About Us

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 Called Bahala Na®, meaning “come what may”, Giron® Arnis Escrima / Bahala Na® Martial Arts is a Filipino/American martial art of self defense created by Grand Master Emeritus Leo M Giron, an original “bladed warrior” and a true WWII Hero.  The Giron® System is a proven fighting system based on edged weapon combatives.  

The Giron® System is composed of 20 styles including sword, stick, knife and empty hand techniques applicable to many aspects of survival for modern life. 

20 Styles of the Masters Fan

Estilo De Fondo: Fighting in an anchored or planted position

Estilo Abanico: Fanning Style

Estilo De Salon: Dancing or Hit & Run style

Estilo Abierta: Open Body style

Estilo Sonkete: Stabing or poking style   

Estilo Retriado: Retreatiing style

Estilo Elastico: Stretching style

Fondo Fuerte: Planted in a solid postion

Contra Compas: Off Beat timing

Estilo Redonda: Circular Motion style

Combate Adentro: Inside Fighting

Tero Grave: Killing Style

Estilo Macabebe: Double Weapon style

Tero Pisada: Heavy Striking style

Media Media: Half-Half Striking style

Cadena De Mano: Empty or Chain of Hands Style

Escapo: Hand Escaping or Parrying style

Estilo Bolante: Vertical Striking style

Miscla Contras: Multiple Opponents

Larga Mano: Long Hand Reaching style 

Our wish is to guide students through the essential elements of this effective and combat proven system and to offer insight into the rich Filipino/ American culture and history that was given to us by GME Giron and the now Grand Master, Tony Somera of Stockton California.  

Authorized training in Giron® Arnis Escrima / Bahala Na® Martial Arts will be helpful to anyone interested in preserving their precious life, and the lives of others.  It is a rewarding martial art providing the benefit of physical and mental conditioning, self-defense strategies and insight into modern warrior culture. As GME Leo was fond of saying, “May you find the three principal tenets of life applicable in the martial art venture.  These tenets are WISDOM, STRENGTH and BEAUTY” 

 The three stars represent the three major subdivisions of the Philippines known as Luzon, Visayas, and Mindana. Those are the three subdivisions of the Philippines. 

Here you have Filipino Arnis/Escrima. Anris has the same meaning as Escrima, but differ in explanation. Escrima is derived from the word “skirmish”, sometimes called by theFrench “skirmie”, meaning to have a skirmish between two soldiers or fighters along the to set up an ambush. Then you have Arnis, “the art of the hand,” it means you are already in a fight, depending on if you are trying to subdue someone with a weapon. This is also similar in meaning to the three subdivisions of the Philippines inside the circle of bahala Na.This is represented by the rattan stick. Some call it “Olisi” in Cebu, some call it “Garrote” or “Baston” in Manilla.

And there is the Philippine flag. You have the eight different rays representing the first eight provinces in the Philippines that started the revolution in 1896. This is supposed to be an equilateral triangle. We didn’t have a manufactoring to take the timeto make it longer. You have the red representing the Filipino blood of the Filipino in the event there is someone, an aggressorwho tried to capture the Philippines. The FIlipino blood is ready to be spilled in order to save his own country. The blue is the representative of the purity of the Filipinos. 

Well, you have two daggers here representing either left or right hand are availableto you in case of sharp weapon to you a necessity. 

And there is the Bahala Na. It is a slogan that was used by some of the first captured during the Spanish Revolution. A person that was captured from us from other people, there were afraid the Spaniards will involve them in the problem they are having at hand. So, they try to deny that. So now they will say if none of you want to help me I will just go to God. And that is, they would pronounce the word God in the native language “Valhalla Na.”So that the man said, “well you don’t like to help me, I’ll just have to resort to God. Valhalla Na” That’s where it came from. Well you have “Patakaran Ni GNG Giron” “created by Mrs. Giron,” that is the entire logo.

 (Transcribed from an interview given by GME Leo M. Giron to GGM Tony Somera) 

These are the five teachers of GME Leo Giron.

 Benito Junito: Larga Mano & Fondo Fuerte

Fractuso Junio: uncle of Benito Junio, Macabebe & shared the concept and differences betweenold (cada-anan) and new (cabaroan) styles of Luzon.

Flaviano Vergara: Estilo Elastico and presented GME with the Masters Fan.

Beningo Ramos: Estilo Matador, Larga Mano, Miscla Contras, Tero Pisada, Tero Grave, and Elastico

Julian Bondoc: Larga Mano & Hilot   

Braulio Bolante: Estilo Bolante