The best BLADED system I've trained - Kalis Ilustrisimo

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[@inside_fighting]

Have you ever experienced this amazing art?

[@loscomagno8877]

Adaptations of the art. Short one-on-ones and micro lessons with a senior student of the system taught in uni and with a striking coach who trained under Henry Espera, founder of RRK (look up the video with Paulo Rubio). Never with the orihinal--which is elegant to watch--but the influence is strong in so many places

[@Metalbob011]

Edgar Sulite Lameco system was great. He was very polite and great teacher. I still teach my students his methods.

[@EpherosAldor]

This is enlightening, especially after your Italian knife fighting video. I got into Kali a long time ago because I wanted to better understand sword fighting, but what I find in my Pekiti Tersia more often than not consist mostly of the close-in, take down/lock/limb control techniques. While those are cool and are effective, it's really starting to become more and more apparent that closing that gap is tactically difficult. While I don't enjoy the ranged play where each person just tries to smack the hand, I can appreciate the idea that if two opponents have weapons then this is most likely the result of each trying to win. Very cool video though, thanks for covering it!

[@inside_fighting]

@@EpherosAldor glad you enjoyed 🙏🏼

[@louisrodrigues4099]

Hi Elon I think you would appreciate a art called vee arnis jitsu it was founded by florendo visitacion can you please do a video on that art? I'm a student of professor David james in Brooklyn heavily street based art with Filipino origin

[@johnanthony6765]

You are absolutely correct!!!! I'm a master of Cacoy Doce Pares. I am also a student under Ray Floro. I have learned so much about Kalis Ilustrisimo

[@SoldierDrew]

I began Latosa Escrima in the mid 90s and trained Apache knife principles before that. My best student trained Kalis Illustrisimo Escrima and it's definately the best FMA for real world combat defense. But for me, Redfeather Apache Knife methods are best for knife in self defense and Kalis Illustrisimo Escrima is best for larger bolo, parang, machete weapon weilding in self defense. I've survived three knife vs knife self defense situations in my youth, once two vs one, and Apache knife principles helped save me. In the Penitentiary I survived several knife attacks unarmed, mostly by the grace of God, and tactics trumped techniques. What's your email? I will write you but never spam you. God's blessings brother.

[@RyanMaurer2001]

I’d love to hear more about this.

[@joeoleary9010]

True story: My teacher's background was mostly Tae Kwon Do but he later trained in the Filippino stick. He once went to a martial arts tournament and competed in the weapon's form competition with two sticks. When it was his turn, he made up a form on the spot, total improv, and ended up winning 1st place.

[@inside_fighting]

That’s amazing!

[@madjidchouarbi3921]

In fact Abaniko comes from the spanish sword, it's a move you can easily perform from a distance and very practical to hit the head with a lighting fast speed. You just have to change the angle of the wrist or you'll hit with the flat side of the blade instead of the cutting edge. It's a move you can watch in a lot of old movies with Zorro, the 3 musketeers etc...

[@roballington2319]

I also love this system. It is interesting to me how little exposure and credit Tatang gets. It is not as well known as it deserves to be.

[@alantinoalantonio]

Was waiting for this one. I always preferred this style compared to other FMA's. Considering that the founder Tatang Ilustrisimo had numerous real death matches it lets you know that he knew what he was teaching. This is truly "as real as it gets". Thank you, Ilan. Osu!

[@inside_fighting]

Glad you enjoyed it. One of my favorite styles ever

[@code5fitness]

12:00 - RIP Lou Faralan, what a wonderful person and talented Guro. He is sparring with DS, also an amazing KI practitioner. This is the WarHouse where I train.. my teacher KC is low key but he is Tom's training partner. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to learn this humbling system from equally humble Masters. Salamat!

