Welcome to the Lightning Scientific Arnis Forum!

[arnisador]

By request, we've created a forum for LSA. Enjoy!

[arnisador]

The Wikipedia entry for this art is very short:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_Scientific_Arnis

[408kali]

Looking forward to learning more about this system. I've always thought the name sounded cool, and I do recall reading an article in FMA Magazine a long time ago about the system. Now I'm off to look for clips on YouTube... :)

[lightning]

as a practitioner and member of the system,thank you for creating this thread
and thank you for welcoming us to the FMA talk family.:)

[armas]

Lightning Scientific Arnis is an awesome and very effective art. I got the chance to witness Mang Ben in his prime. Did not get to train with him. But at least knew him personally to ask him for his opinions.

There are alot of great players in this system such as Master Jon Escudero, Master Phil Buena, Eric Mejia, Edwin Ybanez, and the Seattle group(sorry forgot their names).

Welcome to FMATalk!

More power!

Alex

[Shaun]

Hey Alex,
Where did you meet Mang Ben?
The Seattle group(I believe)is still going strong.
Lightning is spreading in the U.S.
I believe there is a school in S.California and someone teaching in Kansas.

[chamber]

It is great to know that you have a forum dedicated to Mang Ben's system. Great !! :coolyello

[arnisador]

It is great to know that you have a forum dedicated to Mang Ben's system. Great !!

Yes, but we need more content! Please encourage knowledgeable individuals to post!

[pinoy]

hi there sirs! am just passing by, am pinoy from philippines, a LSAI practitioner :angel:

looking froward to seeing more post from my kuyas here, tnx

[Shaun]

Hi folks.Every year in Manila Ate Patty(Mang Ben's daughter and head of Lightning Scientific Arnis in the Philippines)and all the hard the hard working L.S.A.I. brothers and sisters hold the Lema Cup.This is to honor,remember and commemorate the life and legacy of Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema.
The cup is held on or around Mang Ben's birhday,March 19.
It is a very special event and a great place to see some excellent Lightning practitioners.

[arnisador]

looking froward to seeing more post

Yes, this forum certainly needs more activity! Please, someone, start some threads!

[Batongbuhay]

Hi guys!

yo shaun! it's me , jon! glad to see a forum up on LSAI! whats up in your neck of the woods?

[Batongbuhay]

Since we are having a "talk" about lightning... lets start with the name :) care to elaborate shaun?

[Shaun]

Hey Jon,
Could you introduce yourself so other forum users can get to know you?

[arnisador]

Since we are having a "talk" about lightning... lets start with the name

That'd be great! We'd love to see more discussion here.


Hey Jon,
Could you introduce yourself so other forum users can get to know you?

Yes, please post in our Meet & Greet (http://www.fmatalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4) forum!

[Batongbuhay]

Hi guys! I'm Jon, of LSAI in the Philippines. Its great to know that people are interested to learn about Lightning Arnis and the Filipino Martial arts in general. Just shoot me and Shaun your questions about things you might want to know about Lightning and we'll try our best to answer your questions.

[littlebadboy]

Mabuhay ang LSAI!

Here are some LSAI videos of our club: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=littlebadboyph

hope you guys would enjoy them.

[littlebadboy]

may i request that we have GM Ben Lema's picture up in the Filipino Martial Arts Style Index too?

[arnisador]

We have that picture now but are experiencing technical difficulties with uploading things to be posted there right now. We do plan on putting it up.

-Arnisador
-FMAT Admin

[Shaun]

In memory of Master Elmer A.Ybanez,friend,Lightning Scientific Arnis Master,
excellent practitioner and ambassador for the Filipino martial arts.
Goodbye Elmer.Hangang sa muli.

[citom]

Hello to all!
Are there any LSAI / LESKAS instructors in Devon, specifically, Plymouth?

Thanks!

Cito

[Shaun]

There is no L.S.A.I. or LESKAS in Devon.The closest Lightning Scientific Arnis to you is Cambridge.

[citom]

Thank you very much. I learned a bit of the system some years back in Manila. I also did a bit of training with Bot Jocano and Mang Fil Buena. I'm really impressed with the system and would like to take it up again. Cheers!

