It is a lethal disgrace for an escrimador to lose his weapon in the heat of combat. Even in sports arnis, a point will be taken off a player who dropped his stick during a match.

This month's featured instructor is Guro Carlito Bonjoc Jr. of Mata Sa Bagyo International. Listen now as we talk with Guro Carlito about his system of FMA, what it was like growing up in Stockton, California, the "Mecca" of FMA in the US, overcoming his disability to become a well respected teacher of FMA and studying under the late Grandmaster Angel Cabales.

This issue begins with Guro Jovelyn Minoza of LAHUKA Eskrima who resides in Hohenlimburg, Germany she started training in 1980 and has come a long way. The FMAdigest tried to get an article on her a couple years ago but was unable to contact her, however luckily Marc Lawrence came in contact with her and was able to obtain this article which you should find interesting.

Some of the Highlights from the recent FMA gathering in Mount Laurel, NJ., hosted by Punong Mataw Guro Louelle C. Lledo, Jr. of Amara Arkanis.

Old french documentary about Filipino Martial Arts in a little town called Patling. 

Video of Grandmaster Narrie Babao doing an Eskrima demo at the Balboa Park in San Diego.

The coming change in government will also usher in the changes needed for the country’s new national sport. Though the arnis law clearly makes it the official sport and martial art of the Philippines, guidelines for its implementation are still being crafted. There is a lot of good news and reason to be optimistic.

This was one of the most unforgettable martial arts seminars in memory, and everyone enjoyed it here in Adelaide, when Grandmaster Vince Palumbo from International Combative Martial Arts Academy in Welland of South Australia brought out Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco ‘Cacoy’ Canete of the world famous Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima Club from Cebu City of the Philippines to conduct an Eskrima seminar on Friday the 30th April, 2010 at the Dom Kopernika Polish Centre in Athol Park.

The Philippine native martial arts "arnis" was showcased anew in the recent 12th Commandment of Steel in Israel last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.