Lameco Eskrima

Lameco Eskrima is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by Edgar Sulite

based on his training and experience with various Philippine Martial Arts masters, with heavy influence from Jose Caballero and Antonio Ilustrisimo.

The word Lameco is actually a combination of words which are the three basic ranges of combat involved in the study and practice of Lameco Eskrima - Largo, Medio and Corto (Long, Middle, and Close).

The LAMECO logo represents the following items.

Symbol	Representation
Arrows	The Flow of Nature
Balisong Knife	Luzon – Northern Philippines
Eskrima Stick	Visayas – Central Philippines
Kris Sword	Mindanao – Southern Philippines
Triangle	The Integration of Mind, Body and Spirit

Lameco Eskrima Training

One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of training. The primary weapon is a rattan stick, also called a cane or baston. These sticks vary in length from about 26 inches to as much as 38 inches in length or more. The weapons can vary in weight and thickness depending on the preference of the practitioner.

Lameco uses Double and single Stick, Double and single Dagger, Stick and Dagger, Sword, Staff, Handkerchief, and Empty Hands.

Lameco Eskrima is a synthesis of five major

De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orihinal (GM Jose Caballero)
Kali Illustrisimo (GM Antonio Ilustrisimo)
Kali Pekiti-Tirsia (Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje Jr.)
Modernos Largos (GM Jesus Abella & GM Pablicito “Pabling” Cabahug)
Sulite Rapelon (GM Helacrio Sulite Sr.)

and six minor systems of Eskrima

Doce Pares (GM Diony Canete)

Balintawak (GM Johnny Chiuten)

Lapunti Arnis De Abanico (GM Felimon E. Caburnay)

Siete Teros Serado - Serado no Puede Entra (GM Marcilino Ancheta)

Abanico De Sungkiti (GM Billy Baaclo)

Tres Personas Eskrima De Combate (GM Maj. Timoteo E. Maranga)

Uncredited Influences on the Lameco Eskrima System:

Moro-Moro System (Master Andrew Abrian)

Simaron Style (GM Abdul Hai Qahar Madueño)

Lameco employs training drills called Laban Laro (Play Fighting). Laban Laro allows the escrimador to come as close to real combat as possible without injury. It is also designed to get an uncountable number of repetitions in a short period of time.

Through his constant efforts for developing new training innovations, Edgar devised unique armor for the hands and forearms that allowed practitioners to safely train more realistically.

Lameco striking system is largely based on striking employed in Caballero system with a few modifications. Striking system consists of twelve strikes in a pattern that facilitates the flow between strikes

Forehand to the temple
Backhand to the knee
Forehand to the knee
Backhand to the temple
Thrust to the stomach (with pull-through across the chest)
Backhand to the elbow
Forehand to the elbow
Backhand thrust to the chest
Backhand to the collar bone
Forehand thrust to the chest
Forehand to the collar bone
Vertical down to the crown

History

At a young age Edgar Sulite's father exposed him to the Filipino Martial Arts, himself being a boxer and Arnisador. Growing up in the Barrios of the Philippines, Edgar witnessed many skirmishes settled blade against blade.

Edgar trained with martial arts masters who included Leo Gaje of Pekiti-Tirsia, Jose Caballero of De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orehenal, Jesus Abella of Modern Largos, Antonio Ilustrisimo of Kali Illustrisimo and many others.

In 1981, he moved to Manilla to train under Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo. After relocating to the United States on June 30, 1989, he became instructor to Dan Inosanto and Larry Hartsell.

Recognizing the talent and knowledge that Edgar possessed, Dan Inosanto would become a lifetime student and an advocate of the Lameco system.

Punong Guro Edgar Sulites wife Felisia Sulite appointed Leonard Trigg as President and Dan Inosanto as Vice President of Lameco Eskrima International quite a few years after Punong Guros death.

Ranking

Unang Baitang (First Level) - Beginner (White)

1. Bagong Pasok (Aspirant) - white

2. Baguhan (Beginner) - White with 1 red stripe

3. Masugid (Dedicated) - White with 2 red stripes

4. Masipag (Earnest) - White with 3 red stripes

Ikalawang Baitang (Second Level) - Intermediate (Red)

1. May-alam (Seeds of Knowledge) - Red with 1 blue stripe

2. Marunong (Knowledgeable) - Red with 2 blue stripes

3. Mahusay (Skillful) - Red with 3 blue stripes

Ikationg Baitang (Third Level) - Advanced (Blue)

1. Magaling (Highly Skilled) - Blue with 1 black stripe

2. Bihasa (Expert) - Blue with 2 black stripes

3. Batikan (Certified Expert) - Blue with 3 black stripes

Ika-apat na Baitang (Fourth Level) - Trainer/Asst. Instructor (Black)

1. Antas Isa (Ist Degree) - Black with 1 white stripe

Tagapagsanay (Assistant Instructor)

2. Antas Dalawa (2nd Degree) - Black with 2 white stripes

Tagapagturo (Senior Assistant Instructor)

3. Antas Tatlo (3rd Degree) - Black with 3 white stripes

Kabakas ng Tagapagturo (Associate Instructor)

