Читать книгу Filipino Martial Arts - Mark V. Wiley - Страница 13

▲ Introduction ▲

Centuries old, the Filipino warrior arts have long been the backbone of Filipino society. It was the practice and preservation of these arts that have kept the Philippine archipelago from permanent domination by a foreign power. There are several hundred styles of these warrior arts presently being preserved and taught throughout the Philippines. Although known by many names, often descriptive of the styles and names of their founders and enemies (i.e., Binas Arnis, Italiana style), the Filipino warrior arts can be classified by three distinct territorial styles—Arnis, Escrima, and Kali—that are found in the northern, central, and southern Philippines, respectively. The purpose of this volume is to introduce the Cabales Serrada system of Escrima in its historical, philosophical, and practical sense. It is important at the outset to make a distinction between the personal style of the system’s founder, Grandmaster Angel Cabales, and the collateral systems that are presently being propagated by a number of Grandmaster Cabales’ former students.

As is often the case with authentic and traditional martial arts styles, most notably those of Chinese orientation, knowledge is kept from the student until dutifully earned. This occurs without the slightest suspicion on the part of the dedicated student. This method of teaching became the norm because techniques were misused by students, and advanced students proved too often to be disloyal to their instructors. Such was the case too with Grandmaster Angel Cabales.

The entire scope of the Cabales Serrada Escrima system is divided into three distinct segments. Each segment offers more advanced and technically correct methods of movement and application of theories and principles. Grandmaster Cabales’ original course of instruction was limited to basic defenses against the system’s angles of attack, basic empty-hand techniques, and limited sparring methods. Although. it is unfortunate, many of Grandmaster Cabales’ original students were exposed to only one-third of the art. At that time (circa 1960), Escrima was relatively unknown other than to Filipinos on the North American continent; therefore, it can be understood why Cabales felt reluctant to openly teach his art, let alone the advanced stages of practice.

In time, Grandmaster Cabales decided to share more advanced techniques and principles with his students. They felt privileged to receive this knowledge, yet these students were made privy to only two-thirds of the system. It was not until his later life that Grandmaster Angel Cabales imparted the remaining one-third of his system. Perhaps because of failing health, Grandmaster Cabales bestowed this final level of knowledge to five of his master instructors.

It is my intention to promote and document the Cabales Serrada system of Escrima in its purest form. I have been doing this through the writing of books and magazine articles, instructional seminars, and training videos. After I had successfully completed my master’s training, Grandmaster Cabales encouraged me to do this work, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

The presentation of Cabales Escrima in this book is divided into three parts: history and philosophy, fundamentals of practice, and essentials of combat. Part One describes the history of the Filipino martial arts up to the development of the Cabales system and discusses the philosophy, psychology, and concepts necessary for proper development in this warrior art. Part Two describes and depicts the physical postures and techniques of Grandmaster Cabales’ classical Escrima system, and Part Three shows their use in defensive application. Prior to his passing, Grandmaster Angel Cabales read this manuscript, approved it, and wrote its Foreword. He passed away six months after that. Thus, this is the only book that will ever have the full support and endorsement of the founder of the Cabales Serrada Escrima system, Angel Cabales.

—THE AUTHOR

Blackwood, NJ