KABAROAN (AN ESCRIMA SYSTEM OF STICK AND KNIFE FIGHTING)
KABAROAN (Sir Baron Art) "the best of Filipino
Arnis" according to Black Belt Magazine (May 1990), is
probably the most systematic and complete escrima system of
fighting art with hand - held weapons (armas de mano).
This is propagated and practiced by Grand Master Ramiro
Estalilla, Jr., World War II survivor in Cotabato, Mindanao,
Philippines.
Apo (Grand Master) Ramiro Estalilla, teaches the martial art
of KABAROAN in the content of Philippine history and culture with
the definite purpose -- to humanize the art, civilize the
artist, and refine the system.
Estallia teaches the art of his father and his grandfather.
"When I was six or seven, I used to watch my father (Ramiro
Estalilla Sr.) teaching estogue (Filipino fencing). My father
once told me an art form will die if it is not taught. That was
the reason my father taught Kabaroan, also known as Panagigam
(weaponry)."
RamiroJr. didn't start his formal training until 1944. During World War II, his interest was heightened for learning simply for the defense of his village. Estalilla's first studies of escrima were with his father and with his Uncle Bernardo, a great Escrimador of his time, in Zamboanga. After formally studying with his uncle, he went back to his father in Mindanao. Only then did he begin to train in the Kabaroan method of his grandfather.
Grand Master Ramiro Estalilla states the fighting arts were
preserved and passed down in folk dance forms and martial art
dances. KABAROAN consists of 3 subsystems: Compuesta (two-handed
double weapon), Sencilla (one-handed single weapon), and Bambolia
(two-handed single weapon). The art also includes Defenses,
Ethics, Exercises, Disarms, and Strikes.
The arts of the Philippines date back before Marco Polo visited
the Islands in the 1300's. The Filipino arts are known by many
names such as Kali, Arnis, Excrima, Kabaroan, Largo Mano, and
Dalan Ti Armas. The Philippines are composed of approximately
7,200 islands, with a total land area of about two thirds of
California. It is divided into three main regions - Luzon
(northern), Visayas (central), and Mindanao (southern) with over
100 identifiable dialects spoken. The many tribes naturally
accounts for the numerous styles or systems of fighting arts with
hand weapons.
The popularity of Kali, Escrima, and Arnis in the world of martial arts has led many earnest fans and practitioners to think that Kaboroan is one style or system offered by the Phillipines. Ramiro teaches that no matter how they are seen, they are all one and the same art with varying emphases and differing techniques. "Therefore I use them all synonymously and interchangeably," says Ramiro. "Some terms are older than others and some have other ways or methods of execution. but they all fall under the general category of Armasan (weaponry)."
No claim is made that Kaboroan is better than other martial arts. Ramiro believes that Kabaroan holds some excellent winning techniques for those willing to learn something new. Many techiniques easily complement many other fighting arts. There are so many options and counter-moves that the lessons to be learned from Kabaroan seem inexhaustible.
If you are interested in learning more about the Kabaroan - Excrima System, Apo Estalilla can be contacted through Sifu Willis.