August, 2006

Welcome, welcome. Sometimes, I just don't know how we do it. We manage to juggle a myraid of activities, yet still keep focused on our passion: Modern Farang Mu Sul®. Good work everyone. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: We are very fortunate at WHQ because we are not only in a veritable Mecca of martial arts, but we are blessed to count so many great masters as our good friends. One of those friends is Kaiso Dave Bendigkeight of Shintaikido in Pacifica. He is always inviting us to join him on so many wonderful events throughout the year. From great seminars workshops, to demos and black belt testings. He recently had another black belt test, and we were honored to spend some real quality time with him, his students, his teacher, Grand Master Bob Mashmeier, Grand Master Ming Lum and a host of others. This time around we were very happy to visit with Sifu Janet Gee, and Sifu Dino Salvaterra, who it turns out is not only a master of various Chinese systems, but is also really into Mongolian archery. He is currently writing an article on the subject for Kung Fu magazine. He brought his new bow, and we exchanged lots of ideas, training tips and history. Mongolian archery shares a lot of training methods with ancient Korean archery (Kung Sul). It just so happens that we do a unique blend of Western and Korean archery in our art. So, we had a wonderful time, talking up a storm. We are planning to hook up and do lots of work on archery together. Can't wait.

Also, Inst. Stuart McCalla, Inst. Joe Gumina and myself were invited to a special knife and stick fighting with the legendary Sonny Umpad. Sonny (as he likes to be called) is a living legend, and founder of Visayan Eskrima. This art has a unique and distinct focus on bladework. Sounds like my kind of people, and my kind of workshop.

Well it turns out that Sonny was too sick to make it, but he sent something like a dozen of his top instructors in his place, including one of his right hand men: George Yore. What a great group of people. We had the best time seeing some familiar faces such as: Sifu Mike Goodwin, Steve Spano (one of my old classmates from Farang Kwan), Cisco Spano (his son, and one of my old students), Sifu John Nash and others, Also too much fun meeting new people and having a ball training and exchanging some real good stick and blade work.

For those not in the know, Sonny Umpad is considered one of the best knife men in the world, and of course he lives here in the bay area. He usually does not teach many outside of his group, but we were fortunate that he choose to make an exception. We hope to have more training together very soon.

(Picture: Kuk Sa Nim joins Sifu Mike Goodwin, Sifu John Nash, Sifu Cisco Spano and serveral other masters for some awesome Chinese food after our fantastic workout with two whole tables of the Visayan Eskrima instructors)

Now, as if all this weren't enough, we also had Grand Master Navarro's annual tournament. This year's event was the biggest yet. They had tons of events, and included a couple new ones such as boxing, and MMA as well as a hall of fame presentation. Inst. Stuart McCalla, Inst. Terry King, and Master Pat Schleeter joined me in helping support this awesome event. Trust me, we needed all of our collective experience to help coordinate all of the events and run the rings. But we were ready. Lots of hard work was balanced by lots of awesome action and great sportsmanship and fun too. We saw many of our friends such as the Grossman's, GM Ming Lum, Sifu Al Novak, Kaiso Bendigkeight and many others. We also got to meet and hang out with a few others that we did not have much contact before such as: GM Malia Bernal and GM Lily Lau of Eagle Claw fame. They were both inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, along with GM Bob Mashmeier. That was a very special presentation, as all of the black belts in attendance made two face to face lines and gave proper respect as the new inductees walked through to receive their awards. What a beautiful martial arts ceremony indeed. We were very honored to take part.

FMS Germany: I received an email and some great pictures from Asst. Inst. Markus Höhne of their recent outdoor demo in Winterburg. Asst. Inst. Thomas Schneider, Julian Höhne (Markus' son) and another student by the name of Melanie, all took part in putting on a good show. Congratulations and keep up the good work Sir. I really hope that you can come and visit us here in San Francisco in November.

(Pics: 1- Sun Bae Nim Markus Höhne and Sun Bae Nim Thomas Schnieder demonstrate trapping techniques, 2- Julian and Melanie doing boxing combos on focus mitts, 3- Sun Bae Nim Schnieder worknig Kick Boxing combos, 4- Double Stick Drills)

FMS New York : Mark Tramontana from the East coast took the Suffolk county police physical fitness test for the Town of Babylon park ranger program. With only 3 weeks notice to train for it, (while at the same time training for grapplers quest), he was one of 20 chosen out of a field of 200 candidates (most of these people were on there second attempt). Well, he aced the test and got on the job. He had to be certified with the expandable baton (asp) and suprised the instructor during the redman suit attack, by using some joint locks and some grappling techmiques which made the instructor ask where does he train. On the job he uses joint locks and takedowns to gain "pain compliance" with the bad guys. Hopefully, as this position gets bigger, there might be an ppportunity tp become the defensive tactics intructor for the park ranger program. Good work Sir, and major congratulations. Way to show the world the effectiveness of Modern Farang Mu Sul (especially on resisting opponents). Farang!!

