Supreme Great Grandmaster Carlito A. Lanada Sr., Mentor of Maestro Jonathan M. Bais Since 1964

KALIS - is the long lost culture of the Filipino Heritage. Kalis is said to be the "root art" of the ancient Filipinos Fighting Arts because it is the source of most, if not all, of the other Filipino Martial Arts. Kalis is the plural noun name of kali in Malayans-Indonesian language, and translate into a meaning "Safety" or to Safeguard.

The systematic art of Filipino combat fighting is based on the scientific strategy and tactics. It is a complete form of fighting ability and methods which utilizes the sword, knife, sticks, along with hand and foot techniques.

The fighting art KALI, believed to be derived from the word "KALIS", an ancient Filipino double edge sword, is used by the Llyans/Malayans warriors who came from Kalimanta, the Indonesian part of Borneo archipelago. The bladed Kalis became one of the main weapons of the warriors from Panay, Cebu, Negros Island and other parts of the Visayan Peninsula. Today, the Visayan Peninsula is internationally recognized as the heart of the Filipino stick fighting.

Maestro Jon on high spinning back kick with his student Kyud Avelino Gatpo

KUNTAW - (Kun-tao) originated in Kuntawan, Southern Philippines. The only living legend, Grand Mentor, who revived Kuntaw, is Supreme Grand Master Carlito A. Lanada Sr., Founder and Executive Director of Kuntaw ng Pilipinas and International Kuntaw Federation.

Kuntaw is an ancient form of martial arts practiced by the Katutubong Pilipino (native Filipino). The art is presumed to have been introduced into the southern part of the Philippines by the Chinese Kun-tao in 1300. One of the oldest arts of empty hand self-defense, (also called Pangamut), KUNTAW uses a variety of sudden forceful kicks, punches and chops. KUNTAW uses skills in hand and foot techniques, with the principle of both hard and soft (open hand) aspects for fighting. The Muslim royalties adopted Kuntaw art as part of their ritual, traditional secretive fighting along with Kalis and Silat.

SILAT - is the other name of KALIS in Southern Philippines. Silat is the unique form of martial arts, developed and practiced by the Filipino Muslims in Mindanao as well as in Indonesia, South Thailand, and Brunei. Silat is very similar to the fighting form of Kalis but is divided into three fighting sections: (1) use of the knife aggressively and defensively (2) proficiency of the hand and foot for trapping and joint breaking and (3) techniques for off balancing the opponent in close range combat.