Quote:
In the 1980s and 1990s wildly exaggerated rumors of a feud between Ernesto, Remy and Roberto circulated among uninformed Modern Arnis practitioners. To the best of my knowledge, the three actually had a fairly strong relationship; quibbles were unavoidable, but no major feuds divided them. Ernesto unfailingly expressed his affection for his two brothers in his numerous published works.

Most current practitioners of Kombatan and Modern Arnis share a camaraderie not commonly found among exponents of related systems; they freely train together and attend one another's events.
(paragraph split mine)

Sorry to say but paragraph one is incorrect. I know for a fact that from Prof. Remy's point of view, he and Ernesto were very much at odds to the point that when Ernesto had heart trouble, several of Remy's students (Bram Frank and Hock Hockheim come to mind) had to persuade Remy to go visit his brother. I know from conversations with my teacher (Prof. Remy) that he was not close to Ernetso at all. He did not say anything against Roberto.

That being said, I agree with the second section of the paragraph. I have met very few Kombatan players but I have gotten along with the ones I do know. Rick Manglinong and Mike Bowers are thetwo that I know and Mike was kind enough to bring Ernesto over to my school to meet me. I visited his seminar the next dy to bring him a gift to show my respect.

Anyway, pick up the book. You'll find it to be a good one.

Yours,
Dan Anderson


Read More... (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49542&goto=newpost)


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[arnisador]

Is that this book:
Arnis Self-Defense: Stick, Blade, and Empty-Hand Combat Techniques of the Philippines (http://www.amazon.com/Arnis-Self-Defense-Empty-Hand-Techniques-Philippines/dp/1583941770/)

[Dan Anderson]

Yep.

Dan

[Combat Kali]

Dan,
My knowledge of this issue is in agreement with you. We have discussed this lightly before together and I had many discussions with Ernesto and Roland Dante who was training when all the events occurred. Rick is a good bloke, he would know and be honest about it. Good to see the truth out there.
Hugh Doherty
Australia

[silat1]

I just picked the book up this week and spent all day wednesday reading it.. I was surprised to see it on the shelf of one of the little bookstores we have here on island, so I snagged it..

My compliments to Kyud Paman on putting this book together as I have had the privilege of practicing both kombatan and modern arnis from both of the Presas brothers through affiliated instructors in the Philippines..

This is the kind of book that shows positive influences into the FMA and lays it down on the line with the history.

I would suggest this book for any one who is into Kombatan and Modern arnis as a starter or as a point of reference through the history of these two systems as they flourished out of the Philippines and offer a distinct Filipino opinion as to the history.

Bill

[arnisador]

I just ordered the book from Amazon!

[timagua]

Just picked up this book. Arnis Self-Defense offers so much more than arnis technique. There is extensive background information on the history and development of the art, explaining why arnis evolved the way it did as well as describing its movements. It presents complete sections on armed and unarmed applications. It also details the important topics of combat preparation, physical training and self-defense considerations. Finally, it goes beyond the immediate scope of the Filipino fighting discipline, exploring how to apply it against other weapons. This book is highly recommended!

The author Jose G. Paman was a guest at the Martial Arts Collective Society Gathering in Sacramento, California last fall, where he displayed unusual precision and timing with his arnis skills. He is documented as having started training at the Arjuken in Quiapo, Manila in 1971, actually predating many active instructors and masters today. Paman is largely unheralded in FMA circles, I believe, because he does not exclusively practice or write about the Filipino arts. He is also expert in Chinese and Japanese fighting systems.

To date, Paman has written about a wide variety of disciplines in the martial arts spectrum. Magazine readers will recognize him as the 2007 Inside Kung-Fu Writer of the Year. He is also on the cover of the current issue (Vol. 11 No. 4) of Rapid Journal, the Philippines’ leading martial arts publication.

P.S. You can read an article Paman wrote here:

http://www.dragonslist.com/the_art_of_the_flow_0 (http://www.dragonslist.com/the_art_of_the_flow_0)

[johnzag]

great link the article was well worth the read.. Will have to try and get a hold of the book.

[arnisador]

Mine just came, but I haven't looked at it in any detail yet--too busy!

[timagua]

Came across this link to the Rapid Journal site. A cousin of mine in Manila is sending me a hard copy of Volume 11 No. 4 with Jose G. Paman on the cover. He says the article describes Paman’s background and training in Kombatan/Modern Arnis under GGM Ernesto Presas. Should be interesting to find out the perspective of an Arjuken graduate from the early 1970’s.

