COMING BACK FULL CIRCLE
By Maha Guru SGMD
I first began training, and teaching martial arts starting back in 1972. Since that early time period, some of my first student's have emerged, and have come full circle to tell me about the positive affects that my style of martial arts has had in their lives, such as Master Instructor Henry Antipuesto, Master Bobby Ford, Master Taitano, the late Master Instructor Conrad Martinez, former California Correctional Officer Frank Smith, retired California Correctional Officer Captain Ray Novencido, along with many other former student's as well.
In 1976, I relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, and opened up a Kajukenbo Kickboxing Academy there. The name of the academy was called; the 'MERCURY KARATE GUNG FU SCHOOL.'
It was in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, that I promoted, and brought together two of the legendary Bruce Lee's top student's into the city, Guro Dan Inosanto, and the late Great Grandmaster Richard S. Bustillo, in order to conduct an exclusive 'Jeet Kune Do/Kali' workshop. These two Bruce Lee student's brought out the "Who's Who" within the community of Cleveland's top notch martial artist's.
Cleveland's Shaolin Kung Master James Cook, came out to pay homage to the two special guest stars. Additionally, 'Filipino Martial Arts' Grandmaster Manuel Taningco, came up from Dayton, Ohio, in order to perform his style of stick fighting, the late great Grandmaster Kenny Ferguson of Cleveland, Ohio, was in the house on that day, and Master Guro Freddie Thompson of Cleveland, Ohio, not only attended this spectacular event, but later went on to study Bruce Lee's art form in California, directly under both Guro Dan Inosanto, and Great Grandmaster Richard S. Bustillo as well.
Bringing Bruce Lee’s student's into Cleveland, Ohio, back in 1980, revolutionized much of the tone, the dynamics, and the various approaches to studying, and mastering martial arts. Bruce Lee's method of martial arts is light years ahead of it's time, and it certainly has inspired martial artist’s worldwide to raise their bars to the 100th. Power.
In 1983, I went back to California, and promoted another Bruce Lee workshop featuring again, Guro Dan Inosanto, along with the late 'Kali Escrima Jeet Kune Do' expert, Maha Guru Ted Lucaylucay. This particular workshop featured many of California's top martial artist's such as, 'Kajukenbo' legend Ahgung Tony Ramos, Korea's 'Kuk Sool Won' Grandmaster In Joo Suh, 'Chinese Kempo Go Shin Jitsu Kai' Grand Professor Bill Chun Jr., the late Grand Master Escrimador Rene Latosa, Grandmaster Voice Rogers, 'Kajukenbo' Grand Professor's Emilio Bautista & son Grand Professor Joseph Bautista Sr., local Mayor Gary Falatti, the late dynamic 'Kuk Sool Won' Grandmaster Larry White, and countless of other's attended this illustrious historical event as well.
It was this particular promotion in 1983, that stimulated many of Northern California's Kajukenbo stylists, and other's to begin learning the weapons arts of the Philippines.
In late 1983, I opened a Kickboxing Kali/Escrima school in San Francisco, California. In 1984, I hosted and promoted another Filipino martial arts event, once again featuring Guro Dan Inosanto.
Unfortunately, due to a last minute illness, Guro Inosanto was not able to attend this particular event. Instead, two of Guro Dan Inosanto's former Filipino martial arts Instructor's stood in his place, the 'Decuerdas Eskrima Jiu Jitsu' Great Grand Professor Gilbert Tenio, and his partner the late Grand Professor John Eliab, and the headliner of the Escrima workshop, the legendary stick knife fighter, Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales from Stockton, California.
After this event was over, Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales offered to privately teach me his particular system of Filipino martial arts. This turned into a seven years affair, and totally changed the course of my life.
In 1990, with the permission and the blessings of Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales, I flew into Berlin, Germany, and established the first pure art form of 'Cabales Serrada Escrima' there, as it was taught directly to me by Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales. Since going in and out of Germany for the past fifteen years, I have taught three generations of German student's.
From 2007 on, which was my last workshop in Germany, until today 2024, I am still teaching the fine arts of 'Kajukenbo Kickboxing' and the exclusive Filipino martial arts of 'Cabales Serrada Escrima.'
Additionally, I am the Chief Executive Editor, and publisher of a martial arts magazine known as 'SERRADADOR Magazine. I also head a national/international martial arts organization known as the 'United World Serrada Escrima Federation.' This Federation is represented in (47) different countries in which the U.S.A. is the primary headquarters.
This short synopsis represents only a small portion of my background history which has gone full circle on my journey within the field of martial arts.
Maha Guru SGMD / President UWSEF
SERRADADOR Magazine/ Chief Executive Editor
Founder of 'DC Serrada System of Escrima' 🙏
☆ Wow, that was epic SGMD. You did go full circle. I am very proud of your accomplishments and many achievement awards. Your journey continues in countless numbers you made an impact in the martial Art world. It will never stop because it’s your passion of the sport and making a difference in many people who are involved also inspiring your method in many others too. Keep up the good work. I salute you forever and god bless,
Master Henry Antipuesto
