I've seen an old man in the Philippines use his flip flops to ward off 4 thugs with knives in the slums. its like watching a movie take but this was for real. The old man got a cut in his left arm but his skill was truly a sight to see.

I'm starting to understand why so many of old sailors speak about how badly beaten up they got in Philippines and Thailand, by people twice smaller than them.

Man, I seriously like how good natured and encouraging the instructor is. I see so many that teach a true and deadly art that act as a drill instructor: yelling at you and only pointing out faults and flaws.

Although the following comment could be applied to a number of martial arts systems, I am particularly thinking about the various Filipino fighting styles. My strong advice is this: Don't get all caught up in your particular style as being "the best," "the most realistic," "the oldest," "the deadliest," etc. I have worked with a number of FMA styles -- Inosanto/Lacosta, Doces Pares, Pikiti Tirsia, Serrada, Modern Arnis, Villabrille-Largusa, Sayoc, and several others. The proponents of each style will give you a number of reasons (which sometimes merely border on "rationalizations" more than anything else) as to why their particular style is the best. They are all very proud of their group, just as Dan Inosanto used to compare them to rival high school football teams. Just nod your head and agree with them and they'll be more inclined to teach you their particular method. Most of the FMA styles should be thought of family systems -- they have a particular training progression, they stress certain drills, they concentrate on certain ranges of combat. When you work within that system, be humble and learn everything you can (empty your cup, in other words, to use the Buddhist metaphor) and think of the style, system, or art -- depending on the term they use -- as a way to organize the material to be learned. That's all the style, system, or art really is -- it's a vehicle to organize the techniques, strategies, and drills that you as the individual martial artist can use for your personal physical and spiritual development.

Plenty of keyboard warriors in the comment section. A little bit of history: masters like Atillo (red shirt in the video), Bacon, Cañete all fought brutal matches with real sticks and no protection (called death matches) in Cebu and survived. That is all well documented and proved the effectiveness of the art. In balintanwak you stop the blow or hit the shoulder during friendly sparring to train your reflexes (such as what we are seeing in the video), while other forms of the art use head gear and protection. Complaining because they are stopping the blow and not killing each other is like whining about boxers using gloves or grapplers not training on concrete. Anyways, awesome display from two incredible practitioners.

Thats why you should respect your elders

why cant filipinos make good hand to hand combat movies? When our practice sparring already looks epic

Proud to have trained with GM Atillo in CatchboxingMMA in Bronx NY !! 👊

HEY HEY HEY careful HO HO HEY HEY!

Hola mucho gusto es un placer saludarle mi estimado amigo me gusta el deporte de las artes marciales es mi deporte favorito

gotta love that energy! "your hands your hands be careful your hands" " ho ho hoho oho"

These two are amazing to watch in person

Unbelievable! Love these skills. This is a Grandmaster at 'work'. I cannot praise this ability enough. Thank you. Best wishes.

Probably because there arent many big Hollywood actors who want to learn eskrima. Its hard enough for them to kick and punch correctly let alone use a knife or sword or gun correctly. lol

Yeah, they're doing hubad, a practicing & sensitivity drill. It's meant to build reflexes and body mechanics.

This is not a sport like MMA, this one is Deadly!

Eskrima has a lot of useful techniques that can translate into real-world situations

it's beautiful in a way the sparring, when two different forces meet and become just kind of a dance of give and take.

For all those that make the claim that "people don't fight like this" please bear this in mind: a) yes filipinos did historically fight like this. These are the more classic weapons that were used before guns were introduced. B) modern fma schools teach the use of weaponry in different forms with everyday objects: i.e., chains, sticks, pens, umbrellas, etc. The skills learned thru the classical weapons are easily transferred to really anything that can be used as an extension of the hand.

I love how this grandmaster Is so cool n funny shows how much years he's had in his training how he can play n still be so damn good

love both of these guys, very skilled and a real treat to train with. If you have an interest in Eskrima, particularly Balintawak take the opportunity to study with Grand Master Atillo and/or Master Virgil, you won't regret it

Such skill. very pleased I am able to watch and enjoy even if it is only on YT. Great personality and even more skill.

these are the most advanced hand to hand techniques to be followed. I like it very much.

