Below is a list of legendary figures who were pioneers in the development and propagation of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). Although they are no longer with us, these legends, through their contributions, left a legacy that will remain with us for generations to come.
We know our list is not complete and apologize if we missed anyone. If there is a FMA legend that we left out, please contact us and include their bio and pictures so we can add them to our list. Salamat Po!
Grandmaster Jose (Joe) Lamayo Viñas was born February 6, 1906. He was the second son of Andres Viñas and born in Manapla, Negros Occidental. Grandmaster [...]
Meliton C. Geronimo was born on March 10, 1927 in Baras, Rizal. At the early age of eight, his father, Cipriano Geronimo (1892-1993) started teaching [...]
When a human being rises to the greatest heights of achievement possible in spite of in surmountable obstacles, this is greatness. When this level of [...]
In the early 1950's, Filemon Caburnay, was an acknowledged arnis practitioner. He called his style, Lapunti Arnis de Abanico. Lapunti stood for Labangon, Punta Princesa, [...]
Isidro Javier began his life’s journey in Tagudin, the Philippines, May 10, 1912. Life in the “Barrios” or Barangays of the city found families and [...]
Dentoy Revillar was a famous martial arts master from the Philippines and the creator of SLD, a system named in honor of his three teachers. [...]
Gilbert Tenio was born on July 12th, 1918 in Day Duero, a village on the island of Bohol, in the Philippines. At 26 years of [...]
Samson "Sam" C. Tendencia was born on August 24, 1920 in Tigbauan, Iloilo Province, Panay Island (Western Visayas/Region 6), Philippines. Tendencia was a member of [...]
Grandmaster Max Sarmiento was one of the first Eskrima masters to teach his art, Sarmiento Kadena De Mano, to the American public and therefore was [...]
Richard S Bustillo (January 28, 1942 – March 30, 2017) was a Filipino-American martial arts instructor from Hawaii who was a student of the late [...]