December, 2007

Welcome to our last FMS newspage of the year. We have FMS Christmas party celebrations, color belt tests, demos, seminars, new dojangs and much more. 2007 has been a great year for FMS. Alright, we have tons of Modern Farang Mu Sul® news from all around the world, let's get to it. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: Now that we have settled into our new home, we had yet another first. This was our first Christmas in our new home, and this also marked the first year that we hosted Justine's family for the traditional Christmas dinner celebration. Boy, talk about a feast. Justine's mother, brother and sister jumped right in and completely help her to prepare all the wonderful food. We even rented extra tables to accommodate all of the family, which included her Grandmother, mother, brother, sister, aunt and uncle, cousins, nieces and nephews, our sons and also my mom. It was truly a night to give thanks and praise for all of our good fortune and many blessings. Yes, we opened presents too (that's automatic!!!).

Now, we were once again invited to another awesome black belt test by our good friend Kaiso Dave Bendigkeight of Shintaikido of Pacifica, Ca. This year I was joined by Inst. Earl Boyd from FMS Hollister and Asst. Inst. Alessandro Padovani (visiting from Italy). We always have a great time with Kaiso Dave and company.

As in the past, we were honored to join the panel with some of our other good friends, which comprise a who's-who of Masters and Grand Masters, such as Grand Master Bob Maschmeir, Grand Master Ming Lum, Grand Master Clarence Lee, Grand Master Andy Ching, Grand Master Janet Gee, and many others. It was an great pleasure to witness the power, beauty, grace and discipline on display by all of the students. Also customary is the treat of watching many of the masters in attendance perform demonstrations of their arts. When we were asked to show some of our art, were more than happy to oblige. Inst. Boyd did an awesome 2nd Dan FMS sword form and I presented some self defense techniques as well as a form. It was great. As we said before, it is such an honor and privilege to take part in these events. We look forward to more opportunities to share some great time with our peers and seniors, as well as demonstrate our wonderful art to all. Farang!

(Pictures: 1- The 1st Christmas dinner in our new home, 2- Inst. Boyd, KSN and Inst. Padovani, 3- "Hommies" Kaiso Dave and KSN ham it up, 4- Inst. Earl Boyd performing Farang Gum Moo Hyung)

FMS - Hollister : I think everyone loves the Christmas holiday season for many reasons. In Modern Farang Mu Sul® it gives us all a chance to come together as a family, demonstrate our art, bond, break bread together, and just enjoy each others company. That is reason enough, but there is more.

For Master Schleeter, he has the added privilege of giving back to his students, and looks for many ways to show his love and appreciation with special recognition awards and gifts (the kids love that part!).

This year the FMS Hollister family had their annual Christmas party and end of year color belt test and belt award ceremony. I was asked to come down and join in on the festivities. There were tons of family members on hand to witness their loved ones receive their new belts and awards. New color belt ranks were given out by Master Pat Schleeter, Inst. Beth Matulich, Inst. Earl Boyd and myself in a wonderful ceremony. After several speeches and pictures, we were all treated to an awesome pot luck spread. Wow, there was so much tasty food, I didn't know where to start. Congratulations to the students on their new color belt ranks, and huge congratulations to Master Schleeter, the instructors and all the FMS Hollister family for all of their hard work, loyalty and dedication to our art and each other. Farang!

FMS Puerto Rico : After months and months of planning, Kuk Sa Nim returned to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico where he conducted yet another series of seminars, demos and classes on De Alba System - Modern Farang Mu Sul®, as well as another historic Black Belt Test. He was once again invited to Puerto Rico by Modern Farang Mu Sul® Master Instructor Dennis Vega and the whole FMS-PR family. This year, Inst. Beth Matulich from FMS Hollister and Clarence Jones from WHQ joined Kuk Sa Nim on this awesome trip.