Anyone who thinks this is total shit, get to the part where they start the stick drills. Now imagine instead the old guy having a knife, and the other dude is like some random thug who know "street fighting" and also has a knife. The old guy has muscle memory and retention. imagine how hes holding back on this student yet still manages to block, parry almost all of his strikes. In the real world that speed and muscle memory targets all the right places. This man would fuck your day up easily. If you really think this is some slap fighting BS. look up Raw Combat International with Luke Holloway. He trains this "slap fighting" to Law enforcement and Military worldwide. They wouldn't even look at him if they didn't think his shit wasn't worth their time. Also...navy seals practice this "slap fighting" so maybe yall should do some research before you bash!

FMA has been around but it's always behind the scenes. Like the knife fight from Winter Soldier and Black Panther fights and Arrow as well and other movies.

Looks to be a very difficult martial art to master. But, definitely a dangerous art form to combat at close quarter fighting. Very impressive how the art form links unarmed parries to weapons training. Hands and arms are right in there alongside of weaponry. Usually in close quarter stuff, the aim is to avoid limbs meeting weapons attacks. Must say the demonstration looked good, very effective fighting style indeed...

It's quite amazing how little energy he seems to put out. To do this so effortlessly is quite impressive.

Very interesting. Nice hands, fast hands, I'll have to see more now. Thanks.

His speed is absolutely stunning for his age. The product of consistent martial practice. Great video.

Growing up in the Philippines we did Arnis (Local name for Escrima or Kali) in PE. and for all you thinking this wont work in the streets, you are SORELY mistaken. Depending on the type of stick or be it a MACHETE, Arnis is by far one of the best self-defense arts one could have......sure its flashy but thats by default. Try getting hit in the face with a 1lb. 4 ounce Kamagong stick by a seasoned Arnis veteran..... I would choose a kali stick over a knife any day!

This little GM is an animal, I love it, awesome demonstration of Balintawak.

A true Martial Art for warriors.

we should be in CA sometime this year, guess where I'm going to try to get to....

Very nice video of Grandmaster Atillo showing different aspects of the art. Thank you very much for sharing!

Yes exactly, Bruce Lee got many elements from this martial art. Its amazing man

I just love how much fun he's having. Haha.

I would'nt fight either one of these guys.

The precision on the stick fighting was just.... surgical

We think it's fast, but I'm sure he was seeing things in slow motion. Look how relaxed he is.

the point is that a knife doesnt need that much power to cut through u and if u cant react fast enough ull even might loose a limb. its that simple. a quick hit and ur arms are paralyzed for ever. just a single stab lets ur body fall to the ground like a wet bag of loundry. so if u think of a 3 round brawl with knifes, each round has to be like 15 seconds to keep it realistic. i wouldnt bet on a guy whos trained in mma for 20 years if he had to fight a girl 60 pounds lighter, with 20 months of intens training and nothing but a 3 inch blade to fight him.

The blade and stick are taught in Largo range (long), medio (mid) or Sumbrada which the checking hand and play a role, and in close or hubud range where the blade is no longer viable, but the thrust and hilt is used to hit. Some styles excel in certain areas. Balintawak has a effective mid and close range emphasis. As in most striking, it is hard to keep a determined combatant from closing unless you are very skilled, or have the luxury of lots of room to move.

It’s so interesting to compare martial arts that was cultivated during a period of subjugation and martial arts that was cultivated for conquest and war. While the Spanish were practicing very orthodox and regimented fencing, a Filipino grandpa was probably working in the fields when he turned to his grandson and said “Anak, tonight after you wash the rice I’m gonna show you how to stab a Spanish guy and get away with it”. This kind of martial arts probably most closely resembles what combat was like before sophisticated tool-use became a thing. Nobody was thinking scientifically about striking and defending, it was just “moves that’ll get you killed” and “moves that’ll get the other guy killed”. That being said, there’s nothing unsophisticated about Kali, Capoeira, or fucking Haitian machete fighting when compared to Latin HEMA, Kung-Fu, or Karate. I simply mean that it’s noticeable how necessity shapes the way these techniques are developed. It’s very fascinating how subjugated classes often find very creative and unorthodox ways of killing people.

thank you very much for this demonstration. your art is well worth practicing.

They are drilling, not fighting. But I do know that when you no the drills and the variables for each angle, you can try to get hit by the other person and successfully counter and return. Which is why it is taught in a catch, counter, return manor. Very effective. Your true sparring goes up by leaps and bounds when you know how, and have practiced so many reps in so many different angles. If all you do is spar, you seldom get better technically.

