RECOGNISED BY

Our club is affiliated with Kung-Fu Wushu Australia and all our instructors are accredited with the Martial Arts Industry Association, the peak body for martial arts instructors in Australia, recognised by the NSW Government and Sport Australia.

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We officially represent De Campo 1-2-3 Original in Australia, authorised by Maestro Paolo Pagaling.

COVIDSAFE TRAINING

In light of the Current NSW State Government Restrictions, and to ensure our members' safety during training, the following COVID-SAFE training policies have been implemented in our academy:​

• COVID SAFE Martial Arts School Policy  (Effective 1 June 2020)

• COVID SAFE Martial Arts School Poster

LANGUAGE NOTE

There are over 120 different language groups in the Philippines. Most are Malayo-Polynesian, while some are Chavacano (Spanish-influenced creoles). Tagalog, officially known as Filipino, is the national language (along with English). In the Filipino Martial Arts it is common for ex-pat Filipinos and non-Filipino speakers to use phonetic spellings or to draw from different languages, making terminology confusing. As the arts we teach are predominantly from the Visayan region of the Philippines, we aim to use Cebuano terminology as much as possible on this website, with spellings based on the Binisaya dictionary, so meanings can be independently tracked and verified.

We offer training in the Filipino Martial Arts to provide opportunities for ordinary people to develop extraordinary skill with sticks and blades.

ABOUT US

The Kalisadors Club (Kali Newcastle) is a not-for-profit martial arts club, specialising in the teaching of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). All income generated from student fees goes into hall hire, equipment maintenance, and club promotion. Instructors offer their services without any financial remuneration. We teach because we love FMA, and want to share our passion with you too.

ABOUT FMA

The Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) are commonly known as Arnis (from the Spanish word Arnes, related to the English word "harness" and referring to "armour") or Arnis De Mano (Armour of the Hand) in Luzon; Eskrima (from the Spanish word Esgrima related to the English word "skirmish" and meaning "fencing") in the Visayas; and Kali (from an old Tagalog word Kalis meaning "skill with blades") in the United States and Filipino diaspora. Fundamentally, all of these names refer to the same martial art family (in much the way Kung-Fu or Kuen Tao is used to describe Chinese Boxing systems). Just as there is a Northern Long Style and Southern Close Style in Kung-Fu, there are Largo Mano (Long Hand) and Corto Mano (Close Hand) styles in FMA.

The catalyst for the development of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), at least in the Visayas, was most likely the administration of 'the last conquistador' Governor-General Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera (1635-1644), who recruited and trained Christianised Cebuanos, Boholanos, Ilonggos and Macabebes in Iberian sword methods to support Spanish regulars in a campaign to pacify the Moro pirate threat from Sulu (Nepangue & Macachor, 2015). 

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Veterans are likely to have returned to the provinces, and taught their martial arts to other villagers, resulting in regional variation, as a consequence of individual specialisation, independent evolution, and mixing with local martial traditions. Methods were adapted to accessible weapons such as bolo (machetes) and ulisi (sticks), a tradition that continues in the use of improvised weapons in FMA today.

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Revolution and the struggle for independence in the 1890s triggered further evolution of FMA, while the early part of the 20th Century marked a period in which commercial clubs and academies emerged. Among the most significant include the Labangon Fencing Club (1920), Doce Pares (1932), Balintawak (1950s), the Lapunti Self Defence Club (1970s), and the Bakbakan (1980s). By virtue of the Republic Act No. 9850 (2009), Arnis is now recognised as the national sport of the Philippines and is taught as part of Physical Education programs in schools.

DE CAMPO 1-2-3 ORIGINAL

JUEGO TODO STICK-FIGHTING ART

A stick fight should be over in three seconds,

beyond that, be careful.

GM JOSE DIAZ CABALLERO

Our club specialises in De Campo 1-2-3 Original (originally known as De Campo 1-2-3 Orehenal Combat Arnis), the premier Largo Mano system of Eskrima, developed by Jose Diaz Caballero as his "original" system in 1925, at the age of 18. Ahead of his time, Caballero set out his system in a written "lesson plan" that still exists today. Caballero was to become famous as the Juego Todo champion of his time. Held during town fiestas, the Juego Todo was an all-out stick fight without protective equipment, where the only armour was the arnis stick in your hand. It's contemporary legacy can be seen in "Dog Brothers" style full contact live stick sparring. 

