The Bais Family Detailed History
from Kali-Disalon to Kalis-Silat, Bais Tres Manos

Kalis- Disalon
1934-An Eskrimador of the DISALON system from Bantayan, Bantayan-Island named Juan Bais, moved with his family and settled in Barotac, Viejo, of Panay. Juan Bais was seeking a better life opportunity and joined his kumpare, Arthuro Mayo, who originally came from Batangas, Province of Luzon the main island of the Philippines. Juan occasionally practiced his fighting art with his son and kumpadre using a bladed weapon called Pinuti. Their good acquaintances with their Muslim friend (Igsu) Ibrahim Khalil from Jolo, Sulu who was skilled in Kalis fighting made them to incorporate the two methods and decided to form a system, which they called KALIS-DISALON. During this time the system was taught only to relatives and close friends of their families.

Kalis

Pinuti

Due to the popularity of the stick fighting that flourished among the Filipinos, the group transformed their bladed practice into a comprehensive system of stick fighting which they named KALIS-DISALON, ESKRIMA DISARMA. Because of the exemplary skills and unique fighting techniques of Juan Bais, using the TIRA PILON and TRANGKADA techniques, he was respected and honored by the group as the Maestro de Maestro of the system. They became proficient and well known in the fighting art, winning several actual combat challenges. In late 1936 the group was disbanded after a bloody and serious confrontation with a rival group of Eskrimadors.

KALIS-DISALON WALAY ATRAS

Maestro Alberto Quijano Bais March 12, 1926 - January 21, 1970

1937 - Maestro Juan Bais moved and settled in Negros, Occidental with his family to continue the practice of the family system which began in Panay. He re-organized his system and called it KALIS DISALON-WALAY ATRAS (meaning no retreat) to continue the practice of the family system begun in Panay. Maestro Juan's sole purpose and philosophy was to teach only his sons and close friends for family protection and personal self defense. Among his dedicated students were his sons, Teodoro, Isabero and Regino Bais Sr. who continued his legacy in Kalis-Eskrima.

LIHIS ME DIOS

It was common then in the Visayan region that challenges were made from system to system and from master to master to prove who was the best skilled.

Stick fighting and hand to hand combat challenges sometimes ended in death. Maestro Juan Bais stopped propagating the art after he seriously sustained a major injury due to a challenged fight.

BAIS TRES MANOS

Only surviving photo of family after disaster in Philippines, 1959

1943 - Maestro Regino Bais Sr., son of Maestro Juan Bais; became skillful in their family art. He began teaching a few students and his four of his sons: Leoterio, Alberto, Mariano and Regino Jr. They called their group Kalis Disalon - Bais Tres Manos system in Negros, Occidental. Their principles of fighting were more developed by incorporating the three major styles of the Philippines: The Largo, Medya, and Corto-mano (Long, Medium and Short ranges of striking).

Felomina at 82 years old, mother of GM Jon. Demonstrating "Tapi 'y' Dunggab" technique.

1946 - Alberto Quijano Bais married Felomina Marfa, the niece of Grand Maestro Gonzalo Tedles Cencida of Escalante, Negros-Occidental. Gonzalo was known to be one of the undefeated stick fighters in their town. Master Alberto Q. Bais also learned the Baklid Eskrima from GM Gonzalo.

1949 - Maestro Alberto traveled in Mindanao buying and selling imported soap for barter. He stepped in to help an older Tausog (Muslim) man being attacked by six Moro's Tribe and ended up in a bloody confrontation. Maestro Alberto managed to escape with the old Muslim fighter, leaving the six Moro's wounded and heavily injured. After a few months of recovery the old man; Jamal Udin Tulawi taught Maestro Alberto the art SILAT. The old man continued to refine the fighting ability of Alberto in SILAT each time he visited Mindanao.

Maestro Alberto demonstrated the Silat to his family in Negros. The Southern art of Silat was then incorporated into the family methods of fighting, which transformed it into a new name and called the system: KALIS-SILAT, Bais Tres Manos, Walay Atras.

1954 (August) - Maestro Alberto Bais, started working in Agat, Agana, Guam. He and his brother, Mariano, and his friend, Nong Picoy, continued to practice and introduce the art to their friends and relatives. A small group of KALIS was formed in Guam.

Maestro Alberto Bais' Beliefs about the Family System
1960 - Maestro Alberto returned to Philippines where he gradually started teaching the family fighting art to his eldest son 6-year old, Jesus Jonathan Bais. His intention was to prepare his kids the important value of self defense and discipline. Alberto also asked Jonathon (Jon) to look for his three step-sisters and cousins in Guam someday and teach them the family fighting art. (Step sisters: Julia, Alberta and Mary Bais Penarubia. Cousins; Reno Bais and Jessie Bais)

The Bais family believed in the spiritual prayer called the Oracion and passed the tradition of salutation to all students throughout the generations. The purpose of the Oracion is to develop discipline and maintain peace and harmony. However, the passing of the family art from Alberto to his sons was quite different than the passing of the art from Juan to his sons. The Bais family art did not become popular compared to other fighting styles because of the elder Bais protective thinking that the art was intended only for family or a close trusted friend. Due to the keen interest and ability of Jon, his father advised him to explore himself and learn other martial arts to be able to differentiate and understand the ways of other fighting methods.

The Bais Tres Manos Salutation and Meaning of Their Oracion