December, 2006

Welcome everyone to the last Modern Farang Mu Sul® WHQ news page for the year 2006. This has been one roller coaster of a year for sure. We are fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. Our art and it's unique warrior brotherhood has been the glue that binds us all. Let the new year be filled with much peace, love, patience, healing, understanding, goodwill, health, prosperity, strength, and wisdom. We've got a whole bunch of FMS news from around the globe. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: To say that this year has been a difficult year filled with so much negative energy and incredible challenges for us, would be a huge understatement. Modern Farang Mu Sul® as an art and organization, as well as many individuals in our family have been put through the ringer this year. We never gave up and have persevered. At the end of the day, we survived and we're here to stay. Like the old saying goes: "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger". We are most certainly stronger than ever before.

For the De Alba family, Christmas is a very special time of the year. Like many families, we look forward to getting together and sharing lots of quality time together. This year was the first in many years that all of us siblings were able to be all together. We gathered at my sister Jacqueline's home in Oakville for one heck of a dinner and Christmas celebration party. It is so wonderful to see my mothers face as she enjoyed all of her children and grandchildren. Priceless.

As a parent, I know the warm feeling of seeing all of your children together,
(in my case, all of my sons, nieces and nephews) enjoying each others company, breaking bread, and simply hanging out, having a good time.

After the big dinner celebration in Oakville, we then moved on to my brother Master James De Alba's new house in Sonoma. We wrapped up the day with more food, drinks, music and dancing. Thank God for all of his blessings. May we have more opportunities to be together and make more wonderful memories

December was a very hectic month for us here at WHQ. We were very happy to celebrate Inst. Stuart McCalla's birthday. His lovely wife Aya coordinated a spectacular dinner party for him at "The Bay Wolf" restaurant in the East bay. The weather was very cooperative and gave us a perfect evening with a picturesque, star filled, night sky. Just awesome. Happy birthday Sir.

Also, Asst. Inst. Jeff Winters and his beautiful wife Danielle invited my son Thomas and myself to take in a San Francisco 49ers game. Well, they didn't have to ask twice. We were all over it. Everyone knows that one of my favorite things is rooting for my football team. Go niners!!!

The weather at Candlestick park was perfect, and we had a wonderful time (even if the 49ers didn't win). It is always such a treat to see our team play and to get to do it with real fans such as my son Thomas and Jeff, well it doesn't get much better. Thank you so much you guys. We had a fantastic time. We've got to do this more often. Farang!

One of the beautiful things about Modern Farang Mu Sul® is that it is a live and breathing martial art. This is not by accident, but rather by design. As an art, we do not want it to get stale, and content. On the contrary, we would like to think that it is ever evolving and growing. To this end, we are constantly training, cross training, testing and tweaking our art.

As a part of this, we have decided to upgrade six of our main color belt long forms. They were in need of modifications for quite some time now. Personally, I wanted them to express more of the variety of influences of the art, as the higher level forms do. Aside from the Hwa Rang Do background, they now emphasize more of the other arts such as Do Hap Sool, Sun Mu Do, Kuk Sool and others. The fundamentals of boxing, kick boxing, ground fighting and soft arts are plainly evident in the new forms. After much work and collaboration with our black belts, the new color belt forms are coming out nicely. They are much more balanced and very fluid. This is very stimulating and exciting indeed. Stay tuned.

FMS Michigan : Inst. Robert Hudson informs me that they are preparing for the next series on Women's self defense seminars in Lansing. This has been a very popular and successful program, which is not only very fun, but it is a much needed class that all should attend. Inst. Hudson has a fantastic system which helps to engrain many key self defense techniques as natural reflexes, with a focus on the mental aspects of self defense. The mental components are often times glossed over, and overlooked by many others. Not here.

Also, Inst. Hudson is a great instructor of FMS-TVT training methods (MMA). There was a very good story on MMA that played recently on 60 Minutes. It was a pretty even handed view of the MMA explosion that is taking place in the U.S.A. and around the world. Check it out: HERE

FMS Portugal: Inst. Nelson Pinto informs me that he and the FMS Portugal group recently did another fantastic FMS-Sulsa tactics seminar with his military group. He also conducted testing with this new specialized program. All of the guys did fantastic. This is a first in Modern Farang Mu Sul®. To assist in these special programs, Inst. Pinto has coordinated with us here at WHQ to create a special FMS Alliance group, to encompass his normal FMS programs (adult and children), as well as the special courses such as the FMS-Sulsa - Law Enforcement - Military Special Weapons and Special Tactics. This program is very much in need today, and fortunately, Modern Farang Mu Sul® has all of the tools necessary. We predict that this special FMS-Sulsa program will be getting more and more exposure in the very near future. Good work Sir, and congratulations gentlemen on a job well done. Farang!!!

