Presented by The Rooted School
& Kapwa Gardens
Funded by MoHCD
Filipino Martial Arts(FMA) is making a comeback at Kapwa Gardens. In 2022 Kapwa Gadens presented a weekly Filipino martial arts class series. From the different styles of Eskrima to Kali, Filipinos have been deeply immersed in various fighting styles for decades. Attendees got to learn to learn the basics of Filipino martial arts in an inclusive and safe space.
In 2023, Many Styles is back with a new monthly format! Each event will start with beginner classes interwoven with demonstrations. Then at the end of day, sparring sessions hosted by the Sabong Federation.
The event will also feature pre-colonial dance performances, kulintang, vendors, and other FMA adjacent cultural activities. Each month will also feature new styles of FMA.
Instructors
Ya’kub Ira
Teaching Eskrima
Ya’kub Ira (Jacob Ira) is a Muslim who was born and raised in the Philippines and has been a martial artist since he was 6 years old under the tutelage of his father who was a Masters of several Fighting Arts including Eskrima, Sikaran, Kyokushinkai, Aikido, and Judo just to name the few. A core member of Bayani Art, Ya’kub Ira maintains the ethos that a Warrior is a twofold Way of Pen and Sword as described by Miyamoto Mushashi. A master calligrapher himself both from brush and pointed pen; in his expression, a Martial Artist then must become both a scholar and a warrior in his own way. Ya’kub Ira is also a student of TauSugh Spiritualism from a specific group in Sulu which focuses on Islamic spirituality emphasizing on Tawhid, Martabat, Akhlaq, Adab, and the propagation of Sakinah.
Alex Ercia
Teaching Kalis Ilustrisimo
In 1989, Alex Ercia trained in Kombatan with GGM Ernesto Presas Sr. That is when he met GM Antonio "Tatang " Ilustrisimo, the founder of the blade system. He then was taken under Tatang's instruction in 1990. After, Master Tony Diego and Coach Arnold Narzo trained and refined his movements as he was groomed to teach Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orihinal(KIRO), the curriculum of Master Tony Diego. Now Alex teaches private classes and seminars for students interested in learning Kalis Ilustrisimo.
Kim Requesto
Teaching Pangalay
Kim Requesto is a Philippine born, Mission District raised cultural practitioner and multi-disciplinary artist based in Unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Territory also recognized as San Francisco, California. She specializes in 35mm photography, filmmaking, and dance. At the heart of Kim Requesto’s diasporic work is the mantra, “Advocacy through art.” With an artistic foundation in Philippine folk dance, Requesto has dedicated herself to cultural expression and advocacy through movement, photography, and community outreach.
Joselito Sering
Teaching Sparring
Joselito is an FMA dilettante with over 30+ years of mixed martial arts training in various urban open hand and improvised weapons combat with experience in street confrontations while being a vassal to escrima grandmasters in the SF Bay Area. He founded the Sabong Federation to exalt fellowship between FMA practitioners and lay the groundwork for a unified collective across schools and styles. His FMA journey began with Escrima Serrada in 1991 and evolved toward Kalis Ilustrisimo in 2015. He is currently studying Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) at F3 Sword Academy.
Vendors
Sparring Sessions
Hosted and led by the Sabong Federation’s Joselito Sering. The last 2 hours of Many Styles is dedicated for FMA sparring and fencing. Equipped with padded swords and safety gear, intermediate and expert level participants engaged in a controlled and dynamic exchange. Demonstrating their mastery of striking, blocking, and footwork, they showcased the effectiveness of Eskrima, Arnis, and Kalis.
*Registration is required and all participants are screened and must agree to our code of conduct and liability wavier
Tickets
Tickets for the Many Styles are FREE but we are accepting sliding scale donations. Your donations will help us continue to host our future events and keep our garden growing.
Interested in taking class? Please register down below and fill out the participation form.
Registration is required and all participants are screened and must agree to our code of conduct and liability wavier