Tenio's DeCuerdas Eskrima
Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima is currently head by Grandmaster Arthur Gonzalez of Decuerdas Diestro Fighting Systems. Although Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima is the heart of our system, GM Gonzalez has incorporated his other martial influences and developed the Decuerdas Diestro Fighting Systems which is based on the system from the late Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio with additional influences from the late Professor John Eliab and with the consent of Richard Tenio, who we consider the current inheritor of Tenio’s DeCuerdas. Out of respect and faith in GM Gonzalez’s martial abilities Richard Tenio gave Art Gonzalez his father’s Grand Master belt. Professor Tenio was from Bohol, Philippines and Professor Eliab was from Hawaii. Professor Tenio moved from the Phillipines to Hawaii at the age 8, Tenio trained with several of his uncles learning different elements of Decuerdas Eskrima. While living in Hawaii, he also had trained in different martial arts as well, including Aikido and Kenpo. GM Tenio’s son, Richard Tenio recalls his father mentioning that he had a total of 9 different instructors while having studied 18 systems from which he drew his influence, with DeCuerdas being passed down as a family art. While there are elements of Serrada within the DeCuerdas System, DeCuerdas is its own unique system within the Philippine Martial Arts. Decuerdas Eskrima is a close quarter combat system which is especially proficient at fighting multiple opponents. Single and double stick, knife, empty-hands, bo staff, rope and cane are some but not all of the weapons employed within the system. Real mugging scenarios are employed using empty hands, knife and gun attacks. Gun retention techniques are explored for the military and law enforcement communities, as well as arresting procedures. The Tenio's DeCuerdas is an ever evolving martial art that can adapt to any arena. Once students become proficient in fundamental techniques and concepts then they can begin their training under duress which raises their ability to adapt and survive a physical confrontation. The foundation of this art revolves around our Six Key words (Striking, Choking, Locking, Throwing, Sweeping, and Grabbing). Ground work in this art is known as Dumog. The DeCuerdas system also contains the healing art known as Hilot and a very effective boxing component known as Panantukan.
Panantukan, is the term given to the Filipino boxing component of our DeCuerdas System. Panantukan allows the DeCuerdas practitioner to employ various parts of his body such as fists, forearms and elbows to neutralize components of the opponents' body or delivery mechanisms such as their arms and or legs. This is more commonly known as limb destruction. By striking various nerve points and muscle tissue, partial paralysis occurs in the affected limb, thereby making it useless in combat. However, Panantukan also employs other weapons such as the shoulder for ramming or breaking and the head (for striking); push and pull techniques are also utilized if needed to setup an attack or off balance your opponent. Strikes can be delivered to limbs, ribs, spine, and the back of the neck, with Panantukan there are no boundaries or application of civility, some have even referred to it as dirty boxing for its similarities to western boxing with the addition of combative techniques not intended for sport. In DeCuerdas, Panantukan is applied through the use of beats and rhythms and through the deployment of our USA’s (Universal Striking Applications) or for simplicity sake our punching combinations.
Panantukan is just another example for the laymen that some styles of Eskrima are not just limited to a stick art. For the Tenio’s DeCuerdas practitioner it is just another root within our system that easily translates over to the application of our weapons whether it be a knife, or stick, or anything else that may be grasped and used as a weapon.
Shown in the picture are GM Tenio on the left and Professor Eliab.
NOTE:
The VEA Martial Arts academy is no longer affiliated with GM Gonzalez or his associated organizations MACE and or IDEA, separation occurred in March of 2019.
Panantukan, is the term given to the Filipino boxing component of our DeCuerdas System. Panantukan allows the DeCuerdas practitioner to employ various parts of his body such as fists, forearms and elbows to neutralize components of the opponents' body or delivery mechanisms such as their arms and or legs. This is more commonly known as limb destruction. By striking various nerve points and muscle tissue, partial paralysis occurs in the affected limb, thereby making it useless in combat. However, Panantukan also employs other weapons such as the shoulder for ramming or breaking and the head (for striking); push and pull techniques are also utilized if needed to setup an attack or off balance your opponent. Strikes can be delivered to limbs, ribs, spine, and the back of the neck, with Panantukan there are no boundaries or application of civility, some have even referred to it as dirty boxing for its similarities to western boxing with the addition of combative techniques not intended for sport. In DeCuerdas, Panantukan is applied through the use of beats and rhythms and through the deployment of our USA’s (Universal Striking Applications) or for simplicity sake our punching combinations.
Panantukan is just another example for the laymen that some styles of Eskrima are not just limited to a stick art. For the Tenio’s DeCuerdas practitioner it is just another root within our system that easily translates over to the application of our weapons whether it be a knife, or stick, or anything else that may be grasped and used as a weapon.
Shown in the picture are GM Tenio on the left and Professor Eliab.
NOTE:
The VEA Martial Arts academy is no longer affiliated with GM Gonzalez or his associated organizations MACE and or IDEA, separation occurred in March of 2019.