Cito

[arnisador]

I've temporarily moved a thread from this forum while we investigate an issue that has been raised about it. We'll return it as soon as possible.

-Arnisador
-FMAT Admin

[Shaun]

Hi Cito,
Yes.I know Master Bobot well.I saw him recently in Manila.We did some training at U.P.Diliman.It is always good to back to Manila.
You must have also trained at U.P.Diliman?
Talk to you soon.

[citom]

I ran into Prof Bot just a few weeks before I left the Philippines last March 2006. I used to be a faculty member at the UP Manila (College of Medicine) before coming to the UK. While Bot teaches Anthropology at UP Diliman (as you probably know).
Hopefully, I can train with you soon. Cheers!

[arnisador]

I've temporarily moved a thread from this forum while we investigate an issue that has been raised about it. We'll return it as soon as possible.

Thread restored.

-Arnisador
-FMAT Admin

[chamber]

It's great to see that Mang Ben's pic is up in this section!

:coolyello

[Christian]

Just shoot me and Shaun your questions about things you might want to know about Lightning and we'll try our best to answer your questions.


Hello,

This is an interview (http://www.individual-combat-system.de/?p=63) that Shaun gave me about Lightning a couple of month ago. Although it is a German website (mine :-)) the interview is held in English. Thanks again for the interview, Shaun.

Maybe this helps to find some more new questions and/or start an discussion.

Regards

Christian

[Carol]

It's great to see that Mang Ben's pic is up in this section!

:coolyello

Thank you all so much for being so patient with us! :bow: I do apologize, we had a couple of technical problems but I think the issues are all fixed now. Please let me know if you'd like to see anything else, including a more enhanced description to the forum. :)

- Carol Kaur
- FMAT Admin

[Shaun]

Thanks Carol.

[Anji]

Hi everyone,

My name is Mark and I've trained in Lightning Scientific Arnis with Master Romeo I. Valenzuela this summer 2007. I'm still a beginer but I'll try my best to promote the art of Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema here in Switzerland. I only "teach" the basic metodos, basic bigay tama and basics disarms. I'm not an instructor in LSA (and LSMAPC) but I'm only a passionate of this incredible art. My actual gym proposed me to add the LSA "as an optional complement" to their actual programm (Inosanto System) wich is the main system that they teach. It's means that they don't use the art to make money on it. Here is the website where you can find some videos : www.aka-ge.ch (http://www.aka-ge.ch) . There's also a short presentation of the LSA but I'm not sure if it's completely correct. Please feel free to give your comment so I can modify the text.

Best regards all and I hope to meet you.

Anji aka Mark ^_^ .V..

[arnisador]

Thanks for sharing this with us!

[Shaun]

Hi Anji welcome.
You are lucky to be training with Master Romy Valenzuela.He is an excellent Arnisador and teacher.

[arnisador]

We could still use a more detailed description than:
''This system was founded by Grandmaster Ben L. Lema.''

[khd29]

Kruzada's website said GM was undefeated in competition and combat throughout his life. Won the GM division in NARAPHIL but don't remember which year... 1979?

[Banakun]

Actually, Mang Ben WAS undefeated in the sense that he never lost a single fight in his life. Tournaments though are another thing... you see he was disqualified in the 1979 Master's Tournament after his bout with another Great Legend, GM Timor Maranga (which he won). GM Maranga was sent to the hospital and Mang Ben was barred from continuing on to the next round of fights for reasons which until now remain unclear. Some say it was political, some say he porposely gave way to a close friend who was competing saying "He had nothing else to prove having defeated the "man to beat" in the tournament"... whatever the answer, we may never know. So Mang Ben didn't win the tournament, but he didn't lose a bout either... GM Cacoy went on to win the tournament.

[khd29]

Banakun, that is very interesting. I tried looking for the results of that tournament but failed. Could you provide the link?

[Banakun]

Unfortunately, I cannot think of links which can verify this. The established facts are:

1. That there was a Master's Tournament held in Manila in 1979
2. That among the participants were Mang Ben, GM Maranga, GM Cacoy, GM Mena(?), GM Navales(?), GM Pecate, GM Cabahug(?).
3. That the overall winner of the tournament was GM Cacoy.
4. GM Tatang Ilustrisimo would not participate unless it was with swords and to the death.

