I met Leon Navaro by chance one day walking across the lower quad at Oregon State University in the fall of 1989. I was blown away by how he moved and swung his Baston in such a graceful and powerful manner. I just sat and watched him for a while until he appeared to be finishing up when I approached him to ask about what he was training. I had been involved in Martial Arts for a while so I knew it was some form of combative art, but not one like I had ever seen before. He was very polite and answered some of my questions before he excused himself and went on his way. I kept coming by for the next couple of weeks to see if I could catch him and watch. He finally invited me over and asked me if I was interested to see more? Thus began a friendship and a flame for the FMA's that still burns bright today.

He simply called it Baston, a system taught to him by his father. What he showed me was basically single baston and Espada ye Daga. In hindsight it was very much like Cinco Tero. At the end of the year, During the summer break, he went back to the Philippines to visit family but did not come back in the fall. I was very disappointed, not only about the training, but also because I missed a very genuine person who I have not seen since.

If you ever read this: Thank you very much for you kindness and instruction. I very much appreciate your opening the door to something I've grown very much to love.


William