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The De Campo 1-2-3 Original system is known for its specialisation in Solo Baston (Single Stick) focusing on what might be called "high percentage techniques." However, it does include Doble Baston (Double Stick) and Pinuti (Sword) in its total curriculum. As a Largo Mano system it aims to "defang the snake" by evading the opponent's attack while counter striking their weapon hand (or deflecting their stick off course if you are too far away to hit the hand), and then entering with a barrage of powerful and lightning fast combinations in order to end the exchange. Using the 1-2-3 tactical formulae of fake, counter, strike, and the concepts of Praksyon (fractional timing) and Kadlit (literally "striking a match"), the De Campo stylist aims to blend strikes so seamlessly that three strikes may appear as one, so they "hit first, and hit last" (GM Jose Caballero).

     CORE ORIGINAL CURRICULUM | SINCE 1925    

 GM Jose Diaz Caballero set out the core curriculum of De Campo 1-2-3 Original in his now famous Libretto, believed to be the first written curriculum in the Filipino Martial Arts. The versatility of the stick plus the meticulousness of the system - made possible by decades of study through experimentation and live Juego Todo matches by the founder - resulted in a lethal art which has been proliferated, practiced, and celebrated around the world. The core curriculum has three phases or levels: Primary/Elementary, High School and College.

PRIMARY

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• GROUP 1: ABECEDARIO

• GROUP 2: DE ALFAVITO

• GROUP 3: HORIZONTAL

• GROUP 4: SERRADA

• GROUP 5: ABIERTA

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ELEMENTARY

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• GROUP 6: DE CAMPO ORIGINAL

• GROUP 7: REDONDO Y REDONDA ORIGINAL

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MIXING PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY

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• MIXING ABECEDARIO with GROUPS 6 & 7

• MIXING DE ALFAVITO with GROUPS 6 & 7

• MIXING HORIZONTAL with GROUPS 6 & 7

• MIXING SERRADA with GROUPS 6 & 7

• MIXING ABIERTA with GROUPS 6 & 7

HIGH SCHOOL

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• GROUP 8: DOS MANOS DOS LARGOS

• GROUP 9: DE CADENA DE CUERDAS

• GROUP 10: HAGAD HUBAD ORIGINAL

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MIXING PRIMARY & HIGH SCHOOL

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• MIXING ABECEDARIO with GROUPS 8 & 9

• MIXING DE ALFAVITO with GROUPS 8 & 9

• MIXING HORIZONTAL with GROUPS 8 & 9

• MIXING SERRADA with GROUPS 8 & 9

• MIXING ABIERTA with GROUPS 8 & 9

COLLEGE

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GROUP 11: THE 7 SPECIALS

1. ​DIRECT CHOP SERRADA

2. DIRECT CHOP ABIERTA

3. LEVEL

4. SERRADA

5. ABIERTA

6. KULOB ABIERTA

7. ABANIKO

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COMBINATIONS

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12  123  1234 1234567

23 234 2345 

34 345 3456 

45 456 4567

56 567

67

     ADVANCED SPECIALIZATION COURSE    

At higher levels, the worthy De Campo practitioner is introduced to GM Jose Caballero's Specialisation Course (the equivalent of "postgraduate" study in the system), that includes advanced striking combinations; a greater focus on Paspas the art's signature "rapid" footwork; Kaabtik (cleverness, ingenuity, craftiness) or combat strategy; and bladework using the Pinuti (a cutlass type sword).

Within De Campo 1-2-3 Original training you will not find any of the close quarters Block-Check-Counter drills that originated in Balintawak and the FMA styles it influenced, such as Modern Arnis; nor does one find any of the elaborate stick disarming methods, or stick grappling methods of many contemporary forms of FMA. However, in order to ensure our Eskrimadors are well equip to counter such tactics, and for those times when one is forced by circumstances into clinching or grappling range, we do engage in supplementary eclectic training in the following:

SANGGA-PATAMA | Shield-Hit

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GROUP 1: Block with the Weapon

• FRAILE | Reinforced Block-Check & Counter

• SOMBRADA | Shading (Lateral, Linear, Box)

• SOLO SINAWALI | Single Weave Entries

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GROUP 2: Block with the Hand

• PARA-PASA | Stop & Pass

• HUBAD LUBID | Untie/Tie

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GROUP 3: Blocked by the Opponent