This can be verified through books which have been written (one is Mark Wiley's book on Filipino Martial Culture).

The Mang Ben-GM Maranga bout was passed on by eyewitness accounts, mostly old-timers. I remember Maestro Elmer sharing this with me, as well as Mang Ben himself (blow-by-blow account). There is Mang Vic Sanchez as well. Many would say that was the best bout in that they both gave no quarters. Apparently, GM Maranga WAS the man to beat in that tournament. This was verified by GM Cabahug (whom my cousin met in Ozamis City) who noted that among the participants there, GM Maranga was the most intimidating indeed. This was actually the first time Maestro Elmer saw Mang Ben and it was this bout which convinced him to seek instruction from Mang Ben. That was sthe context of his "sharing."

That is the reason why there are many versions as to why Mang Ben was not allowed to/did not continue to the next bout... since most of the eyewitnesses were spectators and not directly connected with the organizing committee of the tournament. There are many "stories" of "politics" regarding that tournament as well. Master Porferio Lanada says he was not allowed to join because "He was too fast, too strong and too skillful" for everybody there (Filipino Martial Culture/Mark Wiley). But there's nobody to confirm this. The truth is anybody's guess right now.

But the Mang Ben-GM Maranga bout and its outcome can be verified, if not by records, by eyewitnesses who were there during the tournament. I'm sure there is video footage of that lurking somewhere. That would be the "Holy Grail" for all escrimadors- actual footage of Legendary Grandmasters battling it out!

I hope this helps!

[khd29]

Thanks for sharing! During my search, I came across your screen name in another forum telling the same story. It was a very interesting discussion, I must say. Was this the same tournament Tom Bisio (?) of PTK won 'grand champion'? I wish Tuhon Gaje entered this tournament too.

All the legends in one tournament! I wish I was there, but I would have only been 6 yrs. old.

[Banakun]

I'm not really sure if it was the same tournament Tom Bisio won since there was a series, one was held in Cebu and the other in Manila (that's as far as I know) and my knowlege of the specifics of that tournament (when/where) is based primarily on books. There were likewise divisions... the "legends" fought in the Master's division which was for those 40 or 50 years and older (I think).

I'm not sure if GT Gaje was 40+ by that time (I think he was still in his 30's). Yes, it would have been nice had GT Gaje fought as well. But GT Gaje is of the generation which is younger than those who fought (Mang Ben, GM Timor Maranga, etc.). His nearest counterparts generation-wise would probably have been the likes of GM Tony Diego, GM Porferio Lanada, GM Nene Tortal, GM Ernesto Presas, GM Diony Canete etc. The generation who fought in that Master's tournament are either in their 80's, 90's today, or have passed away. As a matter of fact, it I'm not mistaken I believe it is only GM Cacoy who remains from that "generation."

[Supremo]

Unfortunately, I cannot think of links which can verify this. The established facts are:

1. That there was a Master's Tournament held in Manila in 1979
2. That among the participants were Mang Ben, GM Maranga, GM Cacoy, GM Mena(?), GM Navales(?), GM Pecate, GM Cabahug(?).
3. That the overall winner of the tournament was GM Cacoy.
4. GM Tatang Ilustrisimo would not participate unless it was with swords and to the death.

This can be verified through books which have been written (one is Mark Wiley's book on Filipino Martial Culture).

The Mang Ben-GM Maranga bout was passed on by eyewitness accounts, mostly old-timers. I remember Maestro Elmer sharing this with me, as well as Mang Ben himself (blow-by-blow account). There is Mang Vic Sanchez as well. Many would say that was the best bout in that they both gave no quarters. Apparently, GM Maranga WAS the man to beat in that tournament. This was verified by GM Cabahug (whom my cousin met in Ozamis City) who noted that among the participants there, GM Maranga was the most intimidating indeed. This was actually the first time Maestro Elmer saw Mang Ben and it was this bout which convinced him to seek instruction from Mang Ben. That was sthe context of his "sharing."

