Many students ask if Kapatiran Arnis is a style or a organization which promotes Filipino Martial Arts, it is both. The name Kapatiran means brotherhood and this is what we are.

Formed in Feburary 2001 by 8th Degree Master John Harvey and his instructors who are all well known in Great Britain and Europe. This group consists of Jude Tucker WEKAF British, European and World Champion, John James British Champion in WEKAF stick fighting and low armour.

John James is also double stick British, European and World Champion. Last in this group of seasoned stick fighters is Dennis Russell WEKAF British, European and World Champion.

Master John Harvey who before he retired was WEKAF British, European and World Champion. Well known on the stick circuit locally and internationally as John “machine gun” Harvey because of his very fast abaniko strikes.

Master John Harvey has been training in the Philippines since 1989 when he was part of a delegation from Master Bob Breens Academy who went to take part in the first WEKAF World Championships which was held in Cebu.

Master John Harvey has trained with many people in the Philippines but every time that he has arrived in Cebu he has trained with Grand Master Prudencio “Ondo” Caburnay of Lapunti Arnis de Abanico and recently he has been training with Grand Master Nick Elizar.

These are two of the many Grand Masters who have influenced Master John Harvey in Kapatiran Arnis. In Kapatiran Arnis we use the fast abanico strikes from Lapunti and close range strikes of Grand Master Nick Elizar from Balintawak.

Many people have influenced Master John Harvey over the many years he has been training in FMA and with his skill as a stickfighter Kapatiran Arnis is growing steadly.

The group was formed by good competition fighters but they are all dedicated to the promotion of Filipino Martial Arts. This includes traditional Filipino Martial Arts as well as the sport.

This small group of martial artists led by Master John Harvey have gathered round them like-minded students whose sole interest is to promote FMA in Great Britain and are free from the politics of larger groups who seem to be interested more in self promotion than Filipino Martial Arts.