• KAMBIATA | Switching

• CORTO KURBADA | Close Curving

• DAKOP Y PUNYO | Catch & Pommel

• HUBAD PAKUSOG | Intense Barrier Removal

BASTON DISARMA | Stick Disarming

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• Snatching

• Stripping

• Ejecting

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BASTON TRANGKA | Stick Grappling

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• Throwing

• Constricting

• Locking

Kali Mano (Bladed Hand) is our eclectic Bisayan Baraw (Visayan-Influenced Dagger) training system. It is aimed at preparing the Eskrimador for fighting with a short blade in Corto Mano (Close Hand) or Pekiti Tirsia (Close Quarters) range, where the non-weapon hand is used to jam (stop) or parry (pass) the opponent's attacks, in order to open and control lines for counterattack; and for defending oneself unarmed against a blade wielding opponent. Doble Baston (Double Stick) Sinawali (Weaving) patterns are used as a training tool to build coordination between the left and right hands.

METODO

TECHNICAL & TACTICAL METHODS

OPENSA | Offense

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GROUP 1: ABAKADA | Rudiments

Principle: Direct Attack

Sub-Categories: Slash, Thrust, Pommel

• UNO | Downward Diagonal Forehand

• DOS | Upward Diagonal Backhand

• TRES | Upward Diagonal Forehand

• KUWATRO | Downward Diagonal Backhand

• SINGKO | Centreline Thrust

• SAYIS | Horizontal Backhand

• SIYETE | Horizontal Forehand

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GROUP 2: AMARA | Flourishes

Principle: Combination Attack

Sub-Category: Single Energy Templates

• EKIS | X Template

• OCHO OCHO | Figure 8 Template

• PLANCHADA | Horizontal Template

• DIYAGONAL | Diagonal Template

Sub-Category: Mixed Energy Templates

• REDONDO | Rotary Template

• SERRADA | Closed Template

• ABYERTA | Open Template

• PANA | Arrow Template

• SUNGKIT | Hook Thrust Template

• KRUS | Cross Template

• TRYANGOL | Triangle Template

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GROUP 3: ENGGANYO | Enticements

Principle: Indirect Attack

Sub-Category: Faking

• DOBLETE | Double Slash

• FLORETE | Flower Petal (Thrust to Slash)

• KAMBIATA | Switching Lines

• ROMPIDA | Broken Lines

• KADLIT | Striking a Match (Two as One)

Sub-Category: Baiting

• KWENTADA | Calculated (Bait & Counter)

• LANGSI | Ruse (Feigning or Tempting)

• ISIG-SIG | Goading

• BATAK | Pull & Draw Counter to Hand Counter

• KONTRA-KUMPAS | Broken Rhythm

DEPENSA | Defense

FOUNDATION: SINAWALI | Weaving

Performed with Doble Baston (Double Stick)

• LANGIT AT LUPA | Heaven & Earth Weaves

• EKIS | X-Pattern Weaves

• REDONDA | Rotary Weaves

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MODE 1: PASUNOD | Following the Force

Principle: Divert & Counter

• SAGANG | Parrying

• PALUSOT | Passing

• ANINO | Shadowing

• HIKOT | Binding

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MODE 2: PASUGAT | Meeting the Force

Principle: Shield & Counter

• DAKOP DUSLAK | Catch & Thrust

• HUBAD LUBID | Untie & Tie

• HUBAD PASUGAT | Meet & Release

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MODE 3: PANASTAS | Slash & Cover

Principle: Simultaneous Slash & Cover

• PANASTAS-SUNGKIT | Cutting & Thrusting

• KRUZADA | Crossing

• GUNTING | Scissoring

• SABAYAN | Simultaneous Cover & Counter

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MODE 4: DAGA DISARMA | Knife Disarming

Principle: Control & Disarm

• DIKIT | Butting Against (Stop)

• PAT'OL | Laying Upon (Pass)

• AGAW | Depriving (Disarms)

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MODE 5: PANGAMOT | Dirty Boxing

Principle: The Body as the Weapon

• SUNTOKAN | Striking

• SIKARAN | Kicking

• TRANGKA | Locking

• BUNO | Throwing

This home-grown staff fighting system incorporates methods from contemporary Filipino Kali, Spanish Montante (Longsword), Chinese Shaolin Kung-Fu (WuShu), and the Japanese Bojutsu (Staff-fighting) methods of the Kukishin Ryu.

