Product Description
This is a comprehensive introduction to the Serrada form of Filipino martial arts, as practised by Master Angel Cabales. He took the Filipino martial to the USA and became their foremost teacher. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

No politics, just a review...
I'll preface this by saying I don't know ANYTHING about the politics behind Mr. Wiley and Mr. Cabales... I'll just stick to reviewing the book, thank you.

This book attempts to be an brief overview on the basic history, concepts, and techniques of Cabales Serrada Escrima.Without knowing anything about Escrima as a whole, I'd say that it looked good to me.

The first two chapters are on the overall history of escrima and the specific developement of CSE, suggesting that the system may have it's roots in India and noting that Spanish sword-and-dagger techniques had a significant influence on the overall style.The third chapter very briefly covers superstitions/ spiritual beliefs prevalent in the Phillipines and their relavence to CSE, though I'm sure entire volumes could be written on that subject.The fourth chapter, "Psychological Attributes", has a few paragraphs on awareness, motivation, imagery, and emotional control; while dealing specifically with escrima, I'm sure that they'd be useful to any martial artist.The following chapter covers some pretty intangible concepts, such as "innovation is your best teacher" and "mastery requires dedication", and seeks to bring together both the artistic and scientific qualities of escrima.Like the preceeding chapters, I just don't feel like this one was long enough.

Chapter Six starts into the physical aspects of Escrima, covering the arsenal (both anatomical weapons and the blunt and edged weapons).Mr. Wiley explains that the system uses a slightly shorter stick than some other escrima systems, and that the anatomical weapons and movements should mirror the armed weapons and their tactics.Chapter Seven covers the foundation of the system, as far as movements and posturing.In this chapter, there is the usual mix of stance and salutation presented, but also footwork, fundamental distance concepts, basic ways of striking, and the use of the "alive" (non-weapon) hand.

Starting with Chapter Eight, we are presented with the twelve basic attack angles (mostly with a single-stick, but also with stick-and-dagger), basic defenses against strikes along those angles, unarmed defenses (basic blocks, jointlocks, and "bodylocks" or takedowns), and disarms vs. the single-stick.

My complaints?Not many.It's clearly a book simply on basics (one block for one angle, one disarm per angle, no empty-hand strikes illustrated), and I was disappointed there wasn't more to it.And far be it from me to criticise something I'm not particularly learned at, but we're not actually getting twelve "angles" here, as some of the attacks presented follow the same "flight paths" of others, or are simply stick-dagger combination strikes.The fact that the possition of the wrist in some of the strikes looks weak lends some credence to the suggestion that the author isn't an athority in the CSE system, but again, what do I know?And as I said, I don't think there was enough substance to the cultural, philosophical, and mental chapters to really do any system justice

Overall, though, I'd say the book serves as a good intro to escrima and basic stickfighting.The pictures are clear and the writting, while not very detailed or in-depth, is understandible and easy to get through.I'm glad I spent money on it.

I'M LOST W/ THE CABALES STORIES.
Hello everyone. I hope this message gets to the write person. I was taking escrima serrada in San Francisco from IESA. They have since broke into two factions. I just don't know what the deal is since I've been gone so long. I was in New Jersey and stumbled on one of his books and all my memories of studying came back to me and I long to complete my training in escrima. Does anyone know of anyone teaching in NJ/NYC area? I do go back to the bay area once in awhile and if i must continue training there then I will start again. I am also looking for a master to train with in the Philippines if you know of anyone. Thanks very much for reading!

glad I didn't buy it
Unfortunately the book can only be as good as the practitioner and this one is not that good.He underestimates his readers by simplifying the concepts and techniques of his art, generalizing cultural and spiritual aspects.(BTW, he doesn't really do any better in Filipino Martial Culture.)The stories that he relays about the lineage are haphazzard.He picks and chooses which legends/stories he wishes to believe and uses that argument to counter other stories to the point where he essentially calls Dizon's boyhood training partner a liar.This is just bad research and bad oral history.He is not arrogant enough to say "this is my training experience" outright, but he serves the injustice of claiming this is real "research," when it seems he's only stepped as far as his back door.He may be an instructor, but it doesn't mean he understands his art to its very depths.

