SAYOC Kali /Silak

Sayoc – A Filipino Family Blade Art

Kali. The word evokes vivid images of native Filipino warriors moving about quickly and lightly, strongly brandishing hardwood sticks or swinging long swords at their terrified opponents. Arnis, Kali and Escrima are 3 commonly used terms to generally describe the fighting arts of the Philippines. These days these arts are known as a “stick-fighting arts,” using the stick as a training substitute for real, live sharpened swords and knives.

For most students training in the Filipino martial arts their curriculums generally begin with an introduction to stick work, followed by blade work and then on to empty-hand training. Most of the Filipino systems taught in the US today, introduce their knife work as following similar patterns of direction, angle and application similar to their stick patterns of movement. The drills typically involve blade manipulations, checking, slashing, thrusting, use of pommel strikes, and disarms and are typically taught as a defensive skill, targeting the incoming limbs of their opponents, prior to application of the blade into a finishing or “bargain” position.

Sayoc Kali is a unique system of edged weapons dynamics. It is a family system of Filipino martial art, the blade aspects which are primarily propagated by Pamana Tuhon Christopher Castañeda Sayoc, Sr. Sayoc Kali dates back over five generations. As a matter of fact, the entire Sayoc Clan has devoted a lifetime into training in the martial arts. Brothers Michael Sayoc, Butch Sayoc and the late Tony Sayoc have all studied the Filipino Martial Arts, each specializing respectively, in empty hands/whip, stick work and espada y daga. Pamana Tuhon’s sisters are also heavily involved in martial arts, Deanne and her husband Barry Tierney operated a school, and Barry is currently involved in SWAT Tactical training, while Cindy, Leilani are also active instructors in the Sayoc Fighting System.

Pamana Tuhon Sayoc received training from one of his uncles, who is a well known expert in the field of security, as well as from his father…Grand Master Baltazar “Bo” Sayoc, Sr. Pamana Tuhon is a term which the Sayoc clan uses to define the lineage possessor of Sayoc Kali and has since been adopted by other systems.

Before Arnis and other Filipino arts were popular in this country, the Sayoc home and school were privileged to have many famous Filipino masters stop by to visit. This exposure to other great martial artists has helped Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc refine his system of Sayoc Kali.

The system is unique in the depth and breadth of skill taught in the application of knife skills. Sayoc Kali knife training clearly surpasses the “de-fang the snake” philosophies typically espoused by the vast majority of Filipino martial artists. Many Filipino knife-training systems will teach the students to cut or slice the incoming limb of an opponent as a means of defeating an attack. Sayoc Kali takes their training to a higher escalation of response. As an example, the first drill taught within the Sayoc Kali system is the 9-count drill. This cutting and flow pattern is unlike other systems which attempt to translate their angles of stick attack to blade work. Consider the targeting methods of most arnis, escrima or kali systems…the targets are usually focused upon the eyes or temple, the elbows or ribs, the solar plexus, the knees and the chest. There is a statement often used when teaching Filipino martial arts, which goes, “stick seeks bone, steel seeks flesh…,” clearly, knife work aimed at the temple, elbows and ribs and knees may have limited application, when compared to Sayoc Kali’s first series of targets which are taught to be: the carotid arteries, the lower abdomen, the throat, the perineum, the armpits, the femoral arteries, and then a power-assisted two-handed cut across the throat.

Pamana Tuhon Sayoc calls these targeting systems “Vital Templates.” In addition to teaching these templates, Pamana Tuhon goes on to teaching the combative applications of empty hands and edged weapons, using these templates. What is even more unique to Sayoc Kali, is that there are many templates, more than just one standard template within its system of teaching…with each particular template focusing on achieving a particular goal, using a specific type of edged weapon! Pamana Tuhon Sayoc likes to remind us that there are thousands of different bladed weapons, not including projectile weaponry.

While most Filipino knife fighting systems will typically introduce 3-4 knife grips, Pamana Tuhon Sayoc introduces 12 different knife grips and actually will disseminate the necessary information to appropriately use these different gripping methods. This is another example of how Sayoc Kali differs from the common techniques and methodologies currently being presented in the martial arts world.

