Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by FMA Informative on February 1, 2012 at 8:29am

Here is a question that I thought the late Punong Guro Sulite had a great opinion. Apparently there is no one that has their own. Either that or maybe practitioners just go with the flow and it is a prestiage thing now a days?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Remedios Sy on February 2, 2012 at 5:47pm

There is no Master in the art who can claim originality in his techniques. You cannot invent without having a core of knowledge wherein you have to combine the different styles altogether just like in dancing or any other art. They are all interconnected. Hence the need to acknowledge the Masters from whom one has learned techniques. Then you create a series of combination.. But still he has acquired the styles from diufferent practitioners as well. It is also of prime importance that a sport practitioner is well-educated. There are people who need to be satisfied with their hunger for the art. An educated man will be more credible if he can express himself in an articulate and sensible manner....not only to his Filipino compatriots but to the world as well.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by FMA Informative on February 2, 2012 at 8:34pm

We thank you for both your input which is very true. There are those that do not realize the truth.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Remedios Sy on February 1, 2012 at 10:11pm

All that and more....a real Master cannot teach if he himself has not competed in the sport and won. There are many pretenders to the sport. They learn a few moves, coach a few teams, stood as officials (referree/judges) and they think they can be called Masters. A Real Master will stay humble no matter whatever achievements or accolades are showered upon him. He knows how to look back and acknowledge the Masters who themselves have taught him whatever he has learned. Then he creates his own style incorporating what he has learned as a tribute to those who were before him. He is not afraid to acknowledge that there will be others better than him because a true Master is confident about his capabilities and his capacity. He will be selfless in teaching the art because his primary concern is for the propagation of the sport and not for his self-interest.  I know of someone who claims that he is "self-taught" in the art of arnis. A pretender and a farce...so beware of those whose experience is not at par with those who have imbibed the sport, breathed it, lived it with fulfilling results.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mataw Guro David Battaglia on February 3, 2012 at 9:00am

When you ask, what is a master? Do you mean a master of himself, a martial art, a sport, an educator, a practitioner, etc. Or do all these qualities define a master? If so, a master of what?   

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by FMA Informative on February 3, 2012 at 8:07pm

Well let us put this in prospective then. This is the MyFMAnet, The question is coming form the FMA Informative which deals with Filipino martial arts. And seeing what Punong Guro Sulite said as an example, I would imagine the question has to do with being a Master in the Filipino martial arts.

But that is just how I imagine the question is pointing towards. However you can answer it using all of your questions on What is a Master. Master of a art? Master of themselves? As a educator of the Filipino martial arts?

Leave it up to you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Remedios Sy on February 4, 2012 at 11:20pm

Agree....it will depend on your perspective. To my mind, you are referring to what defines a Master of a Filipino Martial Art. In retrospect however, don't you think that the characteristics defined thereof can also be applied to oneself? It can be the art of being human. :-)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Al S on February 6, 2012 at 9:09am

In my opinion, the above description is not of a master but of a teacher or professor of one style or subject. A master is one who knows not just techniques but one who knows and executes concepts that will work against any style or system.

Dr. Remedios Sy also brings up a few very good points about being a master, especially about the requirement that a master must compete in order to teach. My only caveat to that is there are many FMA tournaments today that where to excel, to win is that one has to be a good stick banger. No technique, no FMA reality, no effectiveness, no self preservation concerns , just a good stick banger. Thus the quality of the competetion is important. And furthermore, the quanity of competition is also important. If a tournament has only 3 competitors or no other competetitors and the only person there is declared a winner, is this a legitimate master?

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Remedios Sy on February 8, 2012 at 2:25am

I agree with you Al S....what I am also pointing at are tournaments that are legitimate and credible. The tournaments martial artists should be joining are not the fly-by-nights. That's why to my mind, there should be a standardized implementing rules and regulations in the conduct of these tournaments. And that prior to sponsoring a tournament, the sponsoring-entity should ask for a written certification of permission to hold their tournament in conjunction with the government-recognized National Sports Association (NSA), in this case, ARNIS PHILIPPINES (ARPI). The problem is there are certain clubs who want EXCLUSIVITY imposing their own rules for their own benefit. If we want transparency, let the Philippine Sports Commission-recognized ARPI sanction ALL arnis tournaments to avoid blatant manipulations and erroneous officiating. Maybe then we will be able to really get the BEST athletes instead of making winners out of obviously-lackluster ones only because they belong to the same brotherhood. I appreciate your insight and also agree with yours.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Remedios Sy on February 8, 2012 at 2:49am

P.S. : Quality and Quantity is right.....The more exsposure you have, the more experience you gain. Nothing beats experience of a martial artist in and out of a competition arena. :-)

• ▶ Reply