The Philippine Martial Arts Alliance (PMAA)

The Philippine Martial Arts Alliance (PMAA) was established in 2005. Around the world, more and more individuals are showing interest in the Philippine Martial Arts. Unfortunately, most of these individuals do not get credit for their Philippine Martial Arts training or receive recognition for their years of study in this field. These are among several reasons the Philippine Martial Arts Alliance was established. The Philippine Martial Arts Alliance was founded by Master Julius Melegrito, with the desire to give Philippine Martial Arts practitioners all over the world a family to grow within. Many high ranking, experienced martial artists are seeking to study Philippine Martial Arts, and are looking for an organization that will provide the membership benefits they require.

The purpose of the Philippine Martial Arts Alliance is to promote Philippine Martial Arts through:
• Continuing education of martial artists through seminars, add-on programs, and alliances with other martial arts organizations.
• Certification of qualified instructors to spread knowledge of Philippine Martial Arts globally.
• Building unity in martial arts through brotherhood.

Continuing education through martial arts seminars and alliances with other martial arts organizations

Promotion of the Philippine Martial Arts through education can be accomplished in many different ways. Master Melegrito is continuously conducting seminars not only in the United States but Internationally. His development of add-on programs such as Stix 4 Kids™ and Stick & Knife Combatives contribute to the success of this goal. Cooperative relationships with some of the leading martial arts organizations in the world further the spread of Philippine Martial Arts. Philippine Combatives™ is compatible with and do not conflict with any other styles. It is a proven fact that any martial arts practitioner, in any style, can easily learn to adapt the principles learned in the Philippine arts and complement their system with it.

Certification of instructors to spread knowledge of Philippine Martial Arts globally

The Alliance goal is to provide PROPER certifications and training documentations needed for members and other Philippine Martial Arts practitioners worldwide to promote the arts. An easy to follow curriculum promotes the effectiveness of the instructor’s teaching. PMAA is committed to providing instructors with the highest level of training and service. Promotion of the art, by members, with professionalism and proper marketing strategies contribute to the achievement of this goal!

Building unity in martial arts through brotherhood

Philippine Martial Arts Alliance was created with equality among martial arts practitioners in mind. "ALLIANCE" is the key concept of this organization. The goal is to provide all FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) practitioners with an organization to belong. Although, there are certain guidelines to be met it is our goal to provide our members with genuine brotherhood, quality materials, great student service and a politics-free environment. KAPATID (ka-pa-teed) is a Tagalog word for brotherhood (gender free). Please bear in mind that although we use titles such as grandmaster, masters and instructors, EVERYONE is a KAPATID! Unity is further accomplished with each person’s effort to put differences aside, including egos and self-righteousness. The foundation of our organization is "Building Unity through Brotherhood".

About the founder: Master Julius Melegrito

Master Julius Melegrito; a 6x martial arts hall of fame inductee is the founder of the Philippine Martial Arts Alliance and the program developer of Stix 4 Kids™ - a national children’s program endorsed by Martial Arts Industry Association or MAIA. He travels for seminars on implementing Philippine Combatives™ program (Filipino Stick, Knife, Hand and Ground Combatives) in different schools and has gone as far as Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland and Australia! Julius Melegrito also taught Military Air Force, Police and Marines both in the USA and the Philippines. Melegrito currently operates Martial Arts International academy in Bellevue, Nebraska USA with over 200 active students not including the Philippine Martial Arts Alliance Charter and individual members from all over the world including Philippines, New Mexico, United States of America and Australia!

• President/Master Instructor - Martial Arts International, LLC. (www.martialartsinternational.com)
• Hall of Fame International Martial Arts Instructor of the year 2000 - International Martial Arts Hall of Fame World Head of Family Sokeship Council
• Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee for Best School National 2001- International Martial Arts Hall of Fame World Head of Family Sokeship Council
• Hall of Fame Master Instructor of the year 2002 - World Head of Family Sokeship Councilв (www.bushido.org)
• Hall of Fame Inductee 2005 - Master of the Year - Budo Martial Arts Magazine
• Hall of Fame Inductee 2005 - Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts - Action Martial Arts Magazine
• Hall of Fame inductee 2006 - Lifetime Dedication Award to Philippine Martial Arts - Budo International Martial Arts Magazine
• Founder and Program Developer of Nationally Acclaimed Program endorsed by Martial Arts Industry Association called STIX 4 KIDS© (www.Stix4Kids.com)
• Founder of M.U.S.T System - Melegrito’s Universal Self-Defense Training Course
• Founder of Philippine Martial Arts Alliance and Philippine Combatives System
• Founder of Philippine Martial Arts Alliance and Philippine Combatives System (www.ichf.com)
• Director "Defensive Stick and Knife Program" - International Combat Hapkido Federation
• Director of "Advanced Self-Defense" - International Disabled Self-Defense Association
• Travels locally in the United States of America promoting Philippine Combatives, Stix 4 Kids® and Self-Defense Training
• Certified Master Instructor - International Philippine Martial Arts Federation
• 7th Degree Black Belt - International Philippine Martial Arts Federation
• Master’s Council Member - Independent Tae Kwon Do Association
• Certified Master Instructor - Independent Tae Kwon Do Association
• 4th Degree Black Belt - Independent Tae Kwon Do Association
• 3rd Degree Black Belt - Combat Hapkido
• Certified Instructor - International Combat Hapkido Federation
• 2nd Degree Black Belt - Asia Tang Soo Do Federation

