History of Latosa Escrima

ESTEBEN LATOSA

Rene's Great Grandfather, Esteben, was a well-known outlaw and a feared Escrimador. As the story has it, he possessed the Anting-Anting, "the symbol of the supernatural" coupled with his martial arts skills made him an invincible man. As a young boy of seven years, Juan Latosa, Rene's father was the only person his outlaw grandfather
Esteben would allow near him. Esteben saw a future Escrimador in the brave eyes of his young grandson Juan. He tried to teach him the finer points of fighting but Juan was too young. One day as Esteben, lay sick in bed dying, he asked his grandson to take the Anting-Anting protruding from his mouth. Even as a young boy, Juan sensed that this object had evil attached to it and refused to take it. Esteben smiled at Juan's wise decision and felt assured that his courageous grandson would be a successful fighter without the Anting-Anting. In his weaken
state Esteben left for the mountains never to be seen or heard from again.
JUAN LATOSA

Rene Latosa was an Escrimadore before he knew it!
Juan Latosa, Rene's father, was a well-respected fighter within the province of Capiz, and in the city of Mambusao. Rene's father was the eldest in his family. As a teenager, relatives reintroduced Juan to the Filipino martial arts. With his interest sparked, Juan asked his mother for money to study in Manila. His mother's perception of study meant academics; whereas, Juan's interpretation was to proceed to the mountains to study Escrima. For over a year he studied in a secret camp where his training extended to weapons of different sizes, shapes (kampilan, staffs, ropes, double swords, etc.), and ending with a weapon completely out of character, the Japanese samurai sword. When he returned to his village, he continued to season his skills in actual fights and by practicing with different vendors and travelers who had martial arts skills. In his village, he was the best; it did not hurt him too much that his athletic skills were at his highest level (Philippine Olympic Track Team).
He departed the Philippines in the 1920s for America seeking fortune, adventure, and a better life. On the ship to America, he confronted a Japanese Bo master because he was causing trouble and bothering the other Filipino passengers. Juan asked him to stop; consequently,
the situation escalated to a death match. With the stage set, the match began with stick against staff. The fight ensued with Juan rendering the opponent down and defenseless. Being a
death match, the opponent requested that he finish the job; Juan refused. His opponent had to live with the humility and loss of face for the rest of the voyage
PEDRO LATOSA
Uncle Pedro was a wonderful source of training and stories. He told Rene fascinating stories of his brother Juan's temperament, fights, and reputation in the Philippines. Pedro learned Escrima from Rene's father. The training he received was for survival father than
learning for learning's sake.

RENE LATOSA
Rene Latosa's initial exposure to the Filipino martial arts came through his ethnic and cultural environment. As a young child, Rene first witnessed martial arts during celebrations (after the crop season was over), cultural events, and hanging around the Filipino Community Center in Stockton, CA. At this community center he would watch the "Old Timers" amuse themselves by hitting their walking sticks together as if they were sword fighters and applying locks to each other.
As a teenager, many of Rene's friends were studying Judo. He asked his father if he could take Judo or Karate lessons. His father offered to teach his young son "jitsu." He didn't believe his father knew anything about martial arts, so he did not pursue that avenue.
His mother recommended taking self-defense classes taught by a long time family
friend, Angel Cabales, at the Stockton Escrima Academy.
His first visit to the Stockton Escrima Academy was in 1968. Rene was greeted by Angel, holding a cigarette in one hand and a rattan stick in the other. Angel, having known Rene since he was small, told him to grab a stick and Angel proceeded to demonstrated a quick
technique. From this point forward, Rene was hooked and he continued to study and eventually taught at the Academy for over five years.
At the Stockton Escrima Academy in
1968, "formal training" did not exist. The method of teaching employed at the
academy was strictly on a teacher to student basis. Rene remembers the ambiance
at the academy was very casual, Angel was just "Angel." For all the students at
the academy, the title "Grandmaster" was inherently Angels, and his alone. To
Rene's advantage, during his first five months of training, he was the only one
of three students who showed up for lessons. Rene's initial training, with a
ratio of four instructors to one student- Angel Cabales, Max Sarmiento, Leo Giron , and Dentoy Revilar- provided plenty of diversity in styles. These four individuals played a definite role in shaping the basic format of the Escrima Concepts system; however, his greatest influence was his father.
During those early days at the academy, Angel did not have student certificates or rankings. They did not exist. You were an instructor when Angel said you were (Rene did receive an
instructors certification from Angel and Max). Angel always said that certificates, belts, and titles meant nothing without the ability to back it up.
Learning from his father was very difficult for Rene. His father was a fighter and every reaction to a situation was combat oriented. When Rene asked to see a movement for a second time, he was shown something else. Because his father did not use techniques, no two
movements were ever the same.
Rene's enlarged ego was instrumental in his introduction to his father's prowess in the Filipino martial arts. Rene was practicing for a demonstration when he became concerned that he did not look as flashy and impressive as he should. He asked his father, who was working in his garden, if he would care to be his practice "dummy." The elder Latosa noted for his quick temper remained calm despite this arrogance.
He watched as his son practiced his techniques, smiled and said he needed more training. The younger Latosa asks him what he knew since he was only a dummy! He dropped his hoe and walked
quietly towards his young egotistical son and picked up a stick. Rene asked his father if he would hit him over the head, but warned him to be careful because of his deadly speed and dangerous skills. Instead, the old man in a calm voice asked his son to strike at him. There was some hesitation on Rene's part; fearing that if he went too fast his father might get hurt. Rene directed a slow hit at the old man. Before he saw what had happened, his father's stick hit him on the head. "This must have been an accident," thought Rene. He again struck at his father but this time faster. Again, Rene's head was the final destination
for the end of his father's stick. In a serious fury, Rene went after his father with a strike that was strong, fast, and headed toward its target; as a result, his target moved and a stick landed between Rene's neck and shoulder knocking the young man to the ground. His father walked away laughing and went back to tending his garden. Rene's mother came out of the house, yelled at his father, and consoled her son with the bruised ego. Rene spent some time soul searching, trying to get a grip on what happened. Rene was under the impression that with
his speed and technical skills he could not be beat. His father took him aside and told him about his rough and dangerous background and informed him he had much to learn. Rene's attitude towards the Filipino arts changed. The first attribute to be disposed of was his enlarged ego. His father started to train Rene in the finer points of fighting concepts, different weapons, and his philosophy. Rene realized the importance of concepts in relationship to techniques.