Mark Wiley's first version book on Cabales Serrada Eskrima
Mark Wiley is to be congratulated/encouraged for at least writing about this art of which there wasn't much info around. Mark does make some mistakes when he shows the basic counter routines, specially with the check hand sequence. In some photos every position is incorrect. The story about Guro Cabales and his anecdotes also is not really correct. Yet, I will keep the book as an important source of some information and a promising presentation. The next version is supposed to be out in coming months. Initially, in order to prepare for this story, Mark should have spent some time training in Stockton with Serrada's top Guros. He did not allow them to contribute to the book. This next version "Secrets of Cabales Serrada Eskrima" is supposed to ammend all mistakes.

Not a good martial arts book!
This book is not worth wasting your money on.The techniques that are represented look OK to the untrained eye, but if you examine them closely, you will notice many mistakes.The techniques are sparse, one per angle.They are also demonstrated with poor posture and attack.To the novice,this book may appear to represent the art of Cabales Serrada Escrima, butit does not.More than half of the book is unrelated to the system ofSerrada. This book does nothing to show the effectiveness of CabalesSerrada Escrima. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

leaves things to be wished for
Well... First of all, I do not agree with the previous reviewer regarding the technical portion of the book. Namely, GM Somera did a good presentation of the system, though I would prefer more systematic approach to individual styles within the system, as it would give the reader better opportunity to gain some understanding of the underlying principles.
However, I must admit that the textual body of he book is not as good as I hoped for. first of all, there is quite a bit of reocurring information, which hence becomes redundant, and the space could have been used to gives us more of new/different stuff. I was also surprised to see that the author chose to dedicate more attention to the history of filipino societies in USA, not necessarilly related to the escrima background of the late GM Giron, at least not in the extent I would like it to be. Sure, these things are important to know and it is nice to spread that information, but than again I would rather see it available publicly in the Internet, since we're talking cultural background here. The money I paid for the book was hard earned, and I would rather spend it on the more narrow scope of interests, in this case FMA.

BTW, I do not know how to contact mazon department in charge of doing shipments, but when I choose to have my books shipped via regular mail, I really mean so, I DO NOT want them shipped via UPS, whose services are more expensive than the books themselves. This happened twice already, and I would really be gratefull if you people paid more attention in the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Important Historical Record for Filipino Martial Arts in the US
Grandmaster Leo Giron is one of a handful of key figures in the history of Filipino Martial Arts in America and this book preserves a snapshot of his teaching style and philosophy along with a visual record of how Giron himself performed fundamental techniques in his system. You will not learn Giron Arnis Escrima from this book alone, but I've found dozens of little bits of information in here that supplement the training I receive in my FMA class.

This book is most valuable to the student or interested observer who wants to find out more about how a Master's philosophy of life colors his martial arts practice. This is bare-bones information -- less about 'secrets' as things that the master tries to hide from the public and more about 'secrets' that are subtle elements of the art that one only gets from observing someone who has achieved Giron's level of quiet competence in any situation. It's also one of the only records we have of this grandmaster's method and emphasis in his practice studio that was done while Leo Giron was still alive and teaching. It captures something that would otherwise be lost as his teaching is passed on and evolves from teacher to student.

Somera is a competent and functional writer and the book is laid out in a logical manner. The photos don't show all that is going on in the techniques, but they do capture the most critical elements and are enough for a student to piece the techniques together with just a bit of qualified training and a patient and willing training partner.

If you are interested in an engagingly written history of FMA in general then you would probably do better with one of Mark Wiley's books like Filipino Martial Culture (Martial Culture Series). If you are more interested in Leo Giron's life and how his combat experience in the Philipines during WWII helped to shape his art or details about the birth of American FMA in Stockton, CA during the '60s then you would be more interested in Somera's other book Giron Escrima: Memories of a Bladed Warrior, which covers Giron's life story in more depth and also talks about the cultural environment that led people like Giron and Cabales and LaCoste to open their schools. But none of these books offer a no-nonsense record of Giron's legacy of instruction the way that this book does.

Not what I was looking for
This book told a lot about the background and philosophy, but didn't offer a lot of instruction. It was also hard to read and understand.

