|
2011
This year’s FCS Gathering was another great event.
FCS practitioners and Instructor’s alike came together to touch hands and train the latest development of the art. I
got to meet many new additions to the Tribe, and I had the distinct pleasure of welcoming back one of the greatest influences
of my own personal growth in FCS, as well. Take care of yourself, brother…I’m only a phone call away.
-
Thank you Tuhon Ray Dionaldo for another great event. I learned a lot (as usual) and I appreciate all that you’ve done
for me, inside and outside the dojo. I don't have the words to convey the amount of respect and admiration I have for you.
One day I hope to be able to repay you for all that you’ve given me. MANO PO TUHON!!
- Thank you Marie for helping
me sort out the newer FCS material. You made it a lot easier to assimilate the information.
- Thank you to Grandmaster
Stoney. Thank you for opening up your home to me and showing me such great hospitality. You love unconditionally, and I admire
you more than you know. You are the “Wise Elder” of FCS. You watch over us like we are your own children, and
you make us better people. Thank you for that great breakfast conversation, and for being my “conscience” in my
time of personal conflict. I’ll try not to let you down.
- Thank you to Lakan Guro Rico Cortes for the warm hospitality
shown by you and your family. I honestly don’t know where I would be right now without your guidance and friendship.
You are a great teacher, and I strive to make sure that I honor you and all the time you’ve personally put into me to
help me grow in the art of FCS.
- Thank you to Lakan Guro Pipo Lopez. Your conversation and council is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for being such a great “sounding board” for me to bounce ideas off of. Also, thank you for helping me
out with my Demo and Instruction section, you did a great job of making me look better than I really do. lol
- Thank
you to Guro Travis Devita. You are probably the closest thing I have to a brother. It is almost creepy how much we think alike.
If I’m not completing your sentences….then you’re usually completing mine. I’ll always be here for
you, man. Never forget that.
- Thank you to all the Manongs of FCS and the other practitioners that were in attendance.
I promise to strive to be a better leader / practitioner / and teacher of FCS. Keep growing, and never stop training. Always
improve….find ways to grow in the art….because as you grow, so do I…………..and never forget…………..
STEEL
SHARPENS STEEL.
Gumagalang,
Guro Ernie Lake
The Filipino
Combat Systems' (FCS) Family Gatherings give instructors and students from all over the world an opportunity to get together
and get acquainted with the latest developments in the art. FCS is a system in constant evolution, making these events
a learning experience not to be missed.
The latest edition of
the FCS Gathering was, by all accounts, the biggest and best ever. Over 60 practitioners came to Clearwater, Florida
from as far away as North Carolina, Utah and Puerto Rico. Master Ray Dionaldo started Day One with a two-hour instruction
block on the kerambit, a curved, edged weapon from the Indonesian and Filipino archipelagos. Starting with basic strikes
and concepts - fluidity of motion, evasive maneuvers and circular attacks - he progressed to different combinations. There
was more than enough material for both advanced students and beginners to work with.
In the next block, Ray resumed
the instruction with solo baston drills. While covering all combat ranges, FCS specializes in corto, with extensive
use of punyo strikes, traps, locks, takedowns and even grappling and ground fighting with the stick. The crowd was
thrilled when Ray, while showing the different influences behind his FCS system - namely Sayoc Kali, Pekiti-Tirsia, and Modern
Arnis - displayed his trademark speed and precision in free flow fashion, with Guro Ray Cole as his uke.
We went back to single
stick on the morning of Day Two. In FCS, we're expect to work towards ambidexterity, so there were both left against right
and right against right drills, together with transitions and switches, often incorporated into tapi-tapi and break
in/break out.
After a short interval
- during which those attending had the chance to watch demonstrations from representatives of several different martial arts,
as in the previous day - Ray took us through a series of blade drills, both knife vs. knife and empty hand vs. knife. As usual,
a lively presentation by Ray, coupled with a smooth teaching progression and clear explanations, made it easy for novice
and experienced alike to learn. Though Ray is perhaps better known for his edged weapons work, this is far from
his only area of expertise; those who have had a chance to watch his performance with sticks and empty handed know what I'm
talking about.
In all, the FCS Family
Gatherings are a can't-miss experience. Not only there's an awesome volume of material covered, the camaraderie and laid-back
atmosphere make everyone feel at home. A background in the Filipino Martial Arts is not a pre-requisite, and all dedicated
practitioners are welcome.
Leo
Daher
Tampa,
FL
|
