Sydney Arnis and Stick Fighting School

Balintawak is a style of Arnis originally from Cebu City, Cebu. Balintawak was developed by Venancio Bacon in the 1950s.

Prior to World War II, Bacon trained with the Doce Pares as a student of Lorenzo Saavedra. However, after just a short time, Bacon left the school. After the war, Bacon opened his own school, The Balintawak Street Self-Defence Club (named after the street in which it was located), along with several other arnis practitioners. Bacon developed the Balintawak system during the 1950s. He taught regularly at the school during the 1950s and 1960s. After a period of incarceration, Bacon died in the 1970s.

Jose Villasin and several other of Bacon’s successors systematised Balintawak during the 1970s. Villasin and others placed similar techniques in groups so they could be taught to students in a more structured manner. While this occurred, many of Bacon’s old students continued to teach the ungrouped method of Balintawak. At least two distinct styles thus emerged: a grouped Balintawak system and an ungrouped system. The teachings of Balintawak, particularly the ungrouped method, also influenced Doce Pares practitioners.

One of Villasin’s students was Teofilo Velez. While Villasin only taught privately, Velez founded a club and taught Balintawak to the general public.

Balintawak is thus any Arnis style which can trace its origins to Venancio Bacon. Schools from across The Philippines, Australia, the US, Canada and Europe all have ties to Bacon.

Sydney Arnis and Stick Fighting School teaches Balintawak as it was taught to John Russell by Henry Jayme, a student of Teofilo Velez.

Eskrima Kali Arnis Martial Arts Styles Eskrima