A good introduction.
I really liked this book. I know it was not as deep in technique and theory as many would have liked, but for the price it is a great introduction.I would like to see a more in-depth version, akin to Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do the text book, or something as nice as either of the new Gracie Books.I am still waiting for the Filipino book that gives real grasp to the newbie, but still has a lot for the experienced player. In short I am looking for some thing with the thought and grace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Theory and PRactice, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense, or maybe a book as comprehensive in its coverage as is Simco's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text.
Never the less it is still good to see old Giron, moving around and swinging a stick.
Nice job.

A fine book to support escrima-students
I`ve bougth this book in order to support my own escrima training. As a rookie in escrima, it gives you the basic understandings in the escrima-fighting art of Grand Master Leo Giron. I think it`s not written with the intention to replace training under a qualified teacher. In my view it supports your training as a beginner in the art. What's more, it gives you a good overview including the origins. Escrima has to be practised to be learned.

General and shallow overview
This book is bad for beginner and practically useless for a master. There is no comprehensive description of training complexes, footwork drills and other important details, which were completely omitted. It gives just anoverview of the system in general, so the reader can have some vaguefeeling of what Giron escrima is. ... Read more

Product Description
Escrima is a highly effective self-defense technique and one of the three major Filipino martial arts. It prepares the warrior for both armed and unarmed combat. Secrets of Cabales Serrada Escrima is a revised, expanded, and updated version of Filipino Martial Arts: Cabales Serrada Escrima, which has sold over 15,000 copies since originally published in 1994.Writing with the encouragement and assistance of one of the legends of the art, Grandmaster Angel Cabales, author Mark Wiley revisits the homeland of Escrima and adds a fresh perspective to the form and techniques of Escrima. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Unauthorised!!
So much for revealing the "secrets" of Cabales Escrima. Unfortunatly this book is quite the opposite. Wiley misquotes Angel on the back cover. Angel gave permission for a series of books on Cabales Serrada Escrima - Not just one book with all the good techniques left out. I'm sure the Grand Master would have been bitterly dissapointed with this effort by Wiley. The idea was to spread the knowledge of this fantastic system throughout the world in its entirety through a series of books - Not for an insecure person to greedily hoard the techniques for himself to reveal at seminars and private tuition.

Ignore negativity and get this book!
This book is very helpful in that you get a deep understanding of the fascinating history of where the Cabales Serrada System comes from. You also get step-by-step outlines of many Serrada applications, which only gets better when you have a solid base knowledge of Escrima in general, and Serrada in particular. Mark Wiley brings Cabales Serrada into a new light with this book. The negative press? "Shine it"... you read the book for yourself, and you'll see for yourself! I myself study Serrada Escrima- actually mostly Inayan, from my uncle Mike who learned from my great-uncle Ray Subega, an early student of Inay's. The way I see it, the proof is in the pudding. Wiley has his diploma, who else here can boast that? I agree with Art Miraflor, it is a very GREAT book! Great job Wiley! I also read Wiley's Arnis book, and five stars on that one, too! For those who love to just soak it all in, this book has it! Wiley went to the farthest jungles of the Philippines to get instruction as well as mass info for that project, and well worth the price. I can't wait to read his other books on Filipino MArtial Arts!!!
Peace & Blessings, ~John

A few comments on this controversial book
Despite the controversial and critical reviews of this book, I found it useful in learning about some of the history and background of grandmaster Cabales, and also the techniques of Cabales Escrima. I can't comment on the criticisms posted here on Wiley's book, as I'm not primarily an escrimador, being mainly a karate, kobudo, and iaido practitioner. However, I've trained in the Philippine stick arts too and I was just looking for a book that could provide some basic history on the art in addition to what I already knew.

The first few chapters are a brief bio of master Cabales, from his boyhood in the Philippines to his eventual arrival in the states, and his opening up the first Escrima school in the U.S. It was interesting to read about master Cabales's early training experiences and his teacher, F. Dizon, the origins of the first Doce Pares organization (which Wiley claims precedes by over a hundred years the current organization under the Canete family), and other interesting bits of history. After many years of working odd jobs everywhere from the Tondo docks in Manila to Alaska, master Cabales finally settled in Stockton, where he stayed the rest his life, founded the first Escrima school, and saw his art spread from a small inland valley school in California to dozens of countries and thousands of students around the world.