While presenting the 9 count drill, and teaching the empty hand counters to the drill, Pamana Tuhon Sayoc begins to present the concepts of reflex response vs. conditioned response. This is done to teach the receiver of the drill, the ways in which one response is ineffective to a given angle of attack, and how to adjust to apply the conditioned response…after the students have gained proficiency and advanced to a skilled level, Pamana Tuhon Sayoc then presents what he terms the Sayoc Correct Response methodology. The reflexive response is a term that describes the “typical” or untrained counter or block directed towards a given knife attack. This reflexive response as an example, might be a Karate-style down block or a parry which would leave an individual susceptible to the fast-moving and quick-changing angles of flow of a knife attack. The conditioned response is the appropriately taught counter to a given knife attack which minimizes the likelihood of getting cut or stabbed by an opponent. Without proper training, an individual is left depending on skills better geared towards an empty-hand attack without considerations of an edge weapon being involved.

The Sayoc Correct Response methodology describes the end-result of proper training. It is the development of a 3-dimensional method of thinking and response following extensive training in 2-man drills, studying and participating as the feeder of the drill, the receiver of the drill and then as an observer…attempting to learn and develop skills and knowledge of possible counters and methods of development for essential survival skills when dealing with the blade.

A steady method of progression during the applications of the knife drills is what truly sets Sayoc Kali apart from the rest. Initially, drills are presented to teach a pattern, then this is progressed to a flow in response and reaction. From the flow, the students of Sayoc Kali are led into isolation of the various techniques and counters available to be garnered from the drills. And then even further, the drills are taught in such a way that each drill can be progressed to an ever higher level, as other aspects of the Sayoc Kali methodologies are revealed. These methodologies are then utilized in the flow of the drill to develop a greater variety of attributes and technology. An example of another unique training method is how Pamana Tuhon Sayoc incorporates leg stepping and trapping while in the performance of these drills which predominantly focus on the skills of the hands. There are at least 5 types of footwork used to destroy the stability and positioning of one’s opponent or partner in training.

All of the drills taught in Sayoc Kali contain common elements. These elements include footwork, proper positioning of the hands and blade, and are designed to create an awareness of distance, energy commitment, timing, and entries. These elements are necessary to increase the likelihood of success in an encounter with an edged weapon. Another unique training method which Tuhon Sayoc applies to the drills are an introduction to a “buddy system” in knife-fighting vs. multiple attackers. Clearly, Pamana Tuhon Sayoc is intent upon presenting drills which teach a variety of applicable skills, and which takes into account a variety of situations and possible scenarios.

Pamana Tuhon Sayoc has recently begun releasing a series of transitional flow drills to the public. Flow drills are prearranged sequences of 2-man drills designed to develop attacking and counterattacking skills in an edged weapon encounter. They include a template of knife attack to specific vital areas (including different angles and approaches to entry), the correct conditioned responses to these attacks, and various isolated techniques of attack and defense. It is a flow drill, since it can be done smoothly and efficiently as a mutual opportunity of exchange, while at advanced levels the practitioners of Sayoc Kali seeks out the hidden, isolated movements to be derived from the flow pattern. These transitional flow drills are unique in their organization and in the volume of potential counters developed while working the drills. They are very sophisticated, incorporating conditioned responses, extensive use of the live hand to grab, check, become involved with joint attacks, limb immobilization’s, elbow strikes and grappling. The drills involve extensive training in order that the “feeder” of the drill develop his/her skills, and also so that the “receiver” can also develop his/her skills in countering the skills of the other. Without a trained instructor in Sayoc Kali, it is difficult if not impossible to truly grasp the full flavor these transitional flow drills. Again, like all the other drills presented by Pamana Tuhon Sayoc, these drills are also enhanced and progressed as the skills of the practitioners develop. Amazingly there are 10 drills which Pamana Tuhon Sayoc feels comfortable in currently releasing, and a few others which Tuhon Sayoc is in the process of considering releasing to the public.

