Page 32 - Martial Science August #22-2017

Kali, the indigenous fighting art of the

Philippines, is known as the

“art of blade.” One of the world’s

foremost masters of Kali delves

into its history, mechanics,

and the Kali fighter’s

unrelenting approach

to survival.

and Grand Tuhon Gaje’s belief in Kali as a path classes, curriculum and seminars on Kali, ap-
to wisdom in healing, not just fighting. This is ply.
the wisdom of a warrior.
Much of Kali’s combative practice has been
As a warrior, the taking of a life is only justified embedded in the Filipino way of life for cen-
when one’s own life, or the life of the clan, is turies. It’s an art of disguised motion, and its
in jeopardy. “A warrior understands his role as deadliness is hidden in plain sight.
protector and must be physically and mentally
conditioned to survive anything,” says Ladra. Under Spanish rule from the late 16th into the
“This is belief in health, not sickness. This is 19th century—and with the memory of Magel-
the never-surrender mindset.” lan’s defeat at the hands of armed natives al-
ways fresh among the occupying Spaniards—
Tuhon Apolo’s origins as a martial artist came Filipino people were banned from practicing
through the practice of taekwondo in Balti- martial arts or carrying sticks or blades. But
more in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. His may ac- they were not banned from entertaining the
complishments include becoming the top- colonialists or from working in the fields.
ranked Eastern Regional Champion during the
1980s and more than 100 first-place trophies “So it was there that we practiced the art, in
and grand championship titles in national and secret. The authorities watched, of course, but
international competitions. He inspired thou- they didn’t know what they saw.”
sands of students through the running of 57
taekwondo schools. But still he felt the pull to In this way, a simple agricultural routine dou-
do more. bles as hours of training in movements inte-
gral to the art of blade. As a farmer plants rice,
Grandmaster Joe Corley would come to de- he reaches to the hip for the bucket of seed
scribe Ladra’s teaching style as “charismatic, that hangs from his belt. He grasps and pulls
empowering and humble.” The grandmaster the handful of seed and lets it fly across the
and martial arts legend would also describe paddy with a slashing motion, just as if slash-
Ladra’s technique as “deadly fast, accurate, ing across the opponent’s belly. He repeats the
smooth and nasty.” motions, hundreds of times, stepping to the
All of the above, as Ladra emphasizes in his right and left in a V formation. All the levels,

32 MARTIALSCIENCEMAGAZINE.COM