History

The Philippines is an island nation in the Western Pacific of almost 70 million people where more than 70 dialects are spoken. Over the centuries the Philippines has been a crossroads for various cultures trading and fighting.

Kali is the mother art of the modern Filipino Martial Arts. Records from the Malay Sri-Vishaya empire dating to the 8th century A.D. refer to Kali as the art of the Philippines. According to historians, the Ten Datus of Borneo brought there fighting methods to the island of Panay. Here, basic reading, writing, and Kali were taught in the schools.

On April 27, 1521, Magellan died on Mactan Island at the hands of Chief Lapu-Lapu - a Kali practitioner. Due to the loss of written records, the exact techniques of Kali remain a mystery today although elements of Kali remain alive in the foundation of today's Filipino Martial Arts.

The Spanish began a 400-year occupation of the islands late in the 16th century. To suppress opposition to their rule, the Spanish banned the teaching of Kali. Elements of the art were hidden in folk plays and native dance. However, over time, Spanish fencing methods were blended into the indigenous fighting framework. Under Spanish influence, the native art became known as Escrima, estocada, arnis de mano or arnis.

The Filipino Martial Arts assume different names in different regions. In the Manila area, the art is known as Arnis or Pananandata, in Pangasinan as Kalirongan, in the Ilocos region of Luzon as Kabaro-an, and in the Visayas as Escrima.

Arnis historians have cited as many as 200 systems or styles of Arnis-Escrima-Kali. Names describing the range of fighting include Largo (long-distance), Medio (medium-range) and Corto or Serrada (close, in-fighting). Names based on movement include Abaniko (fanning), Palis-Palis (go with the force) Sungkiti (Thrusting), Pitik (flicking), Ocho-Ocho (figure eight) and Lastico (snapping). Systems can be called by the choice of weapon, e.g., isang arnis (single stick), dalawang arnis or sinawali (double sticks), espada y daga (sword and dagger), mano-mano or de kadina (empty-hands).

In contrast to many other oriental martial arts, the Arnis student first learns how to handle and defend against weapons. This philosophy is to a large degree culturally bound, but also has a practical application. The Philippines has traditionally been a blade-oriented society. Even today, in many rural areas both men and women use swords and knives in their daily work. Self-defense using a blade is the preferred method. In a practical sense, the rationale for training a student with weapons first and then later with hands and feet is (1) training stick-to-stick is safer than taking punches and kicks to the body, and (2) if you can defend against a weapon then fighting against punches and kicks will come easily because training with weapons conditions one to avoid errors in judgment.

В практическом плане оптимальной тренировкой учащегося считается обучение борьбе сначала с применением оружия, а затем рук и ног, что объясняется следующими причинами: (1) работа на палках безопаснее, чем получение толчков и ударов прямо в тело; (2) если Вы можете защититься от оружия, Вам легче будет научиться защищаться от толчков и ударов, поскольку тренировка с оружием не позволяет ошибаться в оценке действий противника.

The Philippine Combatives™

Philippine Combatives™ is a composite of various classical and modern fighting systems used in the Philippines. The student of Philippine Combatives is introduced to the various systems described above in the full range of fighting. An emphasis is placed on drills to train the student to react instinctively from far range (malayo) medium range (gitnaan) to close range (malapit).

The Philippine Combatives™ System of single stick (isang arnis), double sticks (dalawang arnis), daga (knife), espada y daga (sword and dagger) and hand combatives (kamay sa kamay) are developed to complement any given martial arts style. At the end, students are encouraged to develop their own "style" of techniques within the Philippine Combatives™ framework. Philippine Combatives™ style is based on the different systems all combined to help you better understand the wonderful world of Philippine Martial Arts. The Philippine Combatives™ System includes but is not limited to the following:

Single stick

Commonly referred to as Isang Arnis, Kali o Escrima and sometimes solo baston. This style of Stick fighting focuses on your dominant hand. The training consists of allowing you to understand distances from long, middle and short ranges of stick fighting. This style is also great to understand the "hidden" value of your FREE sometimes called "the live hand". Understanding the principles behind the single stick style of fighting will make you not only a better fighter but reveals the power behind your dominant hand! From Malayo or Largo (far range) to Malapit or Corto (short range) to catching, locking, takedowns and disarms, this style is definitely one, if not the biggest part, in any Philippine martial arts systems that should not be ignored.

