"Kali, is a systematic art of combat fighting based on the science of strategy and tactics. The fighting methods are ancient from its historical and cultural developments, yet the techniques are forever ultra advanced that its fighting values always remain new." - Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr. This definitive description of Kali by Grand Tuhon Gaje, Jr. provides perspective insight from its founding principles to its present application.
Unlike other interpretations of martial arts concepts where the fighting methodology is restricted and confined by the principles of animals, elements or mythology, Kali addresses combat and warfare through the analysis of true, tangible and functionally correct human characteristics and capabilities beginning with weaponry - edged and impact - used by every documented civilization since creation.
The combative strategies and tactics within Kali are developed within motion and the mechanics of the flow and are structured according to the characteristics of the weaponry employed - weather it be edged, impact or empty hands - combined with the principles of human anatomy, physiology and kinesiology as the foundation and basis for tactical manipulation and application. The art of Kali formulated from this perspective reflects and defines life itself. In the words of Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr. -Supreme Grandmaster of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system, "In Kali there is only Life, therefore it is a live art containing the understanding of the center of all arts."
The dance of Kali, the dance of Life, the dance of the Blade all reflect this principle and philosophy and reasons its timeless continuity in application from ancient tribal warfare to today’s modern, technological battlefield. The development of Kali in the Philippines for well over two thousand years has defined the capabilities of combat from the human perspective and remains the reason why its fighting values remain true and applicable in all forms and why it cannot be challenged by interpreters of both ancient and modern martial arts concepts.
The Pekiti-Tirsia system of Kali originates from the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines and was formulated by the Tortal family of Negros and Panay islands. The family patriarch, Conrado B. Tortal, passed this system and its attributes onto his only grandson, the sole heir and its present guardian, Grand Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje, Jr.
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is close-quarter in-fighting combat system against multiple opponents based on the use of the Blade. Pekiti-Tirsia is a system of complete strategies and tactics utilizing all close quarters weaponry, at all ranges, that provide protection from strikes and attacks, destruction of opponents weaponry, and domination of any combat situation. The essence of close quarters combat is manifested in the flow - the continual combative process of offense, counter-offense and recounter-offense. II. STRUCTURE and SYSTEMIZATION
In the initial analysis of any fighting structure one must determine its classification as a style or as a system. A style is a collection or listing of technique according to general subject. A system is classification of technique according to the principles of form and function. Systemization is a formulative approach to problem solving or any operation with changing variables, whereas stylization can only address previously identified stimulus or controlled actions.
The Pekiti-Tirsia system of Kali is classified by methods or methodologies. Each method prescribes a specific strategy, a combative plan or principle, and accompanying tactics, techniques or skills of execution. Pekiti-Tirsia is a complete system where strategies and tactics, techniques and skills are encompassed into an integrated working composition.
For example, under the sixty-four (64) attacks system of Pekiti-Tirsia, seven (7) subsystems or methods and eight (8) combative drills are presented.
Each method addresses a specific strategy and then provides different tactics and techniques that simultaneously incorporate footwork, offensive and counter-offensive combative application and attribute development. Each of these components can be isolated and trained individually to perfect each particular movement and can be magnified through the analytical and study processes.
Within this structure each method complements and builds upon previous methods as instruction progresses. Furthermore, as each method and system is analyzed and explored in depth, not only is ancient knowledge based upon combative experience of hundreds of years handed down but also new questions and answers are provided. Principles and systems already thought to be understood become clearer in the light of more advanced systems. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This enlightenment by systemization is accomplished by the thought-provoking process of learning verses the rote memorization process of a particular style.
The distinguishing characteristic of Pekiti-Tirsia and of the Filipino martial arts is the principle that weaponry is instructed first and then progresses into the final stage to empty hands skills. The strategic reasoning behind this structure is that:
1. The nature of warfare is the utilization of weaponry - not empty hands.
2. Attribute Development - the use of weaponry and bladed weapons in particular, develops and enhances combative attributes and application at a more intensive level and faster rate than empty hands training.
3. The Filipino methods of empty hand combat are derived directly from the application of weaponry verses having completely different styles of empty hands skills and weaponry technique. This principle of parallel methodology and transferable technology in its truest form can only be found within the Filipino martial arts. In the modern application these methods and skills transfer from bladed, impact and other edged weapons to empty hands combat and directly back to weapons including modern firearms.
PEKITI, in the title Pekiti-Tirsia, prescribes that combat is instructed at close range first and then extended out to medium and long range. Close range fighting encompasses the full use of each particular weapon and all natural weapons of the fighter. The mechanics of technique execution and attributes such as sensitivity at close range enable the fighter to naturally engage opponents at greater ranges whereas a fighter trained only at long or medium range lacks the reciprocal ability to close.
TIRSIA, within the title Pekiti-Tirsia, prescribes quartering. Quartering is the strategic principle of closing, attacking and controlling the opponent through footwork and striking methods. Tirsia is a word derived from tertiary. Tertiary - meaning three or of the third - in the system of Pekiti-Tirsia defines quartering by symbolism with the triangle and numerically through the structure and application of the striking methods.
