by Datu Hartman | Apr 23, 2015 | Thoughts & Rants
8 years ago today I traveled to the Philippines for the first time. This was to visit the birthplace of Modern Arnis and the Presas Family. During this visit, the late GGM Ernesto A Presas promoted me to a 9th degree Grand Master in the Presas Family system of Arnis....
by Datu Hartman | Feb 27, 2015 | Thoughts & Rants
So… three years ago I started training in Kuntaw and Sikaran under Kyud Marc De Leon in the metro Toronto area. I’ve been making 4 hour round trips to further my education. Last night, I tested for my belts in Kuntaw and Sikaran. This was the most grueling test of my...
by Datu Hartman | Feb 10, 2015 | Thoughts & Rants
About a year ago, I had the pleasure of taking Presas Arnis (Modern Arnis & Kombatan) to Caracas, Venezuela. At the conclusion of the event, the president of the VKKS (Kenpo Master Francisco Vigoroux) asked if I would be interested in teaching in Chile. Of course...
by Datu Hartman | Jan 8, 2015 | Thoughts & Rants
I started my martial arts journey in 1980 during my sophomore year in high school. During that time like most martial artists, I have sustained a bunch of bumps and bruises. These last three years, I’ve been dealing with a knee injury and a chronic heel spur...
by Datu Hartman | Sep 4, 2014 | Thoughts & Rants
So for decades I’ve been hosting seminars, camps and tournaments. In addition I’ve been teaching seminars around the world. I’ll travel any distance and pay any fair price for my training. I also attend and host events to help promote the Filipino Martial Arts...
by Datu Hartman | Sep 4, 2014 | Thoughts & Rants
In the summer of 2011 following the Modern Arnis Reunion I was informed that prior to Prof Presas’ passing he wanted to form a Modern Arnis Hall of Fame. In addition I was told that I was one of seven names given by Prof Presas to the HOF trustee, Michael T....
by Datu Hartman | Aug 6, 2014 | Thoughts & Rants
So today was my monthly private lesson in Kuntaw and Sikaran. Near the end of the class I was surprised by my teacher. Based on my advancement in the forms execution I was promoted from green belt to blue belt tonight! I’m looking forward to my next lesson where...
by Datu Hartman | Apr 25, 2014 | Thoughts & Rants
We had people from the US and Canada at the camp. Our furthest participant drove 22 hours round trip from Maine. Friday evening GM Bobby Taboada taught elements of his grouped method Balintawak. He ended the evening with a spectacular demonstration with Eric Lance...
by Datu Hartman | Feb 7, 2014 | Thoughts & Rants
I didn’t go over a lot of material seeing that I only had a few hours to teach the officers. I went over my EDT program. This is defensive tactics against an untrained attack using an edged weapon. The material is designed to work of multiple lines of attack, ending...
by Datu Hartman | Jan 4, 2014 | Thoughts & Rants
I started going to the Philippines in 2007 and have been going bi-yearly ever since. This was my 4th trip over and the most memorable. Traveling with me was Craig Mason of Canada, Dan Meck from Philadelphia and Lyman Prior from Maine. All of us are Modern Arnis...
