PAMUOK (Combat Hand to hand Module)
This is Abon Taktikal unarmed FMA Based Self Protection Training Module. Students will learn a simple, effective and retainable method of unarmed personal protection through a series of Scenario based and situational awareness drills, Combative Principles and Concepts, verbal challenge, physical boundary setting, default response & basic unarmed technique training. An emphasis is placed on understanding how criminals select and attack their victims in the real world. Strategies presented enable the citizen to negate criminal assault tactics through verbal challenge and/or direct and aggressive Proactive action (pre-emption). This course is suitable for men and women of any age or physical size/stature. Training Includes but not limited to Stand Up Fighting, Ground Fighting, Against Multiple Attackers, Against Weapon Attack, and more.
ABON TAKTIKAL (a.k.a. PAMUOK)
Guro Isagani Abon Personal Protection Training Method
Personal Protection not Personal Perfection
I have personally heard and even read a lot of comments online that Filipino Martial Arts is involves too much movements, flowery, very traditional and outdated, that there’s a lot of complicated techniques, and most of all, there were questions raised regarding its effectiveness in actual or street fights especially when no weapons are involved. These statements/questions drove me to create an effective way of teaching FMA based on my own principles so as to provide an answer. It is also my way of honoring all my beloved FMA Masters (and their Arts) namely Master Henry E. Espera, Founder of Rapido Realismo Kali/Arnis; Master Fred Fernandez, Founder of Arnis Defense Silat; Master Andy Abrian, Founder of Orabes Heneral Eskrima; and of course, my Dad, Leonardo A. Abon Sr., on his own method of Street Boxing which he called “Pamuok” or simply “Suntukan”. These four are my biggest martial art/fighting influences. From them, I inherited the principles, elements, and most of the movements and techniques of Abon Taktikal, blended with Western World training and teaching technology they called Combative. Through my research, I was so much inspired by the works of these Combative Instructors, namely: Tony Blauer, Marc Macyoung, Richard Dimitri, Kelly Maccann, Lee Morrison, Michael Janich and Geoff Thompson.
There’s a lot of materials and demos abroad which not only show but also explain how effective FMA is in a real fight scenario. However, it is sad to note that in the Philippines where the art originated from, it is not widely practiced and not a lot of Filipinos are even aware of the effectiveness of FMA even from the past generations. Most often, our Filipino youth who are so adapted to the modern times tend to see Arnis as an ancient art or sport and is usually taught only in Physical Education classes. Only a few truly understand its effectiveness in combat.
Year 2001 was when I started focusing on gaining a deeper knowledge and experience of the art. I experimented with different principles, theories, techniques and drills. Through constant research, practice and actual experience, I learned what actually works and what does not. The techniques which I found most realistic and applicable are the ones that I would like to share to my students. Between 2003-2004, I had my first female student. She was a High School student who joined my former group, the Navotas Kali Warrior Club (NKWC). During that time, I formulated my methods on proper testing and the application of my teaching principles in practice. I was trying to see if women can perform the techniques I was trying to teach and if these techniques will come out naturally in an actual pressure testing. There’s no doubt that with very minimal changes in the application, it will be very easy to learn and of course be effective for men as well. That was the birth of my first program (testing period while teaching Rapido Realismo Kali to NKWC) which I aptly named “Direktang Aksyon Hagap sa Agresibong Sistema” (DAHAS). DAHAS, when translated to English, means FORCE, violence or cruelty. That program was based on the different FMA systems that I learned which are: Rapido Realismo Kali, Arnis Defense Silat, Orabes Heneral Eskrima and Pamuok from my own father. Even before I started practicing FMA, I trained in different oriental martial arts like Karate and continued to cross-train in Taekwondo, Aikido, Judo, Muay Thai and other systems after I saw demos of those arts or personally met some of their instructors. I grew up in a squatter’s area and in a world where violence is a way of life and this is the primary reason why I studied martial arts. I focused my mind on how to successfully defend myself and my loved ones. The Filipino Martial Arts provided me the moves and principles that I have been searching for but I remain open-minded to acquiring effective principles from other martial arts which I have had the honor of learning. I dedicated so much of my time in improving my knowledge, skills and experience for the love of FMA. Perhaps this is also because it is part of my culture as a Filipino.
