Lameco Eskrima / Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar in Las. Vegas with Guro Ariel F. Mosses and Guro Dino Flores Sunday, April 30th, 2023

LV 2023

Lameco Eskrima / Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar in Las. Vegas
with Guro Ariel F. Mosses and Guro Dino Flores
Sunday, April 30th, 2023.
11AM to 3PM
Ten Tigers Martial Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Payments: Combat FMA Paypal – CombatFMA@yahoo.com
More Instructor Information:

 

 

 

 

Lameco Eskrima S.O.G. and Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar with Guro Dino Flores – Hosted by EFA , Chiapas Mexico. Feb 11 & 12 , 2023

Lameco Eskrima S.O.G. and Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar with Guro Dino Flores – Hosted by EFA , Chiapas Mexico. Feb 11 & 12 , 2023

 

mexico semiar 2023 feb

 

LAMECO ESKRIMA SOG – ZOOM SEMINAR With Guro Ariel Flores Mosses, Guro Bong Hebia & Guro Dino Flores – Sunday, May 22nd, 2022

ZOOM-SEMINAR-MAY-2022-V7

Lameco Eskrima SOG

Spain & Germany

Presents

 

LAMECO ESKRIMA SOG – ZOOM SEMINAR

With Guro Ariel Flores Mosses,

Guro Bong Hebia & Guro Dino Flores

 

DATE AND TIME:

USA (West Coast Time) -

Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 – 8 AM to 12 PM .

(Streamed Live from Los Angeles, Californa).

 

Madrid Time (Central European Time) -

Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 – 5 PM till 9 PM .

(+9 Hours Ahead of  US West Coast Time).

 

 

REGISTRATION ONLY:

Apprentice Guro Tim Fredianelli – Event Host

Email – Fredianellibruno@gmail.com

 

$60.00 USD Per Person Prepaid.

$75 Per Person after April 30th, 2022.

 

 

 

MORE SEMINAR INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

 

Guro Ariel:

http://www.combatfma.com

https://www.facebook.com/CombatfmaLV

https://twitter.com/CombatFMA

YouTube Channel-Combat FMA

https://www.instagram.com/combatfmalv/

 

 

Guro Bong Hebia:

http://backyardeskrima.com/?cat=76

 

Guro Dino:

http://mandirigma.org/?p=122

 

 

EUROPEAN SEMINAR SPONSORS:

Apprentice Guro Tim Fredianelli  – Spain Representative

Apprentice Guro Christof Froehlich – Germany Representative

 

 

More Information at:

http://mandirigma.org/

http://backyardeskrima.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Eskrimador1898/

https://www.youtube.com/user/MandirigmaOrg

https://vimeo.com/mandirigma

https://www.instagram.com/lameco_sog_eskrima/

 

——

 

https://mandirigma.org/?p=3931

Lameco Eskrima & Kali Ilustrisimo Europe Presents Online Zoom Seminar with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores – USA West Coast Time: Saturday, January 29th, 2022 – 8 AM to 12 PM – (Streamed Live from Los Angeles, California).

ZOOM-1-29-2022-RD

 

Lameco Eskrima& Kali Ilustrisimo Europe Presents

Online Zoom Seminar with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores

 

ZOOM SEMINAR NEW DATE & TIMES!

USA West Coast Time: Saturday, January 29th, 2022 – 8 AM to 12 PM – (Streamed Live from Los Angeles, California).

Madrid Time (Central European Time):  Saturday, January 29th, 2022 – 5 PM till 9 PM  (+9 Hours Ahead of  US West Coast Time).

OTHER TIME ZONES

Mexico City Time:  Saturday, January 29th, 2022 – 10 AM till 2 PM – (+2 Hours Ahead of  US West Coast Time).

Singapore Time:  Sunday, January 30th, 2022 -  12 AM to 4 AM – (+16 Hours of Ahead of  US West Coast Time).

Melbourne Time: Sunday, January 30th, 2022 -  3 AM to 7 AM – (+19 Hours of Ahead of  US West Coast Time).

(Please inform us ASAP if you see any errors in the time/date calculations)

$30 Per Person

This one time special low price for the seminar is usually reserved for Kapisanang Mandirigma Spain and Germany members only. However to launch our first European Public Zoom Seminar the discount will be extended to all.

