Mang Romy's visit to San Diego

Underground
1

This morning, Wednesday, February 2, at 5:30am, I spoke with
Mang Romy Macapagal. He was just about to get on the plane to
come to San Diego. He will arrive in San Diego this evening and
stay until February 14. He is very excited about this trip!

I hope to have him teach the Kalis Ilustrisimo class on Thursday
evening this week.

We will head to Middletown, Connecticut on Friday morning so he
can teach a Kalis Ilustrisimo seminar there, February 5 and 6.

We will head back to San Diego on Monday, February 7. A friend of
his from Manila will join him in San Diego on Tuesday, February 8.
All three of us will travel to Los Angeles to meet with and pay
respects to Guro Dan Inosanto during the week of February 7-11.

And, on Saturday and Sunday, February 12 and 13, Mang Romy
will teach a Kalis Ilustrisimo here at the Harris Academy. This
seminar will be open to everyone. No experience is required to
attend this seminar. This seminar will focus on the Fundamentals
of Kalis Ilustrisimo. Mang Romy will also provide additional
techniques and training method to those who already have
experience with Kalis Ilustrisimo.

Here is what will be covered during the two day, eight hour
seminar:

  1. Ilustrisimo Theory and History - This will lay your foundation of
    understanding, as well as let you know where this unique are
    came from.

  2. Ilustrisimo Stance - Learn how and where to place your legs,
    arms and head, as well as why it is important to place them
    exactly where Mang Romy says you should place them.

  3. Ilustrisimo Footwork - Learn how and where to place your feet
    during a blade encounter. How and where you place your feet will
    determine whether or not you get the correct angle, which will
    ultimately determine your timing and positioning, which will
    ultimately determine who gets cut first!

  4. Ilustrisimo Defenses - You will learn many of the basic defenses
    in Ilustrisimo that are simple, economical and efficient. If you have
    experience in FMA and think you know the roof, shield or cross
    blocks, think again. Mang Romy will demonstrate the correct body,
    leg, head and arm positioning required to neutralize that piece of
    steel that is being swung at your body!

  5. Ilustrisimo Follow-up strikes - While there are hundreds of
    follow-up strikes a person could perform, it is important to
    understand which ones are more important than others. For
    example, there are times when head or neck shots would be great,
    but are less desirable, inefficient and tactically foolish. Then, there
    are times when head or neck shots are necessary. And you must
    know the difference between the two. You must also understand
    the importance of positioning as it relates to follow up strikes.

  6. Ilustrisimo Disarms - Mang Romy will teach you a few live edge
    disarms. These disarms are similar to, but different than, the
    normal disarms found in "stick fighting methods." I think you will
    enjoy the Ilustrisimo methods. I know I do!

  7. Ilustrisimo Sword Work - Mang Romy will explain the difference
    between sword work and stick fighting. While they may look
    similar, they are very different!

  8. Ilustrisimo Sword and Dagger Work - Espada y daga training is
    an integral part of Kalis Ilustrisimo. During the second day of the
    seminar, Mang Romy will introduce you to this unique training
    method. How far we get with this training will depend on who is in
    attendance and their level of experience.

  9. Ilustrisimo Dagger Defense - Ever had a piece of steel swung at
    your head of thrusted at your heart or mid-section? Do you know
    what to do? Well, the Kalis Ilustrisimo method of edged weapon
    disarming is very economical and efficient. Learn the true meaning
    of saplit!

  10. Questions and answers - During the last fifteen to twenty
    minutes of the seminar, you will be allowed to ask questions about
    Kalis Ilustrisimo, its history, Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo (the
    founder of the system), Tony Diego (the style's current leader),
    about Mang Romy himself and his experience with Tatang, Tony
    and other seniors.

Additionally, I will show all participants some video footage of
Tatang, Tony and romy.

I will also have several of Mang Romy's swords (live and blunt)
available for sale before and after both seminars.

One last thing: For the first five (5) people to pay for the San Diego
seminar, I will provide each of you with an autographed copy of
"The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo" by Antonio Diego and
Christopher Ricketts. Mang Romy was instrumental in the proofing
and editing of the text for this book.

If you would like to pre-pay for the seminar in San Diego, send a
check or money order for $110 (made payable to Harris
International) to the following address:

Harris International, 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J., San Diego, CA
92121

Good training to all of you,

Roy Harris

2

Hi Roy!

I left a message in your voicemail. Please check. My cell no is 6263759375

3

Can you please e-mail me at royharris@runbox.com? I don't have
your message.

I have been very busy every day with Manong Romy and have not
attended to business as usual. Please e-mail me if you have
questions.

(NOTE: If you plan on attending the seminar, it starts at 11am on
Saturday and Sunday. It lasts until 3pm each day. It is open to the
general public. Swords and private lessons will be available.)

Roy

P.S. It is now 12:30am. I would call you but it is a bit late in the
evening.

4

Well, today is the day of the seminar in San Diego. I am expecting
around 20 people to show.

Manong Romy is very excited about teaching the Original form of
Kalis Ilustrisimo here in Southern California.

Since he has been in California, he and I have been able to talk a
lot. I have learned so much about him and Kalis Ilustrisimo since
he first came. For example, I have a rudimentary knowledge of the
basics of Kalis Ilustrisimo because Manong Romy and I had been
reviewing (and filming) them for the past two years. However, I did
not know that each of the individual techniques had four to six
variations to them. I didn't know the counters and enganyos to
each of them. Nor did I know that very few people were actually
taught these variations and enganyos.

Manong Romy's trip to San Diego has been very enlightening. I
have learned so much about the man and his travels around the
world. I didn't know he had traveled to China, Japan, India,
Thailand, Indonesia, East and West Africa, throughout most of
Europe, the US and even to Iran and Iraq. When he spoke of his
travels to these countries, I sat there in wonder and amazement!

Also, when he told me of his studies of history, culture, sword
work and bladesmithing, again, I sat there and listened in
amazement.

I am glad to have had the chance to have visited with him like I
have had. I will always cherish these times, AND, I look forward to
his return to the US.

One last comment, I spoke with the seminar host in Connecticut
and the reviews are in: Manong Romy's visit was a smashing hit!
People were very pleased with the seminar and are asking WHEN
he will return to do another seminar! I think he will receive the
same response here on the West Coast.

If you have the chance to attend one of his seminars, I highly
encourage it.

Good training to all of you,

Roy Harris

5

Hi Roy,

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to San Diego tomorrow. I fractured my left shin bone training for my Muay Thai fight next week. I'm in a cast and will be out of commission for a couple of months. Pls send my regards to Tito Romy. As much as I want to go, its very difficult for me just to get up from bed and go to the bathroom.

I'm looking forward to meeting up with you guys when I'm fully recovered. Till next time.

TOBY

6

Sorry to hear that, Toby. Heal fast and well!

Hopefully Mang Romy will be back again sooner rather than later -- the seminar has been awesome so far.

7

To all of you who attended Manong Romy's seminars, he has a special
greeting for you:

He wishes to thank all of you for attending his seminar. He also wanted
me to pass on a special message to you. He said, "I miss you all."

Chris and I are working on bringing Manong Romy back in October. We
will fill you in on the details as we get them.

Roy Harris

8

This is great news!