ESKRIMA MASTER in CEBU / (Martial Arts In The Philippines)

Pea takes a hands-on Eskrima lesson in Cebu from Robert, a 15-year master, at a training facility owned by a descendant of one of the original grandmasters. The video is part demonstration, part self-defense tutorial, with Robert teaching Pea basic strikes, blocking, escape techniques from grabs and chokes, and the philosophy behind when to fight versus when to flee.

Background on Eskrima and the training facility ​

• Eskrima is considered the national sport of the Philippines, originating in the 1920s
• The facility is owned by Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Cañete, one of the descendants of the original Eskrima masters
• The art is rooted in Cebu — this is where it originated
• Robert has been practicing for 15 years

Three branches of the martial art taught at the facility ​

• Eskrima: fighting with sticks
• Eskrido: stick techniques combined with judo and aikido grappling
• Pangamut: bare-hand/empty-hand combat techniques
• The sticks are just extensions of the hand — the same movements apply with or without a weapon

Robert's #1 self-defense rule ​

• Pea asks what to do if four guys attack you
• Robert's answer: run. If you can escape, escape — there's nothing wrong with that
• You only fight back when you're trapped and have no other option

Basic strikes Pea learns ​

• Sessions always start with wrist exercises — holding the stick in the middle and snapping to stretch the wrists
• Fighting stance is similar to boxing: forward, balanced, feet positioned properly
• Key concept: always imagine you're holding a blade with the sharp edge facing forward — strike so the "sharp" hits the target
• Four basic strikes form an X pattern: alternating diagonal slashes from both sides, including strikes from the hip
• Robert then teaches the first three of the 12 basic strikes in Cacoy Doce Pares (their specific Eskrima system), which are the most commonly useful in street fights: strike to the top of the head (#1), a side strike (#2), and a third angle strike (#3), each with corresponding blocks

How long to master the basics ​

• Depends on the student's learning curve
• Typically three to four years to master the beginner level
• Pea jokes she better start immediately

Historical context ​

• Arnis/Eskrima was used by Filipinos to fight the Japanese during World War II
• One of the founding masters of Eskrima in Cebu (possibly Vedra) was captured and killed by a Japanese soldier
• The Philippines has abundant sticks/bamboo, making it a naturally available weapon

Empty-hand self-defense techniques Robert demonstrates ​

• Escaping a wrist grab: Don't pull away instinctively (which is everyone's natural reaction and doesn't work) — instead, find the opening in the grip and snap through it. Even against a very strong grip, the opening always exists
• Escaping a bear hug from behind (cabinat): Multiple options — use your shoulders to throw the attacker off balance, or use a shoulder strike
• Escaping a choke: Kick to the groin — Robert confirms this is perfectly legal in Eskrima. Pea summarizes: "Kick the nuts and sayonara"
• Pinning an attacker: Grab their hand, twist the wrist, and push down hard — if you don't control the wrist, they can counter

Free sparring session ​

• Pea and Robert do a brief one-stick free sparring session
• They always bow before and after sparring
• Key rule: always maintain eye contact
• Robert then demonstrates a combination of all the techniques together

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