Written by: Adrien Pierre N. Quidlat, MD
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If you're a practitioner of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) or martial arts in general, chances are you've encountered or heard of schools or systems with a strict policy: "If you train with us, you can't train elsewhere. PERIOD."
This "no inter-system training" stance might originate from various perspectives. Some argue it's to safeguard a system's "secret techniques" from outsiders, while others fear losing students to potentially better systems. Such attitudes, in my view, stem from insecurity and ego. Some schools prohibit cross-training, fearing students might get confused by differing teaching methods and principles across systems, a concern I understand and partly agree with.
I believe inter-system training can and should happen, but under certain conditions and with the right mindset. Beginners should focus on mastering their own system's fundamentals before exploring others. Establishing a strong foundation is crucial for proper learning and execution. Only when students grasp their system's basics can cross-training be beneficial. Jumping between schools leads to a shallow understanding of the art, resulting in a patchwork of skills and knowledge—what some jokingly call a "Chopsuey" martial artist.
Humility, open-mindedness, and a non-confrontational approach are vital in inter-system training. The goal is to learn, not to challenge or assert superiority. Serious practitioners recognize the endless learning opportunities and reject the notion of a skill monopoly. Nobody has the monopoly of skill and knowledge and whoever believes such is a fool.
Inter-system training and sparring deepen one's understanding of FMA by:
- Assessing one's skills and what you can actually apply, especially by sparring against uncooperative opponents from different systems.
- Enhancing knowledge and skills through shared insights and exchanges with practitioners from diverse backgrounds.
- Elevating skill levels across the FMA community through ongoing collaboration and refinement. This stands in stark contrast to self-proclaimed experts who lack substance, tarnishing FMA's reputation—an irksome issue for me.
- Promoting camaraderie within the FMA community is crucial for its positive growth, a facet often overlooked.
I'm fortunate to have cross-trained with practitioners from various systems, including Doce Pares, Kali de Leon, LSAI/LESKAS, Kalis Ilustrisimo, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, SINAG FMA, Balintawak, Arnis de Caballes, Dekiti Tirsia Kali, Estokada de Campo, and many others. Spar clubs like Eskrima Spar Club (ESC) have been invaluable in honing my skills.
While unity among FMA systems is desirable, merging them into one unified system isn't feasible or productive. One might argue doing so may be going against the very essence of what FMA truly is. Systems can evolve collectively while maintaining their unique identities—an intriguing topic for another discussion.
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Author's Notes:
***Chopsuey is a Filipino dish composed of mixed vegetables like cauliflower, chayote, bell peppers and snow peas; and meat like pork, chicken, beef, chicken or pork liver, and cuttlefish balls
***Photo taken by Michaels Sisles during an Eskrima Spar Club gathering.