Maharlika Kuntaw

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Kuntaw is a martial art that was developed in the Philippines. Fighting skills were "borrowed" from the many cultures that arrived in the Philippines by migration or invasion and were organized into a viable fighting system. This fighting system, known as Maharlika Kuntaw, handles the three ranges of battle: Largo (long); Sumbrada (short); and Hubud (close) ranges as well as the three altitudes of fighting: air, standing and ground.

Maharlika: free/royal; Kuntaw: Kun; fist; taw: way of; Maharlika Kuntaw - Way of the Royal Fist.

These fighting skills come from many different areas of the Orient. However, the three main, in which Kuntaw took from, were India for kali; Indonesia/Indochina for Pentjak Silat; and China for its Shaolin Suu Kempo. Kali gave destruction of the weapon, Shaolin Suu Kempo gave destruction to the body and Pentjak Silat gave destruction of the base to Kuntaw. Kali introduced the idea of the sword, Kempo gave the idea of powerful kicks and punches and from Pentjak Silat came the circular, flowing, snake-like movements. The three main Filipino Arts which Kuntaw is comprised of are Buno (Philippine Wrestling), Sikaran (kicking Art) and Bugtongan (Philippine Stick Fighting system). Kuntaw primarily was developed as a defensive art, but it can be used as an offensive art given the right circumstances.

Weapons are a major part of Kuntaw techniques. These weapons may be a fist, elbow, knee, foot, mind, or a hand held object such as a knife, stick or sword. Movements in Kuntaw were developed from the use of these weapons and from the defense of these weapons. Though Kuntaw is basically evasive, it is a dramatic evasiveness. The movements used are light and fast to avoid an attack, but they are designed too use this action to counter back to the opponent. These movements do not stop an attack or oppose the force delivered; instead they redirect the force back to the source by gaining control of the force. In effect, using the opponent’s own force against them without using or wasting much of your own energy or using any force. These movements direct a delivered force to an area or position that allows the practitioner to get in and take the opponent's base or balance. This gives the Kuntawista the ability to lock, throw or sweep the opponent to the ground.

Kuntaw is an ancient art of katutubong Filipino hand and foot fighting. It is the oldest essential art of self-defense devised by the Filipino Muslim Royalties prior to the Spanish regime and occupation. The particular style of Kuntaw practiced by the Katutubong Filipino in 1365 was considered to be a secret fighting art of self-defense. Due to the proletariat apathy to ceremonies caused by the Christianization in the year 1849, ordained by Governor Narcia Claveria, rituals and other normality’s that went with the arts have disappeared through the course of time, thus only pure defensive and offensive techniques were developed.

One of the oldest experts of kali and Kuntaw is still known today. His name is Yoyong Huenyo Lanada who died at the age of 107. Living in the southern part of Luzon (Bicol Region) he was called Pilato, this name indicates skillfulness in kali and Kuntawan techniques. These techniques were passed to his son Yon Iban Lanada, which in turn were passed to his son, the current Grand Master of Kuntaw, Carlito A. Lanada.

The first hint of prowess of the early Filipinos came when Magellan visited the island chain of the Maharlikas (Philippine Islands). The morning of March 16,1521 found Magellan and his sea weary crew of the Flagship Victoria just south of the island of SAMAR. Ferdinand Magellan named it after the day it was discovered SAN LAZARO (Saint Lazarus Day). Magellan became the first westerner to lay eyes on the islands, a prize for his country, one of many on his journey to circumnavigate the globe. Magellan then sailed on to another island where he met and "CHRISTIANIZED" a local rajah (tribal chief), Humabon, and his followers on the island of Cebu. After his crew had rested and his ship replenished, Magellan called a meeting with all the local rajahs and gave Humabon rule over them and let all of them know that the islands would no longer be called the Maharlikas. They would now be called the Philippines (in honor of King Philip of Spain). With the military backing Magellan, all the rajahs conceded except for one, Lapu Lapu of Mactan Island. This infuriated Magellan, and believing that muskets and steel armor were a better match than native swords (Kalis), sticks (Baston) and spears (kampilan), Magellan sailed to Mactan Island. Magellan and his men met with defeat. Magellan and his men fought in shallow water off the shore and on a sandy beach against these katutubong (natives). Sword against sword, musket against baston the Filipino katutubong fought and won.Links