[@drachimera]

A. Great Video! B. HEMA does indeed have a bladed version of abiniko, it’s found in Johannes Lecküchner’s fight manual and usually called “Entrusthau”. There are actually 6 master cuts, to apply it to the blade, you need to twist the blade in your hand using your thumb on the guard, C. Agree, the fighting distance of this kind of sparring is correct for a blade, the way we spar at my club, and corresponds better to a knife fight, just like you mentioned in your Italian knife fighting video, and D. Sparing with a live blade that’s out of 1080 steel is f’ing nuts! I had a student cut through a watermelon and then the cutting board split in half! Spring steel with blunt edge and some gear is just fine, grandmaster Ernesto Presas used to do blindfolded controlled sparring with live blades… almost a flow drill based on Tapi Tapi, that’s cool stuff but I will never touch live blade sparring with authentic Filipino blades! That’s insane.

[@KasaiFilms8]

I experienced this amazing art through YOU. I met guro, while living in LA. Now Ive trained in other disciplines, but fell more in love with Boxing due to its effectiveness. However, after the first day (and this is exactly what you said upon meeting your teacher in Canada) it changed my life. Now you were teaching me your own systerm, a derivative of Kalis Ilustrisimo, but it worked for me. I've kept up with my training (some what) and some stuff in, but in my opinion this is the best all around adaptive art. No disrespect to other systems, I think all have their place and we should all learn from each to become the best version of a martial artist we can be. I can't wait for more training...Keep up the phenomenal videos Guro Ilan!

[@inside_fighting]

Thank you brother. We need to be training again. We aren’t far from each other 🙏🏼

[@pepemanikan2808]

Thank you for sharing ilustrisimo style fma! Coach Arnold Narzo is still doing his seminar/workshop tour in the US right now! He's heading to Dallas next...he was in Florida last week!

[@inside_fighting]

I know it sucks that i missed it

[@dmcc1703]

I got a chance to see and learn a little from Arnold Narzo and Viko Perinne at GM Bobby Taboada’s world camp last November. I was smitten as well.

[@pepemanikan2808]

​@@dmcc1703 yessss i hope you can attend or have attended the recent one! Sir Bobby is a legend and a nice person!!

[@pepemanikan2808]

​@@inside_fightinghahaha there will be more! Or come visit us in the ph!!

[@pepemanikan2808]

Correction: he just finished Dallas

[@roballington2319]

Blocking and angle point is really good ; thank you

[@roballington2319]

Apparently Tatang survived both bladed and stick fighting in real fights including in WW2. I heard he used a stick to survive multiple attackers

[@ziggydog5091]

Drilling with live blades is amazing, there is nothing like it, I had a similar experience with my instructor after about five years of training, he is an older traditional Filipino gentleman teaching an old largo Mano system.

[@inside_fighting]

It definitely feels different. Trust is really important with it

[@ziggydog5091]

@@inside_fighting True, we practiced drills that we were very familiar with, and the counter attacking exercises were done with the attacker using the live blade, and the defender using a stick. Sounds just like what you described. Eddie Lastra was the name of my teacher, it is his family’s system. He was, and is amazing.

[@brentr926]

Fantastic, I’d love to find an instructor for this system one day. Thanks for sharing this!

[@loscomagno8877]

3:58 Looks like Christopher Ricketts and Edgar Sulite

[@inside_fighting]

Yes i don’t know why i said Brandon. He’s much smaller and younger

[@AntondelaCruz2]

Yup and the late master sulite is apparently showing de campo rather than ki.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

It is a good system. Though I would say that a sideways cut does still work for blades with double edges as well as those with sharpened clip. You put the thumb on the flat & by rotating the wrist one can employ both edges.

[@inside_fighting]

Yes has to be a double edge blade

[@PhilDancer]

Even though I'm a Karate practitioner, prior to this I did 2 years of Pencak Silat. If I hadn't learned Silat, (similar to Kali) my Karate would not be as good as it is now. Learning close range empty hand, stick and knife got me used to working in a more combative rhythm and understanding the principles of close range combat. Whenever somebody asks me what i think they should learn. I always direct them to my Silat Guru first.

[@inside_fighting]

That’s amazing. I’m glad you found the benefit of it

[@jaimcgee4566]

This was awesome!!! Same fundamentals in some kenjutsu arts !!

[@inside_fighting]

Very cool!

