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The first and long-awaited FCS Russian Gathering with Tuhon Ray Dionaldo and special guest Tuhon Felix A. Cortes took place on May 8-10, 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This Gathering was organized by FCS Russia which includes Regional Arnis Federation (Yekaterinburg, Russia), Filipino Martial Arts Club (Rostov-on-Don, Russia) and
Europe-asian center of Modern Arnis Ural State University of Economics.

More than 30 persons from Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and Moscow participated in the seminar.

Tuhon Ray Dionaldo described FCS in this way: «The footwork is Pekiti Tirsia Kali, the work with different types of the blades looks like Sayoc Kali and the stick work is close to modern arnis». There are about 25 ways to use different types of weapons. It's very important that in the basis is the common and universal principle of movement, it helps not only understand the particular work with the blade, but in the same time use these techniques with the stick, kerambit, bolo etc.

Thuhon Felix A. Cortes represented his own martial system — Filipino Combatives. FC is any weapon and empty hands oriented system adapted for every age group, it's a system based on Thuhon Felix knowledge, his skills and experiences, derived from more than 30 years of training Sayoc Kali in Sayoc International school and training with Pamana Tuhon Christopher C. Sayoc Sr..

The seminar started in the evening on the 8 of May. The participants were introduced to the systems presented by Tuhon Ray and Tuhon Felix. Tuhon Ray demonstrated a technique «12 Cuts in 1.5 seconds», a technique for entering in five counts and showed different transitions to throwing, knocking down, grappling, working in parterre. Tuhon Felix paid our attention to human reaction and possible actions of how to counteract a street attack, demonstrated a footwork (kicking and techniques movements). The evening was emotional and enough difficult, but seemed to us very short.

On the 9 of May Tuhon Ray Dionaldo started the classes and he presented 6 basic variants of the system Punyo mano. We studied several transmissions from a single sinowali to each technique. Tuhon Ray demonstrated different variations and we repeated some part of it with success. Thus, we were introduced to a number of variations and step by step, we were generating our flow.

The second part of the seminar was conducted by Tuhon Felix. The classes began with the simple stick strikes, slashings and grips. Then, each time we added new movements and little by little the 12 strikes form appeared. Afterward we passed from the attack to 12 movements of the defense and the counterattack. Every technique made a part of a future flow. At the end of the classes Tuhon Felix told us about the condition during the fight, spirit of the mind, opponent’s perception (“my opponent hold a stick, but it hold it for me”). The evening was in full swing, we were tired and happy, some of us went to learn the lesson and have a rest, the others participated in the street festivities devoted to a Victory Day.

On the morning of May 10 Tuhon Felix Cortes continued giving us his explosive energy and introducing to FC. These techniques were based on 12 strikes, but the role of the feeder was more aggressive, the feeder could use his empty hand as well as his hand holding a stick for punches. For some people who practice arnis it was rather an interesting and novel discovery.

Tuhon Felix showed us the same form with the blade and explained the difference between attacking and defending. After the demonstration we started working with the blade. Tuhon Cortes demonstrated the technique of empty hands and than simply added a blade. He gave us the explanation and some rules how to use the blade, showed the practical importance of the different actions and focused our attention on significant details.

Tuhon Ray devoted his part of training to the original techniques of an opponent disarmament and some Silat techniques in FCS! It was incredible, very impressive and effective!

Another few days FCS Russia and Regional Arnis Federation representatives were comprehending the intricacies of these two Filipino martial systems during the private classes, realizing a possibility to ask the questions, learn all the refinements and communicate with the Masters who have a great experience and knowledge in FMA!

The first Russian attestation on FCS passed on the 13 of May! As the result 15 persons received the 1 level FCS, 10 persons received 2 level FCS and Alexander Pisarkin, the official representative of FCS in Russia and our head instructor received the 5 level. So, we did our first step with success. Tuhon Ray was surprised by our level and wished to all participants a further growth and progress.

The seminar was finished, but it was just the first. The next one will be in February 2010 on Filipino Combatitives with Tuhon Felix A. Cortes and special guest Tuhon Ray Dionaldo.

We would like to thank Tuhon Ray Dionaldo and Tuhon Felix A. Cortes for their guidence and suport and this unforgettable event! See you our friends!

Alexey Bezgachev (Regional Arnis Federation)