Interview with Mang Romeo “Romy“ Macapagal of Kalis Ilustrisimo | Filipino Martial Arts | Kali

We had the opportunity to do an international Zoom interview to the Philippines with Mang Romeo “Romy” Macapagal. Mang “Romy”, as he is known by his friends and students, is one of the few remaining authorities on Kalis Ilustrisimo as taught directly by the late Grandmaster Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo. Mang Romy began his training with Tatang in 1986. As the appointed archivist, his life work is to preserve the Kalis Ilustrisimo system in its purity as taught by Tatang. TIMECODES: 0:00 - Intro 2:50 - Meeting Tatang for the First Time 4:54 - Street Fights in the Philippines (Or Growing Up in Post WW2 Manila) 11:47 - Documenting and Archiving the Kalis Ilustrisimo System 12:17 - Grandmaster Johnny Chiuten 13:46 - The Kalis Ilustrisimo System in it’s Purity 16:23 - What is Intent and how to Develop it 17:45 - Developing Intent in a Fight 19:25 - Old School Training 24:12 - Learning Under Tatang 29:47 - Tatang’s Development of Kalis Ilustrisimo and Spanish Fencing Influence 32:12 - Eskrimador Challenge Matches 36:08 - Walo Apak - 8 Steps 38:49 - Spanish Fencing Influence on Kalis Ilustrisimo 45:35 - Mang Romy’s thoughts on the Current State of FMA 46:20 - Maestro Reynaldo “Doy” Baldemor 47:47 - Grandmaster Bobby Taboada 50:20 - FMA Outside of the Philippines 53:46 - Thoughts on the Origin of the Words Kali, Arnis and Eskrima 59:12 - The Misconceptions of the Filipino Martial Arts Today 1:04:16 - Teaching Knife if You’ve Never Been in a Knife Fight 1:11:08 - The Importance of Sparring HARD 1:13:09 - Beginner Tips for Starting Out with Kalis Ilustrisimo and FMA 1:16:29 - The Future of Kalis Ilustrisimo 1:19:43 - The Importance of Learning Olympic Fencing 1:22:37 - Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) 1:29:36 - Mang Romy’s Parting Words of Advice and Sparring Tips 1:39:45 - The Realities of Good and Bad Instruction in the FMAs FOLLOW FMA PULSE Website: Facebook: Instagram: #filipinomartialarts #kalisilustrisimo #Kali #eskrima #escrima #arnis #martialarts #interview #FMApulse #FMA #tatangilustrisimo ATTRIBUTION Allada by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license () Source: Artist: Steven Fredrickson I cd3 2 Happo Giri 8 cuts 2 8. YouTube, March 1, 2012, FIE Fencing Channel | Sports explainer: The sabre. YouTube, June 24, 2020, FIE Fencing Channel | Sports Explainer: The precise art of the epee. YouTube, February 27, 2020, scholagladiatoria | FightCamp 2015 military sabre fencing competition - HEMA. YouTube, February 11, 2015, Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use“ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.