Mandirigmang Kaliradman

THE CODE OF MK
 
KARANGALAN - Honor Untarnished, For God, Country & Self
KATAPATAN - Trust and Loyalty among Friends
KAGITINGAN - Valor, to die for one's beliefs and ideals
KATAPANGAN - Courage, never to retreat in the face of adversity
HUSTISYA - Justice, to treat all equally and never take a life without just cause
 
It is said that the greatness of a people is judged by the cultural heritage of its society. It is from this cultural heritage that national identity and love for country arises. Pride for one's race comes from the Martial history of its people, the legendary exploits of its heroes and the glory of its past...from its Warrior Ethic.
Every society has its own version of the warrior ethic. Japan has its Samurai warriors, Korea has the Hwarang, India revels in the glory of its Kalaripayyat warriors. To the Filipino, the warrior class is represented by the Kali Warriors of pre-hispanic Philippines. Philippine history tells us of the exploits of these fearless fighters. Skilled in the use of various weaponry and unarmed combat, these warriors were feared not only for their skill, but also for their courage and ferocity as well.
Unknown to many, the Filipino Combat Art of Kali contributed greatly in the formation of this country's destiny. It was Kali which killed Magellan that fateful day on the shores of Mactan. Kali helped the early Katipuneros in their struggle to rid themselves of the Spanish yoke. Japanese soldiers found their match during World War II, in our Guerilla fighters. It is the story behind the formation of the first all-filipino infantry division, the First Infantry Tabak Division during the American Commonwealth, and the legendary Guerilla unit of World War II, the Bolo Battalion. These Warriors are the unsung heroes of our past, men who were willing to give their lives for their country and people.
Indeed, the Filipino art of Kali is a tribute to the ingenuity, and bravery of our forefathers. It reminds us of the greatness of our past, the glory of the Sri-vijayan and Majapahit Empires which once spanned all of South East Asia; a past from which the Filipino can draw strength and pride from.
We, the members of Mandirigmang Kaliradman believe in this past. We believe in the capability of the Filipino warrior, and it is our aim to revive this ethic, the FilipinoWarrior Ethic.
- Manolo del Rosario

GENERAL INFORMATION
KALI is an ancient indigenous Filipino martial art which is primarily weapons based. The term KALI itself stems from the word Kalis which basically means bladed weapon. Kali is the old term which dates back to the pre-hispanic era.Modern names for this art include :Arnis, Escrima, Estocada. Despite the fact that the art is primarily based on the use of various weaponry, empty hand techniques are also taught using the same principles and training methods used for weaponry.
This aspect of Kali makes it unique in the martial arts world.
Lightning Scientific Arnis International - Lema Scientific Kali Arnis System (LSAI - LESKAS) is a kali style which originated on the island of Panay. It is a system which stresses both SPEED and POWER in the execution of various techniques encompassing solo baston/espada, double baston, espada y daga, knife techniques, along with hand and foot techniques, locks and grappling, the primary objective being the closing off or blanketing of the opponents impending strike through either a simultaneous strike and block, strong use of the alive hand or various combinations of disarms.
Weaponry of various lengths are used ranging from 4 inches to 5 feet.
MANDIRIGMANG KALIRADMAN
is the Davao City based branch of LSAI/LESKAS. It was established on 1998, founded by Guro Manolo del Rosario. Its primary objective is the preservation and propagation of the Filipino Martial Arts as a means for instilling National Pride and Cultural Identity among its members.

It is currently composed of 1st batch "Dugong Bughaw"(Royal Blood), 2nd batch "BahiKamaguway (Bahi, Kamagong, Uway), 3rd batch "Kambal Kamagong"(Twin Kamagaong),4th batch "Bagani ng Kali"(Heroes of Kali), 5th batch "Mike",6th batch "Jap" and 7th batch "Hurementados"(Berserkers), 8th batch Kamaong Bakal"(Iron Fist), batch 9 Duguang Palad (Blooded Palm), batch 10, batch 11 "Kinaadman" (Wisdom), batch 12 Natibong Pinuti and Batch 13 Dahong Palay

Location: Jaycees Gym (next building from YMCA Gym), Jacinto Extension, DAvao City
Schedule: T-Th-S from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

MK Ateneo Chapter (Davao) practices every wednesday at Ateneo de Davao University at the 6th floor from 3:40 pm til 5:00pm.

MK Cebu Chapter practices at the Abellana Sports Complex. However schedules depend upon the instructor. The schedule will be posted at the MK Cebu website.
 
LSAI - LESKAS PERSONALITIES

GRANDMASTER BENJAMIN LUNA LEMA (LSAI)

Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema or more fondly called as Mang Ben was born on 1919 in the town of Mambusao, Capiz, Grandmaster Lema established LSAI in 1937. He learned the art the traditional way, first from his father and uncles, and eventually from various Maestros living in the region. He was one of the pillars of the National Arnis Association of the Philippines and is among the Philippines' revered Grandmasters. Mang Ben passed away on January 5, 2003.
MASTER ELMER A. YBANEZ (LESKAS)
Master Ybanez was Grandmaster Lema's personal student. He is one of the few individuals granted the Masters rank by Mang Ben in the LSAI/LESKAS style of Arnis-Escrima-Kali. He relocated to the United States and promoted the art there. Master Elmer Ybanez passed away on March 31, 2004.
Scope of training is as follows:
 
Single Baston/Espada
Double Baston/Espada
Espada y Daga (Sword and Dagger)
Tapado (40 inch two handed stick, also the primary training tool for the Filipino Kampilian Sword)
Bangkaw/Sibat (4-5 foot stick)
Daga (Knife)
Dos Pontas/Olising Maliit (4 inch pocket stick)
Pangamot (Empty Hand Techniques which include): Sikaran (lowline kicking and base destruction including use of knees and shin)
Panununtukan (Filipino Boxing, use of the arms for attack including elbows)
Trancada (use of locks and breaking techniques)
Dumog (Filipino wrestling/grappling including throws and takedowns)
HOW DO I GET IN?
Traditionally, due to the potentially lethal nature of the art, only people who are reffered by currently active members are allowed. Even so, these individuals undergo a screening process. Walk-ins are also accepted, although they must go through a probationary period for observation and assessment. Or you may email us at mk_leskas@yahoo.com if you do not have refferals so an arrangement can be made.
Check out the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the Filipino Martial Arts page for a more in-depth explanation on the Filipino Martial Arts.