TITLES: Rene Latosa has never been crazy about martial art titles. In his mind what people call you is based on respect not what is on any certificatation, or what the media (magazines or books) calls you. When you are confident in what you do, no title or letters behind your name will make you a better martial artist. There is obviously a traditional and commercial side to titles however if you call someone by a title, make sure they have earned that respect.

IMPORTANT INFLUENCES ANGEL CABALES Angel Cabales did not realize how many people he had influenced during his life. As one of Rene's first instructors, his legacy and influence will continue to live on in the Latosa Escrima System developed by Rene. Angel Cabales liked to teach each person individually. This was the way he was taught. He did not believe that a student could learn effectively in a group environment. Angel was a sincere instructor; he showed genuine interest in all his students' progress. He sacrificed his evenings after working long and hard days at the farms. His drive was the pleasure of teaching. It was Angel's striving and rebellious attitude that inspired Rene. Angel, saddled with the pressure of the community and his peers not to open the art to non-Filipinos, persisted anyway. The Filipino community feared the possibilities of exploitation. MAXIMO SARMIENTO

Maximo Sarmiento was Angel's partner in the Stockton Escrima Academy. He was the person responsible for persuading Angel to open the school. Max was proficient in various aspects
of the Filipino arts. His specialty was knife fighting, single and double; and Cadena de Mano, empty hands. Rene spent long hours training both at the school and privately with Max. Rene achieved the only certification in Cadena de Mano as well as Serrada by the late Maximo Sarmiento. Max Sarmiento's style is evident in the compact power structure of Latosa Escrima.

DENTOY REVILAR
Dentoy Revilar was Angel's most senior student. Dentoy taught Rene multiple hitting, speed, and body positioning. Dentoy was a brilliant role model for all the students at the
Academy. While watching Dentoy's workouts, Rene realized that the concept of focus was a major tool of the Filipino arts. Dentoy was effective, smooth, quick and focused. This is a mandatory concept in the Latosa Escrima system. LEO
GIRON Leo Giron's influence was more than exposing Rene to the Largo Mano system. Leo demonstrated
that the length and size of the weapon and the ability to work off line were important and essential aspects of the Filipino martial arts. His real life experiences and combative attitude toward what he practiced made his system a prime role model. BRINGING
UP THE STANDARDS The responsibilities for keeping up the standards and facilitating the growth of Latosa Escrima are solely Rene's. His insight and command of the Filipino arts truly make him an
expert. Rene's constant goal is to find flaws in what he teaches and create new methods for beating his system. Rene, as an instructor, has never been one to hide or refrain from teaching what he has learned or developed. There are no secrets or hidden agendas in Latosa Escrima. Rene believes that if one person withholds information, the next person he teaches will lack this new knowledge and eventually, there will be nothing substantial left to teach. The students in Latosa Escrima strive for creativity, innovation, and hard work. Latosa Escrima will always be in a constant state of development. As long as students continue
to learn quality Latosa Escrima, the system will continue to develop. It is a progressive, challenging and adaptive system. The simple approach of learning conceptually instead of having to learn a million techniques will help the Filipino martial arts produce top notch Escrimadors for the future. CONCLUSION The road to developing a system takes time, a long-term commitment, and a vision of the future. In this system there is a need to continually test theories, and to challenge failures. By conquering these issues you will be guided toward the road to success. For
Rene, it is personal. Sharing the legacy of his Filipino culture and the traditions of the Philippines with people of other cultures has been his life's dream and goal.