Guro Gary Quan (06/14/1962 – 09/16/2015)

by Guro Arnold Noche

Like myself, Gary grew up knowing a little of a lot of things. And unlike myself, Gary perfected everything he did and he did so with passion.

I met Gary during the late 80′s / early 90′s at the Jun Fan Martial Arts Club in Monterey Park. Gary and Tsuyoshi Abe were teaching the class and even though I was not officially enrolled at CSULA, they still accepted me as a student. It was there where they refined my kicking and punching techniques. It was there that they also rekindled my passion for sticks and knives… something that I have had a love-hate relationship with since I was 12.

Gary was just 4 years older than me but was already well-versed in many subjects… from Martial Arts to Music, being a college graduate, being a working professional, and being able to enjoy everything else in between while searching for new things to try.

We later found out that we had many things in common. We collected the same comic books. We idolized the same guitar players. We loved to play street hockey. And we even competed for the same girl once. But Gary was a deep person and always in the know. Like any Engineer (he had a degree in Electrical Engineering) he took things apart, put it all back together again and completely owned it in the end.

Throughout the years, some of his friends became my friends and some of my friends became his. I was there when he started to take an interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). I was there when he started to take an interest in Swing Dancing. I stayed away from both, joking with Gary that I would rather focus on Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and just stick to spinning the vinyl records that people danced to.

He completely understood as he continued to drag me into other things like the Women’s Self Defense Classes that we consistently taught free of charge for many years from 1990 to 2009 all over LA in both public and private places, to running the Martial Arts Arena at the Cherry Blossom Festival from 2002 to 2010 trying to keep the stage free of egos and a safe place for democracy, to attending countless Guitar Clinics, Expos, Festivals and Workshops to continue sharing a common bond that we had outside of the Martial Arts, and a few other activities throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Tijuana that I, happily, can neither confirm nor deny at this time.

One of my fondest memories of Gary came during a time around 2008 when I finally obtained all of the guitars I ever wanted to own for my personal collection. So Gary said, “Now that you have all that, what’s next?”

“I don’t know…” I replied, “maybe learn to play them as good as you?”

So he invited me to his house where he broke everything down for me… what and who to listen to, what books to read, what DVDs to buy, what fundamentals to practice and what to watch on YouTube. I even bought a ukulele in 2011 and got dragged into a few local bars to watch some of his other friends play. So will I ever be as good as him? Probably not, and then I would joke about how he can play them while I collect them.

I am still numb over all of this. Gary’s passing at 53 last week reminded me of my father’s passing at 55. But I am now blessed to have them both looking over me on a spiritual level as I continue throughout my journey.

Gary traveled in many circles and being a hard guy not to like, he touched many lives and because of this, I am a better person.

He will be sorely missed and lived a life worth remembering.

Paalam. (Farewell)

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG. Dog Brothers Gathering September 19, 1998. Hermosa Beach, California

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG and Guro Brandon Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo and Bakbakan. Lameco Reunion Seminar. 2014. Los Angeles, California

Gary Quan with Guro Johnathan Balani. Photo shoot for Lameco Legacy book. 2014. Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with Guro Johnathan Balani. Photo shoot for Lameco Legacy book. 2014. Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with Guro Johnathan Balani. Photo shoot for Lameco Legacy book. 2014. Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with Guro Johnathan Balani. Photo shoot for Lameco Legacy book. 2014. Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG and Guro Brandon Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo and Bakbakan. Lameco Reunion Seminar. 2014. Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG members Guro Ariel Flores Mosses and Guro Dino Flores. Lohan School, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2014.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG . Alhambra, California. 2013.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG and Guro Brandon Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo and Bakbakan. Lameco Reunion Seminar. 2014. Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG Guro Steve Grody. Book delivery for contributors. 2014. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG and Guro Brandon Ricketts of Kali Ilustrisimo and Bakbakan. Lameco Reunion Seminar. 2014. Glendale FMA, California. Guro Bill Aranda’s school.

Gary Quan with fellow Lameco SOG Guro Steve Grody. Book delivery for contributors. 2014. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California.

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Phil Rapagna’s school in Altadena, California. January, 22, 1998.

Random Memories of the above photo with Guro Gary Quan by Guro Dino Flores

Taken around the time Gary Quan joined the Lameco Backyard Group. Rest In Peace my Brother. You were always authentic, sincere, kind and positive. Beyond sad to lose you. You will always be missed.

I just now remembered that Punong Guro made us full on fight first..and then it was only afterwards that we formally met each other. I think I was your welcoming committee and first fight in the group. Just before the fight Punong Guro tells me “be careful, because this guy is good…he’s an instructor”! In my mind I am thinking sarcastically “great….lucky me”. So I go full blast agressive to protect myself against “the instructor”. Naturally he had to respond appropriately. Great fight. We remained friends ever since.

In the photo are some of Lameco SOG and guests with Punong Guro Sulite. At Phil Rapagna’s school in Altadena, California. Behind the Pet store way up on Lake Blvd. Arnold just reminded me that “El Nino” was causing all kinds of rain at the time, so we had to take a break from the “backyard” and find a roof to train under.

Seated L to R: Hans Tan, Arnold Noche, Eric Koh, Roger Agbulos, Gary Quan (RIP), Howard Chen.

Standing L to R: Me, Marc’s student, Marc Denny, Felix, Punong Guro Edgar Sulite (RIP), Bud Balani, Dave Gould, Guy from Ohio, Pantaleon “Mang Leo” Revilles (RIP)

Photo taken on January 22nd, 1995.

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Guro Gary Quan Remembers Punong Guro Edgar Sulite – Excerpted from the book, Lameco Eskrima: The Legacy of Edgar Sulite.

I first learned about LAMECO Eskrima and Punong Guro Edgar Sulite through
my good friend and training partner Phil Rapagna. Phil was training
privately with Punong Guro and he would often rave to me about his Punong
Guro’s skills and training methods. At that time I was training FMA under
Guro Dan Inosanto and it was at the Inosanto Academy where I got to first
experience a few classes with Punong Guro. I really enjoyed those classes
and hoped to train with him again.

A few months later, Phil called me and told me that Punong Guro is going to
be holding classes in Altadena and asked if I was interested in training
with him. I told him for sure I was interested. And through Phil I was
accepted as a LAMECO student.

At my first LAMECO class, I remember being warmly greeted by Punong Guro.
From then on I was in Kali/Eskrima heaven. Even though I had previous
training in FMA, I felt like I was a beginner again. I even had to relearn
how to do my angle 1 and 2 strikes. Footwork was heavily emphasized in
class. We always started classes with footwork drills and I remember
huffing and puffing after we were done. Also, the LAMECO stick progressions
and drills were so well thought out.

One of the most important martial art lessons I learned from Punong Gruo
was that whenever we train that we must alway strike with “INTENTION”. I
can still hear his voice in my head – “Gary, you must strike with
INTENTION!”. Even now I continue to apply that lesson to whatever martial
art I am training in.

Classes eventually resumed back at Punong Guro’s home in Glendale and I was
very honored to be invited to train with the “backyard” group.
Unfortunately, I did not get to train with him at his Palmdale home. The
last time I spoke with Punong Guro was when he called me to invite me to
train with him in Palmdale. I told him I would train with him after he
returns from the Philippines. Unfortunately, with great sadness, I would
never get to train with Punong Guro again.

I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to train with Punong Guro
Edgar. His teachings will always have a special place in my heart.

From:  Lameco Eskrima: The Legacy of Edgar Sulite