PEKITI-TIRSIA - AS A FAMILY SYSTEM As written by Grand Tuhon Leo t. Gaje, Jr.

source of this article is found in

http://www.psdtc.com/Pekiti.Tirsia/

Pekiti-Tirsia as a family system under my Grandfather's technical management had brought a in-depth structure of discipline in the true indigenous traditional fighting system known to the Philippines. It was a secret system only dedicated to the Tortal family that originated from Tigbawan in the Island of Panay. Due to the transmigration movement of the people of Panay, the head of the family Segundo Tortal, the father of my Grandfather the late Supreme Grandmaster Conrado B. Tortal with his brothers Balbino, Teodorico and Francisco had settled in the town of Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. It was those times that the domination of the rich families managed to occupy vast track of lands at the point of a finger. Negros agricultural flat lands and few valleys and mountains were and still are ideal for Sugar cane Plantation. The Tortal family had one common principle and that the unity of family must be strongly maintained and that since they were not the member of the rich icon of Negros, their mode of living was to occupy a family land of about 24 hectares (1 hectare is equal to 2.47 acres) in Conception; Talisay as a settlement for the family to expand in little farming and gardening to support the growing family. It was some dark days where the rich can point his finger and tell every one living in the territory close to his land, which as far as my eyes can see that is my land and all that lives within the site of my finger must vacate the land. Those who lived in these areas of about twenty families were told to vacate the area but not the Tortal family. My Grandfather together with his brothers with the Ginuntings stood on the corners of the land and told the Administrator to get out or else we will chop all of you to pieces. With a truck load of men, the Administrator left and reported to the rich Haciendero what it took place. For fear the Haciendero offered my Grandfather to be the Administrator in an area of hundred hectares and a contractor for roads and bridges going to all the haciendas. The only family left in that area is the Tortal family.

Pekiti-Tirsia is a unique system practicing most of the ancient practices in which kali became a traditional fighting art with philosophical equivalents in the application of its technology with blades applied in close quarter combat.

Pekiti-Tirsia means, “to close in so close with the purpose to quarter the enemy in an area he cannot get

out with multiple combinations of all offensive attacks leaving no quarter for the enemy to get out and survive.” It is an artistic method of in-fighting technology that is considered the final chapter of the encounter.

Pekiti-Tirsia believes in the kali principles of survival indicated by the methodology applicable with the edged weapon and the intrinsic applications of knives as the most treacherous weapon used to surprise the enemy. Pekiti-Tirsia adheres to the old adage "that how effective it was, is how effective it is today.” Meaning the true elements of combat is embedded in every movement of the blades and every thrust, an impact of force meant a lot to be remembered.

The Pekiti-Tirsia school of Advanced Studies evolves in the principles of Geometrics which dominate the areas of control within the prescribed perimeters of offense and counter offense removing defense as the first line of approach. No avenues of entries allowing the enemies weapons to enter in a danger zones.

All for the learning process Pekiti-Tirsia remains educational and combative, It is an institution of the true Filipino fighting system and will stay pure and indigenous.

Pekiti-Tirsia School of Thoughts:

The basic foundation of the system are the principles of footwork and body mechanics together for body coordination and synchronization with the weapon. Of course this applies for the empty hand offensive strategy in terms of striking and thrusting techniques as well. From the principles of Sinugdan, Abakada or basic alphabets of 12 attacks to the Apat na Panalgan or four walling, the Payong mechanics or umbrella, the thrust and parry, Buno Paiwas, the break in and the break out, Pagua Pasulod and Pasulod Pagua mechanics, the five attacks or Limang Sugod, the seven attacks or Pitong Sugod , the clock system or Orasan. These are the inner components of Doce Methods and other optional inserts as the Panastas, Pekiti-Pekiti. For secondary academics, the Contradas, Recontras, REcontradas, ascending to Seguidas and the contra Tirsia Dubla Doz…other optional techniques are taught as an inserts but still within the Academe of the training methods of Pekiti-Tirsia.