The following chapters are written by students and instructors who were close to master Cabales and who relate their training experiences with him, and the last half of the book is devoted to actual techniques. These show the basic strikes, blocks, disarms, and wrist and armlocks. I enjoyed these chapters too, although the problem with books on the martial arts these days is that you can get video tapes that are excellent on literally hundreds of martial arts which show the art far better than the static photos in books. I myself have dozens of tapes by a number of masters on various styles of Escrima and other Pacific Rim arts that are far better than the photos in any book. Nevertheless, since the book basically combines a brief history and biography of the master, a number of personal memoirs of the master, and a presentation of the basic technical aspects of the art, I didn't mind that too much.

Now not only is Cabales Escrima well established in the U.S. but a number of other Pacific Rim arts as well, including Filipino and Indonesian Kuntao, other Filipino styles and arts such as Pekiti Tersia, Lameco Escrima, Kali Illustrisimo, Kaji Kali, Bakbakan Kali, Arnis, Panajakman, Panantukan, Sikaran, and a number of styles of Indonesian Pentjak-Silat, such as Serak or Sera, Tongkat, Cikalong, Cidepok, Mande Muda, Bukti-Negara, several styles of Cimande, Suci Hati, Perisai Diri, and some others I'm no doubt forgetting. I've studied Kali Ilustrisimo, Inayan Escrima, Ted LucayLucay's style of escrima, Serak Silat, and Wagi Kali Silat myself, and enjoy them very much although they're not my main focus as a martial artist, as I said. But I've certainly learned to appreciate the Philippine and Indonesian arts more, which are truly great martial arts themselves, and I think it's great they're finally getting the recognition they deserve, although it looks like the Escrima world has the same political problems as the rest of the martial arts.

However the controversy surrounding this book plays out, it's amazing to consider that a once obscure art only about 20 years ago is now an international phenomenon with hundreds of instructors in the U.S. and many more overseas. Angel Cabales's Serrada Escrima has perhaps had the greatest influence of all and I hope his and the many other fine Filipino stick arts continue to grow and prosper.

Mark Wiley, what?
If the book had been a more technical treatment, that would have been great.It has that, but not enough.But even still, what it did have would have been ggggreat if, only if, Mark had not put in a bunch of sillyness.
What is the sillyness you ask?It is the goofy stories. I couldn't stand his little asides about the Magical Angel.I am so weary of the the "super-master" stories that some martial artists find so appealing. Keep in mind that I am not criticising Master Cabeles in anyway at all.I am sure he was great. But I think we diminish the greatness of lives lived when we begin to exagerate the reality of them. Let us be in awe of the real, not the fabrication we can easily make up.
At times Mark seems like a 4 year old who sees in his mentor superhuman quality.That can be endearing the hands of a capable writer, but that Mark Willey is not.

The Secrets of Cabales Serrada Escrima (Secrets of Series)
For those of you that haven't heard of me, I have studied Serrada extensively in Stockton, California.I read the other reviews, and Master Khlid Khan, should not have complimented Mark Wiley.He did so to promote the book because he is in it.Guru Dennis Servaes, also in it and has trained with Grandmaster Vincent Angel Cabales and gave a review which tells it like it is.I would also advise against the purchase of books by Mark Wiley, or anything to do with Daren Tibon.Angel would not have authorized either book, and I cannot recommend either of wiley's books!Too much misinformation.I understand Daren is no longer recognized as a Master! ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Arnis, Escryma, Kali Escrima, Kali Pekiti-Tirsia, Muay Lao, Pradal Serey, Fédération Française de Muaythaï et Disciplines Associées, Vo Lag Hong, Pangamot, Sonny Umpad, Panantukan. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : L'Arnis est un art martial originaire des îles philippines. Ce sont les Espagnols qui ont observé cette méthode de combat philippine en assistant aux danses de combats des guerriers indigènes dont les mains étaient harnachées de gantelets décorés remarquables. Il les désignèrent sous le terme « arnis de mano » ou « armure de mains », afin de les différencier de « arnis de armas » avec des bâtons ou des épées. Les techniques philippines (combat à la machette et au kriss) se sont ensuite mélangées avec les formes de combats employées par les conquistadores espagnols, et principalement le combat à la rapière et à la dague - espada y daga. La langue d'enseignement de l'Arnis-Eskrima est traditionnellement l'espagnol. La pratique se divise en trois parties dans l'école "Arnis Korédas Obra Mano" ( les termes changent suivant les écoles et suivant les époques: à l'époque moderne des termes espagnols sont remplacés par du tagalog par souci d'exotisme et pour paraitre plus ancien...) L'enseignement reprend la méthodologie originelle de l'escrime philippine, d'où le nom d'eskrima voir "escryma", avec ses notions d'angles et de concepts géométriques. L'eskrima s'enseigne toujours en espagnol et conserve par conséquent des techniques martiales européennes qui ont disparu en Europe. La maîtrise du bâton doit conduire le pratiquant à se familiariser avec différentes armes comme le couteau, l'épée, ou le combat à mains nues. Des écoles aux styles différents se sont créés et affrontées depuis les anné...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

