Lameco Eskrima

Lameco Eskrima is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Edgar Sulite based on his training and experience with various Philippine Martial Arts masters, with heavy influence from Jose Caballero and Antonio Ilustrisimo.

The word Lameco is actually a combination of words which are the three basic ranges of combatinvolved in the study and practice of Lameco Eskrima - Largo, Medio and Corto (Long, Middle, close).

Lameco Eskrima Training

One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the very beginning of training. The primary weapon is a rattan stick, also called a cane or "baston". These sticks vary in length from about 26 inches to as much as 38 inches in length or more. The weapons can vary in weight and thickness depending on the preference of the practitioner.

Lameco uses Double and single Stick, Double and single Dagger, Stick and Dagger, Sword, Staff,Handkerchief, and Empty Hands. Lameco Eskrima is a synthesis of five major and six minor systems of Eskrima.

Lameco employs training drills called Laban Laro (Play Fighting). Laban Laro allows the escrimador to come as close to real combat as possible without injury. It is also designed to get an uncountable number of repetitions in a short period of time.

Through his constant efforts for developing new training innovations, Edgar devised unique armor for the hands and forearms that allowed practitioners to safely train more realistically.

History

At a young age Edgar Sulite's father exposed him to the Filipino Martial Arts, himself being a boxer and Arnisador. Growing up in the Barrios of the Philippines, Edgar witnessed many skirmishes settled blade against blade.

Edgar trained with martial arts masters who included Leo Gaje of Pekiti-Tirsia, JoseCabellero of De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orehenal, Jesus Abella of Modern Largos, Antonio Illustrisimo of Kali Illustrisimo and many others.

In 1981, he moved to Manilla to train under Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo. After relocating to the United States on June 30, 1989, he became instructor to Dan Inosanto and Larry Hartsell.

Recognizing the talent and knowledge that Edgar possessed , Dan Inosanto would become a lifetime student and an advocate of the Lameco system. Edgar appointed Dan Inosanto as Vice President of Lameco International.

Lameco Eskrima Today

Current practitioners of Lameco Eskrima who head their own organization or group or are otherwise prominent include: Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Ron Balicki, the Dog Brothers, Lameco SOG aka the Sulite Backyard Group and Bakbakan International.

References

* "Filipino Fighting Arts:Theory and Practice" by Mark V. Wiley, ISBN 0-86568-180-5 Tuttle Publishing

External resources

* [http://www.lamecoeskrima.com/ "Lameco Eskrima International"]
* [http://www.bakbakan.com/ "Bakbakan International"]
* [http://www.dogbrothers.com/ "The Dog Brothers"]
* [http://www.mandirigma.org/ Philippines Cultural Research Org - mandirigma.org]