|
 Written
by: Dirk Alvarez
03/24/05
Title: Streetfighting Filipino Style: Bakbakan
What happens when Filipino grandmasters of the native martial arts
of Kali (knife fighting,) Sinawali (sword and dagger,) street
fighting, and unarmed combat come together? Bakbakan.
"Bakbakan International is a brotherhood of martial artists from
different disciplines of martial arts. It is not a style nor
representative of any single style. It is a center for the sharing
of ideas, techniques and knowledge." - from the Bakbakan
International Member's Handbook.
Headed by the "who’s who" in Filipino Martial Arts communities,
Bakbakan is a confraternity of all the best moves, principles, and
techniques each discipline has to offer.
With a main office at Manila, Philippines and outlying chapters in
the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe, Bakbakan
International remains ever dynamic with the constant interchange of
ideas from students of progressive fighting styles in this
organization honing and continually shaping the refinement of the
Bakbakan method of fighting. A dynamic yet strong foundation for
improving the combat arts.
A Covenant Between Brothers
To support, propagate and develop the Warrior Arts of the
Philippines. Such is the goal and standard of the Bakbakan
fraternity. The ideals of the group remain embodied intheir maxim: "Karunungan,
Katapatan, Katarungan" (Knowledge, Loyalty, Justice or Truth)
Exactly like a fraternity, members of Bakbakan International are
made to pledge according to the principles of the Philippine
Katipunan conventions.: Allegiance, loyalty and obedience to God, to
country, and to the brotherhood.
Affiliation with the Bakbakan International Fraternity is not just a
membership. It is a commitment.
The Discipline and the Master
Bakbakan wouldn’t be the formidable martial art it is without the
combined expertise of the grand masters.
Bakbakan Kali
Ilustrisimo
An off-shoot of the Kali Ilustrisimo system designed by
Grandmaster Antonio 'Tatang' Ilustrisimo, the name Bakbakan Kali
Ilustrisimo was coined to describe the system developed and
structured by Bakbakan International based on Grandmaster
Ilustrisimo’s concepts and strategy. It is these training
methods and structure that differentiate the Bakbakan Kali
Ilustrisimo practitioner from any other Kali Ilustrisimo
claimant. Time and again, the effectiveness of the Bakbakan
system has proven its worth in competitions local and abroad.
Based on basic knife fighting techniques and constant sparring
as opposed to pre-arranged drills, the Tulisan (too-lee-san)
Knife-Fighting System is another variant of the Bakbakan Kali
Ilustrisimo system. Fast gaining popularity among Bakbakan
members, Tulisan has proven its mettle in many sparring matches
against knife-fighters from other systems. Antonio Diego, the
recognized heir to the Kali Ilustrisimo system is the instructor
for the Bakbakan Kali system.
Master Rey Galang’s Sinawali
Rey Galang, one of the most recognized names in the escrima and
Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) circles, brings his expertise in the
Central Luzon region method of double weapons fighting, "Sinawali."
A major stepping stone into the Espada y Daga (Sword and
Dagger,) Sinawali trains the Bakbakan practitioner ambidexterity
and fluidity of movement. Once the two abilities are mastered,
it is a simple progression from equal length weapons to uneven
ones.
Unarmed Combat
Through the efforts of Dr. Guillermo "Doc" Lengson, Bakbakan
founder Christopher Ricketts, and other senior members of
Bakbakan, the Sagasa Kickboxing System ("sagasa" literally
meaning running over) is another technique in the Bakbakan
repertoire. The intensive drills, known as "series" are geared
towards developing coordination, power, and reflexes.
Complementary to Sagasa is the Hagibis Combat System where
combat evolves from long and mid-range into close-quarters
fighting.
Starting off as throwing and tripping techniques, Hagibis has
also included grappling and submission arts.
Taking into consideration the fact that most street attacks are
multiple and armed, emphasis is given on training the Bakbakan
practitioner to disable and throw opponents while retaining the
ability to fend off oncoming attackers. Reminders are given
though, to be wary of grappling with multiple and armed
assailants with grappling only as an unavoidable option.
Bakbakan's combination of Sagasa and Hagibis systems has
qualified its members to participate and represent the
Philippines in San Shou competitions internationally.
Joining the Brotherhood
While the fame of Bakbakan continues to grow in international
communities, getting in is no easy matter. No Bakbakan aspirant
is allowed entry without any referral from an active full-
fledged member.
This guarantees that all candidates are known personally to the
responsible "sponsoring" member. Where a candidate has no
patron, the aspirant is then subjected to a minimum of six
months probationary period before even being accepted as an
Associate Member.
Such practice, though strict and elitist, remain enforced an
appreciated particularly when it comes to weeding out the
"undesirables.".
With the continued growth of knowledge and skills added to the
Bakbakan Fraternity, what could any one expect but an
indomitable and solid martial art practice.
For more information visit:
www.bakbakan.com
|