While in Puerto Rico, Grand Master De Alba got right to work doing a special 3 hour FMS black belt pre-test, and lecture on FMS history, technique and theory, which was needed for the 100 questions written test. The following day was the 33rd FMS Black Belt test. There were two separate parts of the test. The first was a junior black belt test, where 6 young warriors were up for the challenge. The second part was for the adults, where another 5 candidates endured the 8hr long test. This was a very long day for all.

Huge congratulations to all the new FMS Adult Black Belts: Inst. Carlos Colón, Inst. Carlos Roman, Inst. Juan Pellot, Inst. Luis Medina Aviles, and Inst. Jose Martinez Rosa. As well as the FMS Jr. Black Belts: Inst. Carla Colon, Inst. Gabriel Pineda, Inst. Daliana Otero, Inst. Arelis Medina, Inst. Luis Medina and Inst. Kristen Otero. 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.

On the next day Kuk Sa Nim conducted a pair of open seminars. The first one was on FMS empty hand combatives, with a focus on combative trapping into joint locking, and low line kicks (Ha Che Jok Sul) as well as joint lock escapes. The second session focused on FMS Combative Knife Fighting and Stick Fighting, with special sessions on the rarely seen FMS Fighting Fan (aka: Boo Che Sul) and the even more rare FMS Tiger Claw Knife (aka: Horangi Pal Top Gum, aka: Kerambit). What an amazing time. Everyone enjoyed the training and the sharing of this unique warrior brotherhood which is De Alba System - Modern Farang Mu sul®. Once again, Inst. Amalio Gimenez provided lunch for all participants at his nearby restaurant, The House of Joy. I can tell you, the food there is amazing. What a treat. Thank you so much Sir. Farang!

On this trip, we also had the honor to present an FMS Demo at the Battle of Champions Tournament. Our good friend Hanshi Bill Solano invited Kuk Sa Nim, Master Vega and the rest of the FMS-PR family to this fantastic event. Hanshi Solano is a fantastic martial artist and a living legend in Puerto Rico. He even joined us for the FMS open seminar, and sweat on the mats just like everyone else. Talk about humility and setting the example. Thank you so much Sir. It was our honor to spend this wonderful time together. We look forward to more opportunites in the near future. Farang!

We also managed to squeeze in some sightseeing and fun too. Master Vega gave us a tour of several gorgeous beaches and quaint cities along the north and West coast of the island. We especially enjoyed the visits to Old San Juan, Lago Dos Bocas, and El Pozo de Jacinto. What an amazing and utterly marvelous visit. Thank you once again Master Vega and the whole FMS-PR family. You guys are amazing. Needless to say, plans are already underway for next years visit. We can hardly wait. Farang!!!

Check out early Pictures & Video Clips

33rd FMS Black Belt Ceremony - Pics

More info and photos coming soon. Farang!!!

FMS - Huntington Beach : With school out on winter break, the main FMS Huntington Beach crew decided to come up North to spend some good time with Kuk Sa Nim and the WHQ and Hollister black belts for a few days. What an awesome idea! Inst. Nicole Miller, Inst. Dylan Hamilton, Asst. Inst. Mariah Witt and Asst. Inst. Nic Nelson flew up and stayed with Kuk Sa Nim in his new home in Santa Rosa. We took full advantage and did some sightseeing in San Francisco, Santa Rosa and the adjacent wine country, and of course lots and lots of training and fun times.

Inst. Kimberly Leith joined us for some fun in San Francisco (where we were treated to some awesome Mexican food at "La Cumbre" in the Mission District. It doesn't get much better. Well, that's not totally true, "La Taqueria" on 25th and Mission was closed for the holidays.

At any rate, Master Pat Schleeter, Inst. Earl Boyd, Inst. Beth Matulich and Natalie Schleeter joined us for some fun in Santa Rosa, including some "old school" outdoor training and some great dinners too.

Part of hanging out with Kuk Sa Nim and sons included several fun sessions of the new video game: Guitar Hero III. Yes, we all gave it a try, some better than others. The five youngsters even combined their forces to take on the most difficult song in expert mode, and barely finished. Crazy kids. Too much fun!