(Pictures: 1- Inst. Pinto and students enjoy a wonderful lunch between seminars, 2- Group Shot, 3- Inst. Pinto executes a double Boston crab technique, 4-Inst. Pinto executes a modified Japanese armbar, 5- Inst. Pinto with the Miltary students)

FMS - Poland : Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk and the FMS group in Poland recently had Master Wachsmann out for another one of his great seminars. Aside from a fantastic open FMS seminar, they are also had lots of special training sessions for the Polish FMS students as well as training in black belt testing preparation. Congratulations and good work everyone. I look forward to seeing you all next year in Europe.

FMS - Hollister : Master Schleeter and the FMS Hollister family just had thier last color belt test for 2006. They also had their annual FMS Christmas party. Lots of food, fun, demos, and prizes. Sounds like sooo much fun. Farang!

FMS Germany: Asst. Inst. Markus Höhne and the FMS group in Winterberg and Fredeburg also just had a seminar with Master Klaus Wachsmann. What can we say, he's a busy master! While there, he conducted color belt testing, as well as an awesome open seminar. Keep up the good work Sir!

Also, Asst. Inst. Markus Höhne will be relocating to France for a few months. His work is taking him there, and it looks like a great opportunity not only for expanding his experience from work, but also for some FMS training. Inst. Pinto from FMS Portugal has two students who also recently moved to France. I believe that they are in the Paris area. Their names are: Canta Dimitru and Patrick Esteves. I'm not sure how far away they will be, but hopefully something can be worked out. They are really great guys and I know they will have lots of fun training together, and maybe even spreading FMS in France. Who knows.

I was also informed that Master Wachsmann has recently published a few video clips of Modern Farang Mu Sul®, including many demos and training sessions in Germany and Poland too. Sounds very exciting.

FMS Puerto Rico: Let me give a tremendous thank you to Master Dennis Vega and the whole FMS-PR family for coordinating a great and memorable trip as well as taking such good care of Inst. Beth Matulich, Inst. Kim Leith and myself. You guys are simply awesome. Farang! Huge thank you to Inst. Leith and Inst. Matulich for accompanying me to PR, and making this whole experience that much more special.

Congratulations to Inst. Beth Matulich for passing for her 2nd Dan. Well done! Also, HUGE congratulations to Master Dennis Vega, Inst. Nelson Cardona, Inst. Inocencio Molina, Inst. Eduardo Soberal, Inst. Amalio Jimenez, Inst. Juan Gonzales and last but not least, Inst. Justo Ortiz on there fantastic FMS black belt test. Just as we hoped, they endured the demanding 8 hr. test, and passed with flying colors.

Extra impressive was watching the courage and determination of Inst. Inocencio Molina who tested, despite suffering a terrible motorcycle accident, where his left leg was crushed. The doctors told him he would not be able to use his leg for at least 16months (if at all). Well he not only proved them wrong, but he even surprised himself, as there were many times that he wanted to give up in his training, but somehow, with some extra help from Master Vega and his FMS brothers, he found the strength and resiliency to keep on. Great job Ino! I am soo proud of you.

And to add to our injured list, Justo Ortiz was also nursing a pretty serious knee injury on his left knee. True desire, courage, humility, and perseverance can not be taught. It must come from within. With the proper support and guidance of course. Congratulations to all. It was distinct honor and pleasure to conduct and preside over this 31st FMS black belt test, and watch you all pour your hearts out on the mats, and bond with the true brotherhood, that is the unique and rare marital art of Modern Farang Mu Sul. Great job everyone! What an impressive display of discipline, courage, humility, strength, grace, technique and heart. Another awesome FMS black belt test is now in the history books.