That is the reason why there are many versions as to why Mang Ben was not allowed to/did not continue to the next bout... since most of the eyewitnesses were spectators and not directly connected with the organizing committee of the tournament. There are many "stories" of "politics" regarding that tournament as well. Master Porferio Lanada says he was not allowed to join because "He was too fast, too strong and too skillful" for everybody there (Filipino Martial Culture/Mark Wiley). But there's nobody to confirm this. The truth is anybody's guess right now.

But the Mang Ben-GM Maranga bout and its outcome can be verified, if not by records, by eyewitnesses who were there during the tournament. I'm sure there is video footage of that lurking somewhere. That would be the "Holy Grail" for all escrimadors- actual footage of Legendary Grandmasters battling it out!

I hope this helps!

Maestro Elmer told me before he died that he was asking the Cañetes of Cebu for a copy of the video. Also it was part of the movie Sticks of Death where-in the fight was shown together with the opening credits, it was a beautiful fight by two Grandmasters, i had a chance of viewing it on the movie. I remember our house full of posters of the said movie since my uncle and father were extras with Mang Ben. Also Mang Vic Sanchez was also there and was also a witness to the actual fight between Mang Ben and GM Marangga.

[Supremo]

Let me share an old picture where-in Maestro Elmer was training under Mang Ben in our house in Quezon City, i believe these picture was taken in 1981, 2 years after the 1979 tournament.

http://www.friendster.com/photos/6169764/201496777/8194

















http://www.friendster.com/photos/6169764/201496777/8194http://www.friendster.com/photos/6169764/201496777/8194
http://www.friendster.com/photos/6169764/201496777/8194

[Ryno]

Maestro Elmer told us about the GM Maranga vs. Mang Ben fight as well. I would love to see video of this if anyone has access to it.

[otec]

Hi everyone,

My name is Mark and I've trained in Lightning Scientific Arnis with Master Romeo I. Valenzuela this summer 2007. I'm still a beginer but I'll try my best to promote the art of Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema here in Switzerland. I only "teach" the basic metodos, basic bigay tama and basics disarms. I'm not an instructor in LSA (and LSMAPC) but I'm only a passionate of this incredible art. My actual gym proposed me to add the LSA "as an optional complement" to their actual programm (Inosanto System) wich is the main system that they teach. It's means that they don't use the art to make money on it. Here is the website where you can find some videos : www.aka-ge.ch (http://www.aka-ge.ch) . There's also a short presentation of the LSA but I'm not sure if it's completely correct. Please feel free to give your comment so I can modify the text.

Best regards all and I hope to meet you.

Anji aka Mark ^_^ .V..


Hi Anji welcome.
You are lucky to be training with Master Romy Valenzuela.He is an excellent Arnisador and teacher.


hello i am a former student of Maestro Romeo "mang romy" Valenzuela.. he use to teach me martial arts back in the 80's.. he is more than a teacher to me.. he was like a father figure to me when i was growing up as a teenager.. i want to see him again and learn from him again.. can any one tell me where to find him.. many thanks

[Supremo]

My apologies to everyone, it seems that the link I posted does not show any picture. You may try this one as well. Sorry again!

http://tomybanez.multiply.com/photos/photo/6/13

[chamber]

Maestro Elmer told me before he died that he was asking the Cañetes of Cebu for a copy of the video. Also it was part of the movie Sticks of Death where-in the fight was shown together with the opening credits, it was a beautiful fight by two Grandmasters, i had a chance of viewing it on the movie. I remember our house full of posters of the said movie since my uncle and father were extras with Mang Ben. Also Mang Vic Sanchez was also there and was also a witness to the actual fight between Mang Ben and GM Marangga.

Man, I can't wait to sit down with some of the veterans, of LSAI and Mang Vic, who witnessed this duel between to great arnisadors and hear every detail of that match. :biggrinbo

[nready]

I am new here on this forum, interesting. I am not in Arnis just looking for information on the subject first.

[reydominguez1]

IIIIII LLOOVVVEEE yyyyoouuuu GUYS!!!!!!
Thanks for having this.....
More Power to all of you LSAI pipol.......