Master James De Alba also joined us from Sonoma, and had us all over to his new house for dinner and UFC fights. He spoiled us all. What a blast!

We had such a great time sightseeing, going out for nice dinners, and making special meals at home (cooked by Kuk Sa Nim and Justine).

There is something magical about being in downtown San Francisco during the Christmas season. It's right out of a holiday movie. Needless to say, we took it all in.

The gang was even treated to Kuk Sa Nim's very own special "Chilaquiles" Mexican breakfast. Yum!!! They are now officially broken in (and spoiled too).

It was somewhat sad to see everyone have to go back home, but at least we know that we had an awesome time, and not to mention that we made plans for more visits up here and also a quick follow up trip to Huntington Beach very soon. Sounds like a plan!

(Pictures: 1- Burritos in the Mission District, 2- View of San Francisco from Twin Peaks, 3- Dinner in Santa Rosa, 4- Nic Nelson challenges Guitar Hero, 5- It took all five of these guys to handle the highest level song. That was CRAZY! 6- At world famous Ghiradelli Square for some chocolate and ice cream, 7- View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin headlands, 8- Training forms at the Palace of Fine Arts in SF, 9- View of notorious Alcatraz Island)

FMS Portugal: 2008 seems like it will be a year filled with seminars from the North to South of Portugal, and maybe even one in Brazil and other in the USA. Also, on tap is another visit from Grand Master De Alba to Portugal, Germany and Poland. There is also talk of bringing other FMS Instructors from Germany, Poland and the USA to Portugal during the next Summer.

Inst. Nelson Pinto was recently conducted another special FMS-CQC Tactics Seminar for Law Enforcement and Military (Tácticas de Combate Militares e Policiais FMS-CQC-Sulsa). It was a complete success, and the media came by to interview Inst. Pinto and crew, which later resulted in another magazine article. As we said before, this has been a very successful training program, that is getting more and more exposure and is consequently growing. People are taking notice. Good job and keep up the good work Sir. Farang!

Inst. Pinto and a select group of students had the privilege to meet and work with some of the Tibetans Monks, during their visit to Portugal. They came directly from India, from the Temple of Gashar Tawon Khangtsen, to the Ignis Center in the city of Caldas of Rainha, Portugal. This Center belongs to a couple of FMS Students: Marco Pires and Vanda Rodrigues. Sounds like they had a blast. Congratulations everyone.

FMS Brazil: We have more great news from Brazil. It really looks like Modern Farang Mu Sul® is finding a home in this wonderful country. With Inst. Atahgil Ferreira heading up FMS the state of Espirito Santo and Inst. Edmilsson Macario da Silva from São Paulo working as the FMS Chief Instructor for all of Brasil, FMS is just growing more and more. Well, let us welcome our newest member and representative: Instructor Cristiano Aurélio de Oliveira from Porto Alegre in Brazil. Inst. Oliverira comes to us with an extensive martial arts background, including black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido as well as training in Kickboxing Chute Boxe, Muay Thai and Haidong Gum Do. He has taught various military groups, and is a very skilled fighter, having won many championships.

We are very happy to welcome him into the FMS family. Inst. Oliveria is working closely with the other instructors in Brazil as well Inst. Pinto in Portugal. They are working on several strategic plans to expand FMS throughout Brazil. First is to get organized, work closely together, keep open and constant communication with Inst. Pinto and WHQ, and of course get their official FMS black betl / black sash certification ASAP. This is awesome. Count on our full support. I look forward to many great things in the very near future. 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 December will be: Inst. Ken Gibson Dec - 02nd, Inst. Luis Medina Aviles Dec - 04th, Inst. Inocencio Molina Dec - 06th, Amalio Jimenez Dec - 15th, Inst. Stuart McCalla Dec - 17th, and Inst. Mark Shekoyan Dec - 29th.

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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