"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning"
- Benjamin Franklin
If you didn't know, Balintawak is one of the forms of Arnis or Eskrima to come from the Philippines. Balintawak was one of four systems to get established out of the Cebu region in the 1920s. (Wiley, Secrets of Cabales Serrada Escrima, page 6) Obviously some form or another these fighting arts existed before 1920s, but the fighting arts were collected and codified into these systems and reintroduced into the Philippine society.
Flash forward to today, the various forms of eskrima and arnis are becoming popularized here in the States, through well known martial artists like Guro Dan Inosanto and Grand Master Bobby Taboada. I recently had a great experience and chance to record Sifu Azeem and his son Shahid demo this very powerful art. (Check it out) I love that I have the ability today to learn more and more about these niche martial arts. Thank you internet.
Having the ability to find niche areas allows for continuous learning and growth. Continuous growth is paramount to anything in life and in the martial arts. It is very tough to learn everything, but that shouldn't stop you from trying and expanding your own martial arts journey.
-Dwight
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