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• GROUP 1: TUNGKOD | Staff Method

• GROUP 2: ESPADA | Sword Method

• GROUP 3: BANGKAW | Spear Method

• GROUP 4: BUGSAY | Boat Oar Method

     INSTAGRAM GALLERY    

OUR INSTRUCTOR

Robert 'Espada' Parkes

Our club is registered with the Martial Arts Industry Association as a member organisation of Kung Fu Wushu Australia Limited (Member No. A2114). As such we uphold and are bound by the following codes:

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• Child Safety Policies & Procedures;

• Instructor's Code of Ethics;

• Code of Practice for Martial Arts Centres and Instructors.

Dr Robert 'Espada' Parkes (BEd Hons Sydney, PhD Newcastle) is the Founder and Head Instructor of the Kalisadors Club. He is an accredited martial arts instructor (MAIA / KWA Accreditation No. A00606) who shares his knowledge and expertise with generosity and humour. A published author, editor, historian, and teacher educator, Robert holds the position of  Associate Professor  at the University of Newcastle, and is currently Acting Head of the School of Education (one of the largest teacher education providers in Australia). 

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This year (2020) marks 40 years since Robert first began training in the martial arts. He began his martial arts training in 1980 at the age of 14 and opened his first martial arts school at the age of 18, while still in high school. During this early phase of his martial arts career, he studied and gained teaching credentials in Wing Chun and Non-Classical Kung-Fu; and gained his first and for a long time his most influential exposure to Filipino Martial Arts, through seminars with Guro Dan Inosanto, that resulted in the incorporation of Filipino Martial Arts as the weapon curriculum during his Non-Classical Kung-Fu studies.

In his twenties Robert studied and taught Bujinkan Kobudo (also known at the time as Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu and/or Ninpo Taijutsu), gaining the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt and title of Shidoshi (teacher of the warrior ways) in 1992, from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. During the 1990s Robert also gained a trainer qualification in Modern Arnis (GM Ernesto Presas lineage, later to be called Kombatan) through the Arjuken Martial Arts Association headed in Australia by Chris Traish.

Since 2015 Robert has also been studying the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira. His nickname 'Espada' (sword) was given to him by the amazing Mestre Borracha, head of Capoeira Aruanda, after seeing him playing with a Kali training sword. In 2019 he travelled to the Phillipines with his daughter, Rebekah 'Serenata' Parkes, to study De Campo 1-2-3 Original, the famous, system of Eskrima of the Caballero family of Toledo, under the wonderful and insightful guidance of Maestro Paolo Pagaling.

RECOMMENDED READING

The first four ebooks above are good generalist introductory texts providing an overview of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) history, structure, and tactics; the fourth is an excellent overview of historical European swordsmanship by Guy Windsor, which is interesting given its likely influence on FMA. We recommend that our students also read the out of print monograph, Corsican Steel by Andrea Ferara, and an excerpt from the book Foil on "the psychology of fencing" by Charles A. Selberg. Both are excellent texts on the psychology of weapons sparring.

CLASS TIMES & LOCATIONS

WEDNESDAYS 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Pre-booking is required as current COVID restrictions allow a maximum of 12 participants only.

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MAYFIELD WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL

7 Gregson Avenue

Mayfield West NSW 2304

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We are located in the School Hall of the Mayfield West Public School. Enter via the front gate that is on the left side of the pedestrian crossing, if facing the school.

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COMING BY CAR

If arriving by car, there is plenty of street parking out front of the school.

COMING BY BUS

The 47 bus stops right at the door.

SATURDAYS 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Pre-booking is required as current COVID restrictions allow a maximum of 20 participants only.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

Callaghan NSW 2308

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We train at the Basketball Courts located between the CBA Building and the Hunter Union Building otherwise known as the Bar-on-the-Hill.

Download Map (Ref: G11).

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COMING BY CAR

If arriving by car, parking is free in the university grounds on weekends.

COMING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There are many bus services that will drop you off on campus, and Warabrook Station is only a short walk away.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

Whether you're looking for a long-term training program or a quick introduction to a new martial art, our credit system offers flexible payment options that put your needs first. Our credits can be used for any regular timetabled class, and as we operate in partnership with Capoeira Aruanda | Team Novo Flow as part of the Novo Flow Community, our 10 Class & Ultimate Pass credits can be used for their classes too. Our Month Pass is a "single art" pass that offers a discount for someone only studying Kali within our community.

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