Product Description
The book encompasses material of the 1st module of advancement within the WSEF System of Serrada Escrima. Once mastered, the student has the foundational knowledge to move on to the 2nd module of advancement within the WSEF System of Serrada Escrima. All techniques are provide with weapon techinique, empty hand translation of the same, disarm with weapon & empty hand translation of the disarm.The activity & techniques in the manual are for excercise & personal development. Great care should be taken when learning/practicing a martial art of any kind. ... Read more

Product Description
OVER 2 HOURS OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTION ON ARIS EVER PRESENTED. BEGINS WITH AN IN DEPTH HISTORY OF FILIPINO WEAPONS. WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF ARNIS TRAINING MASTER ADVINCULA PERSONALLY TEACHES YOU OVER 1000 TECHNIQUES ON SINGEL STICK FIGHTING , INCLUDING WARM UPS, TARGETS, STANCES,BLOCKS,STRIKES,PARRING. SPARRING, TRAPPING,FANNING, AND FENCING. SHOW HOW TO DISARM,LOCK, AND HOLD AN ATTACKER. INCLUDES A SINGLE STICK KATA. VOLUME 2 IS ALSO SOLD BY THIS SELLER. ... Read more

Product Description
Serrada escrima, strikes, blocks and counters, the legacy of Grandmaster angel Cabales, no doubt is long overdue.since the Grandmasters' death in the early 90's, there has not been a lot of information on Grandmaster Angel Cabales and his Serrada system of escrima.It is the purpose of this book to present a brief biography.Included are interviews with Angel Cabales and the core of his art which is the Twelve Strikes, Blocks and Counters. ... Read more

Product Description
EASY TO FOLLOW -HOW TO PERFECT THE ADVANCED DOUBLE STICK TECHNIWUES OF ARNIS. REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF CONDITIONING , COORDINATION,CONCENTRATION. HOW TO DEFEND WITH ONE STICK AS THE OTHER STICK ATTACKS. THE CONSTANT CIRCULAR MOTION OF THE TWIN STICKS PRODUCES A DEFENCE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE. FULL CONTACT SPARING AND A DOUBLE STICK KATA. CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR FIGHT VIDIOS ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A brief comment
I have a lot of Filipino martial arts videos and this video is different from all of them. These days, everyone it seems is trying to do all these involved and fancy techniques, and this video is very straightforward, with vary basic techniques and drills, which today seem to be somewhat neglected. I noticed there's also a lot of emphasis on rapid forward thrusting techniques done with both sticks, which would be very difficult to block, especially in jungle conditions. Incidentally, the author is also a high ranking black belt in isshin-ryu karate, founded by the late great Okinawan master, Tatsuo Shimabuku, and again, a very practical, no-nonsense style of karate. Many of the modern schools that teach these complicated techniques would do well to return to the approach as exemplified by isshin-ryu. The basics are still the best things to know, and those are what will save you in your hour of need, not all the fancy stuff that will never work in the street. And that goes for other arts as well.

Old school largo mano blade slinging
For those of you looking for a glimpse of what the Philippine Scouts used in World War II warfare against the Japanese, this is it.
... Read more