$50 – if paid after January 10th, 2022.

REGISTRATION:

Apprentice Guro Tim Fredianelli – Spain Representative – Event Host and Sponsor  – fredianellibruno@gmail.com

MORE INSTRUCTOR INFO:

Guro Ariel: http://www.combatfma.com

https://www.facebook.com/CombatfmaLV

https://twitter.com/CombatFMA

YouTube Channel-Combat FMA

https://www.instagram.com/combatfmalv/

Guro Dino: http://mandirigma.org/?p=122

More Information at:

http://mandirigma.org/

http://backyardeskrima.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Eskrimador1898/

https://www.youtube.com/user/MandirigmaOrg

https://vimeo.com/mandirigma

https://www.instagram.com/lameco_sog_eskrima/

MORE SEMINAR INFO:

https://mandirigma.org/?p=3915

Lameco Eskrima / Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar. with Guro Ariel F. Mosses and Guro Dino Flores Sunday, September 12th, 2021.

LAS VEGAS SEMINAR Sept2021 2

 

 

Lameco Eskrima / Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar.

with Guro Ariel F. Mosses and Guro Dino Flores

Sunday, September 12th, 2021.

Ten Tigers Martial Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Payments: Combat FMA Paypal – CombatFMA@yahoo.com

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores. Las Vegas, Nevada. March 27th, 2021.

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo

with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores.

Las Vegas, Nevada. March 27th, 2021.

Ten Tigers Martial Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

LAS VEGAS SEMINAR MARCH 27 2021 2 2

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores. Las Vegas, Nevada. November 22nd, 2020.

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo

with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores.

Las Vegas, Nevada. November 22nd, 2020.

 

Las Vegas Seminar 11-20 FLAT

 

 

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores. Las Vegas, Nevada. November 22nd, 2020.

Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Dino Flores will be doing a seminar in Las Vegas November 22nd, 2020. It will be held at the Lohan School of Shaolin. 3850 Schiff Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89103.

Strictly No Video Recording. Photos OK.

Payments: Combat FMA Paypal – CombatFMA@yahoo.com

 

More Instructor Information:

Guro Ariel: https://ariel-mosses.squarespace.com/about-ariel-f-mosses

Guro Dino: http://mandirigma.org/?p=122

 

More Information at:

http://mandirigma.org/

http://backyardeskrima.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Eskrimador1898/

https://www.youtube.com/user/MandirigmaOrg

https://vimeo.com/mandirig

Online Lameco Eskrima S.O.G. and Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar – Hosted by EFA , Chiapas Mexico. November 21, 2020

Online Lameco Eskrima S.O.G. and Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar

– Hosted by EFA , Chiapas Mexico. November 21, 2020

 

Zoom 2 Seminar

Guro Dino Flores in Budo Magazine, Japanese and Chinese Language Edition. November 2017.

Guro Dino Flores in Budo Magazine, Japanese and Chinese Language Edition. November 2017.

 

https://youtu.be/R0Gvw6NZjH4

 

https://issuu.com/budoweb/docs/martial_20arts_20magazine_20budo_20_bd9e9e848cf9e4/72

 

https://budointernational.com/en/buscar?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=guro+dino&submit_search=

 

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Budo International Has been a big supporter of Mandirigma.org and associated projects. It has additionally been an early promoter of Lameco Eskrima, Kali Ilustrisimo and the Warrior Arts of the Philippines in general. It is among the favorite Martial Arts publishing companies of Mandirigma.org.

Budo International Publishing Co. is one of the world’s leading publishers in the field of martial arts, with more than 35 years in the industry. Our product catalog:
Instructional Martial Arts, Combat Sports & Self Defense DVDs (PAL and NTSC, more than 600 titles in 5 languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Italian), Videos on Download Books, and Free online monthly Magazine Budo International in 8 language editions (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese).

https://budointernational.com/en/

 

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The late Punong Guro Edgar Sulite on the cover. The first magazine ever to publish an article about him. First to put him on the cover. Many publications would follow years later, but Budo Publishing  was the first.

