Acosta-Martinez
included the Italian rapier, Spanish rapiers, sword and dagger. It
was clearly evident the skill that these two people possessed. The
variations of the Italian and Spanish style, whereby the Italian style
being more energetic, much movement, more animated, more of a linear style
whereas the Spanish style, cool and deliberate circular footwork movements
waiting for the opportunity to strike. The photo on the left illustrates
the "La Verdadera Destreza", the Spanish school of rapier. It utilizes
circular footwork whereby each assume a calm, cool persona relying purely
on skill rather than force to defeat the opponent. Much of the origins
of la verdadera destreza is based on Don Jeronimo de Carranza, who
published his De la Filosophia de las Armas in 1569.
Filipino
warriors. The Spanish with their introduction of European weapons, primarily
the sword, inadvertantly provided an opportunity for the people, indigenous
to the Philipines, the tools and techniques to develop this highly effective
martial art in their battle against the Spanish. Under the
direction by Maestro Rey Galang of the BakBakan
International School of Martial Arts, provided an excellent and educational
demonstration of the skill and swiftness of this form of martial art.
However, there is still some confusion as to the exact influence the
Spanish had on this development, given that different areas of the Philipines
have different terminology and pedagogy that use Tagalog nomenclature for
techniques and demonstrate little, if any Spanish influence.
origins
in Germany. It is essentially, an large, elongated "meat cleaver", one
sharp edge, slightly curved blade with an integral hand grip. It has a
certain resemblance to a large machete. This instrument of "physiological
re-arrangement" as Mr. MacDonald had put it, has been written about as
early as the fourteenth century. The weapon is in its entirety, a
single piece of metal. The unarmed hand and arm is often used as leverage
to facilitate the motion of the weapon for its delivery to the target.
Often, the weapon is supported by the unarmed hand due to the weight of
the weapon.
Paul MacDonald is the fight director of the Dawn Duellists Society (DDS)
of Scotland, which he founded in 1994. The mission of the DDS is
to revive and teach forms of historical swordmanship, from the late medieval
broadsword technique through the epee de combat of the nineteenth
century.
offensive attacks provided by both Paul and Gareth, using a cut-and-thrust
sword and small buckler. Maestro Sinclair involved significant positioning,
footwork, circling, dodging and vaulting which clearly demonstrated the
"enthusiatic" manner of Italian swordplay.
Maestro Andrea Lupo Sinclair is the founder and president of FISAS, the Italian Ancient & Historical Fencing Federation, a group dedicated to reviving the true systems of ancient training and use of cut-and-thrust sword. He has also founded the Italian Federation for Historical Swordplay and the European Federation for Historical Swordplay.
Liberi.
The demonstation clearly illustrated the ability to defend oneself against
a knife-bearing assailant. John is a student of the Martinez Academy.
Other demonstrations included a classical foil competition, single rapier
vs. single rapier, rapier and cloak vs. single rapier, Italian smallsword
vs French smallsword and others.
The rather blurred photo on the left presents the maestros, responsible for the demonstration of skill and technique of their students and themselves during this exposition. Beginning on the left, Mr. Paul MacDonald, Mr. Ramon Martinez, Mr. David Laoum (MC of the event), Mr. Andrea Lupo Sinclair and Mr. Rey Galang. Other participatants in the exposition, included: Jeannette Acosta-Martinez, Andy Baiman, Kim Moser, Edgar De La Vega, David Storrs, Michael Su and Christopher Umbs.
This concludes the trip report. I apologize for the quality of the images. I was trying out my new "Christmas" present, a digital camera. It'll be better the next go around.
David M. Cvet
President
A.E.M.M.A.