ABOUT

THE APO-BALINTAWAK SELF-DEFENSE SYSTEM

THE APO-BALINTAWAK ESKRIMA SELF-DEFENSE ORGANIZATION

APO-Balintawak Esrkrima Self Defense Organization is headed by Martial Arts Guru Andrew P. Obon. This blog-site was made in an attempt to give interested individuals a fast and comprehensive information about Balintawak Eskrima and APO-Balintawak as a Combat and Self Defense System.

RATIONALE: There are a few good and practical Martial Arts which one can learn; to be able to defend oneself effectively against potential assailants. However, the more popular Oriental Martial Arts may not be as effective and practical as our Filipino Martial Arts, specifically Balintawak Eskrima.

Balintawak Eskrima or popularly known as Arnis, treats the stick, its basic weapon, merely as an extension of the arms. The principles of the weapon techniques are applicable to the bare hands. Thus, it gives the Eskrimador greater flexibility in defending against attacks like bladed weapons.

Moreover, advocating Eskrima or Arnis as a Self-defense system of choice is a way of promoting our very own heritage, and it enhances in us the spirit of nationalism.

What is Balintawak Eskrima? Balintawak Eskrima is a Combat System developed by Grandmaster Anciong Bacon in the 1950s. It was named after a small street in Cebu City where the first club was founded. Balintawak differ from most martial arts in that it uses close range fighting drills. Its primary training tool is the single stick. It integrates in its system techniques like punching, kicking, throwing, etc.

“It is not a destination but a journey; it is a way of life.” Andrew P. Obon (APO)

THE ORGANIZATION’S VISION, MISSION and PURPOSE

VISION: A critical mass of significant Balintawak Eskrimadors, providing leadership, and Contributing to the betterment in their respective societies.

MISSION: We are committed to train the Mind, Body, and Spirit, of each member Eskrimador into a true Martial Artist, instilling the Virtues, Principles, Philosophy, and Discipline of Balintawak Eskrima.

GENERAL PURPOSE : To develop each practitioner into significant Eskrimador who is mild outside but strong within, through the education, training and practice of the art of Balintawak Eskrima Self Defense System.

SPECIFIC PURPOSE:

  • To instill in each practitioner the Virtues of the Art.
  • To develop and enhance discipline, self-control, and respect among its practitioners.
  • To inculcate in each practitioner the true meaning, purpose, and practice of the Charter of APO-Balintawak Eskrima.

Balintawak

CHARTER OF APO-BALINTAWAK ESKRIMA

Respect for human life is equally important as protecting one’s life in APO-Balintawak. Our basic charter is for all members to protect life, even that of an enemy. Inculcating reverence for nature, with emphasis on beauty, simplicity, speed, fluidity, and integrity.


Quick Video of Punong Guro Andrew P. Obon

19 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Norman Keith Obon
    Jun 24, 2011 @ 13:15:12

    yeah! nice one! kfc!

    Reply

  2. Shifu Wong
    Jul 05, 2011 @ 04:33:48

    Master Obon, I would like to promote the style of balintawak here at Wing Chun HQ,Hong Kong.. I watched your students in your video in youtube, I can say they are one of the elite in Balintawak eskrima.Maybe one of them are interested to promote Balintawak here in Hong Kong. Because I think they are ready to become future masters. like yo Master Obon..

    Reply

    • APO BALINTAWAK SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM
      Jul 10, 2011 @ 07:13:02

      Master Shifu Wong,
      Thank you for your appreciation on our Balintawak Eskrima style. We would like you to know that we also appreciate Wing Chun. In fact we are viewing your instructional videos an Wing Chun. We accept your invitation and we look forward to teaching Balintawak in Hongkong. Please arrange the necessary requirements and we can provide you an instructor. Hope to hear from you again. Master Andrew P. Obon.

      Reply

  3. wgcan
    Sep 18, 2011 @ 06:10:47

    Sir Andrew.. Just want to ask. Where did you get that logo? From what i know that logo came from the Velez group. Thats the first logo of Balintawak International Self-Defense Club. During 1974 where did you practice with Master Tinong Ybañez? During that time Anciong bacon was in prison in Muntinlupa. How did you know ancion? I dont know if this is the same logo as this one.

