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| Pat OMalley |
 Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:50 am |
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Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 1025
Location: Everywhere
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On the 30th of September 2006 at 10 am Saturday Morning in a hall in Dartford, Kent over 50 people were waiting in anticipation to see for the first time Master Percival Pableo in action, many have heard so much about him from people like myself, GM Danny Guba, Lucy O'Malley and a small group of others who have had the oppertunity to see the man in action and they were about to find out for them selves why all of us rate him so highley.
In typical Pinoy style, a car pulls up about 10 minutes past 10 oclock and out steps an old freind with a big smile on his face, Percival quickley get's changed and we all gather in the hall. After the breif introductions by myself and GM Danny, Master Percival asks everyong to pick up 2 sticks so we can do our warm up.
Straight away his humour shone through and it was not long before he had the whole crowd laughing, this was to set the bench mark for the whole day, Master Percival and GM Danny used to be training partners and they had not been together since 1995 and to watch these to guys just bouncing off each other was not only entertaining, but inspiring to say the least.
After the double stick warm up's we then moved on to the 15 count, 4 count and 3 count Arma-ra drills with Master Val explaining than it was not just a series of stick movements, he demonstrated and explain the importance of foot work, body mechanics and correct striking which showed everyone that it is not just stick twirling, these are actual power striking combinations. We moved out side the venue in order that we could move around more and pretty soon everyone was working up a sweat. As with everything during the day, Master Val would then show the applications and empty hand translations to the drils.
The next section we were to cover single stick disarming and countering, the sheer speed and simplicity that Master Val showed had everyone gob smacked and a few people commented that they could not even see his stick move he was that fast, and he had to slow it down in order that they could follow him. All the time he was cracking jokes and had everyong in fits of laughter, I think this humerous way of teaching helped many pick things up a lot faster as everyone was more relaxed with his unique approach.
After the luch break we moved back inside for knife applications. Master Val asked me to partner him for the first part of this section, he asked me to thrust him and he instantly controlled my attacking knife hand, he then said what would you do next, Punch, So I tried to punch him and quicker than you could blink he disarmed my knife against my own punching arm, this was so fast that even I did not see where the knife went and the look on my face was a picture as everyone was laughing at just the sheer speed that this happend, He then proceeded to lock me up, disarm me and thrown me around in all directions as he demonstrated his knife skills, he also showed the empty hand applications for knife defence, before letting us all have a go at these applications. On the surface they looked complicated, but once you got to grips with what he was actually doing it was surprisingly simple to apply.
Throughout the day Master Val made a point of personally going round to everyone not just to show them how to do things, but also to get to know a little more about them, his personal touch is something you very rarely see in many instructors and you can see he is serious about getting to know everyone he is teaching.
In the later part of the afternoon Master Val then moved on to Stick Grappling, an area that very few realise exists in FMA and very few actually show, Master Val showed just how easy it is to lock up and throw around an opponent with a stick and then take them to the floor and tie them up in knots. He pointed out to everyone that the reason he was showing this was because a lot of people think we just stick fight and twirl, but this is not so. In know Lucy really enjoyed this section as she threw me around and put some serious pain on to me, that made a few on lookers smile and some said "Is she getting payback then". Many are used to seeing me teach and not used to seeing me getting thrown around like a rag doll, and I know Lucy definately enjoyed the stick grappling far more than I did  .
This section then translated very nicely in to the final teaching section of Empty hand fighting Pinoy style  Master Val explained that if you have your tapi tapi, you already have your empty hands. He demonstrated a whole set of sequences that used, head butts, elbows, knees, trips and just darn right dirty fighting, again the ease in which he demonstrated this section showed everyone that he is a true Master of the FMA in all areas and people could now clearly see the empty hand translations of many of the weapons combinations.
The day ended with Master Val giving us a demonstration of his Espada 'Y' Daga skills, he started off and a nice easy pace, but very soon he started picking up the pace and moved into top gear, everyone just sat there with their chins on the floor watching this small Filipino move gracefully around his opponent at such a speed it was very difficult to even see the weapons move. We all just sat in amazement at this Masters total understanding of the FMA. As he finished his demostration everyone just broke out in to one of the loudest round of applause I have heard at a seminar.
After Master Val thanked everyone for comming to the event, many people were clambering for pictures and eventually one by one people had to make their way home, but the one thing everyone had on their face as they left was a smile as big as a cheshire cat. A group of about 20 of us nipped back to the bar for an end of day chat and some socialising and we finally had to say goodbye to Master Val. But before he went I managed to convince him to return again next year and everyone was saying make sure you book me down for that one.
