Where to study in the Philippines?

[Kumo]

Hello,

I was planning a trip to the Philippines for this coming January for about a month and have followed several links off of the forums for potential escrima training. Many of the links seem to center on schools in Cebu.

What I'd like to know is, where's the 'best' place to train anywhere in the Philippines? I understand that it would be pretty subjective, but I'd still like to get some opinions and some options.

I've studied very little of the FMA (minimal stick and knife from a bit of Jeet Kune Do), but I hold a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and was a professional Muay Thai kick boxer, so I'm no stranger to hard work and discipline. I'd need somewhere that would offer a good start from a lower level. I'd also be very interested in hearing about great private lesson instructors to accelerate my development.

Lastly, my wife - not a martial arts practitioner - is (and I'm ecstatic about this) very interested in studying the FMA, too. So, if a recomendation could be made for a place/private instructor that would be good for a complete beginner in the martial arts in general, it would be great.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer,

Kumo

[akio123]

well my friend their are lots of FMA schools in the philippines like escrima and yaw-yan.. i am from cebu as u can see in my avatar and im planning on learning yawyan also weightlifing for my physical shape.. back to ur question about the school u want to go, well i know many FMA schools in cebu ^_^..

[Sonny.Mejia]

I live in manila and i know of instructors that can teach LSAI and LESKAS Arnis system. I can refer you to them in case you are interested. Just shoot me an email at jksonny@hotmail.com.

Sonny

[Kumo]

Thanks for the replies.

I checked out the Yaw-yan link that you had in your other post, akio123 - and thanks for that as I wouldn't have known anything about it if you hadn't -but I don't think I'd go that route as they don't seem to concentrate on weaponry (defense yes, but not use, so much) in their training and that's what I really wanted to do this time around in the Philippines: practice using weapons.

Sonny, thanks for the Email addy and I'll give you a shout closer to when my travel is about to start (January 2009, or thereabouts).

Cheers,

Kumo

[akio123]

Thanks for the replies.

I checked out the Yaw-yan link that you had in your other post, akio123 - and thanks for that as I wouldn't have known anything about it if you hadn't -but I don't think I'd go that route as they don't seem to concentrate on weaponry (defense yes, but not use, so much) in their training and that's what I really wanted to do this time around in the Philippines: practice using weapons.

Sonny, thanks for the Email addy and I'll give you a shout closer to when my travel is about to start (January 2009, or thereabouts).

Cheers,

Kumo

nope friend...we are here to help ^_^

[Stickwithit]

Study with a Grand-Master in Manila

Hi,

I am a private student of GM Yuli Romo and his "Bahad Zubu - Ancestral weapons and Fighting Arts" style in the Philippines.

Master Yuli has a number of foreign visitors each year and they usually train for 10 - 20 sessions (3 hours+) each visit.

We pick you up from your airport and install you in a hotel in the centre of Manila. The hotel is reasonably cheap ( less than $40 a night) and a monthly rate is available. There is a large training area on the roof away from prying eyes. Master Yuli will then come to the hotel every day to train you.

If you would like to see more of our style I suggest you visit you tube and put in "Bahad Zubu". It is a complete system which teaches you sticks, knives, swords and empty hands.

I am also in contact with a Yaw-Yan instructor who was the ex-undefeated champion of the Philippines (and also Muay Thai and Kickboxing champion too). I could also arrange private lessons for you with him too.

If you would like further details please send me a PM.

Best wishes with your search,

Simon.

[lionleo]

If you want to immerse in local culture -Davao City in Mindanao is the place learn Kali...check out LESKAS/LSAI Master Instructor Nols del Rosario Mandirigmang Kaliradman or just google Mandirigmang Kaliradman..Davao has more CHEAP to see compared to Cebu and Manila...I emphasized Cheap since i want you to be there the longest you can with your dollars going a long way...Just here to help...