Applied Eskrima
Applied Eskrima is a highly sophisticated, close combat art implementing impact weapons, blades, and empty hand fighting.
Our Escrima Classes are typically Monday and Friday at 7:30 pm
The Applied Eskrima Saavedra System is part of the larger family of arts that developed in the Balintawak club in Cebu City during the 1950’s. The founder of the Balintawak club, Venancio Bacon sought to create better fighters than anywhere else in Cebu and focused his training and teaching on perfection of the single weapon fighting methods (stick, sword, and knife) in close quarters. By freeing the off hand, the Balintawak fighters were able to implement various strikes and trapping methods against opponents. In fact, the level of sophistication of the trapping and striking methods of our style lead to Guro Dan Inosanto comparing it to Wing Chun with a stick.
The history of Balintawak goes back even further to the Doce Pares and Labangon Fencing Club before it with the teachings of the Saavedra family. The Saavedras are arguably are among the most famous practitioners of the arts in the last 100 years. However, they are not as widely known outside of Cebu.
MASTER VIRGIL CAVADA
Our instructor is certified by “Master V” the founder and headmaster of Applied Eskrima. Master Virgil Orlanes Cavada was born in Cebu, Philippines in 1954. He began Martial Arts at age 15 and at 19, began his formal training in Eskrima. Virgil has over 43 years of experience in the combat system of Eskrima.
History of Escrima/Kali
Eskrima, also known as Arnis or Kali, is a weapon based martial art of the Philippines. It is not the national sport, it has a long history of use in conflicts going back though history. Some of the major episodes when Filipino martial arts were used was during the Spanish Colonial period (1573-1899), the American occupation (1899-1946), and Japanese occupation during WWII. Among these episodes, some notable events are as follows:
Only recently have the Filipino Arts become more conspicuous around the world. More and more frequently, FMA is beginning to experience the popularity of other traditional Asian arts. Eskrima is different from other Asian martial arts in that the student is taught to fight with and against weapons first. This type of training improves manual dexterity in the practitioner and also builds fast reflexes and correct conditioned responses to a variety of attacks. Although it is weapons based, Eskrima uses punching, kicking, and grappling techniques.
