Punong Guro Rodriguez

Punong Guro Jesus O. Rodriguez began to practice Filipino Martial Arts in 1990 by bringing to Mexico, Grandmaster Richard Bustillo whose seminars introduced Jeet Kune Do to all in Mexico. He observed that which was taught and was quite surprised which left him with a feeling this was what it was he had always been looking for and that is Kali-Eskrima-Arnis.

While others were only interested in Bruce Lee’s JKD, Jesus was the only one interested in Filipino Kali-Eskrima-Arnis. In Mexico City on the 22nd of April of 1990 Punong Guro Rodriguez received a

Grandmaster Bustillo and Punong Guro Rodriguez

Document on behalf of Dan Inosanto, Chuck Martinez and Richard Bustillo stating that he was considered the Father of Filipino Martial Arts in Mexico. On May 7th of 1990 Punong Guro Rodriguez received a letter from Grandmaster Richard Bustillo thanking him for the seminar and extending to him an invitation to go to International Martial Arts & Boxing Academy to learn Filipino martial arts in the United States. Rodriguez arrived in Torrance, California on the 3rd of August, 1990 to begin his training in the Filipino martial arts at the IMB Academy with WEKAF President at the time Grandmaster Richard Bustillo. Rodriguez was the first Mexican to use the WEKAF Equipment. He got to practice combat techniques against, the American World Champion of the 1990 WEKAF Tournament held in Cebu, Philippines. At the Celebration of Bruce Lee’s 50th Birthday, Rodriguez received from Linda Lee’s own hands a letter of recognition as the person to introduce JKD to Mexico. Along with this Letter of Recognition he received her approval and that of the Society of Jeet Kune Do to spread the art and to be the Father of the JKD in all Mexico.

Punong Guro and Brandon Lee

After the successful 1st Seminar in Mexico City, seminars where scheduled for Grandmaster Bustillo in the cities of Guadalajara and Acapulco teaching the Filipino Martial Arts and JKD. In those days Rodriguez was recognized as the Mexican Grand Champion of International Japanese Traditional Karate and one of the best Mexican exponents in the world of Mr. Ed Parker’s Kenpo Karate. The other Professors and Directors of Traditional Karate in Mexico said to Rodriguez that he was crazy to promote the Filipino martial arts and they ridicule and scorn him saying, “The art of playing with little sticks and the art of the chimpanzees of Asia.” (Now in 2007, all those that had said that this art that all we do is entertain ourselves “playing like children with little sticks“, all of them now want to study with Punong Guro Rodriguez. And he teaches them happily because it’s always better “To add allies and to subtract enemies”. Plus Punong Guro Rodriguez gets to teach how wonderful and effective the martial arts of the Philippines are.

Punong Guro Rodriguez giving a seminar at a Karate Academy in Mexico.

The first exhibition of Filipino Martial Arts in an official event organized by the Mexican Government was on the 14th of September, 1991 on the day of the "Niños Heroes". Punong Guro Rodriguez and his assistant marched with all contingents of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Lima Lama and all of the Governmental Federations. As we began to march past Jesus remembers perfectly the scene with total clarity.

They where walking on one of the main avenues of Mexico City and he remembers that he came up upon Professor Márquez Angel, President of the Karate Association of Mexico and he said to Punong Guro Rodriguez, “Jesus you can only march by my side as the Champion of Traditional Karate and American Kempo that you are! That madness of yours, wanting to introduce and spread in Mexico your “game of little Filipino sticks.” And that strange Bruce Lee thing, no, I am sorry but you cannot stand besides me. Go back to the end of the Parade.

Besides, it’s only the two of you. I come here with 80 people, Tae Kwon Do has 70, Lima Lama has 50 and Kung Fu has brought 80.” One by one passed the martial arts practitioners and they took all the applause until it was our turn.

Rodriguez Kali-Eskrima vs. Lima Lama.

They performed:

• Hubud-Lubud
• Sikaran
• Yaw-Yan
• Sombrada
• Dumog
• Trapping
• Disarms

And our exhibition was an absolute success.

Theothers could not believe what was going on and it created some anger in them towards the Filipino martial arts. After 3 years of Punong Guro Rodriguez life promoting Grandmaster Bustillo’s IMB Academy, Punong Guro Rodriguez decided in 1993 to become Independent.

Is a Federation and a Mexican Association, Founded to diffuse the Filipino martial arts all over the world, with Honesty, Clarity, and Tradition, taking as its flag Kali-Eskrima-Arnis Palo-Mano Todo Terreno Style Mexicano. Our mission is to teach the basics, attributes, qualities, and realities of the martial arts

Philippines with an analytic real mind, progressing to the advancement of the times, and ideologies of its practitioners and propagators. Our mission is to diffuse the Filipino martial arts, through classes, seminars, courses, and tournaments’, looking for the best warrior shows us who is the best human being with unity, loyalty, and fraternity among Federations, Associations, and Organizations of Martial Arts Philippines around the World. Our general offices are in Mexico City, however we hope to have headquarters in each one of the beautiful countries throughout the world, which actively promulgates and supports the Filipino Martial Arts, with respect for us and for others with one of principal as a rule. "Let us not have Politics, better all make schools which become allies and a brotherhood."

Rodríguez Kali-Eskrima-Arnis
Palo-Mano Todo Terreno Style Mexicano
Asuncion No. 308 Valle Dorado
Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico 54020
[559] 148-1673

Punong Guro Rodriguez can be reached via E-mail: fma-mexico@excite.com

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