Master Christopher Ricketts reflects on how he met Punong Guro Sulite through Master Alex Co
(Q) You were a close friend of PG Edgar Sulite. How did you meet him and do you have any fond memories you would like to share?
Edgar G. Sulite was one of my closest friends. I met him through another close friend of mine, Alex Co, a pioneer publisher in the Philippines of martial arts books and magazines. Alex asked me to check whether Edgar was the real McCoy because Edgar wanted to discuss the publication of a book. After meeting Edgar, I reported that he was indeed the real thing and the rest is history. Alex ended up publishing all three of Edgar’s books: Secrets of Arnis, Advanced Balisong and Masters of Arnis, Kali and Eskrima.
The Masters of Anis, Kali and Eskrima was a landmark book because it was the first time a researcher traveled throughout the entire Philippines to research the art and publish it in a book. It revealed many relatively unknown systems to the world and opened many doors for future researchers and practitioners. I am happy to have been a participant in bringing these projects to light.
***
Extact from Grandmaster Christopher ’Topher’ Ricketts InterviewResearch & questions by David Foggie Interviewed by Dino Flores. Answers by Master Ricketts given in Tagalog, Translation by Dino Flores. Interview commenced 12 th February 2006 and conducted over a span of three months by Dino Flores in Los Angeles, California U.S.A. To read full interview: http://backyardeskrima.com/?page_id=61 More on Master Alex Co: http://www.bengkiam.com/bengkiam/Archives.aspx
Master Alex Co and Master Christopher Ricketts in “Five Ancestor Fist Kung-Fu: The Way of Ngo Cho Kun” book by Master Alex.
Below are the three legendary books by Punong Guro Sulite published by Master Alex Co. Master Ricketts also played a major role in making the project come to life.
The books are: Masters of Kali, Arnis and Eskrima, The Secrets of Arnis and Advanced Balisong – Filipino Butterfly Knife.
These books influenced most writers on the Warrior Arts of the Philippines that came after it. Many of Punong Guro Sulites original photos of the old Masters can even be seen in some of the books by Master Rey Galang and Mark Wiley.
Left ot right: PG Edgar G. Sulite, GM Tony Diego, GM Christopher Ricketts, GM Rey Galang, Tom Dy and GM Alex Co. Seated Left to right: Rodney Wilson, Steve Tarani and Dodong Sta. Iglesia. This is one of the last known photos of PG Edgar G. Sulite before his passing due to a stroke in 1997.
From left to right: Master Tony Diego, PG Edgar G. Sulite, Master Roland Dantes, GM Antonio “Tatang” Illustrisimo, Master Christopher Ricketts and Master Alex Co. Philippines circa 1989. Legendary Members of Bakbakan Philippines.
Speak Your Mind