(Pic: New Parks Ranger, Mark Tramontana aka: "Marky T")

FMS Portugal: You would think getting married and all of the crazy demands that came before and after would have slowed down Inst. Nelson Pinto. Think again. After a spectacular honeymoon in the South of Portugal, Inst. Pinto returned and put his groups through the final touches for their next color belt test. As part of the test, Inst. Pinto likes to have them go for a brisk run through nearby Sierra Monte Junto, test all requirements, and meditate on the cliffs of the mountain. That's how we like it. Is there another way? I don't think so.

Inst. Pinto is also working very hard with his special military law enforcement personnel. This program is growing and has become quite renown for it's effectiveness and comprehensive training that is perfectly suited for their needs. That is a tribute to the skills, forward vision and hard work of Inst. Pinto. Great job Sir! Keep up the good work. Farang!

FMS Huntington Beach : Inst. Earl Boyd and Inst. Larry Saindon had so much fun with the last submission grappling seminar they did recently, that they decided to do a follow up. This time around Inst. Beth Dudzik from Hollister came down and joined in on the fun. She is one awesome martial artists, and such a great teacher too. Well, it was a complete success, and the weather could not have cooperated more. With the sun out and a pleasant 80 degrees, they did two sessions. One indoors at the facility at Murdy Rec. center, and another in the park right outside. They had a huge tent set up, with mats and the whole works. After two full days of grappling finishes, escapes, reversals and some friendly "rolling", the gang all trekked over to Inst. Saindon's house for a BBQ pool party. After witnessing all that action, little baby Laura Saindon kept bugging dad to put on her dobok. She was right at home on the mats and even threw some cool punches and kicks (you just know Mom and Dad were beaming with pride….me too). Wow, that sounds like soo much fun. I hope I can make it to the next one.

(Pics:1- Meet you instructors, 2- Inst. Saindon helps with some back mount techniques, 3- Inst. Boyd congratulates Elizabeth on a great free grappling session, 4- Inst. Beth Dudzik helps out the finner points of a choke, 5- Mariah and Beth after "rollin", 6- Inst. Saindon gets in on the action, 7- passing the guard, 8- Little Laura and dad, 9- Cooling off in the pool)

FMS - Poland : Master Klaus Wachsmann made another trip to Poland recently. Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk brought him over for some great training and some great fun too. While in Poland, Master Wachsmann taught an open seminar as well as some special black belt classes, where he even broke out training with the awesome FMS cane techniques. Needless to say, they had a fantastic time. They have made lots of plans for more training in both Poland and Germany. Sounds like a plan to me. Count me in. Farang! Good work you guys.

(Pics: 1- Master Wachsmann and Sebastian working on FMS cane techniques, 2- Inst. Sebastian Dorobek awesome kicking, 3- Asst. Inst. Klepczyk, Inst. Dorobek, Master Wachsmann, and Inst. Klepczyk)

FMS - Hollister : Master Schleeter had another seminar planned with our good friend, World Champion Frank Shamrock. But, due to unforeseen conflicts, the workshop had to be rescheduled. FMS Huntington Beach, FMS Hollister and WHQ students were all ready to go, so instead, we did a special FMS black belt camp. Now, don't think it was all just me teaching, no Sir. Everyone was helping everyone. That was soo cool. With so many black belts on the floor, we were able to review lots of trapping and sensitivity drills, several staff forms, sword forms, empty hand forms, middle stick retention, middle stick choking, knife forms, drills and so much more. That's what I'm talking about.

Never one's to miss out on a opportunity, all of the students surprised me with another Birthday Party later at Vince Troia's house (since I was in Portugal during my birthday this year). So the BBQ pool party was on. I'm not sure which one I liked better: the great food, or the great conversations....it's a tie! What a totally awesome time. Thank you all so much. You guys just kill me with so much love. I only hope to match it in return.

(Pics: 1- Group shot after black belt workout, 2- Inst. Matt Wagner works his stick choking techniques on "Bob", 3- Mariah and Elizabeth work on their staff hyung, 4- Beth works with Matt on his staff hyung, 5- KSN gives more fine points, 6- Vince mans the BBQ, 7- Great food and great conversaion)

Other News: We got word that Inst. Marlon Sims is slated to fight next month in the first ever MMA event to be held here in San Francisco. Since he is now part of team Frank Shamrock, some other fighters from the team are supposed to be on the same fight card. Wow, that sounds soo exciting. You know FMS-TVT will be in the house. Farang!

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 August will be: Inst. Earl Boyd Aug -5th, Inst. Kimberly Leith Aug -15th and Inst. Robert Hudson Aug -27th.

Next month of September will be: Inst. Nelson Pinto Sept -2nd, Inst. Larry Saindon Sept -28th, and Inst. Carlos Sanchez Sept -28th.

Farang!!!

That's all for now. With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa – De Alba

Modern Farang Mu Sul® World HQ – SF

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