Double sticks

Commonly referred to as "Sinawalis" or Dalawang Arnis o Escrima or Doble Baston. Believing and utilizing both limbs in stick fighting definitely increases not only one’s flexibility but strength on both arms. Your ability to be able to fight with single stick and be able to disarm an attacker sometimes ends up with you having two sticks in your hands. Preparation to utilize these two sticks in a very combative and practical way prepares our student to be well rounded stick fighters. The Philippine Combatives double stick training guarantees increased of speed and accuracy on both sides using both right and left hands; maximizing your training time.

Knife training

Commonly referred to as "Daga sa Daga" or Knife to Knife. This style as stated focuses on utilizing your knife when encountering knife attacks. Although we usually train for the worse, we still do not ignore the facts that Philippine Combatives™ System of knife fighting also emphasizes training and utilizing your edge weapon as a way to get out of multiple attackers. The Philippine Combatives style of knife fighting focuses not only on the defensive parts of training but also offensive and realistic scenarios. Realistically we may not be faced with somebody with a dagger or carry them ourselves but again, understanding the principles that lies behind Philippine Combatives knife training will increase one’s self-awareness. Keep in mind that a knife does not necessarily have to be a dagger, it can be a pocket knife, tactical folder or even just a pencil. Your ability to train knife to knife also increases your hand to hand techniques when faced with one of the deadliest concealed weapons in today’s world, the knife!

Sword and dagger

Commonly referred to as Espada Y Daga or Arnis o Escrima at Daga. This is one of, if not the oldest, fighting systems that most students devalue and do not see as important these days. Although we are not anticipating fighting an opponent with a sword and a dagger, your ability to recognize the strength of each of these weapons give you a better understanding of Philippine martial arts. Please be aware that these weapons are just extensions of your hands, without the hands, there would be no weapons. Understanding this principle gives you an understanding that a knife thrust can easily be modified or translated to a spear hand strike to somebody’s eyes and a sword cut can easily be translated to a forearm hit to somebody’s neck.

Hand to hand

Commonly referred to as Kamao sa Kamao or Mano a Mano. The Philippine Combatives will give you a better understanding of the weapon systems and their connections to our hand to hand fighting system. This style of Filipino fighting is sometimes misinterpreted or even hidden in some styles. The Philippine Combatives system will not only enhance the hand to hand training you have already acquired but will complement and strengthen it. This style will answer most of the questions or hidden gaps that lie in some systems and will definitely make one a better martial artist. The Philippine Combatives System of hand to hand fighting consists of striking, parrying and blocking, counter striking, kicking, locking or joint manipulations, takedowns, controlling or submission and different finishing combative techniques.

Ground fighting

Commonly referred to as Dumog. Philippine Combatives understands the value of training for reality-based ground fighting. The Philippine Combatives ground fighting goes beyond the hand techniques. We take a realistic approach to ground fighting not only through hand to hand applications but also utilizing sticks and knife as tools to help our awareness of ground survival!

The Philippine Martial Arts Alliance is dedicated to providing the best education to our existing student members and instructors by bringing all of the different systems of Philippine Martial Arts in unity and one alliance.

The Philippine Combatives™ will work with any style of martial arts. It is guaranteed to bring out the best in you and strengthen your understanding of the Filipino arts. The Philippine Combatives is not a personal style developed by Guro Melegrito; it is an expression and interpretation of one of the deadliest, most practical fighting systems in today’s world… Philippine Martial Arts!

Ranking and belt system

Student levels

1st Level – Antas Isa

2nd Level- Antas Dalawa

3rd Level- Antas Tatlo

4th Level- Antas Apat

5th Level- Antas Lima

6th Level- Antas Anim

7th Level- Antas Pito

8th Level- Antas Walo

9th Level- Antas Siyam

10th Level- Antas Sampu

Black belt levels

1st Degree - LAKAN ISA

2nd Degree - LAKAN DALAWA

3rd Degree - LAKAN TATLO

4th Degree - LAKAN APAT

5th Degree - LAKAN LIMA

6th Degree - LAKAN ANIM

7th Degree – LAKAN PITO

8th Degree – LAKAN WALO

Instructor levels

2nd Degree - Full Instructor

3rd Degree - Sr. Instructor

4th Degree - Chief Instructor

5th Degree - Master Instructor

6th Degree - Sr. Master Instructor

7th Degree - Chief Master Instructor

8th Degree - Grandmaster