Quote:
Originally posted by jondark
Hello,
I have read many things about the De thouars brothers. Yet, i have heard many negative opinions and things about former students. I am not trying to cause trouble, but i have been to several web sites that have discussed the politics of this matter. I have respect for what the De Thouars brother have done with silat. i just wish to know what is really going on with all this negative press. Can anyone shed some light?
Humbly yours
Johnny
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Well, they are brothers. Brothers fight. That's the bottom line of it. Unfortunately, one of the brothers chose to air the family laundry publicly. This started a landslide of things which became "political."
Here's where things stand now (to the best of my knowledge). Maurice (the eldest, in Holland) and Victor (the youngest) are on good terms. Willem, (the 2nd youngest) and Victor are on good terms. None of the three are getting along with Paul (the 2nd eldest).
Victor and Willem are training with each other. Pak Vic is learning Uncle Bill's Kun Tao Silat and Uncle Bill is learning Silat Serak from Pak Vic. Uncle Bill grew up surrounded by Serak and Silat. His Kun Tao Silat has a lot of Silat influences but his focus has always been on the Chinese Kun Tao.
At Pak Vic's school in California, they teach Silat Serak, of course, Pamoer Silat, Soempat Silat, Kun Tao Silat de Thouars, Aikido, and Western Fencing (coming soon). Pak Vic teaches all of these classes except the Aikido. Uncle Bill takes over the Kun Tao Silat class when he visits (about once / month).
The "politics" (which they have become to a certain extent) originated as brotherly squabbles (which are common in any family) and exploded. It's unfortunate ... but that's life.
I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting/training with Pak Maurice or Pendekar Paul. I have trained with (and still regularly, if not as frequently as I would like, do train with) Pak Vic and Uncle Bill. I know from experience that these two are phenomenal martial artists and really great people. I've never heard an ill word said of the skills/abilities of either Pak Maurice or Pendekar Paul. I've seen both of them on video too and they both seem very good (though it's difficult to judge from a video sometimes ... what I saw definitely supported what I'd heard).
Ignore the politics. If you have a chance to train with any of the brothers, take it. You won't be disappointed. If you're near Los Angeles next weekend (12/16 & 12/17), there's a great opportunity to train with several fine instructors (including Uncle Bill and Pak Vic). For more information, check out
http://www.guild-hall.com/afa/ring_of_fire
Regards, Mike