When I met Paman at the MACS Gathering in Sacramento last fall, I thought he may have been American born because of his unaccented English. Then he came across some kababayans from Cavite and they spoke straight Tagalog for hours (surprise!). His explanations and delivery of arnis techniques were simple, practical, and obviously geared toward actual application. Hallmarks, I think, of GGM Ernesto’s method.

http://www.rapidjournal.com/ (http://www.rapidjournal.com/)

[timagua]

This just in from Manila…I received a copy of Rapid Journal magazine featuring Jose G. Paman in an interview and on the cover. Paman talks about his personal development in arnis and kung-fu and touches upon the happenings in that by-gone era of FMA. Rapid Journal is a very good magazine, in black and white and not with the slick appearance or presentation like our American mags, but still jam-packed with articles. There are interviews and profiles, and some series on forms and techniques, always leaning toward the Filipino martial arts and other arts practiced in the Philippines.

I’d found it curious that Paman is not more known or recognized in the FMA community, but he admitted that he does not make the regular rounds and also finds it hard to talk about his own accomplishments. I guess it’s true about many of the folks from the older (and I say this respectfully) generation. For instance, how many know of Grandmaster Fred Lazo of Luzviminda Arnis, Grandmaster Roberto Presas (GGM’s younger brother) of Hinigaran Arnis or Grandmaster Pepe Yap of Kombatan? These are teachers, Paman told me, who absolutely played pivotal roles in Modern Arnis/Kombatan history but are likewise unheralded.

Hopefully, we’ll get to hear more about these pioneers while the opportunity is still available. If you get the chance to obtain a copy of Rapid Journal, definitely check it out, you’ll be glad you did!

[timagua]

As noted in a prior post, Arnis Self-Defense author Jose G. Paman is the 2007 Inside Kung-Fu magazine Writer of the Year. While Inside Kung-Fu features Filipino martial arts on occasion, it is primarily known (as the title denotes) for its coverage of Chinese fighting systems. In the Vol. 11 No. 4 issue of Rapid Journal, the Philippines’ most prestigious martial arts periodical, Master Paman addresses the subject of why he does not exclusively write about the FMA.

It turns out that while he was studying at the Arjuken Karate Association under GGM Ernesto A. Presas and his crew at Quiapo, Paman was also learning the Ngo Cho (Fukien five ancestor) kung-fu method at the Tong Hong, the Eastern Athletic Association, in Manila’s Chinatown. This was no easy feat, as with few exceptions, only those of pure Chinese blood AND who could speak the Fukienese language could gain admittance to Chinatown kung-fu schools in Manila. Paman is not pure Chinese and does not speak the language, but he did prove to be a determined exception. He recalls of having to keep the fact secret from both schools as it was still taboo, in those days, to belong to more than one martial arts school. While GGM Presas indeed taught several arts at the Arjuken, it was all under one banner. Paman reveals that GGM Presas found this out years later and fortunately expressed no disapproval.

Paman’s extensive exposure to the arts at the Arjuken and the Tong Hong, as well as later training with jujitsu master Rod Goodwin and other individuals, on an informal basis, led to his vast knowledge of the combat arts. “I am, and will always be, a fan of all the martial arts,” Paman wrote in a recent communication with me. This outlook consequently affects his writing, which has encompassed a wide variety of systems.

Paman stated that his most recent book, entitled Ngo Cho: Southern Shaolin Five Ancestor Kung-Fu, has gone to press and is due for release shortly. This should be a good one and perhaps deserves its own thread in the future. For those unfamiliar, Ngo Cho (pronounced “go cho” in the West) is the most prevalent Chinese style in the Philippines. The practice of the art was actually transplanted to Manila from its native land in the 1930s due to the turbulent times on the Chinese mainland. Grandmaster Tan Ka Hong and Grandmaster Lo Yan Chu established, respectively, the Beng Kiam and the Kong Han schools to propagate the system. Paman’s Ngo Cho book is published by Unique Publications out of Southern California.

Going back to Arnis Self-Defense, in the meantime, a review by a reader in Manila just surfaced on ThoughtForge. You can view it in its entirety here (it’s the third item in the post):

http://thoughtforge.wordpress.com/ (http://thoughtforge.wordpress.com/)

It’s vastly interesting and enlightening, I thought, to read comments from the perspective of a fellow native Filipino, to find out what his impressions are of Paman’s groundbreaking arnis book (the first FMA title to be carried by the prestigious Random House of New York City). We Pinays and Pinoys truly have Arnis Self-Defense to be proud of as a volume giving a sober account of arnis history and describing the more esoteric aspects of GGM Ernesto Presas’ profound martial system.

[arnisador]

I've heard that Ngo Cho is particularly popular in the Phil. Its connection to Okinawan Karate is something I find fascinating!

[armas]

Jose Paman started in the 70's. No doubt a very knowledgable individual. He left for the US after and not that many people knew him. But the individuals like GGM Roberto Presas and Pepe Yap are great instructors and fighters that have contributed so much to the art now known as Kombatan. If it weren't for these individuals then GM would not have evolved. Other Great masters getting their recognition through the IMAFP are Cristino Vasquez, Rene Tongson, Bambit Dulay. Without these people Kombatan will not be what it is now.