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo with Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores. Las Vegas, Nevada. May 29th, 2016.

Seminar: Lameco SOG Eskrima and Kali Ilustrisimo with

Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores.

Las Vegas, Nevada. May 29th, 2016.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada. May 29th, 2016.

 

Seminar: Lameco SOG and Kali Ilustrisimo with Guro Dino Flores Guro and Ariel Flores Mosses. March 17th, 2016. Las Vegas.

Seminar: Lameco SOG and Kali  Ilustrisimo

with Guro Dino Flores Guro and Ariel Flores Mosses.

March 17th, 2016. Las Vegas.

Guro Dino Flores Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Lameco Ilustrisimo

Ten Tigers Martial Arts Las Vegas presents Guro Dino Flores and Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Seminar in Ilustrisimo & Lameco Eskrima. Las Vegas, Nevada, August 6th, 2015

Ten Tigers Martial Arts Las Vegas presents Guro Dino Flores and Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Seminar in Ilustrisimo & Lameco Eskrima. Las Vegas, Nevada, August 6th, 2015

 

Lameco Ilustrisimo

Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar with Guro Brandon Ricketts, July 12, 2015. Glendale FMA, California.

Kali Ilustrisimo Seminar with Guro Brandon Ricketts, July 12, 2015.

Glendale FMA, California.

 

Brandon Seminar 5 flat

 

 

A rare opportunity to train with Guro Brandon Ricketts. Guro Brandon grew up with the art and will give you insight into the transition from being a theory based drill practitioner to a real time functional based Eskrimador. Guro Brandon will only be in the USA till the end of 2015 – so don’t miss your chance to train with one of the heirs of Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts Ilustrisimo lineage.

10Am to 2PM

$50.00 prepaid by friday, July 10th. Spectators $40.00 prepaid.

$70.00 at the door.  Spectators $60 at the door.

Contact: mandirigma.org@gmail.com

More info at: http://mandirigma.org/?p=2783

http://backyardeskrima.com/?p=1613

This seminar is open to the general public. No Video Please. No Photography without permission.

Brought to you by The Warrior Arts of the Philippines Alliance – Kali Ilustrisimo, Bakbakan Philippines, Lameco SOG, Eskrima, Kapisanang Mandirigma, Combat FMA Las Vegas.

—————-

In 2011 Guro Bruce Ricketts was formally selected as the new Chief Instructor of Master Christopher Ricketts Ilustrisimo Organization and Bakbakan Philippines. The official ceremony was held  in Manila, Philippines. During the same ceremony Guro Brandon Ricketts was promoted to the the position as Second in Command to Guro Bruce Ricketts. Also selected was the Administrative Board which includes Guro Ronnie Ricketts, Guro Alex Ricketts and Guro Jason Ricketts. The organization is dedicated to maintaining the legacy of Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts. The Advisory Board was also selected.

Guro Bruce Ricketts and Guro Brandon Ricketts trained under their Father, Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts since they could walk. The training room in their Philippine home was located in front of their bedroom. Daily exposure to the arts was the norm. Besides daily training with their Father and other students, many masters spent time training in their home. To name a few, legends such as Master Roland Dantes, Master Rey Galang, Master Yuli Romo, Punong Guro Edgar Sulite, Master Tony Diego and none other than Grandmaster Ilustrisimo himself would train there. The technical and fighting skill of these young Guro’s clearly reflect their esteemed lineage. Guro Bruce and Guro Brandon are also accomplished practitioners of Bakbakan Sagasa Kickboxing, Ngo Cho Kun, Jiu-Jitsu and Boxing.

Guro Dino from Kapisanang Mandirigma reflects on teaching Eskrima at the Non-Profit organizations in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.

