Ambassadors
STEVAN PLINCK
Stevan personally learned from his grandmother Oma Dejong at 9 years of age and from his Uncle Oom John at the age of 15 . At Age 17, he began his formal Silat training outside of his family with Guru Besar Arthur Rhemrev in Serak, Cimande, Setia Hati and Combat Juijitsu for 8 years. Following this, he began training with Pendekar Agung Paul de Thouars. This training lasted for 10 years. Pendekar Paul was his last Serak Teacher. Stevan Plinck has focused his studies on Pukulan Pentjak Silat Serak since he was first introduced to it. He has been teaching people since the age of 18. He has over 50 years of authentic Pentjak Silat experience and training. He lives in Washington State and teaches Sera world wide.
ROMEO MACAPAGAL
Growing up in a squatter refugee community of post-war Manila in the 1950’s where violence was a daily occurrence, Romeo Macapagal learned Estilo Capampangan from his grandfather and boxing from his father. He furthered his study of Arnis directly from Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo. The Ilustrisimo System with its sophisticated and almost scientific approach suited his personality, already shaped by previous technical work as a banker and a construction man in ship building and civil works.
MARK MIKITA
Mark Mikita opened his first martial arts school in 1978 and has been teaching full time ever since. Inspired by his father’s wartime experiences in the Philippines, witnessing first-hand the lethal effectiveness of Escrima-trained guerrillas fighting with bolos against Japanese katanas, Mark has been training for over 50 years and he is known for delving deeply into the core principles and often-missed details that bring the art to life in combat.
MUSHTAQ ALI AL ANSARI
Mushtaq Ali Al Ansari is a martial arts scholar and adventurer. He has been a martial arts practitioner for over 50 years, and involved in the Filipino Martial Arts for over 40 years. He publicly teaches a system of Pencak Silat from West Java, as well as trains and teaches general swordsmanship and archery.
SULAIMAN SHARIF
Sulaiman Sharif was personally selected by Silat Seni Gayong’s founder, the late Dato’ Meor Abdul Rahman, to propagate this Malay fighting system around the world. With more than fifty years of experience, Cikgu Sulaiman has taught in Europe and the United States for two decades before returning to Malaysia and founding Seni Gayong International Federation, which he leads today.
KENYA PRACH
Born in Cambodia, Kenya Prach lost many of my friends and family members, and witnessed much violence during the Vietnam War. As a survivor of such atrocities, he shares his stories and fortune to help others. He has dedicated his life and career to help and save as many loved ones as possible.
JASON WEBSTER
Jason Webster is the founder and head instructor of Buddhai-Sawan USA. He has trained and taught Thai martial arts in Thailand and USA for over 20 years. He was the first person from outside Thailand to teach all 9 weapons of Krabi-Krabong. He was a personal student of the late Krabi-Krabong Grandmaster Samai Mesamam and Muay Thai legend Apidej Sitiran.
RON LEW
In the early 1960's, Ron Lew’s martial arts journey began with Kung fu with his cousin, Steven Lum, who was a student of T. Y. Wong in San Francisco. The renowned Jimmy Lee was one of the top students there. Ron Lew been guided by several superb masters, including: Sifu Ngok Poy Ng, Shaolin Kung-Fu; Sifu Ted Sotelo, Fi Kuen; Professor Peng-si Yu and Min Ouyang, Qi Gong masters from Shanghai; Sifu Al Dacascos, WHKD; and SGM Cacoy Cañete of Cebu, Philippines, Doce Pares World Federation: Eskrima, Eskrido/Dumog and Pangamot.
TIMOTI PAHI
The traditional Maori art of Rongomamau was used for conflict resolution, healing, fitness, disarming and unarmed combat. In 1907 arts like these became illegal to be practiced in New Zealand, so they became secret and went underground. This art was passed down by the priesthood of Rongo through Te Whare Ahuru Rongomamau. Hohepa Delamere was the last Amorangi (High Priest) of this art and passed it down to his only disciple Timoti Pahi. Timoti is the last Umutakarangi (Priest) of this school and has taken up the challenge to teach this once secret art so that it does not fall to the shadows but remains in the world of light.
MICHELLE MANU
Michelle Manu is a first generation Senior Black Belt in Lua under Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu. She has been featured on several renowned magazines. In addition to martial arts, she actively contributes as a women’s advocate, MMA commentator and movie narrator.
JC Cabiero
Master JC Cabiero was trained by the late Angel Cabales, who introduced Filipino Martial Arts in the United States in 1962, and is known as the “Father of Escrima”. GM Angel Cabales privately trained JC Cabiero for 14 years from 1972-1986, and both associated until GMs death in 1991. GM Angel Cabales honored JC Cabiero with the recognition and title of Master in 1979, supported by GM Angel Cabales signature on the 4th Master Diploma ever given outside the Cabales family.
RON SATURNO
Dedicated to the art of Serrada Escrima made famous by the late great Grandmaster Angel Cabales, the first to open a Filipino Martial Arts (Escrima) School in Stockton, CA. in the 60's. Ron Saturno teaches primarily the old fashion Serrada Escrima.
MAIJA SODERHOLM
Maija Soderholm is a lineage holder of the Visayan Style Corto Kadena of Maestro Sonny Umpad. She is also an authorized teacher under Luo DeXiu in the Yizong system of Internal Chinese Arts.