New Book-Giron Escrima: Memories of a Bladed Warrior

[JBolton]

To the Members of the Filipino Martial Arts Community:

I wanted to let you all know about a new book called "Giron Escrima: Memories of a Bladed Warrior" that will soon be out in stores soon. It was put together by Grand Master Tony Somera of the Bahala Na Martial Arts Association and contains alot of information about the history of GME Leo Giron, Giron Arnis Escrima, the history of Filipino Martial Arts in Stockton, California, the Filipino Lodges in the United States, and techniques from GME Giron's 20 styles of the Master's Fan. The foreward is written by Guro Dan Inosanto, the first graduate of the Giron System.

Attached is a picture of the artwork on the cover of the book. I will post the information here about where the book will be sold.

Johnathan Bolton

[Paco]

Didn't Tony Somera also write the book on Herman Suwanda of mande muda as well? If so, it's been a busy year for him!

[JBolton]

Yes, he did! Each of the 2 books are about 300-pages long so it is clear that he has been working on them for some time.

GM Tony is probably the busiest person I know! He works a full-time day job, travels around the world promoting Giron Arnis Escrima, runs the Filipino Museum Project, is an active board member of the Little Manilla Foundation (which worked with the Black Eyed Peas to produce "Bebot" filmed in 2006 in Stockton), runs the Bahala Martial Arts Association and is probably working on 10 other projects I don't know about yet!

God Bless GM Tony Somera!

[Twists]

How does the new book differ from "Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima" ?

[JBolton]

I don't have my copy on hand at this moment, but I recall that there are demonstrations of techniques from each of GME Giron's 20 styles from the Master's Fan (about half the book), there is also an interview of GME Giron by GM Tony Somera that I don't recall seeing before, there is a nice history about FMA in Stockton, CA and all of the Manongs that lived there, there is a discussion about the Filipino Lodges in America, including the Daguhoy Lodge, plus I remember that GME Giron's account of his life story includes a few more details than may be been in the "Secrets of Giron Arnis Escrima" or the "Memories Ride the Ebb of Tide" books (I admit I haven't read these in a while).

What I recall about the "Secrets" book is that it contained the 12 angles of attack in the Giron System. The "Memories" book, of course, contains GME Giron's life story and his "Lessons" about the "do's" and "don'ts" about war and about living life that Guro Dan loves to quote.

The best part of the new book, of course, is the illustration of selected techniques from each of the 20 styles. Very interesting!

[JBolton]

GM Tony Somera's book is available for sale on his website: http://www.gironarnisescrima.com/prod.html

It is also available in many bookstores, including Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Giron-Escrima-...4014023&sr=8-1

Johnathan Bolton
BAHALA NA HOUSTON