Glendale FMA, California. April 9th, 2016.

Kali Ilustrisimo: The Sword Fighting Art of Antonio Ilustrisimo

By Master Christopher Ricketts, Guro Bruce Ricketts, Guro Brandon Ricketts

http://www.blurb.com/b/6612146-kali-ilustrisimo-the-sword-fighting-art-of-antonio

ABOUT THE BOOK

Author website

https://www.facebook.com/IlustrisimoUSA

On July 12 2015 Guro Brandon Ricketts conducted a seminar at Glendale FMA / Aranda – Ricketts Memorial Gym. The Event was hosted by Guro Bud Balani and Guro Dino Flores of the Los Angeles chapters of Lameco SOG, Kali Ilustrisimo and Kapisanang Mandirigma. Attendees came from all over California from places such as San Diego, Santa Barbara, Stockton and San Francisco. Guro Brandon was also supported by some of his students from the USA Headquarters of Kali Ilustrisimo.

Guro Brandon Ricketts focused of the fundemental core techniques and how they relate to real time sparring. A concept his father the late Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts drilled into his dedicated students. The seminar concluded with the participant doing some light sparring to test some of the techniques they had just learned in real time.
All the participants had a great time with this truly hands on approach to the art.

Guro Brandon is leaving for the Philippines at the end of the year. One of his objectives is to take partial administrative charge of his fathers Bakbakan Legacy and bring it into the next generation. The Los Angeles chapters of Lameco SOG, Kali Ilustrisimo and Kapisanang Mandirigma will try to host Guro Brandon Ricketts again for another seminar before he leaves. Check the www.mandirigma.org website for updates.
About Guro Brandon Ricketts

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.

Event Flyer

Aranda – Ricketts / Glendale FMA Gym Banner

Lameco SOG Members with Guro Brandon. Guro Bud Balani, Guro Dino and Guro Bryan Emerson with his son.

Events Hosts with Guro Brandon. Guro Dino, GM Joe Tan, Guro Johnathan Balani, Guro Bud Balani.

Guro Brandon giving pointers.

Sparring!

Sparring!

Sparring!

Group photo with some of the participants.

Sparring!

Guro Brandon giving pointers

Participants in action.

Participants in action.

Guro Brandon giving pointers.

Guro Johnathan giving pointers.

Contact drilling.

Contact drilling.

Glendale FMA, California.

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.

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.

The FMA Informative was very lucky to be able through the cooperation of Guro Dino Flores to be able to bring just a hint of the knowledge that was put forth and the skills that were demonstrated on March 16 and 17, 2013.
At the Lameco S.O.G and Kali Ilustrisimo Memorial Seminar the instructors were the dedicated instructors of Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite and Master Christopher Ricketts. They were: Guro Dino Flores, Guro Bud Balani, Guro David Gould, Guro Bong Hebia, Guro Ariel Flores Mosses, and the son of Master Christopher Ricketts Guro Brandon Ricketts.
First you will read about the participant Dr. Bryan Stoops reflections on his experience in the 12 Week Backyard Lameco Eskrima course and the 2 day Lameco S.O.G and Ilustrisimo Eskrima Seminar.
Then on another aspect Guro David Gould his thoughts on the 2nd Lameco Eskrima “SOG” Memorial Seminar held in Los Angeles, California.

Visit www.fmainformative.info and download a copy.

Download a copy – www.fmainformative.info/Informative_Issues/2013/FMA_Informative-Issue68.pdf

***

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.

Lameco S.O.G Seminar

A VERY rare opportunity to train with several members of Lameco SOG and Ilustrisimo under the same roof. Some of the instructors are from out of town and some rarely teach the general public – this will be a very educational experience.

SEMINAR ONE
Date: Saturday, March 16th, 2013
Place: Eagle Rock (North East L.A.), CA.
Time: Noon till 6pm
Intructors: Guro Bong Hebia, Guro Dave Gould, Guro Bud Balani, Guro Dino Flores.
Possibly more Instructors more to be announced.
Special Guest Instructor: Guro Brandon Rickets of Ilustrisimo USA
VIP Guests: Guro Choy Flores (Lameco SOG), Guro Gary Quan (Lameco SOG),
Guro Bill Arranda and Master Joe Tan. Possibly more Special Guests to be announced.
Participant Capacity: ONLY 16
Spectator Capacity: 6

SEMINAR TWO
Date: Sunday, March 17th, 2013
Place: Glendale, CA.
Time: 9am till 4pm
Intructors: Guro Bong Hebia, Guro Dave Gould, Guro Bud Balani,
Guro Dino Flores, Guro Ariel Mosses, Guro Brandon Ricketts.
Possibly more Instructors to be announced.
Special Guest Instructor: Guro Brandon Rickets of Ilustrisimo USA
VIP Guests: Guro Choy Flores (Lameco SOG), Guro Gary Quan (Lameco SOG),
Guro Bill Arranda and Master Joe Tan. Possibly more Special Guests to be announced.
Participant Capacity: 33
Spectator Capacity: 12

Participant Cost PER Seminar: $100.
If Pre-Paid before March 7st: $85.
If Pre-Paid for both days before March 7st: $150.

Spectator Cost PER Seminar: $75.
If Pre-Paid before March 7st: $60.
Spectator Both Days Pre-Paid before March 7st: $100.

For more information go to:
www.backyardeskrima.com and go to the “contact” link.

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.

More Information at: http://ilustrisimo-usa.com/

Guro Brandon Ricketts will be conducting a training seminar on the style of Tatang Illustrisimo (as taught by the late GM Topher Ricketts) on Saturday, September, 2012. Guro Brandon will be assisted by Guro Dino Flores.  The seminar is by invitation only and not open to the general public . It will be held at the Glendale FMA Academy.

Guro Brandon can be contacted at: http://ilustrisimo-usa.com/

Photo by Felici Photography.

Guro Brandon Videos:

ILUSTRISIMO – Guro Brandon explaining the Estrella Series.

ILUSTRISIMO – Guro’s Bruce and Brandon free flowing.

ILUSTRISIMO – Double Stick Amara (freestyle) with Bruce and Brandon Ricketts

ILUSTRISIMO – Espada y Daga with Bruce and Brandon Ricketts

Some of the Seminar Participants at the Glendale FMA Academy.