Guro Dino from Kapisanang Mandirigma reflects on teaching Eskrima at the Non-Profit organizations in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.
When our teacher Punong Guro Edgar Sulite passed away, the group wanted to honor his work but in the least commercial way possible. We weren’t sure how we could do it…and looking back I am not sure why we wanted to do it that way. One day after one of our countless demos around the city, Aki from PWC approached me to do a history workshop at Glendale City College. Afterwards she asked if I would like to use the art to help at risk to kids to gangs violence and drug use. My first reaction was “are you sure?” I was thinking we are kind of a rough bunch and we are wielding sticks, knives and swords and were more like a gang ourselves. I didn’t think it was exactly appropriate at the time. I was reminded that the Rampart district (where the movie “Training Day” was set) had the highest murder rate in the city at the time and was kind of rough itself with numerous hyper violent gangs such as MS13 and 18th St. claiming the area as their turf. Thus I half heartedly accepted. Anyway, to cut a long story short – our recruiter was right. We had a surprisingly high success rate with the youth. Just a few minor glitches like gunshot wounds, knife fights, comas and molotov cocktails on roofs…but thats another story.From what I can gather, most of the rougher kids changed their ways….after maybe a little backyard method persuasion techniques. Two things were very effective. 1.Military style drilling, rules and lots of push ups for the whole class if someone was out of line – Guro Bud was an expert at this method. 2. Lots and lots of sparring. Be it Eskrima, Grappling, Kickboxing etc. If they were very bad they would have to spar everyone in class ending with me. It was truly a transformative and effective method…but probably illegal in several states…lol. Some parents told us their kids grades had gone up. Another parent told us that a school teacher said to her that her son was “The most moral student in the school” (since joining the program)…still makes me laugh.

We had an amazing experience doing volunteer work with those great Non-Profit Community organization like SIPA, PWC and FilAm ARTS. The at risk youth positive diversion program from gangs and drugs we taught from 1997 to 2004 was a big learning experience for us all. I am proud that when government funding was low or disappeared, we didn’t let it stop us. Instead myself, Guro Arnold A. Noche and Guro Bud Balani Jr. offered adult classes at the centers at an affordable rate and used the proceeds to assist in funding the youth programs. One of the adult students even got Asics to sponsor us for a semester and we got some cases of their wrestling shoes. It was a grand adventure that took us far and wide. What more could you ask for, help a few kids out, teach a few adults some culture and still train in the art you love. All that was missing was a small paycheck for the Eskrima staff…lol.

It’s funny to think that all those non-martial artist participants who went through the program where forced to learn our Eskrima lineage and history. They were exposed to Lameco and the teacher in our lineage such as GM Ilustrisimo and his 5 Pillars (GM Tony Diego, GM Yuli Romo, GM Rey Galang, GM Christopher Ricketts and PG Edgar Sulite), GM Caballero and various other arts over the years.

Our first guest instructor at the program was none other than the legendary Grandmaster Doc Lengson – which was an incredible honor for me. Not only was GM Dr. Guillermo B. “Doc” Lengson one of Master Ricketts teachers. He was also the one who advised GM Presas to add “Modern” to Arnis. GM Lenson also advised PG Sulite to use the title” Punong Guro”. Punong Guro was the first to use this term in the Martial Arts, all others since were somehow inspired by his usage. GM Lengson was the first to feature FMA on Philippine TV. One of the TV shows had a 14 year old Master Ricketts representing Sagasa Kickboxing fighting a seasoned professional boxer. With another legend GM Roland Dantes as a judge.

Other guest instructors at our program included GM Taboada, GM Gaabucayan, GM Manaois, GM Olavides, Guro Ariel Mosses, Guro Hans Tan and half of Lameco SOG. What a journey. Maybe this is why the kids responded.

 

eskrima kali arnis fma 1

eskrima kali arnis fma 2 eskrima kali arnis fma 3 eskrima kali arnis fma 4 eskrima kali arnis fma 5

 

Some items of recognition for our volunteer work back in the days of seemingly limitless energy.

Fundraiser Seminar for Master Tony Diego: Two Day Invitation Only. With Kalis Ilustrisimo Senior Instructors Peachie Baron-Saguin and Arnold Narzo. July 7th, Monday & July 8th, 2014. Los Angeles & Las Vegas.

Seminar: Two Day Invitation Only. With Kalis Ilustrisimo Senior Instructors  Peachie Baron-Saguin and  Arnold Narzo. July 7th, Monday & July 8th, 2014. Los Angeles & Las Vegas.

