GrandMaster Of  Edgardo M.Telebangco

    

Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo 
Grand Master, Kali Ilustrisimo 
1904 - 1997 

Due to the intervention and request of Kali Ilustrisimo Chief Instructor Antonio Diego, there will be no challenge match between Bakbakan and the splinter Luneta Kali Ilustrisimo faction. However, we did not agree to hide the truth. Therefore, the facts,as they are, are presented here intact and complete.It is out of respect for Master Tony Diego that we have consented to what can only be called a truce. To the reader, we say "Caveat Lector". To the other party, if this offends you, you know how to get in touch with us. Despite the many articles and documented interviews supporting and proving the generally known and accepted successorship of Master Antonio Diego to GM Ilustrisimo's art of Kali Ilustrisimo, many so-called "practitioners" and "instructors" of Kali Ilustrisimo still vehemently deny that Tatang has appointed a successor. All these despite Tatang's own verbal and recorded statements in the books "Masters of Arnis, Kali and Eskrima", "Filipino Martial Culture", and a host of other local and international publications. It is so transparent and obvious that these people have designs on the title and prestige of being Tatang's heir despite their lack of knowledgeand ability. It is with disgust that we have to address these people to stop making these flimsy claims and allegations and instead accept the fact that they are neither qualified nor will they ever reach the degree of skill, knowledge and expertise of Master Antonio Diego who devoted himself to the art and long internship with Tatang Ilustrisimo. We would like to call their attention to a will made by GM Antonio Ilustrisimo on September 25, 1991 appointing Master Antonio Diego as his heir and successor. This public document was filed in Makati, Metro-Manila, duly registered and notarized by Reginaldo L. Hernandez (PTR No. 836346, Doc. 123, Pg. 26, Book IV, Series of 1991, Sept. 25, 1991). In this document, GM Ilustrisimo bequeaths to Master Antonio Diego, Tatang's art of Olistrisimo Eskrima (as it was then called), together with all accompanying rank and privileges, including the rightto act as Grand Master and Punong-guro (Chief Instructor) and disseminate the knowledge of this effective and proven skill of self-defense. The above bequest was to become effective the moment GM Ilustrisimo either becomes disabled or passes away. This legally executed written instrument has neither been rescinded nor superseded. Commemorative Portrait of Tatang with Rey Galang and Tony Diego (Rey Galang, GM Antonio Ilustrisimo and Master Antonio Diego) Commemorative portrait taken shortly after permission was granted to Rey Galang to develop and structure the foundations of Tulisan Knife Fighting under GM Ilustrisimo and Master Diego's supervision and guidance. This public and legal document bears the signatures of Grand Master Antonio Ilustrisimo and Master Antonio Diego with Christopher Ricketts and Rey Galang signing as witnesses. It is sad that the persons most opposed to Master Antonio Diego's successorship are individuals whom Master Diego had unselfishly taught, trained and assisted all these years. It is nothing but an underhanded and dishonorable act. We can only summarize that this splinter group's intent is to commercially exploit the name of Tatang Ilustrisimo as evidenced by their advertisements. This attempted corruption of the priceless legacy and revered memory of GM Ilustrisimo needs to be made known! In addition, the omissions and inclusions in their list of instructors leaves much to be desired. Many of the people included by the splinter group can barely fight and represent the art, much less teach! And to make matters worse, they excluded some of the handful, select people whom Tatang Ilustrisimo himself had personally trained and certified as Senior Instructors of his art! These recognized and established Senior instructors have been blatantly omitted, despite the fact that these individuals have already been representing, teaching and promoting the art of Kali Ilustrisimo for nearly two decades. One can only conclude that these Johnnies-come-lately are deceitfully promoting the impression that there is no Kali Ilustrisimo instruction or representation outside of the Philippines and/or their group. A subterfuge that they have occasionally successfully accomplished, much to the inevitable disappointment and dismay of the unwitting foreign student. It is primarily due to the machinations of people such as these that Bakbakan prefixed their name to Tatang's art. Bakbakan needed to distinguish and disassociate themselves from these wannabes. Apart from the structured and progressive method of teaching and training that Bakbakan had developed and incorporated into the art, the concepts and strategies of Bakbakan Kali Ilustrisimo are wholly and truly the art and legacy of GM Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo. It is not the result of mere imitation, but the culmination of careful analysis, understanding, assimilation and dedication. The truth needs no compromise nor justification! GM Antonio Ilustrisimo with Rey Galang - Luneta Park, Metro-Manila