Guro Bob introduced me to what I consider the finest edged weapons curriculum I have ever seen. From day one we covered projectiles, flexible weapons and short blade material. Never had I experienced a system or style that was as encompassing of so many types of weaponry, ranges of combat and depth of material so immediately to a student.
In my short 15 years of formal martial arts training in Taekwon-Do, Doce Pares Eskrima, Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu, Inosanto-Lacoste Kali, Majapahit Silat and San Miguel Eskrima, what sets Sayoc apart from other systems or styles is not only in the breadth and depth of material, but the methodology of instruction. The curriculum is presented in a way that is logical, intuitive and self-correcting.
Guro Bob’s instruction is of the highest caliber. His precision in timing and technical skill is surpassed only by his ability to teach and explain concepts so that the material is immediately applicable, and his students highly effective practitioners. Guro Bob’s instruction develops not only high level of skill but fosters the kind of questioning and critical thinking that makes this art a thinking person’s art. As his students we not only installed correct movements, but understood why they worked and why other movements would not.
Many of the concepts that Guro Bob used to teach me I now incorporate as an Apprentice Instructor. Anytime I fly back home to Maryland I try to make it out and train with Maharlika Martial Arts. I cannot recommend Guro Bob and his guys highly enough.
Joe Maraña (Signal Hill, CA)