When DAHAS was formed and our experiments with different techniques and scenarios were successful, my knowledge broadened. Based from actual experiences of people that I taught, my practice is now directed towards realistic principles. The sole purpose of my training is on focusing towards personal protection and street- functional applications. I decided to lessen the cultural and traditional ways that were deeply embedded in the systems where these techniques were derived from. Little by little, I learned what works and what doesn’t. From there, I was able to showcase the efficacy of FMA by employing minor changes in the methods, principles, experience, mindset and focus of training. Firstly, since it was effective for females which are considered by the majority as the weaker sex, it proved that they are also strong and very much capable of defending themselves. Secondly, people will better understand the importance of FMA not only in sports or cultural aspects but also as an effective tool for self-defense. Lastly, for FMA to be regarded just as effective (if not better) by Filipinos who think that foreign martial arts like Karate, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, BJJ, MMA, Krav Maga, etc. are more superior to our very own martial arts.
After DAHAS, I opened the door to most people and the focus was no longer specific to female students. I named it “Pamuok” (2008) which was what my father called his style of fighting based on his experience as a boxer as well as his experiences in street fights as a gang member during the 60’s and 70’s. It was a mixture of Boxing, Escrima and street fighting techniques. When I looked up the meaning of “Pamuok” in the dictionary, it is an old Tagalog term that means hand to hand combat and I decided to use it because it complimented the training method and principle I was trying to create at that time.
I am still in the continuous process of learning effective ways of self-defense, researching for materials and gaining experience not only on “Pamuok”. The years of research and experience I spent resulted to short training programs like Tagis Talim (Defensive and Offensive Knife Tactics), Ligtas Kababaihan (Women's Safety and Self Protection), Ligtas Kabataan (Kid's Safety) and more short training programs designed especifically for Self Protection.
In 2010, I officially named it as ABON TAKTIKAL (ABON PANLABAN though it is also known as simply PAMUOK): Guro Isagani Abon Self Protection Training Method. At first, I only taught it to selected RRK students to check if it will be acceptable to most people. That also served as my testing ground and my students became the guinea pigs for my training experimentation that benefitted both me and my students. It was in the year 2012 when it was finally offered to the public as a special combative training program while Teaching RRK and ADS. Now, it is also officially approved by PG Henry E.Espera and offered as a Special Combatives Program under the Rapido Realismo Kali International Association.
Abon Taktikal is a close quarter personal protection method based on FMA (Proactive principles, tools, tactics, and strategy, Physics, Physiology, Survival Psychology and bio mechanics). Most of the principles, striking elements, takedowns, etc. comes from Filipino Martial Arts (blended with Western Combative). Because the training method/system tactics are built from both natural and conditioned reflexes and reactions to violence as well as researching proper combative training methodology that can be a bridge for every skill and system, the system/method enhances the ability to weather, deflect or intercept a sudden close quarter attack or “ambush” as they call it abroad. Though, Abon Taktikal is an RRK special combative program but it is also a stand-alone self-protection program for everyone to learn. It is open to everyone and certification is also available for those who want to teach and add it to their current martial arts program.
The reason why i named it PAMUOK or ABON TAKTIKAL because it is not my intention to create a new Filipino Martial Arts system or style. I also do not intend to replace any FMA system but only want to show and teach how effective FMA is in the world of Real Combat particularly, the FMA system I’ve studied (RRK and ADS are two of my primary sources and will continue to teach and share) by just adding some few teaching and training principles. It also doesn’t mean I’m abandoning any of the two system I’m currently teaching especially Rapido Realismo Kali (my and Abon Taktikal's beloved Mother Arts along with Arnis Defense Silat). After Abon Taktikal came out, questions also began to arise. There was a false notion that I will be abandoning the teaching of traditional FMA and that I will stop teaching RRK. Again, Abon Taktikal was created only as a program based on the combination of three different systems (RRK, ADS, Pamuok). I did so out of my eagerness to show my love for FMA and to prove how effective it is (at least for the FMA systems that I have trained in). This is to fulfill my promise to my FMA teachers (whom I consider as my fathers in the martial arts world) that I will protect, care for, and propagate their systems to the best of my ability. These arts are RAPIDO REALISMO KALI (RRK), ARNIS DEFENSE SILAT, ORABES HENERAL ESCRIMA, and PAMUOK. These systems will continue to be my foundation and will continue to support them through Abon Taktikal. This is not meant to be a new martial art, style, a liability or anything that should be seen negatively. I do not believe that this will cause a conflict because I believe in sharing and fostering brotherhood, helping each system to grow. Abon Taktikal (AT) was created as a short program/course so I can share FMA based on my own concept of what is effective and what will definitely help a person to defend himself and his loved ones to those who only want a pure self protection course and dont have more time to study a complete martial art. As a Promise to my Mentor PG Henry Espera and to clear to everyone. I will not stop teaching the complete curriculum of Rapido Realismo Kali, i will teach it along with AT cause RRK was our Mother Arts.