April, 2007

Welcome everyone. It looks like we are in for loads of fun and activities in Modern Farang Mu Sul® this year. I've received lots of news from around our FMS world. There has been tons of special training, demos and testing too. Not to mention, we are just around the corner for our annual Warrior Quest Martial Arts Championships and Black Belt Camp. Very exciting. We have lots of Modern Farang Mu Sul® news from around the globe. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: To start things off this month, we had another one of our FMS Black Belt Workshops again in Hollister. We were very pleased to see Inst. John Pantoja from Modesto make this special black belt training. Inst. Kim Leith and Asst. Inst. John Cannon from San Francisco joined Inst. Beth Matulich, Inst. Earl Boyd, Asst. Inst. Lee Hawthorne and Master Scheeter of Hollister for a great training session. This is the second of five monthly special FMS black belt camps leading up tp black belt pre-test in August, and the 32nd FMS black belt test in September. We will be doing some intensive training for all FMS black belts in general, with a focus on the various rank requirements (such as forms, self defense sets, weapons and more) for all those that are preparing to test. This is a great opportunity for all advanced FMS students, so take advantage.

For this camp, we had a special focus on the very useful Dan Jang Sul (Fighting Cane Tech). We worked on the long form, drills and self defense applications for all the above. This tied in all of the training very nicely, and helped to not only make sense of the training with this simple looking weapon, but it also shed light on how this all relates to other weapon training, and empty hand skills too. We also got in some extra training with Boo Che Sul (Fighting Fan Skills), Empty Hand Forms and other things too. What a tremendous session. Our third FMS black belt camp is scheduled for next month, right after Warrior Quest 8, here in San Francisco. Don't miss out. Farang!

(Picture: Group Shot of the FMS Black Belt Camp)

FMS Puerto Rico : I recently received word from Inst. Francisco Delgado that he is in the process of getting another FMS club started. He is looking in the town of Hatillo which is in the Northern part of Puerto Rico, and not too far from the FMS-Puerto Rico HQ dojang which is in Arecibo. This sounds fantastic. I truly believe that it is only a matter of time before FMS schools begin to spread all over the island. Master Vega and company are up for the challenge. This will be the third FMS club so far. That is just fantastic news. We are with you all the way. Farang!!!

(Picture: Inst. Francisco Delgado with Kuk Sa Nim)

FMS Portugal: Inst. Pinto and several members from the FMS Portugal dojang recently had some special training at the newly completed Zen Gardens in the city of Cadaval in Portugal. This is truly an amazing location, filled with so much Eastern culture, lush gardens and impressive statues. It is the largest of it's kind in all of Europe. What a memorable time. I've got to remember to put these Zen Gardens on my must see list, the next time I'm in Portugal.

More news: Inst. Nelson Pinto has been thinking seriously about moving back to the USA. Well, the thinking is over, and he has decided to move to California. Huntington Beach to be exact. Inst. Larry Saindon and Kathy Saindon have graciously invited him to join them in sunny Southern California.

The students in Portugal need not fret, as Inst. Pinto has left them in the very capable hands of Inst. Sergio Anes, Inst. Tiago Silva, and Inst. Thiago Suares. Each of these gentlemen have proven themselves to be forces in and of themselves. They are great instructors (they all had a great teacher), and lead by example. Keep up the good work gentlemen.

Meanwhile, Inst. Pinto has joined the FMS Huntington Beach family and has also begun a new FMS adults class. Things are looking good down south. Good work everyone. Farang!

(Pictures: 1- FMS crew with an impressive warrior statue, 2- Pagoda - Asian Temple, 3- With a Buddha statue, 3- FMS family with Inst. Pinto at his send off dinner).

FMS - Hollister : After several months of hard work, it is testing time. Master Schleeter recently conducted color belt testing in Hollister and it was a huge success. Inst. John Pantoja from Modesto, and Inst. Kim Leith and myself from WHQ joined Inst. Beth Matulich, Inst. Earl Boyd and Master Schleeter on the judges panel to oversee the test proceedings. So, you could say, that turned the heat up just a little for everyone. Well, I'd like to think that it helped to bring out the best in everyone, as all did a fantastic job. They tested with lots of spirit, discipline, and great technique. Congratulations everyone, keep training hard and setting goals for yourselves. Job well done! Farang!

