What an Incredible Year!
Wow, what a year 2025 has been for Legacy Filipino Martial Arts! We’ve had the privilege of bringing some of the most amazing instructors to our mats here in Daly City, and watching our community grow stronger with each seminar. From living legends to Hollywood fight directors, traditional masters to modern innovators—this year really showed us just how diverse and powerful Filipino martial arts can be.
Our Amazing Seminars & Workshops
All seminars held at Legacy FMA in Daly City
June 14, 2025: First Annual Legacy FMA Gathering – Philippine Independence Day Celebration
This was our biggest event ever, and honestly, it exceeded all our expectations! We celebrated the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day along with our school’s anniversary, and it turned into this incredible festival of Filipino martial arts and culture. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined us right here in Daly City, which was such an honor, and we had hundreds of practitioners come through our doors.
Nine Different FMA Styles Under One Roof:
Here’s what made this day so special—we brought together nine different Filipino martial arts systems! Can you imagine? Students got to experience the diversity of FMA by training with:
- Stockton Multistyle with Guros Terry Joven & Gene Inis
- Lucay Lucay Kali JKD with Guro Tom Corpuz
- Lameco Astig with Guro Hyle Campbell
- Cabales Serrada Combatives with Master Ron Saturno
- Yaw Yan with Guro Jordan Balcita
- Latosa Escrima with Master Cedric Concon
- Motta Fighting Arts with Guro Lawrence Motta
- FMA School with Chief Francis
- Legacy FMA with Master Joseph Bautista
Everyone rotated through different workshops, and it was fascinating to see how each master brings their own approach to combat and strategy. Some focused on blade work, others on empty-hand striking. Some taught traditional methods passed down through generations, while others showed us modern innovations. It really highlighted just how rich and varied FMA is.
But Wait, There’s More!
The day wasn’t just about training. We had live sparring demonstrations that got everyone fired up, vendors selling FMA gear and equipment, traditional Hilot (Filipino healing massage) for anyone who needed it, and a BBQ party that brought everyone together. The Parangal Dance Company performed beautiful traditional Filipino dances, connecting our martial heritage with the broader culture.
Having the Philippine Consulate there really validated what we’re doing—preserving Filipino heritage while teaching practical self-defense. This event brought together practitioners from different lineages who might not normally train together, all united by their love for FMA. We’re definitely making this an annual tradition!
August 16, 2025: Training with Living Legend GM Bobby Taboada
This one was special, folks. In partnership with FMA Pulse, we hosted Grandmaster Bobby Taboada—a true living legend in the FMA world—right here at our Daly City location. For many of our students, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with someone of his caliber.
GM Taboada has dedicated his entire life to Balintawak Eskrima, and you could feel the depth of his knowledge the moment he started teaching. Students absorbed techniques and principles that have been passed down through generations. The room had this electric energy as everyone—from beginners to advanced practitioners—watched his efficiency, speed, and tactical brilliance in action.
This is exactly what Legacy FMA is all about: connecting our students with the true masters who carry the living tradition of Filipino martial arts forward.
September 20, 2025: Kalis Ilustrisimo with Coach Arnold Narzo
We were thrilled to host KIRO Coach Arnold Narzo at Legacy FMA for an exclusive session in Kalis Ilustrisimo. If you’re not familiar, this is one of the most respected blade systems in the Philippines, founded by the legendary GM Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo.
What makes Kalis Ilustrisimo so special is its elegant simplicity combined with devastating effectiveness. Coach Narzo guided students through techniques that have been battle-tested and refined over generations. It was a rare opportunity to train in such a respected fighting system, and our students definitely made the most of it!
October 11, 2025: The Art of Ground Defense Workshop
This workshop was something different for us, and we loved it! We integrated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Dumog, the traditional Filipino grappling art. It gave students a whole new perspective on ground fighting and close-quarters combat.
The combination was perfect—BJJ’s technical precision and strategic positioning paired with Dumog’s practical methods. Students learned joint locks, throws, clinching techniques, and ground defense strategies. Plus, we showed how to incorporate weapons, clothing, and flexible tools into the mix, making it super practical for real-world situations.
Whether you were brand new or had some experience, this workshop had something for everyone. It really showcased how adaptable Filipino martial culture is.
October 26, 2025: iKali with Tuhon Apolo Ladra
We were honored to bring Tuhon Apolo Ladra to our Daly City school for an iKali session. This was cutting-edge stuff! iKali is all about the science behind combat—it’s a systematic approach focusing on strategic and tactical counter-offensive techniques.
Students dove deep into both knife-to-knife and stick-to-stick techniques, learning the methodical approach that sets iKali apart. Tuhon Ladra has this incredible ability to break down complex combat scenarios into scientific principles, which gave everyone a fresh perspective on weapon-based fighting.
This session really showed how FMA continues to evolve and adapt while staying true to its combat-effective roots. It’s tradition meeting modern tactical thinking.
November 8, 2025: Hollywood Comes to Daly City – Training with Fight Director Sonny Sison
What a way to wrap up the year! Sonny Sison brought 35 years of Hollywood experience to our mats, and it was absolutely mind-blowing. This guy has worked on everything—”NCIS Hawaii,” “Magnum PI,” “Godzilla,” “Olympus Has Fallen,” “Act of Valor,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “The Green Hornet,” “Power Rangers”—you name it!
Sonny gave us an insider’s look at how Filipino martial arts translates to film and television combat. As an actor, stuntman, producer, director, action director, stunt coordinator, and fight choreographer, he’s done it all. He’s even worked on Philippine productions like “Buy Bust” and “Maria” (check them out on Netflix!).
With over 40 years of martial arts experience in Kajukenbo-Wun Hop Kuen Do, Estokada De Campo, and SLD Eskrima, plus his role as co-producer of “The Bladed Hand: The Global Impact of the Filipino Martial Arts,” Sonny perfectly embodies our mission to promote FMA worldwide. It was the perfect finale to an amazing year of seminars.
Thank You!
As we close out 2025, we’re just incredibly grateful. Thank you to every student who showed up ready to learn, every instructor who shared their knowledge, every visiting master who honored us with their presence at our Daly City location, and every community partner who supported us.
Hosting masters like GM Bobby Taboada, Master Ron Saturno, Master Cedric Concon, Tuhon Apolo Ladra, Coach Arnold Narzo, Sonny Sison, and so many others has taken our school to new heights.
Together, we’re not just learning martial arts—we’re preserving culture, building confidence, and creating a legacy we can all be proud of.
Mabuhay ang Filipino Martial Arts!
Legacy Filipino Martial Arts
200 Northgate Ave #7 & 9, Daly City, CA 94015
Come train with us!
