April, 2008

Welcome to our April Modern Farang Mu Sul® newspage. We have lots of FMS activities to cover from several color belt tests, seminars, magazine appearances and more. OK, we have tons of Modern Farang Mu Sul® news from all around the world, so let's get to it. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: We start the month off with some great news. Most of you all know Norma De Alba, is not only a De Alba sibling, but she is also one of KSN's oldest students. For the last couple of years she has been going back and forth from San Francisco to Melbourne, Australia. She has kept her main base in San Francisco, but has now decided to live full time in Australia. She has pulled up roots and packed her bags. (She'll be back...).

All of the De Alba clan got together to give here a send off party and Master James De Alba's house in Sonoma. It was a wonderful time, and was also a great opportunity to get all of the brothers and sisters together in the same room. It has been years since that has happened, so that was very cool and very special.

( The De Alba siblings, in order: Jacqueline, James, Norma, Betsy, Michael (KSN), Leticia, and Sergio)

A very special part of the gathering was to see the next generation of young little De Alba's. For those that did not know Leticia and Norma De Alba are grandmothers. Yes, that's right. Norma's oldest son Francisco has a beautiful daughter named Valeria. And Leticia's middle son Christian recently had a little boy who's name is Sergio.

Also, remember that these boys (Francisco and Christian) are FMS students too (as were just about all of KSN's nieces and nephews at one time or another). And I guess that makes Lupe, the De Alba matriarch a Great Grand Mother. Wow, time sure flies. You've just got to take advantage and give thanks for these wonderful blessings. Farang!

(1- Master James plays with little Serg, 2- Leticia hold her grandson, Lupe holds her great grand daughter, and Jackie's daughter Sammy squeezes in with Norma)

On to other WHQ news, Kuk Sa Nim is scheduled to travel up to the great Northwest, to do a special joint seminar with his good friend, Grand Master Rudy Timmerman. The special seminars are sponsored by Ki Do Kwan founder Cheif Master Robert Ott. Kuk Sa Nim has developed a very special and warm relationship with Mast Ott in the last year. Joining in the activities is Sa Ja Nim Timmerman's right hand man, Master Kevin Janessie from Portland, Oregon. This one has all the marking of one historical event, so if you can, please try to make it to the Temple of Certain Victory in Olympia, Wa. For more info click : HERE

In other news, Kuk Sa Nim's middle son, Thomas De Alba is in high school now and has been working very hard all year on his other passion: Tennis. He is on his schools' tennis team at Piner High School. They had a very successful season so far, taking on teams from all over Sonoma County.

Well, they recently had their final match of the season, and of course they went out with a bang. They kept the fans in the stand buzzing with excitement. There was even a gopher who kept popping his head up to check out the action. How's that for special fans? Good work Thomas. Looking forward to next year. Keep on swinging that racket! Farang!

FMS Hollister : Also this month, we had another fantastic Modern Farang Mu Sul® black belt workshop at Master Patrick Schleeter's dojang in Hollister, Ca. It was an opportunity to cover lots more of the black belt material from 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dan. We worked on several advanced empty hand and weapon forms as well as numerous self defense sets. Too much fun. We've just got to take advantage of these opportunities to train directly under our arts' founder: Kuk Sa Nim.

We were also pleasantly surprized when Inst. Kimberly Leith showed up from San Francisco wearing a little extra bling on her finger. Her left hand looked particularly heavy and sparkling. Yes, it's true, Wes popped the question literally the night before and Kim was just glowing. Our Kimberly is now officially off the market. Wedding plans are being developed for some time later this year. So now we'll be having another FMS wedding to celebrate later on in the year. How exciting!!! Congratulations Kim and Wes!!! We are all so happy them . These are the good things from which life is made of.

And last but not least, as we mentioned before, we seem to be experiencing some sort of an FMS baby boom. There must be something in the water. Well, Inst. Terry King and Heather are now the proud parents to a beautiful little girl: Honor Kada King. She is a true bundle of joy. Congratulations Sir! We all secretly can't wait to see you in the father roll. You are such a powerhouse in FMS, let's see how you handle this wonderful gift from God. We think she's going to win the first few battles. Congratulations again Sir. Farang!

Next up on the FMS new baby list are Inst. Joseph Spataro from Long Island, NY and Master David Dehnert from Venice, Ca.

FMS Poland : We got word from Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk that their kids class is in full swing. Asst. Inst. Andrezj Klepczyk is heading up that program, and the kids are doing great. Children are such a joy to teach, as they have an uncanny abundance of energy and enthusiasm. They usually respond very positively, and can be quick studies'.

