What is Balintawak

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< Balintawak ~ What is Balintawak

Pat OMalley

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:34 am

Site Admin Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 1025 Location: Everywhere

I am sure that many of you get confused, what with all the different styles within the FMA, each having their own unique outlook on the arts so I am sure you will be as I am to hear more regarding this great system of the late great GM Ancion Bacon.

So can anyone out there please help us all to understand just what Balintawak is, it's principles and methods of combat?

And what makes it unique?

Best regards

Pat

_________________
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

dhay

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:03 am

Guest

*useless input*

Balintawak is in Quezon City, northern Manila. This was originally where lots of important revolutionary meetings were held, primarily those lead by Andres Bonifacio (the more violent, fight-by-the-bolo counterpart of national twat hero Dr. Jose Rizal). The Katipunan (KKK) was headed by Bonifacio. They headed the revolution against the 333 year reign of the Spaniards in the country.

Another popular character in this series is Melchora Aquino (more known as Tandang Sora) who aided ailing Katipuneros.

The Katipunan had three aims. First, it wanted to free the Philippines from Spain, by force of arms if necessary. Its members, called Katipuneros, were taught to make and use weapons. Next came the moral, or spiritual, aim. The Katipunan saw all men, rich or poor, as equals. Third, the Katipuneros were taught to care for one another in times of sickness and need. The society took care of its sick. If a member died, the Katipunan helped to pay the cost of a simple funeral.

It was a very violent period in Philippine history......

*ends useless input*

jonbroster

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:05 pm

MODERATOR Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 149 Location: Nottingham England

Hi

My knowledge of Balintawak is limited to the Balintawak Cuentada system of Bobby Taboada.

***Quick plug - Alan Jones who is teaching at the course in Mansfield this weekend is one of Bobby's few certified instructors - highly recommended***

Given that it is eskrima, it is almost unbelievable how different it is from RA or DP.

Main points:
The system only has single stick and empty hands
The core training revolves around learning groups - these are a way of answering the "What ifs"
The 12 angles of attack are there, but are different (what a surprise!!) from every other style.
Much of the system can be learned 3 times: basic, semi-advanced & advanced.
All the defensive motions are done stick-up
There are no abaniko strikes
It is all done very close up - lots of clearing away blocking limbs (this is where the groups come in)

Much of what I have seen has a hefty dose of tai chi influencing it - Alan & Richard (the other UK based instructor) are both students of Willie Lim who is a tai chi and pressure point guy and a friend of Bobby T)

Bobby was a class mate of Remy Presas, but this stuff is very different from modern arnis.

I trained with Bobby once, about 9 years ago and he was superb; well worth checking out if he makes it back to Britain, but bear in mind that you will, essentially, have to start from the beginning again with this.

(These comments are based on about 2 years of training with Alan & Richard - about 7 years ago)

Jon

Swift2Swallow

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:00 pm

Guest

Firstly big congratulations to Alan Jones becoming executive director of BCKEAI

A great promoter of Balintawak and a fine martial artist also
a good friend (good luck mate) Wink

Balintawak is unique due to it's emphasis on the teaching side of the art.
The counter to counter (cuentada)
One to one teaching (you need a good teacher)

The power that is achieved by the body by this way
of teaching : Try it some may like it Very Happy

Less said; More practice with the right teacher (see you soon Alan) Cool

To still be training with Alan, Richard, Bill (Balintawak uk)
& GM Bobby Toboada (Thank you all for your knowledge & wisdom)

Swift2Swallow

Double stick and out

Pat OMalley

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:12 pm

Site Admin Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 1025 Location: Everywhere

Now we are talking. And lets hear more, as I know there are different versions of Balintawak, depending on which teacher you follow (no surprise there) which is quite common in an FMA system.

So what makes GM Taboada's system different from some of the others?

Oh! and I do hear GM Taboada will be in the UK next year and there is also a Rumour that GM Nick Elizar may be paying us a visit too. So it looks like Balintawak is finally taking a foothold in the UK and about time too I say.

Best regards

Pat

_________________
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

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:29 pm

Guest

I have enjoyed reading the many interesting thoughts and opinions on this site, here are some of mine on what I study and who with. I consider myself fortunate to be a student of Alan Jones. Over the last few years Alan, and his training partner Ian, have been an inspiration and a major influence on my life. For those of you who witnessed them at the recent BCKEAI event, what you saw was the tip of the iceberg - a very small glimpse of their skills and ability to teach.