Only recently has Tuhon Sayoc begun to show to the public the aspects of this art known as Sayoc-Silak (Knife trapping and locking). These skills are incorporated into the transitional flow drills to enhance the skills and arsenal of counters available to the practitioners of Sayoc Kali. In time, martial artists may be fortunate to have Tuhon Sayoc present another unique aspect of his art, known as Sayoc-Bakal (the art of Projectile weaponry).

Sayoc Silak consists of methods to trap, lock and disarm the blade from an opponent. These methods include redirection of the incoming knife attack, percussion strikes using various parts of the body, repositioning of the opponent’s knife hand and wrist to effect a release or weakening of the structure containing the blade and these methods do not focus on any one specific part or direction of the opponent’s given knife attack. To make the training of Silak functional and useful, the methods are incorporated into the transitional flow drill…doing the drills statically have limited value, by practicing these skills against a moving opponent in real time is to develop a true, useful method of countering one’s attack.

Sayoc Bakal defines the projectile weapons methodology of the Sayoc Clan. It is a profound system which incorporates 12 different release grips, blade manipulations and flipping of the weapons, and the majority of the throwing techniques actually involve the use of the non-dominant hand! In Sayoc Bakal, knives may be thrown from just about any position, either in the drawing position, or in the entry position. Intensive study teaches the student how to power the throws, or use the opposite hand to assist in the delivery of the blade to opponents. By studying and examining the body mechanics and movements of an opponent, targets are predicted and struck from different patterns of flow and movement.

The martial arts world is truly fortunate to have this art being presented openly. Pamana Tuhon Christopher Castañeda Sayoc, Sr., is a strong, powerful personality leading the way in exposing valuable and real world skills to the public. His development as a martial artist began as a young child, experimenting with knives and projectile weaponry. At an early age Tuhon Sayoc was training and engaging in live weapon drills with some of the world’s leading Filipino experts in knives and edged weapons. Tuhon Sayoc has had his knife skills tested in many real confrontations. And for many years, Tuhon Sayoc worked as an international security operative. Today, Tuhon Sayoc lives a calmer life, and is assisted in his teaching by his three able sons, Christopher Jr., Jimmie Sayoc and Richard.

Pamana Tuhon Sayoc’s main operations are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and recently he has been presenting a series of public seminars and classes throughout the US and Europe. Sayoc Tuhons and Full Instructors are available for seminars, classes and private instruction. Pamana Tuhon Sayoc offers a variety of seminars presenting many of the aspects of Sayoc Kali noted above. In addition he is currently teaching a progressive series of seminars directed at a thorough introduction to his family system. It is not uncommon to see experienced and recognized martial artists with decades of experience in his classes. People have been known to drive across several states to participate regularly in his sessions. It is high testimony to the man, when well-known and influential martial artists go out of their way to pay respects to Pamana Tuhon Sayoc. Sayoc Kali is truly a dynamic method of skills and strategies. It is a complete system of combat methodologies with many avenues of growth and development. In the future, Pamana Tuhon Sayoc intends to release more aspects of Sayoc Kali and knife fighting techniques. There is no doubt that Sayoc Kali really is…The Art of the Blade!

 

 

 

 

 

