Master Zac Taco Interview:

Mataw-Guro Zack Taco was born and raised in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines.

At the age of 18, he was trained in Balintawak Arnis, a Filipino martial arts, while living with his sister in Cebu City, who is married to Chito Velez, son of Master Teofilo Velez, the Vice President of the Balintawak International Self-Defense Club, located in Sikatuna Street, Cebu City.

The founder and Grandmaster of Balintawak Escrima was Anciong Bacon. Atty. Jose Villasin and Teofilo Velez, the President and Vice President of the club, were pioneers of the Balintawak Arnis system, producing this dynamic, highly skilled, insightful and caring martial arts practitioners and teachers.

Master Zack Taco was trained by several highly-skilled instructors, among them were the Velez brothers: Chito, Monnie and Eddie, as well as Bobby Taboada and Nick Elizar, under the strict supervision and guidance of their Chief Master Instructor, Teofilo Velez.

In 2008, he received the Chief Master Instructor Degree from the World Teovel’s Balintawak Arnis Group, under Grandmaster Chito Velez.

On March 6, 2010, he was inducted into the 1st Annual U.F.A.M.A. Hall of Fame and was given an award of excellence, and given the title Mataw Guro, for the propagation and development of Filipino Martial Arts education in the United States.

He currently resides in the Bronx, NY with his wife, Betty and their son, Kylezeth. He teaches the Balintawak Arnis System under the World Original Teovel’s Balintawak Arnis Group.

For more information or to contact Master Taco, click here to send him an email.