Mataw Guro Andy Sanano has been training in the Martial Arts since 1961. He has more than 49 years experience in hand-to-hand combat and over 39 years in the instruction of self-defense and the Martial Arts.

He is the Dakilang Guro (10th degree) of the Trecehampas Family tradition of Arnis De Mano and Awayan (Ah-wah-yahn) (the Arts of Fighting).

Awayan (The Art of Fighting, Without Fighting — Sining ng Awayan Walang Awayan) began with the first humans on earth, as a form of self-protection against nature, animals, and other humans.

It has no rules or regulations; it is the instinctive Martial art of the human, which is the ability to use the body as a tool for self-protection.

It is an art of empty hand and foot fighting.  Members are trained on the use of the hands and feet as a tool for self-protection.  Training simulates actual attacks with an armed or unarmed opponent.

The purpose of training in the Awayan martial art is to develop coordination between the mind and body. The methods of instruction are designed to help an individual build good character, integrity, self-respect, and respect for others.

Trecehampas Arnis is a one-or two-stick fighting style. The name, which means “thirteen strikes”, refers to the thirteen basic strikes and defenses, along with disarming and locking techniques.

He was born in the Bikol region, Albay province, city of Legazpi and grew up in Manila. His childhood experiences were unremarkable. He traveled to the banana plantations with his grandfather and learned to play with “sticks.” His adversaries were the banana plants and his coach-grandfather.

Master Sanano thought he was playing as did most of his peers who had similar experiences. When he was young his grandfather said, “Apo pag laro huwag mong ipagyayabang at laging mapagpakumbaba”. (“ Even when you play, Do not be arrogant, But be humble and respectful”)

His uncle also encouraged Master Sanano to play and wrestle with cousins unbeknown to him that he was being trained in the basics of the Filipino Martial Arts – kept secret to all but a few.

Even the hikes between plantations, striking the tall grass with sticks to disturb the animals and snakes had a future importance.

Little did he know the foundation for his modern day future was being set in the ancient jungles of the Philippines. A couple of years before his father’s death in l961, Master Sanano joined the Karate Dojo of Pering Cruz, a professor of Philippine Combat Judo, Arnis De Mano, Shotokan Karate, Aikido and Hilot-healing touch.

During his 8 to 9 years of training, he spent thousands of hours drilling in the school gym, on the beach and in the ocean water, with emphasis on techniques, strength, speed, concentration, flexibility, sparring and ethical values.

Keen attention was given to detail and mental strength, as well as bending to the will of instruction or bearing the rod of correction, which was the standard of the day.

Most of the youth of today would be unable to comprehend, let alone produce, the level of commitment common to Master Sanano and his peers in Professor Cruz’s Dojo.

Around age 18 Master Sanano received his black belt and moved to San Francisco, CA to live with his adopted parents.  He trained with Jose Cruz, a Black belt in Kenpo Karate, while in California.

Shortly thereafter, he joined the United States Air Forces and was eventually stationed in Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD.

While in the Air Force, Master Sanano continued to expand his knowledge in many other disciplines of the Martial Arts. Tae Kwon Do with T. Guerrero, Shotokan/Arnis with M. Alonzo, Arnis with G. Distor, Tae Kwon Do with M. Pau, Kung Fu with R. Evans, Ueichi Ryu with M. Lilly, White Tiger – Charging Crane with P. Gradinaro, Aikido with A. Pobre, Kajukembo/Hapkido with J. Gray, Verbal Judo with Dr. Thompson and W.L. Fjelstad and Panadyakan, Modern Sikaran & Burokil Alambra Arnis De Mano with D. Alambra.

He also served as a Reserve Lieutenant with the Rapid City Police Department and as a member of the Special Response Team with combined City/County law enforcement, for 16 years.

He has held many training seminars for local, as well as out-of-state, law enforcement groups.  There has always been particular interest in his techniques for subduing a suspect without the excessive use of force.

He opened his dojo in Rapid City, and his Martial Arts ‘Family’ has been growing strong ever since.  Mataw Guro Sanano treats all of his students as his extended family.  It is a bond most feel very deeply, where ever life eventually takes them.

Over the years, his Martial Arts achievements have included receiving an 8th degree Black Belt in Modern Sikaran, 8th degree Black Belt in Burokil Alambra Arnis De Mano, a 6th degree black belt in Sikaran Pan-Daigdig Kapatirang Sikaran ng Pilipinas, a 5th degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate and a 5th degree Black Belt in Filipino Combat Judo.

Mataw Guro Sanano specializes in a variety of traditional weapons including Arnis De Mano, Sai, Double Sword, Butterfly Knives, Nun Chaku and Balisong among others.

As a credit to his accomplishments Master Sanano was inducted in to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Canada Sikaran/Arnis Hall of Fame, USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, World Karate Union Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors and United Fellowship Martial Artists Hall of Fame.

As owner and Dakilang Guro of the Family Tradition of Trecehampas Arnis, Awayan and as President of Sanano Martial Arts System (SMAS), he has provided top quality Martial Arts instruction in the Rapid City, SD area since 1972.

He sponsored the Paha Sapa Karate Championship in Rapid City for 22 years, which attracted regional as well as international participation.

He is a Vice President of the World Organization of Philippine Fighting Arts and a board member of both the North American Martial Arts Association and the International Martial Arts Rating Association.

Mataw Guro Sanano is a certified instructor for the Defensive Tactics Institute, Inc., and has provided defensive tactics instruction for numerous law enforcement agencies, security officer teams and government agencies around the region.

He is the technical advisor for the (Verbal Judo Institute) Total Defense System, which teaches self-defense on both verbal and physical levels.

Mataw Guro Andy Sanano is dedicated to teaching the proper application of Martial Arts techniques. His instruction emphasizes individual development of self-discipline, awareness, and respect for self and others as well as the values and attitudes necessary for the proper application of the Martial Arts. He teaches, “Learn To Fight, Not To Fight.”