DVSJ

After goin over the posts once more I realize that every one of you had interesting things to say(comments,facts, opinions,etc.)on different topics on FMA..the blue writing made me feel like I needed glasses after a while(no offense).I'm new to all this chitchat...please forgive my ignorance.Now, having said all that,I would like to add my 2 cents about FMA and phillippines in general.In my opinion,at one time,the phillippines(PI)was a boiling pot for many people from different cultures.From what I've learned Idonesians,Malaysians, Middle Easterners,Europeans,Chinese,etc.have all had their stay(some for awhile and some permanent).It"s no wonder some filipinos that I know(related and non-related)look very different from one another...some very dark,some very light,some with slanted eyes,kinky hair,flat nose or not,etc.There is no doubt in my mind, with all that influence from other cultures martial arts was a part of life in those days way back when..?It may have not been filipino at that time but after permanent settlement(way before Sanish invasion),common sense will tell you the arts evolved as the people have.I don't recall,from any of my teachings,that the PI(before/during Spanish invasion)had any ink,paper,classrooms,books,etc.If in fact ,there were any books I'm sure they were diminished by the Spaniard conquerers.The Spaniards did not allow the natives to practice the arts in some villages...they also forced conversion.Is that not what conquering is all about(converting,brainwashing,perversion,etc.)the natives were scattered,we weren't unified...the Spanish saw us as savages,"brave little indians",hence the name,"Phillippines",beneath them...after all their struggles they never totally occupied.Even the U.S.came to the realization that for the most part we would rather die fighting than to submit(thank whoever was president at that time in America)for giving us back our indepenence.We have a long history,however,we do not have a long RECORDED history especially in the martial arts.That, in my opinion,was do to lack of education within our ancestors.I may have a little Spanish in me(explains my last name)but I'm not thrilled to know my ancestors were raped and/or killed for not giving in.Oh well,thats life.As for FMA(Kali,Arnis,etc.),it's been around longer than we'll ever know...the names just changed due to corruption and perversion,in my opinion...who knows if the names will still be called what they are called today three hundred years from now.Also,I'm convinced that a couple of techniques have been adopted from one another(Filipinos/Spaniards)...variety is good for the arsenal.Now,I'm not sure about any book or articles or who's bebunking who or what but it doesn't matter. I wouldn't even lose sleep on it(dont sweat it)because there will always be some Idiot,racist,ignorant silly mortal,etc.that will always try to light a fire underneath you,find something negative about your culture,and try to get under your skin...thats life...NO offense to anyone...GOD bless this planet...we need it.......FMA LIVES ON...