[@nikolab.4065]

For me, it was far easier transitioning from blade movements to the stick than the other way around. Either it's a weird wiring in my brain or the blade has all the best strikes you'll need for the stick

[@inside_fighting]

I think it’s what you said at the end.

[@kens5871]

I've studied Kali Illustrismo under Master Ray Galang during the early 2000's at his Lodi, NJ school. I'm only a hobbyist and not a very good martial artist, but I've practiced at least 5 different Martial Arts over my lifetime. I can tell you that progressed the fastest under this system than with any other styles. Thoughts you've expressed are accurate. I can easily tell you've really spent some time under our style. For example, you mention this around 5:48 - "No matter what you do, It's in your body~~". I found this to be true after very little training. The "Flowing" nature (Which you mentioned) of the system allows you to very quickly learn it and have it "be in your body". It was always interesting watching a relative beginner pick up those "flowy" drill very quickly to block and attack with a sword. BTW, I don't know if all K. I. teachers follow the same methodology, but lot of the teaching methdology was developed by Master Ray. Master Ray is known in the K.I. family as an academic. His life work is documenting this Phillipino martial arts as Tatang Illustrisimo practiced while he was alive. You can find more than a half dozen books by Master Ray. On a personal note, about 6 photos of me are in one of the books. Ok, Last tid-bit.... Tatang has multiple documented kills with a sword, which I wanted to mention not only because it 's an interesting trivia but also relevant in showing that K. I. was a live art that was still in use. I'm so happy you showed some of the old videos. Those VHS videos document what is one of the last "Living" killing artform on earth. They should not die with our generation. Looking back, I only realize now how fortunate I was to learn this system. cheers,

[@roballington2319]

I agree with your video . I am not familiar with perkiti tirsia but it is interesting how this is bladed and close quarters. I guess there are good close quarters blade systems but I find the idea scary

[@inside_fighting]

Usually shorter knife systems will accept closer fights

[@Lyrisius]

Thank you so much for the break down. Great video! It's funny how you can find a new form of appreciation even after 20 years of training FMA (Ilustrisimo)

[@inside_fighting]

There is always something new to discover around the corner :)

[@allones3078]

I wish we had some Kalis Ilustrisimo where i live. it looks really fun.

[@johnanthony6765]

I absolutely agree with you %100. I trained in Cacoy Doce Pares for about 18 years and achieved a high rank. I got to train with Ray Floro and have studied FFS Kalis Ilustrisimo for some years now. I got owned by Ray, my Doce Pares I couldn't get in on him.

[@inside_fighting]

Yes it’s so different. I really miss training it

[@tmcrg85]

The best part about this video was your singing intro you have the voice of an Angel 😁

[@fabchi4597]

Thanks for sharing your expertise and analysis on this subject man, great insight. I am going to change city where to live soon and I hope I can come across someone who trains this system. I would do this sparrings and drills all day long, they look amazing

[@Kev80ification]

You HAVE to cover Carl Atienza. Atienza kali is phenomenal. I know you respect Sayoc, well these guys are connected with them and if you ask Tuhon Kier or any of the Sayoc instructors they will tell you look into Atienza. Love your content ❤

[@blakeshores5141]

Cool, however I’m a GURO as well in a few FMA systems. In my experience contradictory to yours flat part of the blade to deflect is definitely emphasized in many systems/styles of this beautiful and effective art. Also I completely disagree with you regarding the fanning motion otherwise known as a abanico is a very effective motion with a blade and there’s even an example of it being used in the video. I do agree some techniques work better or rather make more since with a blunt weapon especially when it comes to applying chokes and various takedowns. Just as in the case with BJJ comparing Gi to or with No Gi. Training.

[@inside_fighting]

You are confusing Abaniko with balitok. Two different movements in doce pares. Abaniko has its use with a sword, balitok does not, at least not in his it’s traditionally done in doce pares.

[@philoalethia]

Great analysis.

