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.

What's Covered ​

• 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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