Need Help recommending a FMA and school for my friend in Manila.

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/12/2011 1:22am

Hi I know nothing about FMA's and neither does my friend. He wants to do a Martial art but he just told me he is thinking about TKD.

My initial reaction, why study something like TKD when there has to be an awesome FMA school that will actually teach you something worthwhile in the home of FMA's

He is not the aggressive or generally sporty type but really wants to get into shape and learn something in the process. He is going to be there for a few years.

With your help hopefully I can convince not to make a stupid decision.

**Flipper** · Posted On: 9/12/2011 2:12am

here's our website:

http://www.ptkmanila.com/

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/12/2011 11:29pm

Thanks Flipper,

I had a look at the website, and I am doing my own research.

It looks good but as I mentioned I know nothing about the FMA's. Is there anyone else on this forum that can verify the quality of this particular school and training?

**Rene "Zendokan" Gysenbergs** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 2:18am

Here's a thread that's good to read: http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=97495
It starts with Rapid Realismo Kali, that is considered a weaker, less realistic style, but goes than to Sayoc Kali and PTK, which are considered good, realistic styles (I think that the guys from Fight Quest trained in PTK, link to youtube is in the thread.).

From what I can read and looking around on the internet and seeing at DefCross Belgium (part of the Inosanto Family, Bully Otaku Waffle trains there Kali/Escrima)
It comes to this:
- Lacoste-Inosanto Blend is the most known outside the Philipines and used the most in the movies (Bourne Trilogy, Mission Impossible, etc...)
- Sayoc Kali is one of the top styles, known in the U.S. and the Philipines, very specialized in short edged weapons and a major influence on the other styles
- PTK is also a very realistic style and the prefered style of the Philipino Militairy.

But don't take my word for it, because except from some watching the Lacoste-Inosanto Blend at my club, my background is some basic La Canne and Krabi Krabong.

**jspeedy** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 6:32am

I know there's a Balintawak school in Cebu city. Balintawak specializes in single stick techniques with an emphasis is on striking power. Do you know where your friend will be staying?

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 11:23am

I have just sent him a message asking him in which area he wants to train, it might be a few days before he gets back to me, Ill post when he does.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 11:28am

Originally Posted by jspeedy

I know there's a Balintawak school in Cebu city. Balintawak specializes in single stick techniques with an emphasis is on striking power. Do you know where your friend will be staying?

The Doce Pares headquarters is in Cebu as well.

**Auszi** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 12:32pm

Originally Posted by jspeedy

I know there's a Balintawak school in Cebu city. Balintawak specializes in single stick techniques with an emphasis is on striking power. Do you know where your friend will be staying?

He got back quicker than I thought he would

These are the areas. He lives in Mandalyong City. And said anywhere in Pasig (Ortigas), Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Taguig City would be okay.

Jspeedy, I checked out your description of your school of Balintawak on another thread. I think he might want something that in his eyes is more complete, including unarmed. Because he is a total beginner (and was originally thinking TKD) he will be going in with the stereotypical mindset and if it doesnt have any unarmed aspects it might not get him engaged.

Originally Posted by Permalost

The Doce Pares headquarters is in Cebu as well.

Sorry for the noob, question but can I assume they are pretty good as well?

**Flipper** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 12:43pm

Our White Plains Quezon City club is practically right next to Mandaluyong and the Ortigas area. The Ortigas district to the training area is a easy 5 - 10 min drive (in moderate traffic).

But by all means, shop around and ask for referrals here.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 9/13/2011 2:25pm

Originally Posted by Auszi

Sorry for the noob, question but can I assume they are pretty good as well?

Doce pares is a quite popular FMA, and is one of the styles my teacher teaches. Its among the oldest eskrima clubs around, and has produced many competent stickfighters. They actually spar and fight, but they tend to do so under WEKAF rules, using a stickfighting jacket, headgear and gloves, with limitations on thrusts, kicks and punches. The main weapons they work with are the stick (olisi), daga and empty hands.

The head guy, supreme grandmaster Cacoy Canete, who has a pretty impressive martial arts background:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacoy_Canete

Here's a video of doce pares stickfighting without the big WEKAF jackets:

The focus is usually on single stick, and the style has lots of tricky striking methods to use.