krys

Well linleo,


I practice fmas with a highly skilled filipino muslim guru (i am catholic).
Having trained with other christian fma grandmasters I can say that he has a comparable level of skills.

Indeed there are very good muslim martial artists the problem is that filipino muslims in general are very secretive even between themselves.
In a familly with an expert every child might not be taught the same martial art. Some will learn Silat, other Eskrima or Kuntao.... and their muslim neighbours will never know that they practice martial arts.
I never was in Sarangani but there could be experts practicing their arts in the island.
It is nearly impossible to learn muslim arts outside the family (i was extremely lucky).
There are more than 100 styles of filipino silat, without counting local escrima and other less known martial arts.
Quite different from indonesian-malay stuff.... more agressive in my view.....

You are right when you say that silat is not entirely a muslim martial art. In Bali one can find Hindu silat and in Cambodia Budhist silat....

Not every filipino muslim knows and follows to the letter the Koran, there are black sheeps among them, exple the Abu Sayaff (bandits and addicts), MILF lost commands, Pentagon group .....
On the other hand they have their own traditions and saints.

Actually there is a conflict between people returning from the middle east (H. Salamat, other MILF cadres, islamic preachers....)
who want to introduce a more radical version of islam and muslim following the local traditions.

Mabuhay ang filipino Silat at Arnis.