  Kali is the ancient fighting art of the Malay people of the islands now called the Philippines. Like many ancient tribal peoples, the Malay of the islands were warriors, as well as accomplished sailors. Throughout the archipelago and beyond, they sailed their ships, fighting or trading their way from shore to shore and establishing merchant routes throughout the Pacific.There are numerous styles of Kali, hailing from many different areas, each with its own characteristics and fighting principles. Often they emerge as family systems, and sometimes they were the results of the sharing of varied techniques by a collective of groups or individuals.Atienza Kali was developed by the late Edgar “Butch” Atienza in New York City. As a Kali practitioner and experienced street fighter he saw the need for a fighting system that addressed the challenges one encountered on the street, including defense against armed assailants and multiple attackers. He began to modify techniques and drills according to practical experience and refined his training methods for over three decades. The result is an extremely effective system that emphasizes intensive footwork and assaults against multiple attackers, with techniques in empty hand, blade, and impromptu weapons.Kali Atienza practitioners are taught attacks and counter-attacks in single and double sword, single and double dagger, sword and dagger and the traditional single and double stick, as well as empty hands. A student will be introduced to the concepts of proper fighting range, Body Shielding Method and True Path tactics. Also, the use of proper body mechanics in conjunction with effective footwork is emphasized and reinforced at all times.The Need for Training Katipunan in Tagalog means a fraternity or brotherhood. Kalis refers to the blade or sword in relation to the Filipino combat arts. Katipunan Ng Kalis roughly translated means “Brotherhood of the Blade”- the name of the organization, given by Edgar Atienza, consisting of his sons and their students.

In 1991, Tuhon Carl began attending S.U.N.Y Stony Brook for his undergraduate degree. Being so far from home he couldn’t easily train with his father, so he spread the word that he was going to make lessons available to the student body. The first to answer this offer was Rue Reynolds. After seeing a short demonstration, Rue immediately signed up and would prove to be one of Carl’s most industrious students. Running or cycling three miles to Guro Carl’s off campus house, Rue would put 100% into training. Training 4 to 5 days a week after classes, Rue quickly excelled in the knowledge Guro was passing to him. Rue Reynolds would be the first to receive the rank of Instructor in Atienza Kali under one of Edgar Atienza’s sons.

 

They would train in the main gymnasium on the Stony Brook campus in the view of many other students. Many campus students would watch what they were doing and develop an interest in the Filipino Arts. As a result, Tuhon Carl would steadily gather more students. This would be the first group to hold the name Katipunan Ng Kalis and the group that Tuhon Carl considers the “Original Katipunan”. Tuhon Carl held classes 3 or 4 times a week in the main gymnasium or in dormitory lounges, training his students with the intensity that was reflective on his own training. He trained them in all aspects of Atienza Kali such as Atienza Kali Punyal, Isang Kalis and special weapons. In return Tuhon  Carl would use his developing students as training partners further advancing his own skills.

Leo Manalo heard many stories of the Atienza brothers and their “real” approach to teaching and began to seek them out for instruction. Through mutual friends was able to meet Tuhon Carl but was not allowed to join the Katipunan Ng Kalis because of certain activites he was involved with that Tuhon Carl did not approve of. Instead, Tuhon Carl gave an introductory course to Atienza Kali to Leo, with the hope that the training and education of Filipino culture would pull him away from his current activites. Leo gave his full attention to Atienza Kali and had abandoned his other activities. He was then allowed into the Katipunan Ng Kalis.

Leo was fascinated by Tuhon Carl’s skill and his approach to street fights through the Filipino Martial Arts. He would take trips on the weekends to Stony Brook from Westchester County just to train with Tuhon Carl. Leo was the second student of Tuhon  Carl that had a passionate appreciation for Atienza Kali. He had taken Filipino Martial Arts in other schools but none of his previous training was like Carl’s. He had heard of the street encounters that the Atienza family had faced and finally got to see their skill first hand. Leo was a Filipino American and was never really educated in Philippine history. Long talks with Tuhon  Carl after training sessions would open his mind to true Filipino culture. Leo Manalo would become Tuhon Carl’s second student to become a Full Instructor in Atienza Kali.

Spending only two years in S.U.N.Y Stony Brook, Tuhon  Carl transferred to C.U.N.Y Hunter College. At this time Leo worked at Hunter College and helped Guro Carl start another training group. This was a group of about 10 students (including his original students who traveled from Stony Brook) that met 3 days a week to take lessons from Tuhon  Carl. They would meet at the end of the day after classes and train for a few hours. The students from Stony Brook would come up once every two weeks to keep the skills fresh. Most of the students left the Katipunan Ng Kalis after graduation to pursue their respective careers. The only two students that stayed were Rue Reynolds and Leo Manalo.