Alan endeavours to teach students how to move and how to control their body. His method builds a strong base a develops body structure. If you want to learn how to defend yourself - Alan can teach you. If you want to learn how to hit a squash ball with more power and greater accuracy - Alan can teach you. The Balintawak passed on by Bobby Toboada has an emphasis on defence and developing power. Achieving strong base and body structure is the first step.

I have often not given 100% in my lessons, I have never felt that Alan hasn't given 100% effort when trying to teach me. I am also grateful that I always leave a lesson feeling better than when I went in. I am still studying because I enjoy the training and the company of the people who I spend the time with.

I am not a martial artist or a fighter. I don't want to wear a gi, or a certain colour belt and am not interested in gaining a certificate. What I want from my studies is to learn how to get myself out of trouble should the need arise (as quickly as possible, with something that works outside of the gym) and to understand the situation that I am in. I believe that this is what I learn from Alan.

In the Balintawak that I have experienced I have practiced with single stick, double stick, stick and knife, knife, various blades as well as empty hands (punches, kicks, traps, locks, throws, grapples etc etc). I have used abiniko strikes and I have defended with the stick tip down, limits haven't been placed on what I am being taught - it's up to me to make Balintawak work for my size and physique (I am 5ft 8 & 11st my training partner is 6ft 2 and 20 st, what works for me might not for him - Balinatwak allows us both to train and compete effectively). What I need to know and practice can all be found within groups 1 - 5.

Reading many entries on various sites it would seem that finding a style and teacher which suits you is difficult. For me it has been easy, at my first attempt I found Alan Jones and Balintawak just down the road. If any of you are still looking for something that suits you - I recommend that you visit Alan or Ian, you won't get any bulls**t - just two people who want to pass on their knowledge and produce quality not quantity.

Swift2Swallow

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:17 pm

Guest

Well said man

Only thing to add the learning of new ways to use the body with power:
Is the most mind blowing lesson in Balintawak and it gets better and better to counter the counter and ride the CUENTADA roller coaster

Just wanna ride dont wanna get off Wink

Swift2Swallow

TO TEACH THE KNOW HOW
KNOW HOW TO TEACH

Swift2Swallow

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:36 pm

Guest

*Edited as post already exists in another thread and is not relevant to this thread*

Pat OMalley

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:47 am

Site Admin Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 1025 Location: Everywhere

It would appear that Swift2Swallow is lying on this forum, after having a short talk with others it also appears that he does not know the people he has said he does.

Funny thing is though I have a very good idea who he is. And therefor as per my basic rules.

YOUR BANNED.

Now go train as opposed to trying to cause politics and maybe one day you will be able to make comment from expeariance.

Pat

_________________
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

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:44 pm

Guest

Seminar being held by Alan Jones 29th October at the Festival Hall, Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts.

mike-a

Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:44 am

Junior Instructor Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 172 Location: Auckland, New Zealand

My Balintawak experience comes from instructors trained in both the Taboada and Teovel methods. On the whole GM Bobby T visits NZ and trains and grades the folks here, but some members of the main group also travel to the PI to train with the late GM Velez's sons (Chito and Eddie). As a result, although the methods are similar, a broad base of single weapon skills are covered.

I originally learned the 12 angles in basic and full-power, block-and-counter with and without control. After this the 'advanced' block and counter techniques were taught, as well as the releases, or disarms. This is one difference in the methods. I believe GM Bobby's method teaches the disarms stick to stick only (I welcome corrections). The method I learned was the 25 disarms (10 for #1, 10 for #2, 2 for #10/#6, 2 for #11/#7, 1 for #5) stick to stick, emptyhand to stick, and hand to hand (locks).

There were other differences in the order and sequence of the b&c sequences, advanced counter, and some changes in the 'groupings' sequences.

This is only after a couple of years training, I didn't get to completion.

It is a very good system for developing great speed in block and counter, and tests your bravery when things get fast and furious in 'play'.

As an aside, I read something the other day (on the net, so accuracy may be dubious) They basically said that when GM Bacon was training with the Saavedras, they trained stick and dagger, but 'Anciong' would often stab at his partner, so they took the dagger off him, and he developed his style accordingly. (Absolutely no disrespect is meant, it was just something I read that may have explained GM Anciong's use of the single stick among his Labangon/ Doce Pares peers of different styles)

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