Philippine Combat Arnis 

A Brief History

By Guro David Bird

November, 2004

Philippine Combat Arnis was founded by Master Jackson Cui Brocka. Master Brocka began his training in his native land, the Philippines.  Master Brocka studied Arnis in Manila under the world famous Presas brothers.   Master Brocka created Combat Arnis by combining his wealth of martial arts expertise in not only Arnis, but other styles including Shotokan Karate and Jui Jitsu.  In 1971 Master Brocka held the title of Southeast Asian Full Contact Karate Champion.  In 1979 Master Brocka was awarded an 8th degree black belt and MASTER OF WEAPONS by the Philippine government.  In 1977 President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Presidential Sports Award. Master Brocka was also the hand to hand combat instructor for the US Army's 82nd Airborn Division at Fort Bragg North Carolina.  Master Brocka brought his unique style to Tacoma, Washington in 1979.  He taught in Tacoma until his untimely death in 1985 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

     

Guro David Bird began his martial arts studies in 1966 at a Judo school in Key West, Florida. Mr. Bird moved to Dallas, Texas in 1969 and began his study of Tae Kwon Do. Mr. Bird, after relocating to Seattle, Washington, received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1977. In 1979 Mr. Bird moved to Tacoma, Washington where he met Master Brocka and began his Arnis training. Guro Bird trained intensively with Master Brocka until 1984. Guro Bird has also trained with the Presas brothers, and the Filipino National Arnis Team. Through much of the 1990’s Guro Bird trained with and sponsored seminars with Sifu Richard Bustillo. Sifu Bustillo is a former student of Bruce Lee and a training partner of Dan Inosanto.

Guro Bird’s certifications are:

1977  black belt Tae Kwon Do.

1983  1st Antas Red Philippine Combat Arnis.

1983  1st Dan Shotokan Karate.
1989   5th Dan Shotokan Karate.

Guro Bird competed heavily in tournaments from 1983 to 1990, taking titles in weapons, kumite, and forms. He also was featured in numerous martial arts magazines from 1984 to 1990.

From 1995 to 2000 Mr. Bird owned and operated the TaeSho Kickboxing Arnis Submission

gym inTacoma. Mr. Bird not only taught Arnis, but incorporated into his unique style Boxing, Kickboxing and Grappling skills. During this time, he was not only a teacher, but a coach to many amateur and professional fighters.

Guro Bird began teaching in Gig Harbor in August of 2004.  His latest Gig Harbor gym opened in October, 2010.

 Group Photo from Richard Bustillo Seminar

              
Links:


A local website with more information about Guro Bird

The website for Remy Presas

The website for Dan Inosanto  

The website for Richard Bustillo