Punong Guro Myrlino Hufana Interview Part 1:
Punong Guro Myrlino Hufana Interview Part 2:
Born the eldest of three boys by Ysmael Rivera Hufana and Marcelina Pascua Hufana on August 15, 1962 in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, Philippines, Punong Guro Myrlino P. Hufana has what only a few practioners in the Filipino Martial Arts has, a family history and lineage of warriors.
His first introduction to the fundamentals of Eskrima and its culture came at an early age of 4 by his father and uncle, Milfredo Rivera Hufana. Upon immigrating to the United States in the spring of 1970, he continued his Eskrima training from his father until the age of 12.
At this time, with the help of his grandmother, PG Hufana enrolled in his first formal martial arts training in Karate. In 1982, he began Taekwondo training and has continued learning the Korean martial arts since then.
It was in 1985, during an open martial arts tournament in California he fell witnessed to the late Grandmaster Angel Cabales who was conducting a demonstration in Serrada Eskrima. PG’s passion for his culture, his lineage and his art were refueled.
In 1990, at one of the Modern Arnis summer camp, PG Hufana’s life changed forever. Here he met Grandmaster Remy Amador Presas and a legacy began.
The depth of their relationship went beyond student teacher, it encompassed heritage, tradition, honor and a warrior’s calling. On April 1997, Professor Presas officially promoted Hufana to the level of Punong Guro, a highly respected rank in the Modern Arnis Organization. Punong Guro Hufana is only one of two ever given the title outside the Philippines.
On February 2001, with blessings of Grandmaster Presas, PG Hufana continued the propagation of the Philippine martial arts and its culture under the seal of Hufana Traditional Arnis International (HTAI), a complete combative system based on the Hufana Eskrima System, Modern Arnis Remy Presas Style, and PG Hufana’s experience and innovation.
Punong Guro has hosted and taught some of the best FMA seminars in the Pacific Northwest since 1992. Through his dedication, passion and reputation, he has done what most have only thought and spoke about or has tried but unfortunately has failed.
He has created a brotherhood among all Filipino Martial Arts systems through an annual gathering – The World Filipino Martial Arts Association’s Exposition & Laban Laro. The WFMAA’s main goal is create a brotherhood with trust and respect among all Masters while promoting the Filipino Culture and Traditions.
Punong Guro Hufana with Grandmaster Taboada and Grandmaster Tabimina, 2005
Punong Guro Hufana is an accomplished practitioner since childhood, earning black belts and instructor level certifications in Traditional Taekwondo (5th degree Master Instructor), Modern Arnis Remy Presas Style (Punong Guro, Chief Instructor), and Estalilla Kabaroan Eskrima (Bachelor’s Degree, 6th Degree Black Belt).
In fact, Punong Guro Hufana is one of only few that has been awarded the title of Associate Grandmaster of the Estalilla Kabaroan Eskrima directly from living legend, Grandmaster Ramiro U. Estalilla Jr.
Punong Guro Hufana currently resides in Bellevue, Washington with his wife Tess and two kids, Michael and Lizelle. The family business started in 1991, establishing the Bellevue Martial Arts Academy, the headquarters for the Hufana Traditional Arnis International and the World Filipino Martial Arts Association.
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