Los Angeles Lameco SOG & Los Angeles Ilustrisimo in association with Kapisanang Mandirigma is proud to present an invitation only Seminar not advertised to the General Public. This is an extremely rare opportunity to train with Kalis Ilustrisimo Senior Instructors Arnold Narzo and Peachie Baron-Saguin. They are direct students of the Living Legend in the Philippines, Grandmaster Tony Diego of Kalis Ilustrisimo. Grandmaster Tony Diego is the top disciple of Grandmaster Antonio ‘Tatang’ Ilustrisimo and is continuing Tatang’s legacy through his Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orehenal.This is a rare opportunity and their first seminar in Los Angeles.
Proceeds go to the Medical Fund of Master Diego and his wife. This is also a fundraiser for the serious medical conditions of Master Tony and his wife. Thank you all in advance for your continued support!
Los Angeles
Two Day Seminar – July 7th, Monday & July 8th, Tuesday.
Location – Seminar will be in Los Angeles/Eagle Rock.
Address given after enrollment.
Time – 7pm-11pm
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Second Lameco Eskrima DVD featuring Guro Dino Flores released by Budo International

Second Lameco Eskrima DVD featuring Guro Dino Flores released by Budo International

This dvd is focused in long distance with the sword, a special training that was heavily influenced by Great Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo. Guro Flores will teach you the differences in strategy in long distance with either stick or sword, the footwork and five of the 12 Eskrima Drills in detail with their applications and variations.

Guro Dino Flores has focused this work on long range distance, a distance you must master before venturing into medium or short range distance with any weapon and without protective gear. The 12 Eskrima Drills are a combination of the movements Punong Gruo Sulite found most common in real combat situations and referred to them as the “Soul of Lameco”, because many hidden secrets are found in these apparently simple exercises. Though most of the Eskrima exercises can be done either with stick or sword, this dvd is focused in long distance with the sword, a special training that was heavily influenced by Great Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo. Guro Flores will teach you the differences in strategy in long distance with either stick or sword, the footwork and five of the 12 Eskrima Drills in detail with their applications and variations. These exercises are essential in order to understand the Great Art of Fighting know as Lameco Eskrima.

LANGUAGES: ENGLISH. ESPAÑOL, ITALIANO, FRANÇAIS

http://www.budointernational.net/296_dino-flores

 

guro dino flores budo

 

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Information on the first DVD can be found at this link: http://backyardeskrima.com/?p=361

Laban Laro – Invitation Only Sparring, June 22nd. Aranda/Ricketts Memorial Gym

Laban Laro – Invitation Only Sparring, June 22nd. Aranda/Ricketts Memorial Gym

An Event Honoring the Sparring Tradition Founded by the Five Pillars of Ilustrisimo and the Original Bakbakan Philippines.

Participating Organizations: Bakbakan Philippines – USA HQ,  Ilustrisimo USA, Lameco SOG, Kapisanang Mandirigma.

Event Supervised by: Guro Brandon Ricketts, Guro Bud Balani, Guro Ariel Flores Mosses,  Guro Dino Flores.

 

Laban Laro, GM Ricketts, PG Sulite, kali, kalis, eskrima, escrima, arnis, ilustrisimo, lameco, bakbakan, kapisanang mandirigma, www.backyardeskrima.com, www.mandirigma.org, guro dino flores

Kapisanang Mandirigma presents an  Introductory Course in Backyard Lameco Eskrima. JULY 14th till AUGUST 17th, 2013, Los Angeles, California.

http://mandirigma.org/, http://backyardeskrima.com/, dino flores, guro dino flores, kali, kalis, arnis, eskrima, escrima, fma, lameco, ilustrisimo, sulite, ricketts, luzon, visayas, mindanao, kampilan, balisong, kris, rattan, http://mandirigma.org/, http://backyardeskrima.com/, dino flores, guro dino flores, kali, kalis, arnis, eskrima, escrima, fma, lameco, ilustrisimo, sulite, ricketts, luzon, visayas, mindanao, kampilan, balisong, kris, rattan
Kapisanang Mandirigma presents an  Introductory Course in Backyard Lameco Eskrima.           JULY 14th until AUGUST 17th, 2013, Los Angeles, California.