But as the advancement to higher studies continues then the systems are accelerated into higher divisions, referred to as the tri-V formula - Tatlong Sulundan, the Capsula methodica, cupa sang mga sulundan, the lema-lema or the five elements of energy, then the pekadum trigo which is the highest methodology.

Mastery in Pekiti-Tirsia is not the number of years but by the number of hours spent Training! Mastery is in the context of complete understanding and knowing the principles of geometrical equations and the blending actions to the use of physics for leveraging and combative take downs. To many people make claim to the amount of years without understanding these principles!

Pekiti-Tirsia higher advanced studies is the concentration of the metaphysical development where power from within and power from without is brought developed into electro magnetic power generated from the body energy and explodes at the time of contact. The special power to the power of metaphysical is the hidden secret of Pekiti-Tirsia kali system.

Pekiti-Tirsia as taught at the Practical Self Defense Training Center is from Grand Tuhon Leo t. Gaje, Jr., the only heir in authority within the Tortal family. Any claimant of the Tortal’s system is bogus and without family blessings and will never work in reality. they are for commercial purposes selling certificates of instructorship even without having a formal training, affiliating organizations and schools outside the Filipino system for a fee with the promise to bring the mountain of techniques for one to master in a short period of time.

Pekiti-Tirsia is Para-military and more combative in its perspectives. It is dedicated to the reality of situations; it is system within the system of combat in all forms from weaponry to non-weaponry. The added Dumpag or Dumog in combination with Pangamut is one of the deadly materials taught under the Pekiti-Tirsia advanced studies. The Dumpag has a special place for mastery more for people who desire to complete the true composition of a realistic in-depth fighting system.

Many facets of distinction that separates Pekiti-Tirsia Kali from other Filipino martial arts:

A. Pekiti-Tirsia is a system of the ancient arts of the modern times that holds on to its roots, its ancient living past. The principles of training and its working mechanics is 100% indigenous and traditional.

B. The training philosophy is of the highest forms of accepted principles for intelligent people who understand how real the Filipino culture is and how the past is revered with high respect.

C. It is a family system where the system is pure and the teaching mechanics were designed as a fast learning curriculum applicable in forms of fighting, from edged weapon to impact weapons as well as firearms.

D. Pekiti-Tirsia is a superior system since the methods are non-regimented, unorthodox, unconventional, non-telegraphic and unpredictable.

E. Pekiti-Tirsia is worldwide with attachments to the marines, police and other military and law enforcement organizations

Blades used in Pekiti Tirsia:

The blades Pekiti Tirsia Kali come in many forms and style. They range from Kampilan, Ginunting, Talibong, Parang, Dahong, Palay, Sibat, Baslay, Pana, Tugalpo, Pamana, as well as the Sumpit; were all design specifically for combat.

"Dumog,” English Translation:

Dumog is commonly thought of as the grappling aspects of the Kali warrior. To explain that better, it is the brutal entry to close in into the enemy by destroying all the segments of the arms, the face area, the throat, the carotids, the collar bones and the shoulders. The use of blade of the hand is used to attack the sensitive point to paralyze or put one inactive in split of seconds. Dumog represents power to destroy through breaking specially the arms and down to the legs. There two parts in the body that are targets…the first part is the upper section from the waistline and the lower section of the body that includes the hips line , the major arteries of the legs, and the complete breaking of the ankle, the toes, and the legs with the knees, all of which are attacked to dislocate and not to look for submission.

The open hand of Pekiti-Tirsia is deadlier than fist with far more opportunities than a fist for destruction. It is governed by the principles of energy delivered to the body in full force leaving no chance to recover and leaving no possibility to recounter. Pekiti-Tirsia's technical progression is a situational concept. For every technique practiced, a recounter is of course well understood through resistance which by then, a non-counterability is perfected.

Dumog, the way it has been through out history is done with and without weapons. Indigenous poisons and/or peppers are usually used on the fingertips to ensure a quick ending.