[GLENNLOBO]

Hello to all!
Are there any LSAI / LESKAS instructors in Devon, specifically, Plymouth?

Thanks!

Cito

Shaun replied to you, but i wanted to say hi as well.. i'm getting into the swing of things here!!

how long did you train? tell us a little more about yourself.. i hope you can come up and visit shaun.. its worth the trip. if you want to learn lightning and its closer than manila (just!!). you are also welcome to come see me in luton. i'm sure shaun and i can be bribed down to the west country for a weekend (hope i'm not speaking out of turn on Shaun's behalf).. i'm a little more forward!!

anyway, good to see you on here
Glenn

[GLENNLOBO]

Originally Posted by Anji http://www.fmatalk.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.fmatalk.com/showthread.php?p=18113#post18113)
Hi everyone,

My name is Mark and I've trained in Lightning Scientific Arnis with Master Romeo I. Valenzuela this summer 2007. I'm still a beginer but I'll try my best to promote the art of Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema here in Switzerland. I only "teach" the basic metodos, basic bigay tama and basics disarms. I'm not an instructor in LSA (and LSMAPC) but I'm only a passionate of this incredible art. My actual gym proposed me to add the LSA "as an optional complement" to their actual programm (Inosanto System) wich is the main system that they teach. It's means that they don't use the art to make money on it. Here is the website where you can find some videos : www.aka-ge.ch (http://www.aka-ge.ch/) . There's also a short presentation of the LSA but I'm not sure if it's completely correct. Please feel free to give your comment so I can modify the text.

Best regards all and I hope to meet you.

Anji aka Mark ^_^ .V..

Hey Mark
do you train in the silat as well? 2 very powerful systems. i knew Frank Ropers's teacher many years ago, and another of his students.. very tough guys. 2 good styles.

regards
Glenn

[rerox]

Hi guys!!! Just found this forum...so great to finally have one gathering place for all LSAI practitioners. My name is Carlo Lamagna and have trained with Mang Ben and Guro elmer since 96. Just trying to re-establish my connection with old friends and possible future training partners. I've been teaching privately here in the U.S. for the past 7 years but have stopped for a while to finish school. Hope to meet some of you soon. Take Care

Respectfully,
Carlo Lamagna

[Shaun]

Hi Carlo. Great to hear from you. Welcome to the forum.

[Ryno]

Welcome aboard, Carlo.

[el maldito de cebu]

Hi folks.Every year in Manila Ate Patty(Mang Ben's daughter and head of Lightning Scientific Arnis in the Philippines)and all the hard the hard working L.S.A.I. brothers and sisters hold the Lema Cup.This is to honor,remember and commemorate the life and legacy of Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema.
The cup is held on or around Mang Ben's birhday,March 19.
It is a very special event and a great place to see some excellent Lightning practitioners. Sir I would like to ask. if the LSAI cup is open? I mean if your practising eskrima in a different sysytem can you join the tournament? and where is it located?

[littlebadboy]

Hi guys!!! Just found this forum...so great to finally have one gathering place for all LSAI practitioners. My name is Carlo Lamagna and have trained with Mang Ben and Guro elmer since 96. Just trying to re-establish my connection with old friends and possible future training partners. I've been teaching privately here in the U.S. for the past 7 years but have stopped for a while to finish school. Hope to meet some of you soon. Take Care

Respectfully,
Carlo Lamagna
sir, in which parts of the US would you be? i am looking for somebody to train with here in the northwestern burbs of illinois.

[littlebadboy]

Sir I would like to ask. if the LSAI cup is open? I mean if your practising eskrima in a different sysytem can you join the tournament? and where is it located?
if rules hasn't changed yet, the tournament is open strictly to LSAI practitioners only. the last fight format used was interesting... using a checking hand was allowed to use which i believe is a trademark of LSAI.

[el maldito de cebu]

if rules hasn't changed yet, the tournament is open strictly to LSAI practitioners only. the last fight format used was interesting... using a checking hand was allowed to use which i believe is a trademark of LSAI.
ok I was just asking because I'm interested about there upcoming tournament every march I tought it was open to all practitioners of eskrima regarless of which club he came from. thank you I hope there would be an open tournament in the future soon it should be tittled Carambola which means a rumble an open tournament for all eskrimadors.