This course will introduce you to the the Foundations and Combat Applications of Lameco Eskrima, the Philippine Warrior Art System founded by Punong Guro Edgar Sulite. Class will focus on core Lameco “Eskrima Drills” and “Kali Drills”. Classes will be conducted primarily by Guro Dino Flores.

Classes will be kept small in order to ensure quality instruction.
This is a very rare opportunity. These classes are only held when time permits.
This course also serves as a prerequisite to any future classes that are only open to members and individuals that have completed this course.

For further course details go to: http://backyardeskrima.com and email us directly from the “Contact” page.
Please give us a little background on yourself when requesting information. Maraming Salamat.

Participant Dr. Bryan Stoops reflects on his experience in the 12 Week Backyard Lameco Eskrima course and the two day Lameco S.O.G and Ilustrisimo Reunion Seminar. March 2013

Participant Dr. Bryan Stoops reflects on his experience in the 12 Week Backyard Lameco Eskrima course and the 2 day Lameco S.O.G and Ilustrisimo Reunion Seminar.

***

For 12 weeks, I had been taking an introductory class in Lameco Escrima with Guro Dino Flores in Southern California. The classes were conducted in the same backyard in which many of the late Punong Guro Edgar Sulite’s select students would train when there was no scheduled class. With just under a decade of FMA training under my belt, and some certifications from well-known names, I was impressed (and a little shocked) with how demanding the training was in terms of getting everything just right, down to the smallest detail, without those minor details becoming trivial. Guro Dino wants the best out of and for his students.

I missed a few of the classes due to other commitments to some of my other instructors (and one day because the babysitter was sick), but I was able to attend a good percentage of the classes. There were a handful of other dedicated students also taking the class. I tend to give my instructors my best when I have a little time with them, and I feel comfortable (when I’m uncomfortable, I know I have the tendency to move a little stiffly), so getting to know my instructor a little better and getting to know my fellow students helped me really enjoy my training.

Along with rich, progressive, physical training, Guro Dino also had great stories about PG Sulite, the late Master Christopher “Topher” Ricketts, and Grand Master Ilustrisimo. Part of the work of Guro Dino and his Mandirigma Research Organization is to preserve the legacy of his instructors and their systems of martial arts. I have dedicated a great deal of my time, money, and energy to the martial arts, particularly the Filipino Martial Arts, so to be involved in that preservation (even in a very small way), felt very humbling and at the same time important. I was glad I could be there to take the class and take on a basic understanding of the life’s work of those instructors who are no longer with us.

A few weeks before the end of the 12 week class, Guro Dino notified his students that there would be a special Lameco and Ilustrisimo seminar to be held in the backyard on Saturday, March 16th (right after our last class of the 12 week session) and at another location in Glendale on Sunday the 17th. I signed up for both days fairly quickly after receiving notice of the event, as the seminar struck me as a great opportunity to train with some excellent people, and a wonderful way to celebrate the completion of the 12 week class.

On Saturday, March 16th, we gathered in the backyard for our last class, and the seminar immediately following. The collective knowledge of the presenters/instructors was pretty amazing. Guro Dave Gould opened the seminar with a warm-up focused on footwork. Guro Dave had everyone huffing and puffing. After the warm-up, all of the presenters had an opportunity to teach. I’ll go instructor by instructor, and share my impressions:

Guro Dino Flores – In discussing Guro Dino’s style/teaching with others, my comment was usually something like, “Guro Dino wants everything picture perfect, which makes you (the participant) really focus on your form, and exact, specific details.” It’s refreshing to come into systems that force you to slow down and not let your ego get in the way. Guro Dino always has a logical progression to what he teaches. Guro Dino presented some single stick material the first day and double sword material the second day.

Guro Bud Balani – It’s always productive to see an overview of how a system approaches disarms. On the first day, Guro Bud presented several stick disarms from both the forehand and backhand sides. Many of the disarms led to stick-assisted chokes, or joint locks. Guro Bud has a very straight forward, no-nonsense style to both the techniques and his teaching style. I’m sure everyone in attendance left with at least one or two new disarms to explore. I had to miss Guro Bud’s session on day 2 (which I’ll explain).