[@inside_fighting]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@PopTart698]

Some good points but the motion you described early on as an impact movement is called a witik Pekiti Tirsia Kali which primarily uses the ginunting. That motion is for the blade, not the impact weapon. In PTK the witik is seen in Method 8 of the Doce Methodos. Method 8 is called orrason or some call it the clock method. You are intentionally striking with the FLAT of the blade instead of the edge when in proper range with proper timing to strike. The temples, shoulders, hand, or knees and in the combat flow is immediately followed up with a vertical strike with the edge either upward or downward depending on the location of your target. In K.I it may be taught as the stick alone but historically it comes from the blade. 15 year student and 7 year instructor of PTK

[@dannish2000]

Bro please make a video on latosa escrima where you analyze it and describe the differences of the system from other styles of escrima❤

[@inside_fighting]

I will be doing with with guru Milos

[@sonicelegance]

Thank you for sharing your sentiments and analysis on the Ilustrisimo system .

[@ajaniwinston8117]

Great stuff as always. I’ve been studying Balintawk for the bast two years and recently attended an Ilustrisimo workshop. It all was an easy transition and opened a lot of doors in my understanding. The difference between knife and stick wasn’t too hard to work around either..it came pretty natural. To your previous comparison video of Balintawak, it what what you were analyzing was pretty the same as the feeder drills at 4:00 in this video. The responder stops, at their counter for control. The only difference is the rolling into the second strike/slash in Ilustrisimo.

[@inside_fighting]

Glad you liked it 🙏🏼. The feeder in the demo is presenting the head of the stick not the fist. That was my primary complaint. The responder or “eater” is following through given the opportunity. The fundamental different was strike integrity for me. I may start training balintawak just to explore it more and see if i enjoy it 🙏🏼

[@ajaniwinston8117]

@@inside_fighting ah, I can clear that up. It’s all for power generation. Balintawak uses a pivot like a Boxers hook to generate power(lifting the heal and twisting on the ball). So having the fist a few inches from the target, will lead to a powerful strike with the end of the stick, if the “eater pivoted.” So in feeding we pause for control and accuracy. But we train that pivot with everything, so that the follow through comes naturally. Try it out, let me know what you think

[@StimmedPenguin]

Of the FMA styles I’d love to train it’d have to be the Bahala Na or KI guys. I believe they have some of the most practical machete/short sword training of the FMA styles. Knife I believe is better to train aggressive boxing infighting with a big emphasis of framing and pinning like Loma and Duran with a flair of no-gi judo/wrestling. Basically mastering holding and hitting.

[@jacobharris954]

I guessing feeding and eating dynamic protocol is common across all fma arts. You see it in balinwantak

[@inside_fighting]

Yes that much is a standard but the approach is very special imo for ilistrimo because of the range they maintain

[@unifedgongfu]

the continuous stickiness you are talking about, is the martial arts manifestation of the principle of war of continuity of action, same as you want to take territory and keep moving onwards, rather than retreat of that territory.

[@inside_fighting]

That’s a cool way to put it

[@unifedgongfu]

@@inside_fighting thanks 🙏

[@akiles391]

I totally agree. Best training method to increase your survival rate in a real situation with weapons is hand sparring. Although it seems obvious to me, if you've a longer weapon keep the long range, if your weapon is shorter close the distance, if both weapons have the same length since you have focused on hand sparring so also keep the longe range. I don't know which FMA blade system is the best for long range, thought I've to say that I saw videos from Giron eskrima larga mano and their stance is really low, which facilitates fainting and provides a longer reach when counter attacking. What do you think?

[@DeusVultLurch]

There's a lot of similarities here to messer & dussak systems in HEMA.

[@DeusVultLurch]

*also saber & single stick

[@inside_fighting]

Will definitely check it out!

[@DeusVultLurch]

I'd be curious to see you try your hand at a single-stick HEMA tournament just to get your take on the experience with your background in consideration.

[@inside_fighting]

I'd love to do that.

[@kalamruna]

Thanks for sharing bro, in the first clip you have the Late Guro Edgar Sulite with Master Christopher Ricketts, then Tatang himself and late Mang Tony Diego, then Master Brandon Ricketts and then last videos you have Master Shamim Haque and Our Head Coach Master Arnold Narzo...it's great you actually got to train with GM Tom Dy Tang. He is the current GM of Kalis Ilustrisimo.

