The World of Louis Carlo Lim

Balintawak Eskrima, as combat and self-defense system requires real training in order to be learned right. Real training occurs when the practitioner develops his interest, commitment, and passion for the art. Training in this system is not easy and without passion, the practitioner will never survive. The sad reality is that many are called but only few are chosen to become masters of the art. As GM Nick Elizar said and from which my Eskrima master Andrew Obon confirmed:

"During the days of Venancio “Anciong” Bacon, training was straight to the point. In the very first day, the student was handed a stick (olisi or garote in Bisaya), was given the “on guard” warning, then he was struck. The student was free to use any defensive maneuver he so wished. After the student was hit, he was then taught the correct method of which to defend himself for that particular strike. Specific techniques were also introduced in the same manner. This was Venancio Bacon’s method of teaching, which he perfected, producing many notable master eskrimadors."

There was a time in the history of Eskrima where "hueco todo" or death matches was a way of testing the skill and courage of an Eskrimador. The time was described by the masters of the old as a power struggle between the different styles of Eskrima. Different groups from various styles fought each other in order to determine which style is the most superior. This is not like your ordinary Balintawak Eskrima sparring. This is real combat. As such, the various masters were training their students in the most serious manner in order to prepare them for combat. During the time, one cannot call one's self an Eskrimador if one is not willing to fight in a death match.

The 2nd and 3rd generations of Balintawak Eskrimadors have experienced first-hand the strict and hard method of training during their time. The original style of teaching was brutal and painful. Such strict method of teaching was a way of testing the student's passion and commitment in learning the art. Those who are only interested in learning but have not developed the passion are unable to survive training. Only those who have developed the passion are willing to take the pain and continue training to the next level.

Interest comes when an aspiring practitioner is fascinated and curious about the art. An individual may decide to learn the art out of interest. But interest is not enough and the student has to give his commitment in order to maintain his status as a practitioner for a certain period of time. But commitment is not enough because training becomes more difficult and complex in time. Each student should develop the passion in order to proceed to the next level.

Training in Balintawak Eskrima has now become more professional and less brutal because we no longer live in the war-times of Eskrima. The APO-Balintawak group for example are teaching their students the martial arts way of life by inculcating the different virtues and values of the art. But still the motto remains. The Masters of Balintawak Eskrima are preparing their students for the real thing or actual combat. Thus, it is important for each practitioner to keep this motto in mind and train wholeheartedly in order to become a master of the art.