Ika-limang Baitang (Fifth Level) - Instructor (Guro)

1. Antas Apat (4th Degree) instructor - Black with 4 white stripes

2· Antas Lima (5th Degree) Senior Instructor - Black with 5 white stripes

3. Antas Ardm (6th Degft) Chief Instructor - Black with wide white band

4. Antas Pito (7th Degree) Senior Chief Instructor - Black with wide white band

5. Antas Walo (8th Degree) Master Instructor - Black with wide white band

6. Antas Slyam (9th Degree) Master Instructor - Black with wide white band

Punong-Guro (Sixth Level)

7. Antas Sampu (10th Degree) - Black with wide black band

Lameco Eskrima International Instructors

IKA-LIMANG BAITANG / FIFTH LEVEL CHIEF INSTRUCTOR (Antas Anim / 6th Degree)

1.Christopher Ricketts, Philippines

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR (Antas Lima /5th Degree)

2. Benjamin S. Pueblos, UK

3. Lowell S. Pueblos Los Angeles, CA

4. Pablito Gunio Philippines

5. Reynaldo S. Galang Jersey City, NJ

6. Dan Inosanto Los Angeles, CA

7. Leonard Trigg Portland, OR

8. Edwin Lim Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

IKA-APAT BAITANG / FOURTH LEVEL ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR (Antas Tatlo / 3rd Degree)

1. Wolfgang Mueller Frankfurt,GERMANY

2. John Chow Melbourne,AUSTRALIA

3. Raymond Floro Sydney, AUSTRALIA

4. Mar Elepano Los Angeles, CA

5. Ricardo Tucci Princeton, NJ

6. Steven Grody Los Angeles, CA

7. Greg Allen El Paso, TX

8. Guadiosa Ruby El Paso, TX

9. Honesto Nunez Jersey City, NJ

10.Keith Wetoskey Waterloo, IN

SENIOR ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Antas Dalawa / 2nd Degree)

1. Ron Balicki Los Angeles, CA

2. Michael Krivka Rockville, MD

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Antas Isa / 1st Degree)

1. Don Garon Pittsburgh, PA

2. Steve Braun Washington D.C.

3. Gary Ruby El Paso, TX

4. David Gould Riverside, CA

ADVANCED APPRENTICE INSTRUCTOR

1. Phil Rapagna Pasadena, CA

2. Stephen Charlson Richmond, VA

3. La Tanya Charlson Richmond, VA

4. Teri Carlson Gresham, OR

5. Mark Balluff Canoga Park, CA

6. Marc Denny Hermosa Beach CA

7. Hans Anton Tan Los Angeles, CA

8. Elmer R. Hebia Beverly Hills, CA

9. Roger Agbulos Los Angeles, CA

INTERMEDIATE APPRENTICE INSTRUCTOR

1.Arlan Sanford Santa Fe, NM

2.Bill Economos Chicago, IL

3.John L:Herault Chicago, IL

4.Thomas Flannel Portland, OR

APPRENTICE INSTRUCTOR

1. Tom Doherty Chicago, IL

2. Frank Cucci Virginia Beach, VA

3. Manuel Tanningco Dayton OH

4. Wayne Keller Portland, OR

5. Roland Ferrer Garden Grove, CA

6. Dave Crosby Santa Fe, NM

7. Eugene Amante Chicago, IL

8. Hal Deily Pittsburg, PA

9. Charles Reed Cincinnati, OH

10.David Hatch Cantori, MI

11.Larry Hartsell Los Angeles, CA

12.Steve Tarani Costa Mesa, CA

13.Chris Malgeri Cantori, MI

14.Lynda Hatch Canton, MI

15.Jeff Patterson Portland, OR

16.Sean Haley Portland, OR

17.Amy Tucci Princeton, NJ

18.Jeff Jones Princeton NJ

LAMECO S.O.G. (Goodwin "Backyard" Group):

1. Lowell Pueblos

2. Eric Koh

3. Mar Elepano

4. Hospecio "Bud" Balani, jr.

5. Hans Anton Tan

6. Elmer "Bong" Hebia

7. Marc F. Denny

8. Roger Agbulos

9. Rem V. Cruz

10. Felix Valencia

11. Bryant Emerson

12. Phil Rapagna

13. Steve Grody

14. Dave Gould

15. Choy Flores

16. Dino Flores

17. Steve Tarani

18. Pantaleon Revilles, jr.

19. Arnold Noche

20. Ron Balicki

21. Gary Quan

22. Sung Han Kim

23. Jason Ancheta

24. Joel Adriatico

25. Rodney Wilson

Current practitioners of Lameco Eskrima who head their own organization or group or are otherwise prominent include: Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Ron Balicki, the Dog Brothers, Lameco SOG aka the Sulite Backyard Group and Bakbakan International.

Prominent members heading their own organization, schools or group teaching Original Lameco Eskrima unchanged from what Punong Guro Edgar Sulite was teaching include: David Gould/USA, Dino Flores/USA and Wolfgang Mueller/Germany.

References

Filipino Fighting Arts:Theory and Practice by Mark V. Wiley, ISBN 0-86568-180-5 Tuttle Publishing

External resources