[@ronisworld2916]

finally, someone who sees it! thanks for sharing this vid - KI, Luneta Park

[@davidiz1980]

Great video. I used to think Filipino martial arts were all the same based on how well they complemented one another.

[@inside_fighting]

Starting out i had a similar view but they are different important ways.

[@AlphonsoFrett-xz6pi]

Beautiful

[@Gieszkanne]

Bahala Na Giron Arnis Escrima is simular also a long range blade system.

[@KIRO-MARC]

Great review of the system. Thanks and greetings from Switzerland

[@russelldavis8415]

On a visit to FMA land, ended up in a cage live sticks no protective gear, very painful experience but enjoyed every second.

[@forwardprogressonly]

think your correct on hand sparring to get the range and weapon skills. great vid.

[@Spung913]

Nice analysis For the algorithm

[@peekaboojujitsoo525]

Nice. Next please cover Pekiti Tirsia.

[@inside_fighting]

I most definitely will.

[@dvmartial]

3:48 - close. It's Brandon's dad Topher, with Lameco founder Edgar Sulite feeding.

[@justinaricheta8873]

Hope to train Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orihinal with you in Luneta soon. We would love to train with you. :D

[@palolsen8505]

You must also utilise the punjo,the back end and the 'flat" side og a one edge weapon,must used differently.

[@mindfulsticks]

So uhh.. there's a FMA training retreat in Cebu called the Filipino Heritage Camp. It is from Oct 14th - 18th. I'm going back to train with the Kritters Balintawak, Yaw Yan, San Miguel Filmocan, and the traditional Doce Pares.. This is an invitation, if you were interested to meet the Kritters Balintawak group. Also.. Great video!! I do need to study more long range sword arts. I only learn Illustrisimo through the Inosanto lineage, but it is all stick based.

[@joco762]

Have you studied lechukner’s book? We adapted his messer work, to the drills they showed us to learn Cacoy’s palakow , and it makes more sense than the stick work did. Spooky stuff. I like Doce Pares better but probably because I’ve been doing it for ever. ETA wekaf is just wrong.

[@SoldierDrew]

Historical Pinoy warriors began with bows, arrows, spears, shields and head hunting swords. Modern military warriors begin w/weapons training also: Rifle, Bayonet, Machine gun, rocket launcher, pistol, grenades, Claymores, radio call for artillery & air support. Jiujitsu based combatives is mostly for prisoner control. Filipino triangle & circle footwork, espada y daga , daga y daga and doble espada dueling came from Spanish monks trained in la destreza esgrima whom taught Pinoy men in the Catholic Parrish in order to defend against pirates terrorizing the coastal towns.

[@lukasf5256]

I know the Insta mind set does not include the respect for intellectual property, but it would be nice from you to link the videos that you are using in the description.

[@inside_fighting]

A lot of them come from sources that aren’t the original so it’s very difficult but i can try

[@luxurybuzz3681]

Review the Dog Brothers and Hapkido

[@Dan.50]

Anyone seen the machete fight video from Dominican Republic where one guy loses a hand??

[@inside_fighting]

I want to

[@daremo6381]

Off-topic but, do you have an Eskrido specific video in the future ?

[@inside_fighting]

Yes i plan on making one “stick clinching” so to speak

[@nightrod2237]

You trained and lived in Vancouver ? Very cool , small world .

[@Steve-iq2ux]

Awesome post

[@redbaron1953]

The foating foot is called lutang. very characteristic of the style.

[@nigelsanford7136]

I’ve been sold on illustrisimo for years now, though I haven’t had a chance to train it. I was fascinated by the Lacoste system, but I’ve never seen Lacoste sparring.

[@animallover7072]

I’m going to be training in “Pekiti-Tirsia Kali” soon.

