Friday, May 26, 2006

Myself and Pekiti Tersia

2003. I was looking for an Eskrima school in my area but unfortunately nothing can be found. There were several systems that are teaching on the next neighboring city and thought I would go there and find out if it has core definition of Eskrima that I’m looking for. Nevertheless, the systems I found were mixed on several systems. Would I like to enroll and adapt their training? Maybe or maybe not! Then again, mixing different styles are sometimes good but in my own standpoint, I don’t have self identification.

2003. Mid year. Internet might be able to find or help me the system I’m looking for. Sadly nothing close. Although, a Kenpo instructor answered my query but it was a different system. I was informed that they are starting a Kali Club with few members of his kenpo class are interested of learning. Went to explore, found out that he sought guidance of a Kenpo master that happens to know Kali. That would be Pekiti Tersia. I’ve heard of the system when I was in Cebu City but never had a chance to see or look into the system or had experience with a practitioner. My first love on Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) started when I was in high school – Balintawak Eskrima under Master Nick Elizar. The club started to form late of 2003.

2004. My first experience with the system. Before that, I went on to local library to find the history, the people behind the system and where it came from and I was amazed that it came from Panay Island of the Philippines. After few 3 years of hibernation, I was awkwardly doing all the stick work, the footwork, the body mechanics, squeaking bones are overly loud because it hasn’t been oiled since I stopped practicing. My desire to continue to practice my former system was put on to slump because the family was growing. Two children and work have me realize that time was important… why? Bills, bills, and more bills to pay.

Honestly, I had my days in going back training. Hand, shoulder, legs, feet, hips, knees are all aching. If there is one part of my body that wasn’t aching, it would be my hair. In two months time, I got all the necessary stability of my body. Heals fast? Not quite, my son heals faster than I am! If he get a deep cut on his skin, 18 hours is enough for him to heal. If he gets a flu, just one day, he’ll be up and running the next day. He doesn’t take any medications at all. Anyway, it didn’t take me a long time to get myself in rhythm. Thanks for the training I had previously.

2004. Mid year. I have been learning all the 64 attacks. Basics are the core instruction of any martial arts. May it be Chinese, Japanese, Korean Thai and Boxing – they all start in basic structure. Philosophy, mental training and their definition to learn martial arts is primary. In all eight months of learning the basics of Pekiti Tersia, I still have little knowledge. I may be a slow learner or probably just taking my time to practice and defining the educational process according to the program. Plus, we all in the club are neither learners not instructors nor master of the Art. The person who we seek guidance visits us every 4 to 6 times a year (Guro Zack Whitson).

Since then, my basic training in Pekiti Tersia is improving. Thought I don’t have ample time to learn more out of the basic structure of Pekiti Tersia. Moving on, I have started to learn the 144 attacks. Basic 12, reverse basic 12, 12 double force, 12 reverse double force and so on…

2004. Last few months. We met up with Guro Whitson for new training platform. Knife training. We started on knife tapping using primary hand, parry, and went on to settle for the secondary hand on knife tapping. It was fun. Training on knives is also my favorite... if there is training in knives, look for me there infront because I'm not going to miss it.

…more to come be patient. Thanks.