# GM Bobby Taboada/Master Chuck Gauss Seminar - Link: https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/ - Published: 2014-05-05T22:31:00-04:00 - Author: Brian Johns On Saturday, April 26th, Bamboo Spirit and Pugad Lawin Martial Arts hosted a successful joint seminar between [Balintawak GM Bobby Taboada](https://brianejohns.com//2014/02/02/blog-meeting-gm-bobby-taboada/) and [Master of Tapi Tapi Chuck Gauss](https://brianejohns.com/2008/11/12/blog-master-chuck-gauss-seminar-review/). This seminar was months in the making and involved much outreach. I’ve had [Master Chuck in the Toronto area](https://brianejohns.com/2011/09/04/blog-2nd-annual-toronto-modern-arnis-camp/) for seminars, but this was the first time we hosted GM Bobby. Both GM [Bobby Taboada](https://brianejohns.com/2014/02/02/blog-meeting-gm-bobby-taboada/) and Master Chuck arrived in Toronto on Friday night. The following day, we had a private breakfast where we introduced them together. Over a delicious breakfast, we discussed the planning of the seminar and exchanged stories about the late Professor Remy A. Presas, with accompanying laughter. ![Master Chuck and GM Bobby at breakfast.](https://i2.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-10.32.41-PM.png?fit=1024% 2C768&ssl=1) Master Chuck and GM Bobby Taboada We then departed for the Harmony Martial Arts Center in Pickering, where the seminar lasted from 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm. After introducing the two honour guests, we started with the obligatory group photo. ![Group photo before the seminar.](https://i1.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/ wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-10.33.53-PM.png?fit=1024%2C684& ssl=1) Group Photo ## Master Chuck got things rolling by introducing his mainstay drill, the 2 versus 1 drill. He has taught this drill at many [seminars](https://brianejohns.com/2010/04/26/blog-another-great-seminar/). It is very versatile, teaching the right and left hands and many skills inherent in the art of Modern Arnis. He covered thrusting, sweep strokes, application of redonda, disarms, angling, body positioning, and much more. He then showed how this drill translates into single-stick tapi tapi. Further, he added switching hands, heavy checking, and hitting. Master Chuck did a fantastic job of showcasing the explosiveness of Modern Arnis Tapi Tapi. ![Master Chuck Gauss.](https://i0.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/wp-content/ uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-10.37.05-PM.png?fit=986%2C1024&ssl=1) Master Chuck Teaching Unfortunately, Master Chuck had to leave the seminar early due to a sudden turn in his mother’s health. ## The seminar resumed after a presentation, with GM Bobby Taboada taking over the floor. [GM Bobby](https://brianejohns.com/2010/09/09/blog-balintawak-seminar/) emphasized his beloved Balintawak art’s basic footwork and striking patterns. It was evident that his movements were quite efficient, compact, and superb, reflecting his nearly 40 years of experience. He then segued into some of Balintawak’s basics, ranging from striking to disarms. He also demonstrated his speed, power, and accuracy with a demonstration on Master Roland Rivera. The last portion of his seminar dealt with the empty hand component of Balintawak, with an emphasis on the checking hand, agility, and footwork. After the seminar, we had dinner at the Pho Saigon restaurant. We had a grand time regaling each other with stories about our times in Modern Arnis and Balintawak. Terence and I drove GM Bobby to Guro Mantas Oliver Garduce’s place the following day. A joint seminar was held with Guro Oliver teaching Kombatan with GM Bobby following with a Balintawak session. The day’s highlight was GM Bobby’s Balintawak demonstration with Terence as the [demonstration partner](https://brianejohns.com/2015/03/11/blog-10-tips-to-avoid-killing-your-uke/). Terence did a fantastic job in assisting in GM Bobby’s demonstration. A video of the demonstration was uploaded to Facebook where it has gone viral (with 283 shares as of this post). There was a great turnout at this event as well. If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/Xv-4dwhexaE). ![Group photo after GM Bobby's seminar at Oliver Garduce's school.](https://i0.wp. com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12- at-10.38.53-PM.png?fit=1024%2C437&ssl=1) Group Photo at Oliver Garduce’s school. ## All in all, a great weekend! ## Additional Reading * [Balintawak Seminar](https://brianejohns.com/2010/09/09/blog-balintawak-seminar/) * [Meeting GM Bobby Taboada](https://brianejohns.com/2014/02/02/blog-meeting-gm-bobby-taboada/) * [Master Chuck Gauss Seminar Review](https://brianejohns.com/2008/11/12/blog-master-chuck-gauss-seminar-review/) * [Another Great Seminar!](https://brianejohns.com/2010/04/26/blog-another-great-seminar/) * [A Great Seminar](https://brianejohns.com/2009/05/12/blog-a-great-seminar/) ### Share this post: * [ X ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/?share=twitter) * [ Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/?share=linkedin) * [ Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/?share=threads) * [ WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20GM%20Bobby%20Taboada%2FMaster%20Chuck%20Gauss%20Seminar&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2014%2F05%2F05%2Fblog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar%2F&share=email) * [ Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2014/05/05/blog-gm-bobby-taboada-master-chuck-gauss-seminar/#print?share=print) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_