Instructor’s Kali-Arnis
At the GFC, we do not believe in teaching full curriculums by videotape and seminar. Nor do we give our style and techniques to those who are not members of the GFC family. Our family does not recognize those certified through seminars and videotape until they have been proven to have earned their rank. Many of these instructors lack the dedication and technical foundation built by training full time. As a result, the level of quality is low overall in the Philippine arts, and those who practice the arts do respect their craft as effective and complete fighting styles worthy of committed study. The instructors who promote the arts, after having the same attitude, never reach the higher levels of the art. Their understanding of the art is at an intermediate level, at best--limited to their ability to regurgitate information by rote memory or improvised (AKA "the flow"). Any lack of ability to apply techniques leads those to dismiss those techniques as a part of the "discard the useless and absorb the practical" philosophy. Because of this, the Philippine art has been coupled with Indonesian Silat, Muay Thai, and many other arts. The deterioration of once-prestigious warrior's skills is sad; today men who are unworthy of carrying the title "Guro" are now recognized as leaders of a generation of lost warriors. The Philippine martial arts may soon take its place next to Ninjitsu and Tae Kwon Do as over-commercialized martial arts.
To combat the failing system of teaching so popular in the Philippine martial arts community, the GFC is offering an Instructor's course, which covers application and understanding of the basics, advanced Arnis and Eskrima, empty hand fighting, coaching and teaching skills, philosophy and how to design a curriculum. Designing a curriculum is especially important, because many who attend seminars do not follow a progressive structure in their teaching. Advance and intermediate concepts are taught out of order, basic skills are not developed and honed, and memory, sensitivity and reflexive action are treated as separate skills. An ongoing, 3-year program cannot be taught in the same manner as a one-day seminar. These are reasons why instructors should not design a full time curriculum after only completing short courses over three years. Finally, one cannot expect dedication and commitment to a full time curriculum if the instructor did not do so either!
The Instructor's Course is a biweekly, full time course for Kali-Arnis-Eskrima teachers. Graduation from the program may take up to three years to complete (depending on your ability, dedication, and understanding of the arts). Tuition of $250 per month is charged only for the first 24 months, after which one becomes a full member of the GFC. During this course, you will be retrained in the arts, and each level of progression will be covered. Your certificate will be one of recognition of rank in a Foreign Art by the Gatdula family, and you become an Affiliate Instructor of the GFC. For more information, please contact us.
