History

ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS–a unique classical arnis fighting system originated in Antique, Philippines. Developed and made famous in the early 1930’s by Mateo D. Estolloso in his many no-rule duels as part of festivals and celebrations. His intricate techniques in Espada y Daga (sword and dagger) gained him the respect of fighters across the archipelago. The outbreak of world war II exposed Mateo to numerous encounters as a guerilla fighter bringing with him his blade and talisman in tandem with his springfield rifle.

After the war, he pursued his practice and furthered the techniques incorporating DUMOG (native wrestling of Antique) from which the intricate execution of HAWI-TAPI (parries and impact blocks) in Mano-Mano, bone-breaking traps, and take-downs were derived. The combination of his techniques was then integrated into the long blades and dagger, the forerunner of his Baston (sticks) system. The triangular and close to perfect geometry of his strokes gave identity to the ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS (fan style in three point or edge). His typical SANGGA-PATAMA (block-hit) combinations in OTSO-OTSO (Figure , BANDA y BANDA (side to side), and SUNKITI (stab or thrust) in ABANIKO LARGO-CORTO (fan strike in long and short) comprised the complex elements of the integrated soft flows and drills in training but were lethal when used in combat.

In 1984, at the age of 70, Mateo came to the USA for Arnis demonstration tours with Philippine Army General Marcos Villa Agustin, Constabulary General Wilfredo Estrada, and Grandmaster Ernesto Presas. He was partnered in all exhibitions and demonstrations by his student aid RENE TONGSON, where he was applauded the most for his graceful silk-like movements in spite of his age.

Today, Grandmaster MATEO D. ESTOLLOSO’S ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS is widely practiced in many parts of the world. His following has spread to AUSTRIA, BRAZIL, CROATIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GUATEMALA, HONG KONG, HUNGARY, ITALY, KUWAIT, MEXICO, ROMANIA, RUSSIA, SPAIN, SWITZERLAND, UK, USA, ISLE OF MAN, and most parts of the PHILIPPINES, including universities, colleges, schools, and martial arts clubs.

GM Mateo D. Estolloso

Grandmaster Rene R. Tongson took his first lesson at the age of nine (9) in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental – the hometown of Professor Remy A. Presas, using sugar cane instead of a rattan stick, which was scarce then. His modern Arnis training started with Grandmaster Roberto Presas and Grandmaster Christino Vasquez, under the guidance of Grandmaster Remy Presas.

Grandmaster Mateo D. Estolloso of Antique, Panay Island, refined his classical techniques such as Banda-y-Banda, Rompida, Doblada, Hirada Batanguea, Espada-y-Daga, Palis-palis, and many more. Under Grandmaster Ernesto, he mastered the techniques of Filipino weaponry.

Grandmaster Rene R. Tongson is one of the Grandmasters of the International modern Arnis Federation—Philippines (IMAFP) under Professor Remy Presas. He is also a member of the Council of Masters of modern Arnis and co-founder-convenor of WORLD FAMILY of MODERN ARNIS (WFMA).

Using his high academic and administrative experience, he spearheaded the organization of Arnis Philippines (ARPI) as its 1st Secretary-General in September 1986 under the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). In 1988, he drafted and authored the original version of the Philippine National Standard for the conduct and practice of Arnis in competitive sports. The standard rules are now being used in Arnis tournaments worldwide. He has traveled worldwide, and he has strong followings in Australia, Europe, and the USA. He is also one of the most respected Grandmasters in the Philippines. Grandmaster Tongson is known for his unique ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS style and form in classical Arnis. Among his top students are GM Bambit Dulay, GM Datu Dieter Knuttel (Germany). GM Angelo Baldissone (UK), Master Nino Pila and Chris Traish (Australia), and leading Arnis gurus in the Philippines and worldwide.

Grandmaster Rene is the Grandmaster of ABANIKO TRES PUNTAS and Grandmaster 10th Dan in modern Arnis. He is a founding director of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation ( PEKAF) and presently the Secretary-General of the federation. He was a World Head of Family Sokeship Council Awardee–Grandmaster of the Year 2006 and is in the International Martial Arts “Hall of Fame”. He is the author of eight Abaniko-Tres Puntas instructional DVDs and a trustee of the International modern Arnis Federation–Philippines (IMAFP). Also, he won the FMA Digest Man of the Year award in 2007.

GM Rene R. Tongson