Guro Dave Gould reflects on Punong Guro Edgar Sulite on his Birthday. September 25, 2015.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the memory of Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite on what would have been his 58th Birthday today if he were still with us in life.
As well today, September 25, 2015 is the 34th Anniversary of the Lameco Eskrima System which Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite founded in Manila, Philippines on September 25, 1981.
Soon after arriving to Manila, Luzon, Philippines on his 24th birthday, a young Edgar G. Sulite formally founded his own personal style which he named the Lameco Eskrima System. Several of his Masters had expected him to carry on their specific systems, but he felt, if he chose any one system over the others, he would not be able to fairly represent just the one system without disrespecting the others, since he would also be teaching by drawing from the lessons of all his Masters but doing so in the name of the one system which he would claim to represent.
Instead of disrespecting the Masters from whom he received his knowledge, he decided to form his own system, inclusive of all the Masters’ collective knowledge, and give them each credit for their knowledge and, thus, for the founding of the system. He came up with an acronym, “LA- ME-CO,” which represented all three major ranges in fighting, by combining the first two letters of the long range (largo), medium range (medio), and the close range (corto). “Lameco Eskrima” seemed to be the perfect compromise as he would be representing all of his Masters knowledge equally and be able to give them all credit.
Below is a list of the Five Major Influences and Six Minor Influences which were responsible for the creation of the Lameco Eskrima System. The Major Influences were Masters and Systems which Edgar G. Sulite formally trained under extensively for years and was certified to teach. The Minor Systems were from Masters with whom Edgar G. Sulite trained to some degree and with whom he collaborated but never received ranking in their respective Systems.
Five Major Influences on the Lameco Eskrima System:
1. De Campo 1-2-3 Orehenal (GM Jose D. Caballero)
2. Kalis Ilustrisimo (GM Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo)
3. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali (Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje Jr.)
4. Modernos Largos (GM Jesus Abella & GM Pablicito “Pabling” Cabahug)
5. Sulite-Rapelon (GM Helacrio L. Sulite Sr.).
Six Minor Influences on the Lameco Eskrima System:
1. Doce Pares (GM Diony Cañete)
2. Balintawak (GM Johnny Chiuten)
3. Lapunti Arnis De Abanico (GM Felimon E. Caburnay)
4. Siete Teros Serado – Serado no Puede Entrar (GM Marcilino Ancheta)
5. Abanico De Sungkiti (GM Billy Baaclo)
6. Tres Personas Eskrima De Combate (GM Maj. Timoteo E. Maranga).
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