Filipino Centennial
Pekiti-Tirsia Mastery Training Camp
- June 1998 -

After Grand Tuhon Gaje stayed in May in Germany to conduct seminars for his students in Germany and Europe (more info here), Uli Weidle, the Managing Director of Pekiti-Tirsia Europe Organization, followed the invitation of his teacher Grand Tuhon Gaje and accompanied him back to the Philippines. In June some special events happened on the Philippines, such as the 100 year Celebration of the Filipino Revolution, the Pekiti-Tirsia Mastery Training Camp, the "1st Centennial Kali World Congress" and the Graduation of the Filipino Marines Force Recon Battalion.

Excerpts from Uli Weidles Travel Diary:

Private training and living with the Gaje-family

Because I arrived together with Grand Tuhon Gaje in the Philippines some weeks before the start of the Pekiti-Tirsia Mastery Training Camp I had the opportunity to live in the house of my teacher in Bacolod and to take part in the family life of the Gaje family.

Beside many hours of private practice with Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, I also had the opportunity to get to know people, who personally knew the grand father of Grand Tuhon Gaje and who were telling about their experiences with this man. Conrado B. Tortal, the Great Grand Tuhon of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali and grand father of Grand Tuhon Gaje, must have been an impressive man. Very educated, a strong fighter, full of energy and guided by strict moral principles. Discipline and respect have been very important for him. He was rooted in the old Filipino culture, as it is lived and taught by Grand Tuhon Gaje. Great Grand Tuhon Conrado B. Tortal is also described as a good man helping poor people and supporting the city. Also the descriptions about the challenge fights and the evening training were very interesting.

Training with Master Kolimbo

It was a special opportunity for me to train with the 69 years old master Kolimbo. Master Kolimbo stopped teaching, because he wasn't able to find someone who had the self-discipline required to learn his system. Master Kolimbo was a friend of Grand Tuhon Gajes father and Grand Tuhon used his contacts to open master Kolimbo so that he would teach me.

Master Kolimbo teaches the Tapada-system (main practice tool is a stick about as long as the height of the shoulder made from the coffee tree) and the Pangamut / Dumog (empty hands and filipino combat wrestling). His specialty are the Pokol-techniques (hammerfist). The Tapada-Stick is also used for conditioning, to develop the power, speed and braveness needed for empty hands combat. When Grand Tuhon mentioned to master Kolimbo my background as a boxer, immediately the fighting fever sparkled in the eyes of the 69 old man and he was ready to demonstrate the effectiveness of his system in actual combat. Master Kolimbo has lots of experience in challenge fights. The dumogueros from the clan of the Kolimbos protected the neighborhood from bullies and other bad elements. Kolimbos brother made his living by challenge fighting. The fighting system of the Kolimbo family uses the same principles as the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali: no blocks, offense as defense, no static stances, finish at the first opportunity.

Master Kolimbos family was very friendly to me. They showed the Filipino values of hospitality in a pure form. Kolimbo himself is a master of the old school. He teaches simple and direct. While he is training, he tests his students for their character and attitude towards combat. To learn from master Kolimbo is painful. Empty handed and with the stick, he really strikes hard and every new technique and every mistake can still be felt a long time after the practice. The students really experiences fighting. This probably is part of the test: The student has to experience the pain of the strikes himself and still he has to be able to control himself and not to loose his temper. Hot tempered or inpatient people won't be able to learn the system. But master Kolimbo also is willing to change the roles. When I was supposed to show him, that I understood what he was teaching, he was not satisfied, if I would pull the strikes or miss him shortly to not hurt him. He really wanted to feel that I understood. Dish out and receive strikes. Once again I learned a lot by this type of practice.

Master Kolimbo is not willing to compromise with his teaching principles: Rather he would let the tradition die than water it down or make it "easier" to learn. That's why he doesn't teach his sons, who were not willing to endure this hard way of learning. Master Kolimbos teaching method is an expression of his trust in his own system: a student who is intelligent and is practicing seriously, will be able to protect himself. I'm looking forward to my next meeting with this impressive man.

Centennial Celebration + Graduation of the Marines

Everywhere in the Philippines the successful fight for freedom and the Centennial of 100 years of independence was celebrated. Of course there was plenty of opportunity for parades and fiestas. These celebrations were also held to honor the Kali fighters, who have been fighting to achieve the independence. At the time of the Centennial Celebration I was together with Grand Tuhon Gaje in Negros Occidental. The Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Negros Group was also actively taking part in a parade. There were also groups from the old Heroes of the second world war from the current military. Every important group was taking part in the parades and organizing floats. It was very interesting to see the old and the new together in one event.

