In early January 2007, Katulong Guro John Hoey and students Lionel French & Oisín O’Ceallaigh traveled to Cebu, Philippines to take part in a two week training camp with Grand Master Abner Pasa.

After a night’s stopover in Birmingham to link up with Pangulong Guro Krishna Godhania and two UK students, it was off on the 19 hour flight to Cebu via Doha.

We were met at Cebu airport by Grand Master Abner and whisked off to the first training location in Tubod. Training began with an introduction to “Palakaw” ( close quarter stick sparring). After 2 days here we had a day’s training in Stakili were the emphasis was on using the latigo (whip) to develop proper body mechanics. Four students from Spain joined the “party” here in Tubod.

Cebu Training Trip January '07

Lionel-Guro Krishna-Grand Master Abner-John-Oisín.
(View photos of our Trip)

The next port of call was the tiny island of Nalusan were the training amped up an notch and the days started at 6AM and finished well into the night! The areas of training covered were baraw (knife), Palakaw and espada y daga.

Our final training was, Badian, (were the BBC's 'Mind, Body & Kick Ass Moves' clip with GM Abner was filmed). Here the training focused on using various pieces of apparatus for skill development and more Palakaw. As well as the physical side of training GM Abner taught the more philisphoical side of the FMA and the 8 core principles of the “Balitok” style, his own personal approach to FMA.

All too soon the time was up and it was back to Cebu for the flight home.

I would like to thank on behalf of the Irish crew, both GM Abner & Guro Krishna for all their guidance and support on this trip….gumagalang!