Right now they hold the highest rank in Atienza Kali under Tuhon Carl and have kept very loyal to Tuhon Carl over the years. Currently Leo Manalo lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, but takes trips back to New York once a month to train with Tuhon Carl. He is also the second student to have Guro Edgar oversee his ranking tests. Rue Reynold lives in Connecticut and once a month attends Tuhon Carl’s Sunday training sessions in Jersey City to keep his skills fresh.

 

Currently Tuhon Carl runs training sessions 3 days a week in Jersey City. Ten new members have joined the Katipunan Ng Kalis since his arrival to Jersey City and have trained loyally for almost two years.

  

“I always try to start training groups every time I move, which was a lot over the last 10 years. It’s the best way for me to keep my training active. All of students come from referrals from friends or current students. Sometimes students leave. What can I say, that is the nature of martial arts. That’s really no problem for me because the students that stay train hard and receive high quality instruction. In return, I also learn. That’s what it is all about.”

Tuhon  Carl Atienza

Like most FMA systems Atienza Kali is a blade-based combat system with a heavy emphasis on footwork. This means all training and combat techniques originate from the movements of the Atienza Kali sword or dagger in conjunction with footwork. Edgar believed that live blade training enhanced a fighters reflexes and attention to detail of combat techniques. This training in conjunction with extensive footwork drills made for a powerful combat system. This is no an uncommon path as far as the Filipino martial Arts goes. There were many stories we heard when we growing up of the old grandmasters developing their systems based on their own combat experiences. This is no different from what Edgar experienced to organize his system. By utilizing from his knowledge of the Filipino martial arts and his street encounters he created a systems that reflects combat experiences.

Edgar understood that it was essential to constantly keep moving when confronted with multiple attackers. Also the targets that you choose to attack while in combat made a difference. You had to hit extremely effective targets on the human anatomy in order to stop the attack.

When students begin to show development of the basic body mechanics they are introduced to specific combat strategies and exercises.

As conditions in the area worsened, robberies and gang initiations became common, and Edgar’s sons were witnesses to many violent events. Every couple of weeks the Atienza family would hear of friends who were victims of very violent assaults in the local neighborhood. The skill that was being passed down to them made it less stressful for them to walk the streets.

“I remember every morning my father would give me and my brothers money for lunch, money for the muggers and a knife or a lead pipe to keep in our jackets. If the muggers weren’t appeased by the money the blade or the pipe came into use” recalls Guro Carl Atienza.

This was a neighborhood where you can get assaulted by 5 or 6 attackers on the way to school.

“I remember the local shops and stores would close down for one hour when school let out to avoid trouble from all the high school students and local gangs” says Darryl. The youngest of the three, Darryl remembers, at the age of thirteen, fending off ten gang members while coming home from school one day.

The only way to stay free from harm was to carry a pistol, or join the local gangs. Many of the local kids did one or the other, or both. Edgar didn’t want any of these options for his sons, so he trained them constantly. It was his wish that his children would have the confidence to walk in the street and not seek the protection of the local gangs. Master Atienza designed and taught what would eventually became his personal family system, a combat system that is very street effective

A True Story-

This event happened right after the Bernard Goetz incident in the early 1980’s. Friends of ours had just arrived from the Philippines and was taking the tour of the city. On the way home they had to come out of the 179th street station, in Queens, to transfer to the bus. A group of 10 –15 teens came up to them demanding money. Very frightened they handed over all they had, which was about $60 .They thought that they were clear from the danger and allowed to go home. The group of teens, after receiving the money, proceeded to beat them severely anyway which landed them in the hospital and close to death. Luckily they pulled through

Tuhon Darryl Atienza.

This was the type of violence that Edgar Atienza trained his sons for. The Atienza brothers can give first hand accounts of violent encounters that they experienced. Incidents always involved a large number of attackers, always armed, mainly with bladed weapons. Edgar created a weapons-based combat system rooted in Filipino Martial Arts principles that would help his sons escape these violent encounters with minimal harm.

