What we may dislike about FMA?

[Sinyalan]

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I think it would be a good time to explore the topic of what we may dislike about FMA.

For me, there's nothing in the Art itself I dislike. Rather, its the people who seem to be drawn to this Art since FMA became the flavor of the month. Back in the day, before videos and the internet; before everyone was a guru, sultan guru, punong guru, etc.; before everyone and his brother became a knife fighting expert; FMAer's were a rare breed (at least around here). Back then, anyone who seriously followed Kali/escrima/silat had to have some serious "underground" connections. The guys who had the training were very secretive about it, and were extremely reluctant to even talk about what they knew, let alone display it.

I basically started in 1987, quite by accident. I didn't know there were different styles/systems, I didn't know how many drills there were. Each class that I learned even one new technique - I came away feeling like I had found buried treasure. I remember how honored i felt to even be a small part of such a wonderful tradition. There was no inter- or intra-style politics. Just training and a love for the Art.

Woe unto the present generation. Now everyone is a guru. Everyone has instructional videos. You can observe the online discussions of absolute idiots who have never even been in a fight or armchair wannabe "tactical combat" experts argue over who has the best knife fighting system and/or what system is the best for combat.

I really pray that another ninjutsu-like trend sweeps the martial arts world, so that we can have our Art back from the masses. I say we go back underground where we belong.

that's my rant. Anyone else care to share?

[BADDOG2003]

I love FMA style. Even though naka pahuway ko sa MK group pero ako gyapon gi practice ang gi tudlo ni pauwiks nako... Sayang lang ka ayo nga uwahi nako ni na kat-unan ang FMA style dapat mao unta ni ang first nakung kat-unon..

[ginobaby]

unsa nang FMA baddog?

[Sinyalan]

unsa nang FMA baddog?

FMA as in FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS... sorry Bdog, ako na hinoon ni tubag sa pangutana ni ginobaby...

[BADDOG2003]

he he he! ok ra uy!

[chocomai]

bro sinyalan. whats wrong with everyone having instructional videos? mostly the ones that make these videos are the old masters, if not for videos we woulnt see them(especially the ones that have passsed away). secret stuff? its FMA, and we are filipinos, anyone who seeks the knowledge must have the venues in which to find it.shouldnt we be proud that because of videos (etc) public demonstrations, FMA has become popular and hence recognized around the world?

I have a 1982 BBC documentary about doce pares(escrima) and in the doc there was an event held in cebu coliseum where escrima is publicly shown. no secrets there and the original doce pares club, practiced theiir art sa gym sauna where every neighbor can see, dili man gi tago tago.

[Sinyalan]

Brod chocomai... nothing is wrong with videos... but here's is my input. There is no substitute to a real master. Videos are limited instructions... it can never think, it can never see your speed and it can never see your progress. I have reservations of going our beloved art to display on public view.. okay ra ug diha lang sa Pilipinas because we pinoys should know the art.

Mao nga daghan na kaayong jumping on the bandwagon just to promote FMA even though kadaghanan nila are fakes. Daghang mga langyaw mo anha sa Cebu city aron makat-on ug Eskrima for just a month of training unya inig uli nila sa ilang lugar... they claim that they are promoted as instructors.. how sad nga atong art becomes diluted or watered down... for few techniques they become instructors or the system. Doce Pares are at first promotes ever since dili pa known sa world ang eskrima... way back 1940s... I admire DP sa ilang promotion sa art apan daghan kaayong peke didto sa laing nasud nga kuno gitudloan sila sa DP grandmasters... unya diay ilang strikes and exercises are hiwi kaayo... kulang sa refinement...

[chocomai]

i know what u mean bro sinyalan, i have seen instructional videos of those fake FMA'ers

bata pa kaayo, and instructor na, just because they are half filipino, have a filipino face, so other americans tend to believe them as authentic.

but thankfully, for videos too. old instructors are forever caught and preserved on tape. so we can go back to ogirinal even afther they are long gone

[darth_yoda]

i'm a fan of FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) but here are some things (in the past or maybe until now) that could have made it a big turn off for some of the younger generation who didn't understand the richness of its cultural history.
1. Baduy custome. (No need to mention what)
2. If walking with a stick, usually referred to the istambays as 'tanod'.
3. Lack of exposure. Some don't even know what is the common wood used for this art. Bamboo? Some would also ask the trivial question what if you don't have a stick? Some would even say that the style came from a different country. Kayasa ninyo uy. hehe

I'm hope to see FMA being more popular in the Philippines like TKD is in Korea or Karate is in Japan. It would also be good to see more formal and professional people getting involved. Maybe see some FMA shirts in addidas, nike, etc. What else? hehe. But I don't worry. Whatever direction it is heading in terms of popularity, I would always be proud of being a Filipino and being a student of this effective combat art.

[--Makoy--]

kulang sa publicity and FMA mao nang di kaayo sikat