Outstanding demonstrations!!! If a person enters a fight thinking his style of martial arts is superior to his opponents style, then he already lost the fight!! If you haven't received any stitches, staples, scars or broken bones in your lifetime, then you never fought. Semper-Fi. Shaolin Wu-Shu (Master Brown) Md.

If you dance the same rhythm long enough it’ll stop being choreography and will turn into muscle memory. And just like any pianist who can compose and adapt music at a moment’s notice or whim, a dancer can do the same. This applies to a lot of things as well. Like typing in a keyboard. You get the point.

when they interchange attacks with the sticks that was so SICK

great skill and obviously a great sense of humour as well..great stuff

Don’t exactly know what I’m seeing but it appears to me that both those men are extremely skilled martial artists.

This isn't sparring these are practice drills, and the younger student looks like he is being over-aggressive.

I just read a lot of ignorant comments. The father of "MMA" loved Filipino martial arts and applied it. The repetition of these movements, like in many martial arts is to train the body so things becomes automatic, sensitivity train just like in wing chun - the father of MMA first art if I remember (he learned boxing first I think in high school). A true martial artist doesn't disrespect other martial artist, that's not what should be taught. In the real world, many of those "thugs" and "bad guys" don't train in martial arts. Anyone who studies their art to their full potential can defend themselves and their family. MMA or Kali. Boxing or karate. I come from a family, and extended family members who studied different arts. And I've seen plenty "REAL WORLD" fights (fights were the norm where I grew up) from guys in my family and extended family with different styles...within seconds it was over, unless it was a gang of dudes fighting. Walking home from school, the fear of getting into a fight WAS REAL!! We had to learn Martial Arts.....I've had my own real world situations (knock on wood, no more i'm too old) and I haven't "lost". Even after a decade away from martial arts, I was still able to stop advancements of these three individuals (all in different years) when I moved to california a decade ago. I didn't join martial arts to compete, it was a way of life and it was spiritual. Many have lost that part of martial arts, the enlightenment - which i recently realized last year. You see, I"ve been in many REAL WORLD fights from 7th grade (broke his leg) till 2012 thanksgiving morning (he was snoring), but every single fight I was in, I felt horrible and felt bad. I was concern about the person I injured. I'm just unlucky that situations follows me. But, I've also defused many situations without physical contact. Even after 20 years in Martial Arts, I still feel like a failure. Too many learn MA or MMA for all the wrong reason and it's sad. It's about self, not who's better or this art is better. We are a community of martial artist. It's sad the mentality of these ignorant people. If these ppl grew up in the time and place I grew up, they'll stop talking bullshit, because the REAL WORLD don't have refs. ONE on ONE is a joke, these guys go 2 to 12 vs. one!!!! I swear, they don't know how it truly feels to keep looking over your shoulder or the fear of getting pounded.

Next use lightsabers.

especially the empty and dagger sets. Once they get into the longer weapons the dynamic changed a little bit. Still pretty awesome to watch them do the drills.

This takes me back to my teenage years studying escrima and kali by doce pares and a sundagan teacher I had

I'm a trained knight fighter and the first thing you're told is plan on getting cut. Don't fear it but expect. The scars on my hands and knuckles are testament to that but it is so very worth it for the beauty of the art as well as the ability to defend yourself.

I agree, the blades got my attention... It's also how my some of buddies got into FMA. The Blades

I'm learning escrima at the moment and it's really calm practicing. But if you get into a fight and you have a stick, that bad guy is in for a treat.

I would love to see wing chun and escrima practitioners sparring together… just imagine the chemistry

I'm really scared of how fast they swing everything.. I just start to close my eyes lol..😆

This IS used on the street in the Philippines, weapons are commonly used in street brawls there with little police involvement. Eskrima isn't a sporting martial art, it's a combative art. Yes it does have competitions, but not for belts and trophies. It's used to beat opponents and make sure they can't retaliate (possibly ever again). What you're seeing here are practice drills teaching the student muscle-memory reactions to real situations outside of 'controlled environments'.

Yeah exactly. There has been open trade and movement between many of the Asian countries so it makes perfect sense. Considering that the Philippines has been trading with China, along with the rest of Asia, for almost 900 years it's plausible.

words cannot describe gm atillo!! one can just hope to have great skills that is only matched by greater humility.

To each to his own style... not every style would fit a person's character... but regardless of preference... Master Ising clearly puts ART in Martial Arts...