Guro Dave Gould– Guro Dave presented a progressive approach to single blade versus single blade on Saturday. Guro Dave strikes me as one of those scary people: a big person who moves with the speed and deliberateness of a small person, with all of the benefits that come from being big and strong. I enjoyed the manner in which he sequenced the material. Unfortunately, I had to miss Guro Dave’s session on Sunday.

Guro Bong Hebia – On both Saturday and Sunday, Guro Bong was on the verge of almost apologizing for teaching such a small block of material over the two days, but I was really taken with what he had to show us (four knife hold-up counters, three for gun, and an empty hand progression that made a lot of sense). There is nothing wrong with having a focus, and with Guro Bong, we were very focused on those particular techniques. Guro Bong kept telling us stories about how he had to run single movements of the techniques over and over with PG Sulite.

Guro Brandon Ricketts– What a difficult position to find yourself in: Your father is revered by many, and upon his passing, you’re thrust into a leadership position in your father’s system. I found Guro Brandon to be very relaxed and easy-going, which made learning from him very enjoyable. I have overheard Guro Dino mention that Guro Brandon is involved in some kind of dance group in his free time; the dance influence is very evident in the graceful nature of Guro Brandon’s movement. Getting to train with Guro Brandon both days felt like a unique opportunity for which I was very grateful.

Guro Ariel Flores Mosses – Unfortunately I had to leave and I did not get the opportunity to train in this segment.

I live just about 40 miles inland of the area of Los Angeles in which the seminar was held. The first day, I left my home around 10 am and got home around 9 PM. My wife told me that my three-year-old daughter had been asking where I was all day. On Sunday, we took a break after having trained for about 5 hours. I realized that in two days, I had gotten in about 13 hours of training, and I wanted to go home and get in some time with my children before the weekend ended. As I drove home, I had the sense that I had been part of a very special class and a very special seminar.

My martial arts training was hit and miss when I was younger. I did three years of Tae Kwon Do, stopped for years, and then three years of Shaolin Kempo in college. I always read martial arts magazines from the time I was about 7, and I was always fascinated by the FMA’s. The first FMA VHS tape I ever bought just happens to be PG Edgar’s single stick tape from Unique Publications. I bought it while I was teaching Kempo in my early 20’s. One day I brought in the one Kali stick I had bought with the video tape to the Kempo School. My head instructor asked me what I was doing, and I told him I was going to try and teach what I had been researching. I was shut down, but I spent a lot of time watching that VHS tape over and over.

Years later, to be involved with Guro Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny and the Dog Brothers and to have Guro Inosanto say so many nice things about PG Edgar, I’ve always felt drawn to Lameco. I teach some of the Lameco that Guro Crafty has put into the DBMA system in my FMA Phase curriculum, and Lameco 3 through 6 (single stick patterns) have always been a major part of my single stick game (most of my students are used to my catching them with redondos in sparring). PG Edgar is in the top five of my list of people with whom I wish I could have trained (in fact, he used to do seminars at Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson’s school, my first Kali/JKD school) before their passing.

Throughout both days of the seminar, 8 by 10 pictures of PG Sulite and Master Ricketts were on a nearby table. The presence of the pictures was not morbid, nor was it overly reverent. The presenters clearly were in good spirits to be representing their teachers, and to all be together. Looking at the instructors spending time together made me think of my martial arts family, people spread all over the world that I get to see a few times a year that I feel closer to than some of my blood relatives. Martial arts are about people discovering the best versions of themselves. I feel lucky to have been at the seminar with such an authentic group of people.

***

Guro Doctor Bryan Stoops is a certified instructor of the Filipino Martial Arts in the Inosanto/LaCoste System under Guro Dan Inosanto, and Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson (one of Guro Inosanto’s “Old School” Full Instructors from the original Kali Academy). Guro Bryan is also a full Dog Brother (“Guide Dog”) with 49 career Dog Brothers stick fights, and an official Teacher of Dog Brothers Martial Arts under Guro Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny. Guro Bryan also represents Master Virgil Cavada as a certified Module 1 Instructor in the Applied Eskrima Method of Balintawak.