We also did lots of extra training including FMS black belt lecture (on FMS history, philosophy and technique), black belt pre-test and a special black belt workshop. Our FMS open seminar was also another one for the history books. We were very pleased and honored to have Senior Master Miguel Santiago from San German and Sigung Josue Mendez from Mayaguez joining us for a great time. We spent the first session working on the four main energy redirection drills, into trapping / joint locks / takedowns / strikes and much more. We then broke for an awesome Asian lunch at the House of Joy (put together by Inst. Amalio Jimenez's lovely wife Brenda)...Yumm, super tasty food!! After our lunch break, we got right to work on several FMS weapons, including an examination of some of the main weapon branches of FMS, then it was time to work Middle Stick drills and techniques (Jung Bong Sul), followed by the very popular FMS Knife Fighting skills, and we ended the seminar with the very rarely seen FMS Tiger Claw Knife (Horangi Pal Top Gum). Very deadly CQC stuff. It is safe to say that we all had a ball, with the overall spirit of sharing and brotherhood. Gotta love it.
Farang!

We were also fortunate to get in some fun time as well. Master Vega took us to lovely Old San Juan (if you've never been there, you MUST put this on your list!), Arecibo's picturesque old town square and "malecon" (spectacular beach drive), Playa Pinones, Isla Verde, Condado and Playa Caracoles, among others. Not to forget Christmas party at Master Vega's house (with the PPV Boxing matches, headlined by Coto vs. Quintana included!!). We ate tons of Churrasco, mofongo, amarillas, tostones, alcapurrias, arroz y abichuelas, and so much more. Thank you so much. What an amazing experience indeed.

I look forward to many good things now with so many FMS black belts in PR. We talked about lots of plans including opening up a few new FMS clubs, FMS-PR Tournament (Warrior Quest Borinqen!!!), and more. Farang! Count me in 100%.

(Pics: 1- KSN, Master Vega, Inst. Kim Leith and Inst. Beth Matulich at the FMS-PR Dojang, 2- New certified FMS Black Belts at the 31st FMS Black Sash Ceremony in Arecibo, PR)

For More Pictures of the FMS Puerto Rico 2006 trip, Click HERE

For More Pictures of the FMS 31st Black Belt Ceremony, Click HERE

I also got word from Mariel Maeso from Puerto Rico, that Master Vega just had his whole dojang Christmas party. There was plenty of traditional Puerto Rican food such as: Lechon asado (Pork), arroz con gandules, flan, and of course mucho coquito! Wow, I'm so jealous (you guys are making me hungry)! Sounds like they had a great time. That's so awesome. Farang!!!

(Pics: 1- Mariel Maeso, Master Vega and Sigung Josue Mendez (husband of Mariel),
2- The Farang ladies of Puerto Rico: Mariel, Lizzie and Tamar)

Other News: And now for more great news, I would like to take a moment to welcome another one of our latest IDSC members doing our long distance training program. His name is Inst. Kenneth Roy. He comes to us from way up north in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He brings along an awesome background of Kempo, Shoot Fighting, Tae Kwon Do, JKD and other arts. He would like to be the first to expose Modern Farang Mu Sul® to Nova Scotia. That sounds awesome. Well, we will do all we can to help get him certified in our art, and the sky's the limit. Let me extend a warm welcome to our unique warrior brotherhood. Looking forward to many good things together in the near future.

I also got some great news from our good freidnd Master Jino Kang from Hapkido USA. As many of you know they have incorporated Gracie Jiujitsu as a formal part of thier dojang, and are official representatives of Charles Gracie. Well a few students recently tested at the Charles Gracie Headquarters school, and they did great. Congrats to Hapkido USA's Michael and Erick for achieving their Blue Belts in Gracie Jiujitsu. This is no easy task! Keep training hard!

Also, they recently expanded thier dojang to include a formal studio dedicated to teaching Gracie Jiujitsu, Muay Thai Kick Boxing and MMA programs. This is very exciting news indeed. We look forward to hooking up for some great training together.

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 December will be: Inst. Ken Gibson Dec -02nd, Inst. Innocencio Molina Dec -06th, Inst. Amalio Jimenez Dec -15th and Inst. Stuart McCalla Dec -17th.

Next month of January will be: Inst. Shayna Merwin Jan -06th, Inst. Sebastian Dorobek Jan -16th, and Inst. Chris Mague Jan -24th.

Farang!!!

That's all for now. With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa – De Alba

Modern Farang Mu Sul® World HQ – SF

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