This is where “Atienza Kali” was born- in this irrational environment of gang initiations and groups of muggers. This is why the boys were trained so hard. There was no plan to have a school or students, just to train and to keep from harm.

“Most of the time they were defending ourselves against psychos would loved violence” says Carl. “We trained because there was a need for it and all of the encounters we went through were done so with fear and left some kind of psychological trauma. People are never the same after encounters like that and my father’s teachings kept us level headed. This goes without saying, but you never want to get into these kinds of situations. They very scary and traumatizing and we did as much as we could to avoid these kinds of encounters.”

By the time the Atienza sons were in their teens, friends and friends of friends came seeking lessons from Edgar. They had been victims of these kinds of crimes and heard of Edgar’s reputation as a teacher. As a result if this demand Edgar began been giving knife defense classes to friends of his sons. Enough knowledge was taught to escape the violent situations that they encountered. After a few years all request that came to Edgar were passed on to his sons.

The Atienza brothers had a few students under them, instructing them in the basics for self-defense purposes and shortly after that made a name for themselves in the local Filipino community.

“Teaching taught me more about the Filipino arts than I would have learned as a student.” Says Carl. “Everything became clear and my skills got progressively better. “

The Start of the Atienza Kali Name

There was no formal name for the system being taught. Edgar introduced it as “Kali- Filipino Combat System”. The local Filipino community started to associate the Atienza name with Kali and began to call it Atienza Family Kali just to differentiate it from other Filipino Martial Arts schools. However, the Atienzas were not yet interested in establishing a school with their name. They were simply the Atienza family that taught Kali.

This wasn’t a formal school. They trained in of backyards and taught effective fighting tactic based on Filipino Martial art strategies. They had a formal salutation and respects were always given to instructors, yet for the most part it was more of a family environment. Students became friends and friends became students. For the Atienza family, teaching is like letting someone into their family. Most people who came to them were victims of very violent attacks and Edgar was just giving them an option outside the standard solutions in the neighborhood at the time such as joining gangs or carrying a gun.

The Atienzas have been doing it like this ever since. Their training groups never get much larger that 6 people at a time and students received the private personal attention they needed to develop the proper skill. The Atienza family oversees all development of all of their students.

The Atienza sons began to take on more and more students. Edgar decided to give the name “Katipunan Ng Kalis” (which translates into “Brotherhood of the Blade” in Tagalog) to the group who consisted of his sons and their students. This solved the problem of an organized name for their group and it made the students feel better that there was a name attached to the skill they were receiving. They taught a few different groups of students and trained out of dormitory lounges, rented gyms, living rooms and backyards. The students didn’t care where they trained, they just wanted to keep learning.

Tuhon Chris Sayoc has been a very close friend of the family since the mid seventies. He aided the AAO in the spreading of the Filipino Martial Arts and Filipino culture. Edgar also acted as a mentor to a young Tuhon Chris Sayoc (at the time was in his teens) for any problems he found himself in. In return Tuhon Sayoc acted as a protector and a “Big Brother” figure to the Atienza family. There have been occasions when Tuhon Sayoc came to the aid of the Atienza brothers (then in their teens) with trouble from organized crime groups. The Atienza brothers owe much to Tuhon Sayoc.

Edgar Atienza began to train his sons at a very young age. The knowledge that he passed down was a combination of Filipino Martial Art Fundamentals and techniques and principles he acquired from many street encounters with multiple armed assailants. This was a system that he never really planned to offer to the public. The system was designed so his sons could get away from the increasing violence that he noticed in his neighborhood.In June of 2002 Tuhon Chris Sayoc, invited the Atienza brothers and any affiliated students to a stick seminar he was holding in Media, PA. The response to their skills was excellent. They have been exposed to very few martial artists and to get good marks from Tuhon Sayoc’s students was a great honor. Most of the members of Sayoc Kali come to Tuhon Sayoc with expertise in many forms of combat, so to get such supportive response from his organization was very exciting. Tuhon Sayoc introduced the system as Atienza Kali and that is how it is being presented.

Atienza Kalis, the system.  Katipunan ng Kalis, the practitioners.