Outside of the FMA’s, Bryan also teaches Jeet Kune Do, (under Sifu‘s Inosanto and Thompson) Thai Boxing (Master Chai), Wing Chun (Sifu Francis Fong), Savate (Professor Nic Saignac), Mixed Grappling (Professor Roy Harris), and Maphilindo Silat (Guro Insoanto). Bryan Stoops has taught public high school in southern California for the past ten years. His master’s degree project was a DVD designed to help new K-12 teachers use the philosophy of Jeet Kune Do to become functional in the classroom. Bryan earned his Doctor of Education Degree from the University of La Verne in 2011.

Kapisanang Mandirigma and LV Tactical Training presents Guro Dino Flores and Guro Ariel Flores Mosses Seminar in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 29, 2012

Backyard Lameco Seminar Series.

Instructors: Guro Dino Flores & Guro Ariel Flores Mosses
Date: July 29, 2012
Location: LV Tactical Training Facility
               6366 W. Sahara
                Las Vegas, NV 89146
Time:  10:00am-3:00pm
Cost:  $99.00 per person
Contact:  Ariel Flores Mosses – email arielfmosses@yahoo.com
Guro Dino and Guro Ariel have been training partners since the 1980′s. They first began teaching seminars together in the 1990′s in Wahington State, Oregon, Nevada and California.

About Guro Ariel:

Guro Ariel F. Mosses has over 30 years of Filipino Martial Arts experience. He has trained under Filipino Hall of Fame Grand Master Conrad A. Manaois, the late Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, and Grand Master Christopher Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo. Guro Mosses is the Vice President and Chief Instructor for Manaois Systems International. He holds a 7th degree in Kali Jukune Do. Guro Ariel is a member of Kapisanang Mandirigma. He has experience as a professional bodyguard and is a former police officer. Guro Ariel is currently teaching at LV Tactical Training in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

About Guro Dino:

Guro Dino trained for many years with Grandmaster Conrad A. Manaois in Ninoy Cinco Teros Arnis and Master Henry Bio in Sikaran Arnis in the 1980′s along with his cousins Ariel Flores Mosses and Choy Flores. In the early 1990′s he was accepted as an initial member of Punong Guro Edgar Sulites’ newly forming Backyard Group AKA the Sulite Oriehenal Group

At the recommendation of Punong Guro Sulite, Guro Dino first visited Master Christopher Ricketts in the Philippines in 1995 and was introduced to his perspective on the Warrior Arts.  Since the passing of Punong Guro Sulite,  he has continuously train in Kali Ilustrisimo Under Master Christopher Ricketts, who gave Guro Dino permission to teach his method before his passing. Guro Dino was the Lameco representative for Master Ricketts and a member of Bakbakan Philippines sponsored by Master Ricketts. Guro Dino continues his training in Master Ricketts method of training with his two sons, the young Masters Bruce and Guro Brandon Ricketts. Masters Bruce Ricketts and Guro Brandon Ricketts are now officially the head of the late Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts “Ilustrisimo” organization which strives to preserve the purity of the art.

Guro Dino additionally had good fortune to experience training in Kali Ilustrisimo with Dodong Sta. Iglesia, Grandmaster Rey Galang, Grandmaster Yuli Romo and Grandmaster Tony Diego. He also trained in Kali Ilustrisimo with one of his training partners and fellow Lameco Backyard member Guro Hans Tan, who was certified to teach Kali Ilustrsimo under Master Tony Diego.Additionally Guro Dino trained privately for several years in California and the Philippines with Professor Ireneo L. Olavides in Eskrima De Campo JDC-IO.

Guro Dino also cites the importance of his training partners in Lameco SOG and Kapisanang Mandirigma in his growth. After the passing of Punong Guro Edgar Sulite, certain members of the Lameco Backyard group reformed also became know as Kapisanang Mandirigma. The group regularly continued  training, sparring, experimenting and seeking the deeper roots of their chosen arts. This group includes Guros Joel Adriatico, Hospecio “Bud” Balani Jr., Mar Elepaño, Choy Flores, Arnold Noche, Gary Quan, Hans Anton Tan and Pantaleon “Mang Leo” Revilles, Jr. (RIP). With frequent visits by Guro Lowell Pueblos, Guro Bong Hebia and honorary member Guro Ariel Flores Mosses.