Pepe Yap has contributed his Bankaw or staff. GM Yap still teaches in San Pablo Laguna. But is invited all over the world to teach.

Cristino the concepts and principples of Espada y daga.He is the main person that started with both GM Remy and Ernesto. Without him and his energy and contribution our styles of Modern arnis or Kombatan would not be the same.

Rene Tongson Tres Puntas estilo.

Bambit and Cristino vasquez helped in forms/anyo(when we still trained in them)They also helped in Mano mano and dulo dulo. I was one of the Mano mano dummies and knife dummies. These were our seniors that helped GM Ernesto propagate the early teachings we called Modern arnis/Arnis presas style. Later it became Kombatan. It's all the same.

Mark Santos was the Grappling man of Kombatan. He trained all the students in the aspects of trankada and knife. He is the youngest of all of GM Ernesto's proficient instructors.

There are more. Daniel Rollo, Tiger Dave Labiano, Edgardo Kawada,Rey Yatsu, Benny Quitalig,etc. Now all out of the scene.

I was the most junior. I helped in teaching the Basics, Mano mano, Dulo dulo and the Classical arts.

Then GM Ernesto would polish the trained student being groomed to be an instructor. This was the routine in the late 80's to the 94.

[timagua]

It’s unfortunate that GGM Presas seems to be traveling less these days. I recall the California seminars of the past with much fondness. All the more reason to go to the IPMAF Training Camp back home and to catch him when he does get to come around stateside!

[johnzag]

GM is traveling less but not that much less from what I know he has been focusing on Europe and Australia the last couple of years hence why he hasn't made it over to the states.. Agreed that the camps in the Philippines are the best way to catch up with GM

[StixMaster]

Armas thanks for all you do to contribute to clarifying all of our understanding of Kombatan/Modern Arnis. I've been busy promoting Hawaii FMA styles that came to Hawaii in the early 1900's, most of these styles no longer exist in PH, but have survived for over 100 years in Hawaii's Filipino community.

[timagua]

Sounds interesting. What are these Hawaii FMA styles? I know that in the Philippines, there exist older disciplines that are still practiced by a few people but remain unknown elsewhere because they have not been featured in the mainstream media.

[StixMaster]

Check out the Pedoy's Derobio Escrima forum, this style is connected to Filipino history. Thats the one I meant.

[arnisador]

Saw this book in a Borders Bookstore yesterday...glad to see it's getting shelf space!

[timagua]

Arnis Self-Defense is everywhere…a simple Google search under “jose paman” yields dozens of references to dealers selling the book.

On the latest news from the same author: Jose G. Paman’s book Ngo Cho: Southern Shaolin Five Ancestor Kung-Fu has just been released by Unique Publications. This means the publication of two of his books within four months in 2007! As a new member of Master Paman’s exclusive Original Arjuken Club, I had the opportunity to preview an advance copy of the text. This landmark volume on five ancestor kung-fu offers a wealth of information on a rare system. I imagine that many readers of this forum would not be familiar with Ngo Cho so here goes…

Founded by Sijo Chua Giok Beng at the end of the 19th century, Ngo Cho incorporates the vital elements of the Fukien white crane, monkey, grand ancestor, Buddhist monk and Bodhidharma iron body methods of kung-fu. Ngo Cho is the prevalent form of Chinese martial arts in the Philippines and, until recently, was only taught to people of pure Chinese descent or a few friends of the same. As noted elsewhere in this forum, Master Paman learned Ngo Cho at the Tong Hong (Eastern Athletic Association) and from several personal teachers in Manila’s Chinatown in the mid-to-late 1970s. He went on to utilize his kung-fu skills in open karate tournanents as well as kickboxing matches.

Master Paman’s Ngo Cho book features chapters on its history, fundamental training, iron body practice, principles of execution, a comprehensive section on techniques and fighting applications, the essential sam chien form, and the advanced song sui form (the steps of which have never been described in print). Throughout, he stresses the effective combat functions of the art, a facet that perhaps separates Ngo Cho from other, more performance-oriented Chinese styles. Master Paman told his training group that he relied a lot on Ngo Cho for its empty-hand aspects as he did on Modern Arnis/Kombatan for its weapons skills in his military training, competition and civilian days in Manila and later on in the states. Some FMA groups have incorporated Ngo Cho methods in their repertoire, most notably the Bakbakan organization and exponents of the ferocious Visayan full-contact discipline called Tat Kun Tao.

Order info for Ngo Cho: Southern Shaolin Five Ancestor Kung-Fu, for those interested: You can call Unique Publications at (866) 834-1249 and ask for product number AG165. This is NOT an ad; I just want to share the information with those interested as we had to make several calls to get through to the order folks - the book is brand new and is not in wide circulation yet.