Nest year we are planning a European tour for him and all I can say is, if you have not seen him yet, then definetaly go, you will not be dissapointed, and if you have seen him in action then I know I don't need to say anymore than see you next time.
For all of us who attended it was not only a privaledge it was to my mind the best and most enjoyable seminar I have ever been to and I certainly cant wait until next time, that's one of the reasons I am off to Cebu to train with him again in December.
Thanks to everyone who supported the event, and a special thanks to GM Danny Guba and Master Percival Pableo for showing us all what the FMA is really suppose to look like.
YBIFMA
Pat |
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I am a diplomate for peace, but there comes a time when you have to use full contact sign language for the hard of hearing |
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| oosh |
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:42 pm |
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Student
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
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Location: Coventry UK
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Thanks for the write up Pat, sounds like it was an awesome day. Any pics to upload ? also I like point about the importance of humour  |
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:48 am |
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Joined: 26 Jun 2006
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I will pop up a few pictures in the next few days.
Yep the humour made it all the more enjoyable. That's the nice thing about FMA, the humour as you are being taught.
YBIFMA
Pat |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:10 pm |
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Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Awesome review Pat.
A while back ,Gordon sent me some footage of Percival,
and man can that man move that stick with ease.
And the guy had humor.
He had his helpers cracking up,right from the start,especialy in the totsada Y daga sequence..haha.
Im Green with envy for anyone that attended as I know it would of been awesome value.
YBIMA
Riki |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:42 pm |
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Joined: 26 Jun 2006
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And for those that missed him, DOH!
He was great mate, I have known him for 15 years and I was amazed the first time I seen him and all I can say he just get better and better, and faster and faster.
People could not beleive me when I told them that he was slowing things down so they could learn what he was showing, but I tel you the guy is as far as I am concerned at the top.
It scares me to think what he will be like in another 20 years 
Awsome is an understatement.
And that is why I am trying to arrange a European tour with him next year. I know he also said he was very interested in comming to New Zealand too. So who knows what the future brings. I know GM Diony is doing less and less on the seminar scene and is looking to retire from that side of things, and I get the feeling Val is being encouraged to follow on from him and I can see why.
YBIFMA
Pat |
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I am a diplomate for peace, but there comes a time when you have to use full contact sign language for the hard of hearing |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:57 am |
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Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Pat OMalley wrote:
People could not beleive me when I told them that he was slowing things down so they could learn what he was showing, but I tel you the guy is as far as I am concerned at the top. Pat
Mate I believe you. I have seen footage of Percival doing arkos drills and Gordon asking him to repeat them a bit slower lol and as i said in the last post ,He was executing Totsada Y largada (triangular footwork) and his partner was basically running back into position to keep up, then stepped aside and let Percival continue on solo, man that was impressive.
Pat OMalley wrote:
And that is why I am trying to arrange a European tour with him next year. I know he also said he was very interested in coming to New Zealand too. So who knows what the future brings. I know GM Diony is doing less and less on the seminar scene and is looking to retire from that side of things, and I get the feeling Val is being encouraged to follow on from him and I can see why. Pat
Does this mean he may be coming here in December?
Or like later in the future, please keep me updated on this Pat.
Yes Gordon mentioned in one of our talks that if and when it would be viable to bring any overseas instructor it would be Perceval.
YBIFMA
Riki |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:19 am |
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Joined: 26 Jun 2006
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I know Percival is very interested in comming to NZ, but it wont be in December, he will be back in Cebu then and then I get to go visit him and do some more training
He has asked me to talk to you DP guys when I am out there.
YBIFMA
Pat |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:34 am |
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Joined: 18 Sep 2006
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That's good in a way that percival is not coming in Dec.I personaly would be highly guttered because of my health issues.so thats a win-win for me this time round hehehe.
im looking forward to talking with you in person regarding the Doce Pares in general and Percivals future visit.
Grant Boath is still waiting for confirmation on his posistion as Doce paresNZ and WEKAFNZ rep/Diretor,
Grant was Gordon's right hand man down in Invercargil and Gordon had me in the North island (training from a distance). |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:37 am |
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Val did mention him to me, and asked if I could have a chat with him as they want to know a little more about him.
YBIFMA
Pat |
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I am a diplomate for peace, but there comes a time when you have to use full contact sign language for the hard of hearing |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:23 pm |
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Joined: 18 Sep 2006
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Hey Pat,
if i can help with any info you require ask away on this thread (or pm / email me).
Mike A has meet Grant personaly.
And i have communicated with Grant a few times.
YBIFMA
Riki |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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