Even today the tradition of the Filipino Kali Fighters is alive. Currently in the Philippines a special unit of the Filipino Marines, the Force Recon, is trained in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali to prepare them for Guerilla warfare and jungle combat. Because experience showed that fire arms are not offering sufficient protection in Guerilla warfare in the jungle or cities, the Ginunting (a short sword) has been added to the equipment of the Force Recon. The soldiers of the Force Recon are learning the use of the Ginunting for close combat and also the methods of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali for countering disarming attempts (weapon retention) and also the methods for empty hands fight against knife and the strategies and tactics for empty hands close quarter combat against fire arms.

At the graduation ceremony of the Force Recon I was invited as the only Non-Filipino (beside Tim Waid, who was in charge of the training) to see and videotape the ceremony and the demonstrations. I also had opportunity to speak with the Commanding General of the Marines, who attended the Ceremony. He was impressed by the demonstrations of the Force Recon and the guests.

1st Centennial Kali World Congress

At the 1st Centennial Kali World Congress the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali has been honored as the official Close Quarter Combat Art of the Marines. Greeting Words from the president of the Philippines, from the Commanding General of the Marines and from Major Natalio Ecarta, the commanding officer of the Force Recon showed the importance of the Kali World Congress. Also the Guard of Honor of the Marines provided a dignified setting.

I served as the official delegate representing Europe and together with Philip Gelinas was asked to sit on one of the places of honor. Philipp Gelinas spoke for Canada, Omar Hakim for the USA and I was asked to speak for Europe. Together with other known and meritorious Pekiti-Tirsia personalities I was induced into the PEKITI-TIRSIA KALI HALL OF FAME and awarded with a honorary Hagibis.

Pekiti-Tirsia Mastery Training Camp

At this Training Camp some well known Pekiti-Tirsia and Kali practitioners were there. For example there was Marc Denny from California (the current chief of the Dog Brothers) and also there was Philip Gelinas from Canada (one of the early students of Grand Tuhon Gaje and also one of the founding members of the Dog Brothers). Also attending the Mastery Training Camp were Omar Hakim, Jery Reyes (Police Detective from Erwin Ballertas group), Steve Raiter from the Inosanto Academy, Loki Jörgenson, Douc Marceida and many more. Also there were Filipinos from several regions from the Philippines attending and of course the Force Recon. Major Natalio Ecarma, the commanding officer of the Force Recon himself, was also taking part in the training. I was the only attendant from Europe.

The training began as early as 4 o'clock in the morning and was finished at 10 o'clock in the evening. Every day we had about 10 hours of training. Main Topics of the training were: Single Stick, Knife, Pangamot/Dumog (empty hands combat and combat wrestling), Malay Sibat (Combat with Long Pole, Spear or Bayonet). The training was conducted on the level of the Contra-Tirsia Dobla Doz system. During the workouts Grand Tuhon Gaje showed clearly how the basics of Pekiti-Tirsia are covered by the Contra-Tirsia Dobla Doz and how they are directly put into practical application. The teaching of Grand Tuhon Gaje concentrates on the essence - without unnecessary forms or other hocus-pocus. Through the training with Grand Tuhon Gaje even the long-time Pekiti-Tirsia practitioners could get new insights and understanding of the Pekiti-Tirsia System. Everybody was excited about the Training together with Grand Tuhon Gaje.

After the first two days I called the training camp for myself the "training camp of the 500". Nobody believed at first in the 500 repetitions announced by Grand Tuhon Gaje. But it became a standard, and some of the younger practitioners had to watch breathless how the 60-year old Grand Tuhon Gaje demonstrated the last of the 500 repetitions. Grand Tuhon Gaje is as fit as always.

"Terminating" Fights

On the last day there were Pekiti-Tirsia fights: Total Submission - Everything goes. Like usual in fights between advanced Pekiti-Tirsia fighters, there was only a minimum of protection gear, that is only headgear and a single glove. All practitioners fought, in spite of some minor injuries. Also the Marines participated in the fights. Fighting was done with rattan sticks or wooden knifes, without interference of the referee. Everything was allowed, however surprising little serious injuries occurred. Many fights were decided by submission of one opponent. My fights came off fine, I was not seriously hit. I could deal out some good blows, and it was a good experience to successfully apply the techniques of Pangamot/Dumog I had trained.

The End ...

In spite of all the training there was also occasion to enjoy the beach and the nice weather. To chat with other Kali-Enthusiastics or to relax at a boat trip. Through the training camp I could forget the stress and all the problems of a manager - just dive into the martial art - that was a comfort to me. The fresh sea and air, the good food with lots of fresh fruit, fish, vegetable and poultry in combination with the training made me feel much younger. Now I can return to Europe with fresh energy.

Marc Denny will stay here a little longer and train together with Grand Tuhon Gaje. He realized that Grand Tuhon is the Original and has lots more to give.

I am already looking forward to October, when I'll meet Grand Tuhon and my Filipino friends again. Then I will be in the company of my friends from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland an Luxembourg - I'm sure we will again have a wonderful time.