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Lameco Eskrima is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by Edgar Sulite
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based on his training and experience with various Philippine Martial Arts masters, with heavy influence from Jose Caballero and Antonio Ilustrisimo.
The word Lameco is actually a combination of words which are the three basic ranges of combat involved in the study and practice of Lameco Eskrima - Largo, Medio and Corto (Long, Middle, and Close).
The LAMECO logo represents the following items.
Lameco Eskrima Training
One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of training. The primary weapon is a rattan stick, also called a cane or baston. These sticks vary in length from about 26 inches to as much as 38 inches in length or more. The weapons can vary in weight and thickness depending on the preference of the practitioner.
Lameco uses Double and single Stick, Double and single Dagger, Stick and Dagger, Sword, Staff, Handkerchief, and Empty Hands.
Lameco Eskrima is a synthesis of five major
and six minor systems of Eskrima
Uncredited Influences on the Lameco Eskrima System:
Lameco employs training drills called Laban Laro (Play Fighting). Laban Laro allows the escrimador to come as close to real combat as possible without injury. It is also designed to get an uncountable number of repetitions in a short period of time.
Through his constant efforts for developing new training innovations, Edgar devised unique armor for the hands and forearms that allowed practitioners to safely train more realistically.
Lameco striking system is largely based on striking employed in Caballero system with a few modifications. Striking system consists of twelve strikes in a pattern that facilitates the flow between strikes
- Forehand to the temple
- Backhand to the knee
- Forehand to the knee
- Backhand to the temple
- Thrust to the stomach (with pull-through across the chest)
- Backhand to the elbow
- Forehand to the elbow
- Backhand thrust to the chest
- Backhand to the collar bone
- Forehand thrust to the chest
- Forehand to the collar bone
- Vertical down to the crown
History
At a young age Edgar Sulite's father exposed him to the Filipino Martial Arts, himself being a boxer and Arnisador. Growing up in the Barrios of the Philippines, Edgar witnessed many skirmishes settled blade against blade.
Edgar trained with martial arts masters who included Leo Gaje of Pekiti-Tirsia, Jose Caballero of De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orehenal, Jesus Abella of Modern Largos, Antonio Ilustrisimo of Kali Illustrisimo and many others.
In 1981, he moved to Manilla to train under Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo. After relocating to the United States on June 30, 1989, he became instructor to Dan Inosanto and Larry Hartsell.
Recognizing the talent and knowledge that Edgar possessed, Dan Inosanto would become a lifetime student and an advocate of the Lameco system.
Punong Guro Edgar Sulites wife Felisia Sulite appointed Leonard Trigg as President and Dan Inosanto as Vice President of Lameco Eskrima International quite a few years after Punong Guros death.
Ranking
Unang Baitang (First Level) - Beginner (White)
1. Bagong Pasok (Aspirant) - white
2. Baguhan (Beginner) - White with 1 red stripe
3. Masugid (Dedicated) - White with 2 red stripes
4. Masipag (Earnest) - White with 3 red stripes
Ikalawang Baitang (Second Level) - Intermediate (Red)
1. May-alam (Seeds of Knowledge) - Red with 1 blue stripe
2. Marunong (Knowledgeable) - Red with 2 blue stripes
3. Mahusay (Skillful) - Red with 3 blue stripes
Ikationg Baitang (Third Level) - Advanced (Blue)
1. Magaling (Highly Skilled) - Blue with 1 black stripe
2. Bihasa (Expert) - Blue with 2 black stripes
3. Batikan (Certified Expert) - Blue with 3 black stripes
Ika-apat na Baitang (Fourth Level) - Trainer/Asst. Instructor (Black)
1. Antas Isa (Ist Degree) - Black with 1 white stripe
Tagapagsanay (Assistant Instructor)
2. Antas Dalawa (2nd Degree) - Black with 2 white stripes
Tagapagturo (Senior Assistant Instructor)
3. Antas Tatlo (3rd Degree) - Black with 3 white stripes
Kabakas ng Tagapagturo (Associate Instructor)
Ika-limang Baitang (Fifth Level) - Instructor (Guro)
1. Antas Apat (4th Degree) instructor - Black with 4 white stripes
2· Antas Lima (5th Degree) Senior Instructor - Black with 5 white stripes
3. Antas Ardm (6th Degft) Chief Instructor - Black with wide white band
4. Antas Pito (7th Degree) Senior Chief Instructor - Black with wide white band
5. Antas Walo (8th Degree) Master Instructor - Black with wide white band
6. Antas Slyam (9th Degree) Master Instructor - Black with wide white band
Punong-Guro (Sixth Level)
7. Antas Sampu (10th Degree) - Black with wide black band
Current practitioners of Lameco Eskrima who head their own organization or group or are otherwise prominent include: Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Ron Balicki, the Dog Brothers, Lameco SOG aka the Sulite Backyard Group and Bakbakan International.
Prominent members heading their own organization, schools or group teaching Original Lameco Eskrima unchanged from what Punong Guro Edgar Sulite was teaching include: David Gould/USA, Dino Flores/USA and Wolfgang Mueller/Germany.