This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of participating in a Balintawak seminar taught by GM Bobby Taboada. Sean Tyler hosted the seminar at his Raging Tiger Martial Arts school in Scarborough.

GM Bobby was a long-time friend of Professor Presas, and the Professor was GM Bobby’s best man when he got married. Aside from the personal connection between Professor and GM Bobby, there is the fact that Professor intensively studied Balintawak back in the 1950s for seven years. He trained under Rodolfo Mongcol and Timoteo Maranga before studying with the legendary Anciong Bacon. Therefore, attending this Balintawak seminar allowed me to glimpse the Professor’s martial arts roots. As it turns out, there was much that GM Bobby showed that was similar to what I’ve learned in Modern Arnis over the years.

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I found myself not just watching or learning the Balintawak techniques GM Bobby taught.

I also observed his speed, timing, rhythm, and energy as he demonstrated the techniques he wanted us to work on. He would come over and watch me work with Jody, my training partner for the day. He would then demonstrate the technique to me with full power. Very impressive and very reminiscent of Professor. As some stated, his energy and power seemed to be of the “internal” variety that one would often associate with the great Tai Chi and Kung fu masters. That description is spot on.

I had a chance to talk with GM Bobby about Professor. He said he missed the Professor and wished he was still around. We also talked briefly about the Modern Arnis world after Professor’s passing. Besides being an incredible martial artist, I can say that GM Bobby is a world-class individual. Great guy.

This event inspired Terence Dayot and me to host a joint seminar four years later between GM Bobby and my Modern Arnis mentor, Master of Tapi Tapi Chuck Gauss. Read about it here.

I had a great time at this Balintawak seminar. Here’s hoping that GM Bobby returns to the Toronto area in the future! Whether teaching or learning, seminars are a great way to expand your horizons.

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