Gumagalang
el maldito de cebu

[stomevpena]

Kamusta mga Kapatid,

This is Tom Pena. I used to train under Master Elmer Ybanez in UP. I was one of the pioneer members of the group.

Just dropping by to say hi to every LSAI practitioners that i know: Nols, Tom, Nathan, Bot, Jon, Joey, Vince, Enteng, etc if ever you are in this forum.

And I would like to greet the other LSAI practitioners and masters that I dont know.

All the Best,
Tom

[Banakun]

Hi Tom! Musta na? Nice to hear from you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[stomevpena]

Nols ano balita? Happy New year din

[LegendLoLo]

Unfortunately, I cannot think of links which can verify this. The established facts are:

1. That there was a Master's Tournament held in Manila in 1979
2. That among the participants were Mang Ben, GM Maranga, GM Cacoy, GM Mena(?), GM Navales(?), GM Pecate, GM Cabahug(?).
3. That the overall winner of the tournament was GM Cacoy.
4. GM Tatang Ilustrisimo would not participate unless it was with swords and to the death.

This can be verified through books which have been written (one is Mark Wiley's book on Filipino Martial Culture).

The Mang Ben-GM Maranga bout was passed on by eyewitness accounts, mostly old-timers. I remember Maestro Elmer sharing this with me, as well as Mang Ben himself (blow-by-blow account). There is Mang Vic Sanchez as well. Many would say that was the best bout in that they both gave no quarters. Apparently, GM Maranga WAS the man to beat in that tournament. This was verified by GM Cabahug (whom my cousin met in Ozamis City) who noted that among the participants there, GM Maranga was the most intimidating indeed. This was actually the first time Maestro Elmer saw Mang Ben and it was this bout which convinced him to seek instruction from Mang Ben. That was sthe context of his "sharing."

That is the reason why there are many versions as to why Mang Ben was not allowed to/did not continue to the next bout... since most of the eyewitnesses were spectators and not directly connected with the organizing committee of the tournament. There are many "stories" of "politics" regarding that tournament as well. Master Porferio Lanada says he was not allowed to join because "He was too fast, too strong and too skillful" for everybody there (Filipino Martial Culture/Mark Wiley). But there's nobody to confirm this. The truth is anybody's guess right now.

But the Mang Ben-GM Maranga bout and its outcome can be verified, if not by records, by eyewitnesses who were there during the tournament. I'm sure there is video footage of that lurking somewhere. That would be the "Holy Grail" for all escrimadors- actual footage of Legendary Grandmasters battling it out!

I hope this helps!


GOOD MORNING. . I haven't asked GM Vic Sanchez about this TOURNAMENT but i will inform you guys if i have a thing or two to say about this

By the way.. here is GM Vic. He is my Trainer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1vJByaXsU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZm9I2yZ8o&feature=related Here is a video featuring old pictures

[shuyun]

i guess you can call me a bastard son of the style anak sa labas as you'd say it in Filipino.

LSAI/LESKAS is the first style formally taught to me and I loved it's straight forwardness. I've been around the UP Vanguard instructed by Master Jon Escudero sometimes a few instances coached in passing by Master Nathan Dominguez and Master Bot Jocano. This was way back 1999. I ddin't have a lot of contact time. But I've never let go of what they taught. 13 strikes 13 blocks power striking drills on tirework which i later found out from further research was part of the 12 methods.

Since 1999 I trained and retrained what's been taught and studied the LSAI vid made by Master Rico Acosta (I don't know the politics of the group so I hope I didn't do anything bad). Some skill sets are different from what I learned in LESKAS in UP and I read up on why that was so. How all leskas is LSAI but not all LSAI is LESKAS.

Anyhow I've trained sparred with arnisadors of other styles (within the dojo I belong to in Bohol) and the LSAI influence is heavy on me. I love it's speed, straight forwardness and power. A no nonsense fighting philosophy truly, "scientific" is proper as an adjective for this style.

Masters and Lakans of LSAI, I salute you.

[Shaun]

Thanks for the introduction and post.Welcome.