Pretty damn cool!!

I disagree, I think it is practical. It teaches you how the body moves and to pay attention to your opponent and importantly control. I do agree that set forms are not practical but being able to adapt to the situation and use what you learned is important.

Seems very similar to Wing Chun close quarter blocking. That old man is amazing!!!!

amazing hand-eye coordination...reminds me of some of the hand to hand fight scenes in the Bourne movies

One of those time I really wish I could play a video in half-speed.

I'd love to learn Eskrima sometime... but then again I almost had a heart attack just from watching these guys practice! XD

damn this instructor is great!!! why didnt i meet him?

Every teacher has his own way to teach his students included but not limited to there yell.. my teacher likes to use BAM BAM BAM the way he brings it, it's awesome

We used our ancient Filipino martials against wars with Spain, the United States and Japan.

Thanks Master Giamo for bringing this in.

Ising is a very talented and good instructor. I trained with him in Southern California

I agree with you mate, Escrima is the martial arts for the real thing. As the Philippines is overflowing with criminals equipped with knives and other Bladed weapons, this is a real treat for them.

the stick part was beyond amazing

That sir's too cool, I'm his fan

this is so bad ass!!!! just the speed alone makes me go crazy!!!

That's how I believe one goes about attempting to become a true master...they learn "everything" then realize they "know" nothing, empty their "cup" and then attain a higher understanding.

Simply perfect

very nice balintawak, train in nickelstick balintawak myself, always good to see balintawak videos, thanks for posting, very nice, cheers

You'd be surprised how easy _some_ (not all) of that is to learn. It's called sinawali (sp?) or weaving. Basically it's a repeated pattern of simultaneous attack and defensive movements. Once you get the pattern going with a competent partner, you can do very impressive speed demonstrations. Also, they're designed to work open-handed or with a weapon - very versatile.

Shiiiiit imagine pinoy anime with fights like this Shiiiiiit that would be dope

The problem with this video is that the student has gained enough skill to compliment his speed and youth. I have the utmost respect for GM Atillo, but his age has already caught up to him.

Goddamn, he's correcting him while sparring...

my grandfather is really great^^ he's a real nice person, i wonder when he'll come back here in philippines, we're already missing him, i have'nt seen him since his last visit here in our house, actually it;s been 10 years ago! i wag 6 going to 7 at that time! lol! hahaha! he's really good in teaching!

Eskrima is not only stick and knife fighting it is also hand to hand combat and disarms

LOL the stick to stick was hilarious. Grandmaster close to laughing as they go smacking him in the leg. Great video. :)

Its 2021 now and i only know about balintawak just a few minutes ago😅

Yes experience is the key will all martial arts. Another important thing to think about is that no matter how hard you train if you don't know how apply what you have learned it is meaningless.

YES!!!! how i wish of it to see him in person

Some of you just making bad comments about how fake it's. Definitely in a real fight this will not happen, but do you think a guy with this very good eye-muscle coordination will let himself down in a real fight ? I don't think so, why I don't see those negative comments for a boxer training on speed bag ? Is his type of short fast punches as in real life? Of course no. Just train your mind & body to stay alive in this world by any means & forget about Hollywood type of heroes.

That's Amazing!!!

I've got no doubt the guy is skilled but there's a lot of ego play going on here. Many times the older guy is about to lose and turns back to his students as if he's finished the demonstration to prevent himself receiving the winning blow from his student. Notice he never stops when it is he himself who has the advantage! When using the knives/sticks etc. look closely at the exact moments he choose to says "watch you hand" or "ha" they are all timed to put his opponent off the strike like someone making a random noise just as you take your golf swing. The best teachers should always be happy to concede to a student who through dedicated following of his teachings has reached the point at which he surpasses his teacher.

He is very nice! And the camera doesn't really show you how fast he is with the sticks. He very frequently comes to visit my friends school in Illinois.

So when I was a punk teen I actually took a swing at my dad and he deflected it escrima style because that’s what he learned in school in the Philippines.

I live in Manila and have been around in parts unknown and I swear we are not fight frenzy, not if you're an uneducated squatter in wich case they dont even know Filipino martial arts, in w/c case those who do not only avoid fights but conceal their knowledge unless their teaching.

look how calm he is he barely moves his head

Just like wing chun, great tutorial. Block low kick with low stop kick or chop to the ankle

superb!!