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2259475085497&set=o.286952117414&type=1

    Anyway, thanks Sir. More power to Balintawak!! =)

    Reply

    • APO BALINTAWAK SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM
      Oct 16, 2011 @ 07:01:44

      Hello,

      I learned Balintawak from Master Tinong Ibanez a direct student of the Grand Master in Dumaguete City in 1974. I also learned under Master Nick Elizar. I decided to use the same Logo to show my respect to the Grand Master and the Art that he has founded. Thank you for your comment. More power to you.

      Reply

  4. Rommel Cagatin
    Oct 28, 2011 @ 08:38:08

    I’m Rommel Cagatin a martial Enthusiast. Can I learn your way and concept of Martial way through sharing or exchanging of concept in Martial Arts? I would to share my ideas and ways or techniques together with your students.

    Reply

  5. Bart Riel
    Jan 01, 2012 @ 00:31:00

    Hello Andrew, Kumusta ? I’m very interested in training with you during my upcoming annual visit to Bukidnon. How will arrange it ? Where is Phillips in relation to Malaybalay, which is where my family lives ? I’ve been fortunate to train for a few years in Eskrima with John Mac out of Cacay Canete’s place in Cebu, so I’m not a novice. I’d very much appreciate the information on how to arrange this.
    Salamat

    Reply

  6. Joeriz Casiple
    Jan 13, 2012 @ 10:02:15

    sir, meron po ba dito sa Davao City?? interested po akong matuto kung pwede??

    Reply

  7. Henry Pleé
    Jan 15, 2012 @ 00:22:19

    For 50 years of learning martial arts . This is the first time I saw a perfect and complete style martial arts. It is very simple but complete. Congratulations to you Master Andrew.

    Henry Pleé sensei(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Pl%C3%A9e)

    Reply

    • APO BALINTAWAK SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM
      Jan 15, 2012 @ 09:36:38

      Thank you Master Henry Plee for your unsolicited comment. We are honored and humbled by what you said. Thank you for appreciating Filpino Martial Arts and Balintawak Eskrima in particular. Hope to meet you in person someday. Our due respect to you. Andrew P. Obon

      Reply

  8. username
    Jan 15, 2012 @ 00:26:18

    YEAH Nice article!

    Reply

  9. Thorsten
    Jan 17, 2012 @ 01:12:11

    HI Guys…

    just browsed your site and I really like it….
    You bring the right attitude and and skills to represent Balintawak.
    Hope you help al the other balintawak-familys to find the right place in the world of martial-arts and get the mark of respect that they deserve.
    I’ve been to teh Philippines a few times and met great Balintawak-practitioners in Cebu…of course the Teacher of my Grandmaster Toni Veeck, maybe you knew him, GM Arnulfo Mongcal. The other players I feel honored to met are Nick Elizar, R. Maranga, S.Arcel, R. dela Rosa, C. Velez and many other great Masters and practitioners in the Philippines. I am so thankfull to met them and wish them the very best and hope that one day they all will work for the same thing….unify Balintawak and propagate our great style all over the world….Feel sorry that I did not met your group. Are you located in Cebu or somewhere else in the Visayas?
    Wish you all the very best and more speed and power!

    God bless!

    Thorsten

    Reply

    • APO BALINTAWAK SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM
      Jan 18, 2012 @ 09:30:45

      Thank you for touching base with us and for appreciating our contribution to promoting Balintawak Eskrima to become another great martial arts. We are also grateful that you are supporting our vision of unifying the various Balintawak groups. Hope we can make this happen. Thank you also for recognizing our value system and skills. We hope that the other Balintawak style will also embrace and promote Balintawak in the same way. Hope to hear from you again. Andrew P. Obon

      Reply

  10. Zoo
    Jan 20, 2012 @ 06:51:08

    Thanks for supporting Balintawak eskrima and developing it.

    Reply

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