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JOIN IN ON THE FUNLearn an aspect of Balintawak that shows accuracy, speed, and power. Training is intense, in a sense that the new learner has to control the stick. Another control to be learned is to stop the counter-strike an inch away from the head. Another is to learn the footwork, which is to walk normally as if one was walking on the footpath.
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Learn About NNG Balintawak
Nonato "Nene" Gaabucayan
Grandmaster Nonato “Nene” Gaabucayan of Cagayan De Oro City, moved to Cebu City at age 16 to get further studies at the Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics. He lived at a boarding house owned by Dr Ben Marapao. Nene already had a Shorin Ryu Karate background and he consulted with Dr Marapao to find out where the nearest dojo was. Instead, Dr Marapao took young Nene to Balintawak street, and introduced him to escrima. Back then, if anyone asked where you were going, or what you were going to do, the quick answer in Cebuano was, “Mag Balintawak sa ko”. Translated in English, it means in a double meaning way that you were going to Balintawak to do something, without actually disclosing what you were going to do. Unknown to Nene, Dr Marapao was one of the Masters of Balintawak. After an introduction with Grandmaster Teofilo Velez, Nene was given a demonstration on the uniqueness of Balintawak. Under the guidance of GM Teofilo "Pilo" Velez, Nene trained with Bobby Taboada, Chito and Monie Velez, Romeo de la Rosa, and Hector Rizzari. Eddie Velez is also one of the main influences of Nene. Since then, Nene immersed himself in learning this art, and in a couple of years, was allowed to teach and form his own group. He divided his time between his studies, and taught at Lapu-Lapu City YMCA. After all these years of refining his Balintawak training, Balintawak Elders - Grand Masters Bobby Taboada, Sam Buot, Bobby Tabimina and Jorge Penafiel, endowed Nene with the title of Grandmaster, to recognise his skills and dedication to the art. Nene has previously taught in the earlier years at Switzerland and Germany. Now based in Los Angeles, California, Nene made a point for his Balintawak to be precise, and have speed an power. He has a small group of students dedicated in learning NNG Balintawak. |
Oscar Mistula
Authorised Representative Australia Oscar trained directly with Grandmaster Nene years back in the mid-1990's when GM Nene was based in Cagayan De Oro. Oscar has been teaching Balintawak in Australia since he migrated to Australia in 1999. Oscar also teaches Aikido at the Takemusu Dojo at Surry Hills. Oscar is known for his technical knowledge of both Aikido and NNG Balintawak. |
Miyako Miwa
Mitchell Badelles Session Leaders Miyako and Mitchell has been training directly with Oscar since 2009. Both have also had training with Grandmaster Bobby Taboada each year that GM Taboada visits Australia. Mitchell also travels annually to Cebu to train with GM Nick Elizar and Master Norman Elizar of Nickelstick Balintawak. Both Miyako and Mitchell have a background in Aikido. |