A few days ago I did a live interview for a Filipino Martial Arts based Internet program. I was happy to do it. There were some questions asked that I dearly wanted to answer. One of the questions was about challenges. Many of the stories that I can tell would be considered offensive to people closely involved. Another thing is that I follow in my Master' footsteps, regarding challenges. Angel Cabales would speak of challenges, but he "never" gave names. He would "neve"r put down any opponent and always credited "luck" as being in his favor. I want to share a story today that hopefully will not open a huge can of worms. But, if the story is listened to closely: It will truly get into the very heart of Filipino Martial Arts. It will hopefully be understood with compassion, admiration and respect.
Manong Angel began hearing about Johnny La
Coste being spoken of, as the leading Escrimador in Stockton, Ca. The
illustrious Dan Inosanto dearly loved the movements of Johnny La Coste and
rightfully so. Manong Johnny had a certain way of moving which always puzzled
me, but I liked them anyway. Manong Johnny was a friend of my father's and
until I began learning Escrima had no idea that he was an Escrimador. Honestly,
I seldom heard any mention of Filipino Martial Arts. But, war veteran's seldom
speak about the battles they were in, in public. And Escrima was very secretive
and unknown, during the time of my childhood. But, due to Guro Dan's heavy
public profile and his pushing of Johnny La Coste: The stories of Manong Johnny
being a better Escrimador then Manong Angel kept circulating. Manong Angel felt
that he was being displaced as Stockton's premier Escrimador. There can be only
one.
So Manong Angel went looking for Johnny La
Coste and found him very sick. He had found his room and knocked upon his door
to gain entrance. The exact exchange of words will forever be lost, but it
boils down to: Hey! They say you are better than me, so let's fight and find
out. Now, according to Manong Angel, this total event happened in Manong La
Coste's room. So listen closely:
Manong Angel said that Manong La Coste couldn't
move very well, due to his illness. He was speaking to Angel sitting at the
edge of his bed. But, Manong La Coste stood up from his bed and said that he
wasn't a woman and that he was old and very sick, but that he would fight. If
he had to die he wouldn't beg for his life, but die a man. Manong Angel said
that Manong La Coste could hardly stand up, when he was speaking to him. Manong
Angel said that he couldn't help but shed tears in admiration for the man he
was speaking to. He simply said that no, we don't have any problems and walked
out. This is the heart and soul of Filipino Martial Arts. A true Escrimador
spoke to Angel Cabales that day. Old and sick, he would rather be beat down and
even die, than bow down to any man. Angel Cabales teared when he told me this
story, many years after the event. He told me this story with deep respect for
Johnny La Coste. So it is with a heavy heart that I say: Mabuhay ang Escrima.
Other articles by Master Saturno:
- Basic Movement Theory
- Basics in Defense
- Basics of Serrada
- Freight Training! (Body Alignment & Power Transfer)
- The Secret to Surviving Fights
- "Your fight is with time"
- Vidclips of Serrada Basics and Angles of Attack
- Audio Interview (97 mins!)
Notes
My deepest gratitude to Master Ron Saturno for his kind permission in allowing me to repost his articles to my site.
My deepest gratitude to Master Ron Saturno for his kind permission in allowing me to repost his articles to my site.
You can contact Master Ron Saturno via:
Email: 5masterserrada@gmailNOSPAM.com (take out the "NOSPAM")
Phone: 209-513-8027
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ron.saturno
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