[vegemite]

Arnisdaor,

Whic Borders store did you see the book, if I may ask please?

Thanks

Vegemite

[arnisador]

Bloomington, Indiana (near Indiana University). But I ordered my copy off of Amazon!

[vegemite]

Thanks Arnisador, I finally got my copy from Borders here in Melbourne. The book is a good read and highlights Kombatan and the Presas brothers as important figures in spreading FMA around the world.

Good job from Mr JOse Paman.

Veg

[johnzag]

which borders store Veg? am back this weekend may try to pick up the book as some reading for the plane!!

[vegemite]

Johnzag,

Got the book from Borders in Chaddy, sorry for the delayed reply too. Are you back in Singapore?

Cheers mate

Veg

[johnzag]

Yeah back in Singapore as we speak .. Back in Melbourne in a couple of weeks so will probably be in at the club a couple of times to take training (and do some myself).

[timagua]

Just came across the article below. It’s the follow-up to Master Paman’s original 'Island Scares' that appeared in Fall of last year. There is an especially interesting shot of the facade of the UST, which many Arjuken and IPMAF practitioners who have gone to Manila will likely recognize. It’s curious to note that while Master Paman chose to write this two-part series, of which he says more segments may follow, he candidly admits that he is a non-believer in ghostly phenomena. He nonetheless relates events in his family’s and his own life that some may feel are supernatural in nature. Here is the link, for those interested in this unique facet of Filipino culture:

http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghoststories/ghostscares/phillipineghosts2.php

[timagua]

Although not in a martial arts capacity, Master Jose Paman appeared at the Pacific Rim Street Festival in Old Sacramento last Sunday, May 18th. He has taken a break from a busy teaching and writing schedule to perform with a Polynesian dance troupe as a singer, kahiko (ancient hula) dancer, guitarist and percussionist.

This recent development does not indicate a departure from his Filipino martial arts activities, Master Paman told us when we asked: it is simply the next chapter in his evolving interests. Outside of full-time work for a government agency, he is a founding member of the Filipino Cultural Dance Association of Sacramento; an expert translator and interpreter in the Tagalog language of the Philippines; a paranormal investigator; and an amateur videographer.

Master Paman nonetheless caught the attention of various FMA practitioners in attendance at Pac Rim, some of whom put on dynamic demonstrations throughout the daylong event. Guy K., a direct student of GM Cacoy Canete, praised Master Paman’s book Arnis Self-Defense, stating that the work confirmed much of what they as local arnis and eskrima exponents adhered to in the way of techniques and principles.

[arnisador]

He seems to be a man of many interests and talents!

[johnzag]

Arnisador I agree.. Might even be worth starting a separate thread for Master Paman updates. In fact it may not be a bad idea to start threads on any well known Kombatan instructor/master as I am sure that updates on Masters from around the world would be interesting reading for many of the forum members.

[arnisador]

He certainly seems very active...who else would we list? I know Rick Manglinong taught at the WMAA Camp this past weekend.

[johnzag]

He certainly seems very active...who else would we list? I know Rick Manglinong taught at the WMAA Camp this past weekend.


There are a lot of instructors of note however Mike Bowers (USA), Johan Skalberg (Sweden), Andy Elliott (Australia) and Ernesto Presas Jnr are probably globally the 4 instructors who have the biggest clubs, number of students practicing Kombatan. All 4 are active internationally and I for one would be very interested in finding out or staying abreast of what all 4 have been up to.

[timagua]

Our award-winning author Jose G. Paman recently secured an Author Page on Amazon. For those unfamiliar, GM Paman is a first-generation instructor graduate under GGM Presas at the first Arjuken gymnasium in Quiapo. He has written many articles and five books (including ‘Arnis Self-Defense,’ the only volume on Kombatan not penned by GGM himself), and is the California correspondent for RAPID Journal out of Manila.

Check out his Author Page, with photo and bio, here...

http://www.amazon.com/Jose-G.-Paman/e/B001JRX2I0

[maliksi77]

Just came across the Author Page. Kuya Joey has started an interesting blog that says a lot about his early beginnings in Manila. I guess that like many of us, he had his share of trouble with the maton and siga of his days back home. Probably the same reason some of us took to the martial arts! Check it out here:

http://www.amazon.com/Jose-G.-Paman/e/B001JRX2I0

[timagua]

Check out GM Jose G. Paman’s advice on magazine article writing in his Amazon Author Page blog entry, dated Nov. 3, 2009. It seems a simple formula indeed, but shows how he drafts his work for publication. Hopefully, some of our Kombatan sisters and brothers will likewise decide to pick up the pen and write about GGM Ernesto Presas’ method. In this way, we can propagate and preserve our unique fighting system!

Here’s the link to GM Paman’s Author Page...

http://www.amazon.com/Jose-G.-Paman/e/B001JRX2I0