What is Kali Majapahit?
In 1998, after a lifetime dedicated to Martial Arts practice and teaching, Guro Fred Evrard founded his first Kali school in Moorea (French Polynesia), and another one soon followed in Tahiti, teaching Filipino Martial Arts and Hilot.
Guro Fred is a certified Instructor in many styles of martial arts, including: Inayan Eskrima, Kali Sikaran, Pencak Silat, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kenpo…
In 2006, after a 4 years Martial Arts trip-around-the-world, Guro Fred Evrard and his wife, Hiu Lila, settled down in Singapore, where they opened their 3rd Filipino Martial Arts school (the 4th one was open in 2008 in Baguio, Philippines).
Today the 12 instructors and assistants of Kali Majapahit are a mix of Filipinos and foreigners (Europeans, Polynesians, Chinese…)
Guro Fred calls the Kali system taught in his schools: Kali Majapahit. “Kali” being the pre-Hispanic martial art of the Philippines and “Majapahit” the great Javanese empire that spread throughout Southeast Asia and into the Philippines between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Kali Majapahit is a synthesis of several Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) as well as some other fighting arts from the ancient Majapahit area (Silat, Muay Thai, Kuntao…). It is a unified concept of FMA, traditional healing systems and personal development.
Students learn to develop self-confidence and self-discipline, learn about respect for others and themselves, reinforce their health and energy while at the same time, enhancing fitness level and learning the deadly Filipino art of Kali.
To carry on the culture…
A quick look at the logo, designed like an Anting-anting, speaks for itself: the ancient Filipino Alibata for Kali, a traditional Filipino Kris, the triangle and the circle are all very symbolic to the Filipino culture.
Guro Fred mentions that, even as a foreigner, his knowledge, skills and philosophy are deeply linked to the ancient culture of the Maharlika islands (Philippines). To him, it feels as his duty to carry on and share the Filipino arts, as testifies Alvin, one of the students:
“I learned more about my roots and culture as a Filipino, and I am ashamed to realize that here I am getting Filipino history lessons from Guro Fred, a native of France. He is vastly knowledgeable and has more devotion than any Filipinos I personally know, to impart the culture of my country through his schools and his teaching. Fred’s commitment to teach the Filipino arts and his unwavering dedication for his students’ welfare and personal development never ceases to amaze me up to now”. Alvin Santos de Jesus
Recently, Guro Fred has been teaching to the Special Forces and National Police in the Philippines; the seminar was very well received as shows this testimonial from one of the Captains attending the seminar:
“Its a shame that we haven’t learned such art from our own forefathers; it took a foreigner like you, to make us realize how beautiful the Filipino martial art is and how valuable it is in our history; it’s an Honor to be your student. I’m looking forward for you to train our policemen this October. More power sir Fred.” Captain C.
Martial Arts and Health
In most cases these days, martial and healing arts are seen as 2 different things, but in Kali Majapahit, they still abide by the belief of being both a healer and a fighter.
After years of studies in Filipino Hilot and Chinese medicine, several traditional massage schools, and osteopathy, Guro Fred has developed his own healing system – a synergy of Filipino Hilot, TCM, Thai massage, dietetic (Acid-Alkaline balance), physiotherapy and osteopathy, and the use of a “magic” ingredient: Virgin Coconut Oil from the Philippines.
Kali Majapahit curriculum
As for most Filipino Martial Arts, the training concepts of Kali Majapahit are multiple but simple. They are based on several sub-systems: Double sticks (doble baston), Single stick (solo baston), Knife (daga), Empty hands (kadena de mano), Filipino kickboxing (panantukan), wrestling (dumog), etc…
All these concepts are woven together into a complete and very effective system. Any improvement in one aspect of the art will accelerate progression in the others.
Specific programs are also available for kids from 3 to 14 years old, using Filipino Martial Arts as a tool for education, focus and growth.
For more information, contact Kali Majapahit at 9118 2032 or www.kali-majapahit.com