They are not only having fun learning sparring and self defense skills, but they are also learning all important life lessons of self discipline, self confidence, respect and humility as well as goal setting and going after all of your dreams and reaching their full potential. Good job everyone.

We were also informed that the young warriors are in hardcore training for an upcoming color belt test. How exciting!!! Keep up the good work. Farang!

(Pictures: 1- Andrezj works with the kids on self defense techniques, 2- Little warriors in sparring action!, 3- Little Ania Klepczyk gets in on the action, and take on daddy)

FMS Puerto Rico : Master Dennis Vega and the FMS Puerto Rico crew recently had a couple videos released to youtube. The first is and awesome display of Master Vega performing self defense throwing demonstrations. There are some beautiful techniques mixed in with just enough flash and flare. Very cool indeed. Master Vega has been doing several seminars recently specifically dealing with Combative Throwing for Street Self Defense. In these seminars he has all participants were regular street clothes, and addresses numerous common street situations. If you get the chance, you must take this workshop. It is awesome.

The second video is from last months color belt testing. Well, it turned out that there were so many students ready to test that they would not fit in the PR-HQ Dojang in Arecibo. So, they took the test and subsecuent belt award ceremony to a local school gymnasium. I tell you is was an awesome display of discipline, focus, power breaking, beautiful forms and techniques.

Check both of these great clips here: DEMO - TESTING

The FMS - PR crew also recently took part in a wonderful Kali - Arnis seminar in Arecibo. They covered stick fighting basics, drills, and numerous stick fighting applications, on both the defensive and offensive level. Too much fun.

The FMS Dojang in Hatillo which is headed by Inst. Francisco Delgado has been working hard on preparing for their upcoming color belt test. As such, they have been focusing on lots of self defense techniques, weapons, sparring and breaking. Good job everyone. Keep up the good work. Farang!

FMS Portugal: As usual, we received lots of news from Inst. Nelson Pinto and the FMS Portugal groups. Inst. Pinto has his new programs in Caldas da Rainha going full speed. He is working very hard with the new groups from the FMS children's program. The fine youngsters are the future Farang Warriors, and are on the right track. Keep working hard, and don't let anything stop you from reaching your goals.

Inst. Pinto has also been working very closely with his right hand men, Inst. Tiago Soares, Inst. Tiago Silva, and Inst. Sérgio Anes. He is making sure they have all the training they need, as they are not only developing their own skills, but they are also responsible for several FMS programs in Portugal. In working with Inst. Pinto, they now have four successful FMS programs going, and are working on even more. Good work everyone. We are very proud of all.

As speaking of the next generation of young warriors, the new junior program at the Modern Farang Mu Sul® FMS dojang in Bragança also had a milestone moment. They had their first color belt testing. The adult program is on solid ground, and now with the addition of this youth program, they are now able to spread this wonderful art to all age groups.

This first color belt test is indeed a great marker of achievement for all. Congratulations to all the students and good job to Inst. Sergio Anes and Asst. Inst. Carlos Constancio who have obviously done a fantastic job with these young warriors. Congratulations again. Farang!

In the process, it is safe to say that Inst. Pinto and all of the FMS Portugal family are keeping very busy, and not only will FMS continue to spread in Portugal, but the real benefactors will be all of the students that they reach. What could be better that to train hard working all facets of martial arts (since Modern Farang Mu Sul® is such a comprehensive art), constantly working on and learning new things and having fun in the process? Well, not much. This is what the true brotherhood of Modern Farang Mu Sul® is all about. Keep it up guys. FARANG!!!

FMS New York : As we mentioned earlier, Inst. Joseph Spataro and his wife Stephanie are expecting a baby in a couple months. We think it may also be a girl. Wow, that is so exciting. We can hardly wait. It's cliché, but it is so true, when they say, "all that one wants is a healthy baby". Very true.

Other News : Not to be left out of the recent FMS baby boom, Inst. David Bucker from London, England reports that his two babies are doing just fine. They are their pups Perrin and Rory. Yes, anyone who has pets knows how these cute animals really do become part of your family. Perrin who has a tad bit more seniority in the Bucker household is adapting well to his new brother. So, there you go. Congratulations Sir.

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 - 4th, and Inst. Carlos Roman Martinez Apr -12th.

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,

Modern Farang Mu Sul® World HQ – SF

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