Quick round of Filipino boxing, known as mano-mano or panuntukan or suntukan. We also do kicking as well but we were focusing on boxing just for this match. Some major differences between this and Western boxing (btw we love Western boxing): 1) the shifting of stance and shooting in, via Filipino triangle footwork, 2) the use of tapi-tapi (deflecting the hands of the opponent) both defensively for evasion and offensively to find an opening, 3) focus on speed vs. power; generally we are not looking for a knockout but rather a distraction since in the full martial art, striking is used to distract so that opponent becomes open to close range techniques such as dumog (grappling) locks [including fast standing armlocks!], chokes, and takedowns. Therefore, the mechanics of the match are different from Western boxing. (Original recording date around early April 2019)
“Filipinos had their own sort of boxing, a bare-handed martial art known as Suntukan. The combatants held their hands high and kept their distance, occasionally charging forward to throw chopping punches, most of which would be fouls not tolerated in American rings.
There are many theories regarding the origins of Suntukan (also known as Panantukan), but it's generally believed to have evolved from Kali, a Filipino knife fighting technique. As the Philippines fell under Spanish rule, Filipino martial arts were driven underground.” "A look at the history of boxing in the Philippines" ESPN https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3458707
"A particular trait of Filipino boxing (as opposed to Western boxing) is that instead of standing and trading blows with an opponent, suntukan practitioners typically circle constantly to avoid getting hit and look for openings, just like with knife fighting. According to Filipino martial artist Lucky Lucaylucay: "...if your practice is based on knife fighting, you have to become much more sophisticated with your footwork, evasions and delivery because one wrong move could mean death... ...Filipino boxing is exactly like knife fighting, except instead of cutting with a blade, we strike with a closed fist."" (Wikipedia entry on Suntukan, as of Nov. 4, 2021)
Modern Filipino boxing was even influenced by Western boxing:
"Mano Mano was influenced by GGM’s flow and emptyhand training in different systems. It was from the karate, jujitsu, judo, wrestling and boxing. It came from students asking if he taught emptyhand. The cardinal question “What if you do not have a weapon?” So GGM formulated Mano Mano."
https://kombatan.weebly.com/story-behind-of-kombatan.html
More to come!
Arjumano Philippines is the Filipino Martial Arts (weapons fighting, empty hand fighting, and grappling) and self defense club founded by Punong Guro Jojo LaTorre in 2001. Our heritage comes from Modern Arnis/Kombatan and Balintawak. Because of our Modern Arnis/Kombatan background, our art is also mixed with the Japanese martial arts judo, karate, Japanese jiujitsu, and kendo, as well as Small Circle Jiujitsu. We train every Sunday morning at Starmall Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines. For more information, please visit our website arjumano.weebly.com.
