FMA IN RHODE ISLAND
FMA IN RHODE ISLAND
By
Chris M. Suboreau
On April 18th, 2015 at the 1st Genesis Martial Arts International Hall Of Fame, Grandmaster Bobby Barongan delivered an outstanding seminar on the deadly Filipino fighting art of arnis. His presentation was focused on the combat use of the knife, including the deployment of the wicked karambit. Due to the longstanding penchant of traditional secrecy as pertains to the use of the blade, public instruction in knife fighting is comparatively rare. In this setting, of a most gracious student body, an exception was the order of the day.
GM Barongan began with a complete twelve-count numbering and anatomical targeting system. Angles, targets, and body mechanics were given in depth coverage. Soon participants had a working knowledge of the basics.
Next, Grandmaster Bobby, and his son Nathan, displayed a spectrum of defenses using the karambit against empty hand attacks. Defenses combined speedy and sneaky cuts, with locks, holds and, immobilizations, that left the attacker vulnerable to a bewildering arsenal of rips and slashes. Dozens of variations were shown, coming from a confusing variety of angles. Multiple targets, usually the most painful, and debilitating, were attacked with élan. This was an opportunity to watch a master at play, showing the endless tactical variations, which are the hallmark of the Filipino martial arts.
Despite being twisted, thrown and pounded into the mat time and again, GM Barongan’s son would comment, “I’m good” and, would repeatedly spring to his feet after every demonstration. The good-humored “abuse” at the hands of his father did no lasting damage.
After the seminar, in an ill-considered moment, I volunteered to be Grandmaster Bobby’s practice target. Explaining that he preferred to control, rather than kill, he proceeded to do just that. Although I am much taller and heavier than the GM, he had no trouble twisting me into submission. The leverage from his sticks gave his control techniques unbelievable, and, thankfully, controlled power.
In the art of arnis, the empty hand is considered to be more important than the weapon wielding hand. During Grandmaster Barongan’s class, the left hand had a role to play, often striking, checking, or attacking pressure points. In order to effect close range weapon control techniques, both hands must work together, to gain a superior advantage, over the maneuvers of the opponent.
Disarms against knife attacks were also covered, however, this segment started with the warning that these moves may not work, without consequence, against an expert knife fighter. GM Bobby showed options that emphasized control, damage, and destruction of the opponent’s weapon arm. Joint locks, kicks, strikes, pressure point manipulations, and takedowns were combined into a seamless offensive flow. Often the attacker was stretched out and, thereafter, immediately wide open to a harsh counter offensive assault. In this display of defense, the table was turned on the aggressor, in decisive fashion.
Grandmaster Bobby Barongan exemplifies the skill, wisdom, and warmth, of a true martial arts master.
Copyright © 2015 by Chris M. Suboreau, George M. Yore & The Visayan Eskrima Guild, All Rights Reserved.
By
Chris M. Suboreau
On April 18th, 2015 at the 1st Genesis Martial Arts International Hall Of Fame, Grandmaster Bobby Barongan delivered an outstanding seminar on the deadly Filipino fighting art of arnis. His presentation was focused on the combat use of the knife, including the deployment of the wicked karambit. Due to the longstanding penchant of traditional secrecy as pertains to the use of the blade, public instruction in knife fighting is comparatively rare. In this setting, of a most gracious student body, an exception was the order of the day.
GM Barongan began with a complete twelve-count numbering and anatomical targeting system. Angles, targets, and body mechanics were given in depth coverage. Soon participants had a working knowledge of the basics.
Next, Grandmaster Bobby, and his son Nathan, displayed a spectrum of defenses using the karambit against empty hand attacks. Defenses combined speedy and sneaky cuts, with locks, holds and, immobilizations, that left the attacker vulnerable to a bewildering arsenal of rips and slashes. Dozens of variations were shown, coming from a confusing variety of angles. Multiple targets, usually the most painful, and debilitating, were attacked with élan. This was an opportunity to watch a master at play, showing the endless tactical variations, which are the hallmark of the Filipino martial arts.
Despite being twisted, thrown and pounded into the mat time and again, GM Barongan’s son would comment, “I’m good” and, would repeatedly spring to his feet after every demonstration. The good-humored “abuse” at the hands of his father did no lasting damage.
After the seminar, in an ill-considered moment, I volunteered to be Grandmaster Bobby’s practice target. Explaining that he preferred to control, rather than kill, he proceeded to do just that. Although I am much taller and heavier than the GM, he had no trouble twisting me into submission. The leverage from his sticks gave his control techniques unbelievable, and, thankfully, controlled power.
In the art of arnis, the empty hand is considered to be more important than the weapon wielding hand. During Grandmaster Barongan’s class, the left hand had a role to play, often striking, checking, or attacking pressure points. In order to effect close range weapon control techniques, both hands must work together, to gain a superior advantage, over the maneuvers of the opponent.
Disarms against knife attacks were also covered, however, this segment started with the warning that these moves may not work, without consequence, against an expert knife fighter. GM Bobby showed options that emphasized control, damage, and destruction of the opponent’s weapon arm. Joint locks, kicks, strikes, pressure point manipulations, and takedowns were combined into a seamless offensive flow. Often the attacker was stretched out and, thereafter, immediately wide open to a harsh counter offensive assault. In this display of defense, the table was turned on the aggressor, in decisive fashion.
Grandmaster Bobby Barongan exemplifies the skill, wisdom, and warmth, of a true martial arts master.
Copyright © 2015 by Chris M. Suboreau, George M. Yore & The Visayan Eskrima Guild, All Rights Reserved.