[@Pieds-rouges]

My hema instructor once told me he experienced a fencing sparring with actual sharp blade. The fact that both weapons can stay stuck drasticly change the way of controlling the opponent blade compared to dull blades. I juste want to Say that sometimes you actualy want to Parry with the edge of the weapon. It Is comparable to wooden-shield and Sword fighting. Thé fact that thé opponent blade Can be stuck in your Shield give you a massive avantage

[@louiespringin]

I think you have to take into account that in europe the blades where spring tempered to a very high standard and where tough and mostly high quality.I think most blades in the phillipines where hard and sometimes kind of brittle on the edge and the rest of the blade was softer and more durable.I just don't think most philipino blades could take what european blades could.

[@Pieds-rouges]

​@@louiespringinyou are right. I don't know so much about historical philipino blade and martial art. Some scientific test are probably needed for verification. But speaking of modern macheti fights, and taking in count that most mecheti are now made of good quality Steel (because of industry), modern philipino martial art should probably take some inspirations from Hema And get some modification

[@dc174]

😂 your intro cracks me up!

[@unclebraddah]

First vid clip is not Brandon Ricketts. That's his father Christopher Ricketts along with Edgar Sulite.

[@unclebraddah]

White Shirt vs Black Shirt Vid Clip. White Shirt is Brandon Ricketts.

[@unclebraddah]

Warehouse Sparring Vid. (Bald fighter) That's my brother from another mother, GM Lou Farralan.

[@easygroove]

Both the guys in the first sparring Video are leaning forward very much/often - thougth you do not do that in Kalis Ilustrisimo ?!

[@inside_fighting]

The body leans in and out like a fencer

[@easygroove]

@@inside_fighting Hmm, ok - Ever saw Abenir Kalis from Bong Abenir? Thought he got his stance/foot work from the Ilustrisimo Style.. Anyway, i like the stance and movement from the Abenir Kalis Style very much... best regards

[@nicholascecaci2932]

Dangerous martial arts 💪🏼🧔🏼‍♂️⚡️

[@wayland4159]

Having read that some South/Central American machete fencing traditions preferred certain machete types for their duels (less front-heavy blades), would you say that there are certain mechete/sword styles that suit KI better than others?

[@Elijah.willfight]

Fan here, I'm traveling to Manila soon I really want to train Kalis Ilustromo but I also want a hand to hand style. Cannot decide between Combat Sambo or Yaw Yan. Only trained karate and some krav maga before. Any suggestions? You know an awful lot about FMA/MMA & Sambo. Anything would be helpful

[@gousali8946]

Thank you for sharing 🫡

[@igneous061]

look into HEMA in terms of swords....gona learn a lot

[@dougboal7620]

That system is interesting. Question: "Is this method of blade implementation counter productive, to the actual training and usage, of knife self defense?" As a retired LEO, all of our self defense training, was based on possible real world confrontations. As you are aware, we are creatures of habit, and this is especially true in self defense. If a person carries a knife for self defense, why train in a bladed system, that is not "real world" productive? Not only is this bladed weapon possibly illegal to carry in many jurisdictions, but every strike or slash, could result in serious injuries or death. Wouldn't the time in this training be more beneficial in knife self defense? Stay safe.

[@kongtamanchannel]

And good sir you

[@kongtamanchannel]

Good morning ay from Indonesia silat cimande dari asal negaraku Indonesia And Banten Jawa

[@wesdarth]

sombra pasante directa -hail tatang

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

First thing I see on a blade system, is two guys doing stick.?

[@inside_fighting]

The stick is still a training tool as practice blades are more expensive. The difference is that there is edge awareness with every strike even though a stick is being used. Aka the stick is still intended to move like a sword

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

@@inside_fighting Ya I understand. The fact is a stick isnt a sword, or even a training sword with a blunt edge and point.

[@Aliens-Are-Our-Friends2027]

wow 13:20

[@Aliens-Are-Our-Friends2027]

11:40

[@m.b.593]

Never say “no cap” again please smh

[@inside_fighting]

It’s the first and last time 🙏🏼

[@m.b.593]

@@inside_fightingThank you lol

[@lovelife1867]

dude why not buy a better camera ?

[@kingof-bunz6506]

Lisan Al Gai ib

[@inside_fighting]

😅