Antonio Ilustrisimo
Encyclopedia
Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo (1904 - 1997) was the Grand Master of Kali Ilustrisimo
, a Filipino martial art bearing his family name.
in 1904. As a boy he studied eskrima
from his father. At the age of nine he decided to travel to the United States
, and stowed away on a boat he thought was headed for America. In actuality, he arrived in Mindanao
, in the southern Philippine islands.
. GM Ilustrisimo was never defeated in combat, and earnt great respect as a result of his brave exploits against the Japanese.
In 1976 Antonio 'Tatang' Ilustrisimo accepted his first students Antonio Diego and Epifanio 'Yuli' Romo. After Tatang's passing in 1997, Tony Diego was elected head of KI. Other notable students include - Rey Galang
, Romy Macapagal, Roberto Morales, Christopher Ricketts
, Pedring Romo, Norman Suanico and Edgar Sulite
.
His life and art were featured in the book titled Filipino Martial Culture by Mark Wiley.
The art of Kalis Ilustrisimo had a section in the book Filipino Fighting Arts: Theory and Practice by Mark Wiley.
The book titled The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo was released in the United States. It was authored by two of his most prominent students, Antonio Diego and Christopher Ricketts
. With a forward by Mark Wiley.
Kali Ilustrisimo
Kali Ilustrisimo is a blade-based Filipino Martial Art founded by Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo. The style has been in the Ilustrisimo family for over five generations and is based on traditional Filipino stick and sword methods.Referred to simply as "escrima" by the founder and previous...
, a Filipino martial art bearing his family name.
Early life
Born in Bagong, Bantayan, CebuBantayan, Cebu
Bantayan is a 2nd class municipality on Bantayan Island in the province of Cebu, Philippines, about from Cebu City.It is the island's most populous and largest town, with a population of 71,655 people according to the 2007 census. It is bordered to the north by Madridejos and to the southeast by...
in 1904. As a boy he studied eskrima
Eskrima
Eskrima is the umbrella term for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines, which emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives and other bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons...
from his father. At the age of nine he decided to travel to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and stowed away on a boat he thought was headed for America. In actuality, he arrived in Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, in the southern Philippine islands.
The Martial Arts
Antonio Alulud Ilustrisimo was one of the most well respected eskrimadors of the Philippines; He is famed for winning countless duels and street encounters, as well as serving as a guerrilla against the invading Japanese forces during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. GM Ilustrisimo was never defeated in combat, and earnt great respect as a result of his brave exploits against the Japanese.
In 1976 Antonio 'Tatang' Ilustrisimo accepted his first students Antonio Diego and Epifanio 'Yuli' Romo. After Tatang's passing in 1997, Tony Diego was elected head of KI. Other notable students include - Rey Galang
Rey Galang
Rey Galang is a Filipino martial arts teacher and author. He is one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International.- History and experience :...
, Romy Macapagal, Roberto Morales, Christopher Ricketts
Christopher Ricketts
Christopher Ricketts Christopher Ricketts Christopher Ricketts (also "Topher" Ricketts; (1955–2010) was a well-known Filipino martial arts innovator, teacher and author. He was also one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International.-History and experience:...
, Pedring Romo, Norman Suanico and Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite was a teacher of Filipino martial arts. He was the creator of Lameco Eskrima and trained such notables as: Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, Larry Hartsell, Fred Degerberg and Diana Lee Inosanto....
.
Publications
Antonio Ilustrisimo has been featured in many periodicals and Martial Arts publications.His life and art were featured in the book titled Filipino Martial Culture by Mark Wiley.
The art of Kalis Ilustrisimo had a section in the book Filipino Fighting Arts: Theory and Practice by Mark Wiley.
The book titled The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo was released in the United States. It was authored by two of his most prominent students, Antonio Diego and Christopher Ricketts
Christopher Ricketts
Christopher Ricketts Christopher Ricketts Christopher Ricketts (also "Topher" Ricketts; (1955–2010) was a well-known Filipino martial arts innovator, teacher and author. He was also one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International.-History and experience:...
. With a forward by Mark Wiley.