Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima. Antonio Somera

      

      The Secrets of

       Giron Arnis

       Escrima

       Antonio E. Somera

      The Secrets of

       Giron Arnis

       Escrima

       Antonio E. Somera

      TUTTLE PUBLISHING

       Tokyo • Rutland, Vermont • Singapore

      Disclaimer

      Please note that the publisher and author(s) of this instructional book are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Martial arts training can be dangerous—both to you and to others—if not practiced safely If you’re in doubt as to how to proceed or whether your practice is safe, consult with a trained martial arts teacher before beginning. Since the physical activities described herein may be too strenuous in nature for some readers, it is also essential that a physician be consulted prior to training.

      Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 USA.

      Copyright © 1998 by Antonio E. Somera

       All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Somera, Antonio E., 1957-

      The Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima / Antonio E. Somera.—1st. ed.

       xiii, 133p. : ill. ; 23cm.

      ISBN 978-0-8048-3139-0 (pbk.)

       ISBN 978-1-4629-1696-2 (ebook)

      1. Giron, Leo M., 1911- . 2. Escrima. 3. Martial arts—

      Philippines. 4. Hand-to-hand fighting, Oriental. I. Title.

      GV1114.38.565 1998

      796.815—dc21 97-45547

       CIP

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      Dedication

      In loving memory of my father,

       Celestino “Chester” Serna Somera (1915-1995).

      I would first like to dedicate this book to my loving and beloved wife, Sally, who has stood by me and has inspired me mentally and emotionally in my pursuit of the art I love so much. To my parents, Chester and Frances Somera, who raised me to believe in myself and to be proud of my Filipino heritage. My father, Chester, boarded the President Hayes in June of 1930, at the age of fifteen, to seek his fortune in a new land called America. My father is my strength. My mother, Frances (Dolly), married my father on April 1, 1954, and had to deal with the prejudices that went along with a culturally mixed marriage. She also worked along side my father for over forty years in the fields of Stockton, California. My mother is my love. To my brother, Chester Jr., who always protected me from the cruel actions of others while growing up as a mestizo. My sister, Felecitas (Felly), who also experienced the same cruel acts while growing up as a mestiza.

      To my former karate teachers, Rodney Hu Sensei, Malcom Equinoa Sensei, and Eric Shingu Sensei, who without knowing it inspired me to pursue our Filipino art. To Dave Duckworth and Mel Won, who in my early years of education inspired me to be the best I could be.

      I would also like to dedicate this book to all the past and present manongs and manangs that struggled and sacrificed in the early years to make our life better. To the past and present students of the Bahala Na Martial Arts Club for keeping our art alive. To uncle Carlos and Alberta, you are always in my thoughts and heart.

      Last but not least, I would like to dedicate this book to Grandmaster Leo M. Giron, who has patiently taught me the art of my forefathers, who to many of his students is not only a wonderful person and an excellent teacher, but a great friend.

      ▲ Table Of Contents ▲

Foreword by Dan Inosanto
Acknowledgements
Introduction
	PART ONE: Background and Overview
1.	Development of a Fighting Art
Regionalism
The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
The Symbols of Unity
Leo M. Giron
World War II
Giron’s Philosophy of Escrima
The Bahala Na Martial Arts Academy
2.	The Twenty Styles of Giron Arnis Escrima
The Master’s Fan
Overview of the Twenty Styles