FMS Michigan: And speaking of color belt testing, Inst Robert Hudson reports that he recently also had an awesome test in Michigan. He conducted testing for both adults and children. The FMS students did not disappoint. I think we felt their true warrior spirit all the way over here in San Francisco. I tell you, I get such joy signing their new kub certificates. I share in Inst. Hudson's pride and happiness, because there are very few things that compare with seeing your work have such a positive impact on those around you. It is such a positive experience that brings with it a great sense of accomplishment for all involved. Congratulations to everyone. I can't wait to sit in on one of your future tests in person. Keep up the good work. Farang!

(Pictures: 1- Inst. Robert Hudson awards new belts 2- Congratulations to the adults, 3- Congratulations to the young FMS warriors too, 4- Group shot of the new belts)

FMS Brazil : We have some fantastic news from Brazil. Inst Pinto is coordinating the development of FMS in Brazil, and reports that the FMS program is really beginning to flourish. They recently had the first ever FMS open seminar. It was conducted by Chief Inst. Edmilsson Macário, who in association with Inst. Athagil Ferreira are responsible for implementing IDSC and the Brazilian Modern Farang Mu Sul® Association. All in attendance enjoyed and appreciated the variety of techniques that Modern Farang Mu Sul® has to offer. Good work everyone.

They have now begun both civilian and military FMS programs, with very good results so far. Congratulations gentlemen. We are very proud of your hard work and accomplishments. This is truly only the beginning of many good things to come. We plan on making trips to Brazil in the very near future, and we will have some awesome training, (and I'm sure some fun too). The Brazilian students are very lucky to have such dedicated and loyal teachers, not to mention highly skilled technicians. We envision FMS expanding in Brazil with your solid leadership and expertise. Keep up the great work. We are behind you 100%. FARANG!!!

Other News: As many of you know, we continue to maintain very healthy relationships with a variety of masters from a number of different martial arts. We have close ties with the Korean martial arts community, Japanese, and Chinese masters as well. We believe strongly that we can only enrich our knowledge and experience by keeping well balanced friendships with quality masters, regardless of style or background.

Well, Grand Master Rick Alemany has been a life long friend and mentor to me. Since his move to Hawaii, he makes frequent visits here to San Francisco. It is always an honor and pleasure to spend time together training and socializing.

I found out that he has a new website. It not only has lots of information on his art and organization, but there are some fantastic photos there too including various schools, seminars. movies and some awesome old archive photos. I especially enjoyed the old pictures, as they bring back incredible memories of my old Kempo, Shorin Ryu, Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido days. Seeing some of the old pictures from the famous "Market Street Dojo" in San Francisco is such a treasure. Check out his new website HERE.

(Pictures: 1- Ralph Castro days - Carlos Navarro center, Rick Alemany 2nd from left, 2- With Prof. Sid Asuncion, 3- Alemany's famous drill punch in action, 4- Group shot at the famous "Market St. Dojo" - Front Row: Rick Alemany, Margaret Alemany, Johnny Pereira, Prof. Duke Moore, Bernie Wiese, Art Buckly)

Birthday News: We are happy to announce the birthdays of our FMS Black Belts from all over the world, so all of you students will know exactly when you can show your gratitude and celebrate with your teachers. FMS Black Belt Birthdays for this month:

This month of April will be: Inst. Michael Iannone Apr - 04th

Next month of May will be: Inst. John Stenson Jr. May - 01st, Inst. Nicole Miller May - 14th, Inst. Michael Nickels May - 23rd, Inst. Terry L. King May - 30th, and Inst. Justo Ortiz May - 30th.

Farang!!!

That's all for now. With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa – De Alba

Modern Farang Mu Sul® World HQ – SF

DSYSTEM.com web service (the "Service") contains material derived in whole or in part from the teachings of Grand Master Michael De Alba, the International De Alba System Confederation™, Modern Farang Mu Sul ® and their students, instructors, and associates. International copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Users, guests and visitors may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit or distribute in any way or in any form, any material from the Service including code and software. Users, visitors and guests may download material from the Service for personal, non-commercial use only, provided all copyright and other proprietary notices are clearly visible and intact. Commercial use, reference or linkage to the Service site, without the express written permission, of Michael De Alba or his assigns, by registered letter, is prohibited.Copyright 2001® DeAlba Productions

Modern Farang Mu Sul ®

Phone: 415-661-9657

PO BOX 641286

San Francisco, CA

94164-1286

Webmaster :Stuart McCalla