| KUNTAW THE ANCIENT FILIPINO ART OF HAND AND FOOT FIGHTING SINCE 1365 |
Origin and History
The Philippines, as with any Asian country, has had a long, hard history with certain aspects of its culture and
values similar to other countries such as Japan and China. Being an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, it has
seen an influx of many different people. Sri Vishaya was the first empire and was eventually dominated by the
Mahjapahit Empire that brought in the Muslim faith. Many people from other countries made the Philippines
their home bringing with them many new fighting styles, contributing to the culture and martial way of fighting
with both steel and rattan weapons {kali}, and hand and foot fighting {Kuntaw}.
No one can be sure exactly how Kuntaw and Kali originated, but it has proven to be an effective fighting art.
Weapons were predominantly in the kali way with many different swords, spears, and knives in use.
Practitioners not having access to bladed weapons used hard wood or more commonly rattan, a native vine
growing wild in the jungles and hard when dried, whereas in kuntaw only hands and feet are used.
Then in 1521, the appearance of Magellan changed the course of history from the Philippines. The most
significant result of Magellan's stopover was the conversion to Christianity of some Filipino villagers and that
he died at the hands of Lapu - Lapu and his men. This historic event was recorded by Pigafeta, a Spanish
historian and chronicler of Magellan's voyage around the world. From Pigafeta's description of the native
warriors and their fighting style, some techniques incorporated into Kuntaw were already in use at that period
in the Philippine history.
In time, the Spanish came in force and eventually conquered the Philippines. The principal law put down by the
Spaniards was the total ban on carrying weapons and the practice of martial arts.
The practice of Kuntaw was kept alive primarily in the southern Philippines until finally, following the ban and
turmoil of the Spanish occupation, a man called Yuyong Henyo left Mindanao and moved to Luzon, the largest
island in the north. Yuyo's last name Lanyada was changed to Lanada per Spanish decree of having a
Spanish surname. This decree was called the Decree of Cognomen (1849). That decree included the
governador cillos (governor general) order that any Katutubo (native Filipino) caught involved or training in
Kuntaw/ Kali would be punished by law.
In 1960, Carlito Lanada founded the International Kuntaw Federation to unify and organize Kuntaw
practitioners around the world. Headquarters for the International Kuntaw Federation is now located in Wilson,
North Carolina, USA.
The Philippines, as with any Asian country, has had a long, hard history with certain aspects of its culture and
values similar to other countries such as Japan and China. Being an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, it has
seen an influx of many different people. Sri Vishaya was the first empire and was eventually dominated by the
Mahjapahit Empire that brought in the Muslim faith. Many people from other countries made the Philippines
their home bringing with them many new fighting styles, contributing to the culture and martial way of fighting
with both steel and rattan weapons {kali}, and hand and foot fighting {Kuntaw}.
No one can be sure exactly how Kuntaw and Kali originated, but it has proven to be an effective fighting art.
Weapons were predominantly in the kali way with many different swords, spears, and knives in use.
Practitioners not having access to bladed weapons used hard wood or more commonly rattan, a native vine
growing wild in the jungles and hard when dried, whereas in kuntaw only hands and feet are used.
Then in 1521, the appearance of Magellan changed the course of history from the Philippines. The most
significant result of Magellan's stopover was the conversion to Christianity of some Filipino villagers and that
he died at the hands of Lapu - Lapu and his men. This historic event was recorded by Pigafeta, a Spanish
historian and chronicler of Magellan's voyage around the world. From Pigafeta's description of the native
warriors and their fighting style, some techniques incorporated into Kuntaw were already in use at that period
in the Philippine history.
In time, the Spanish came in force and eventually conquered the Philippines. The principal law put down by the
Spaniards was the total ban on carrying weapons and the practice of martial arts.
The practice of Kuntaw was kept alive primarily in the southern Philippines until finally, following the ban and
turmoil of the Spanish occupation, a man called Yuyong Henyo left Mindanao and moved to Luzon, the largest
island in the north. Yuyo's last name Lanyada was changed to Lanada per Spanish decree of having a
Spanish surname. This decree was called the Decree of Cognomen (1849). That decree included the
governador cillos (governor general) order that any Katutubo (native Filipino) caught involved or training in
Kuntaw/ Kali would be punished by law.
In 1960, Carlito Lanada founded the International Kuntaw Federation to unify and organize Kuntaw
practitioners around the world. Headquarters for the International Kuntaw Federation is now located in Wilson,
North Carolina, USA.
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| Greatgrandmaster Carlito A. Lanada Grandmaster Lanada is a 10th Degree Red Belt—the highest attainable rank in the ancient art of Kuntaw. In 1960, he founded and is now the Chief Executive Director of the International Kuntaw Federation, which currently maintains registered training facilities in over twenty-six countries world wide, including Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Philippines, and many parts of the United States. Mr. Lanada is the former Chairman of the World Unified Council of Martial Arts which regulates and sets the standards for international martial arts competition. From 1970 to the mid 80’s Mr. Lanada was the Defensive Tactics Instructor for the US Navy Seals, at the at Subic Naval Base, and for the US Air Force, at Basa Air Base in the Philippines. GM Lanada also taught martial arts at Naga University, PI. In 1993 President Clinton awarded Mr. Lanada with the Presidential Sports Award in Washington, DC. In 1996, he was inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame at San Diego State University. In 2002, Filipino Martial Arts Magazine honored GGM Lanada as Man of the Year. In 2008,GGM Lanada travelled to Canada, where he was inducted into the North American Martial Arts Hall of Fame. In June of 2010 GGM Lanada was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in Anaheim, California. There he was also awarded their highest honor... the Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Lanada is currently residing in California. Lanada is a living legend known and respected world-wide throughout the martial arts community. |
| Wilson North Carolina USA |
