First, Pekiti-tirsia
is a combat bladefighting system, not “stickfighting” as many FMA have
become. However, the system can be and is employed with many
types and combination of weapons, or as Tuhon Gaje has termed, the
Edged-Impact Weapon Strategy. In Pekiti-tirsia we regard all
weapons with the same lethality as bladed weapons. A Bolo, steel
pipe, hardwood flatstick, or rattan stick can all maim and kill, it
just takes more application the farther away you get from an edged
weapon. This principle dictates that you do not want to be hit
with any of these weapons and protecting yourself should be your first
priority.
Tuhon Gaje has always taught
footwork as the foundation of the system and the key to all fighting
strategies. Footwork provides protection, offensive and
counter-offensive maneuvering and quartering. Footwork is one of
the first signatures you see of the system. Regardless of how you
employ your weapon, which will be detailed next, footwork is vital to
survival. It is your first method of protection. The same
is with modern military strategy. All great military leaders have
employed some form of maneuver warfare. Fireteams to Battalions
to Divisions and above can employ maneuver on the battlefield.
However, while the principle is the same, maneuver of military forces
does not equate equally to how hand held weapons engage in combat.
Next, let’s look at the structure
and systems of Pekiti-Tirsia and what specific strategies are taught.
Pekiti-Tirsia is composed of three (3) principle systems. The
DOCE METHODOS ( the source of 64 attacks), the Advanced CONTRADAS, and
the CONTRA-TIRSIA DUBLA-DOS. These systems teach how to employ
and engage other weapons in close quarters combat.
The foundation system, DOCE
METHODOS, is comprised of 12 methods that define every manner and
method in which a bladed weapon can be used to strike with. Doce
Methods defines attacks by angle, motion or energy, weapon anatomy
(strikes with the edge, point, back of blade and butt) and manipulation
(i.e. Florete). Doce Methodos also teaches the different ranges
of combat. Specifically, Tirsia Largo (long range), Tirsia Corto
(close range), and Pekiti-Pekiti (lit. close-close or extreme close
range fighting including grappling). Note that “medium range” is
not defined within the system and for good reason. Medium range
is where both combatants can strike equally and have equal range of
weapons. Tuhon Gaje has always taught to “Bridge and strike
through” this area or range. To “get in and get out” is to bridge
or close the gap from long to close range and back out again.
Tuhon Gaje teaches specific footwork and striking combination Bridging
techniques from specific methods.
The main strategy of Doce Methodos
is the principle of PASUGAT (Illongo) or CONTACT. Meaning
all of the methods, which are the specific tactics executed, are all
based on techniques where weapons make direct contact with each
other. For example in 5 attacks : 1 contacts 1, 2 versus 2,
etc. the same in Break-In, Break-out. The same in
Panastas/Sungkete and back to the first counter-offense method and
technique taught which is Quatro Cantos or Four wall.
All of the Doce Methods teach
contact of offensive and counter-offensive techniques. The only
exception to this is the method of Pekiti_Pekiti where the application
of diagonal and vertical strikes with the punyo or butt are taught
through the drills of Sagang labo. #1 diagonal punyo strikes
obviously cannot be countered with another #1 punyo. #2 punyo
strikes can be countered with another 2 which is back to the
application of Pasugat or Contact.
The Doce Methodes teaches the
fighter how to engage an enemy “toe to toe” or more correctly how to
close the gap and protect yourself from your enemies strikes directly
with your weapon. In the end you must be bale to engage any
opponent in what Tuhon Gaje terms “Blow by Blow”/ Power versus
power. This is the direct contact tactics of the system of Doce
Methodos. Also, the Doce Methodos is taught with the solo
Blade/Baston. Once you understand the full capabilities of the
solo blade, each method is applied to Doble or two weapons of equal
length, solo Daga/Knife, to the Handblade/mano Mano/Pangamut and so on
through all weapon categories.
The advanced system of the
CONTRADAS is composed of the Contradas, Recontras, Recontradas, and
other advanced combat methods. This is not a series of numerous
multiple techniques but a system of attacks that continually counter
and recounter any angular attack. Basically, any angular attack
(slash or thrust ) can be countered by the Contradas, which can be
countered by Recontras, and both can be countered by Recontradas.
As Tuhon Gaje has always taught, you have three strikes to enter and
control/quarter/terminate your opponent or you should range back out
again. The further you advance in the system the more it is
simplified.
The main strategy of contradas is
the principle of PASUNOD (Illongo) or to FOLLOW. Meaning the
opponents angle of attack is evaded with footwork and the hand directly
hit with the Contradas. For example, a diagonal #1 strike
countered directly with a #2 diagonal strike. This is the basic
drill of the Contradas. There are also Contradas for horizontal,
and vertical attacks and thrusting. The same for Recontras and
Recontradas, they all attack the weapon hand. Once the weapon
hand is attacked then direct attacks can be followed up with. The
difference in systems is the Contradas or Pasunod is executed from the
same side as the attacker (i.e forehand #1 countered by backhand #2
which is again Contradas), where the counters follow the attacks.
Doce Methodos or Pasugat is forehand to forehand or backhand to
backhand where attacks meet and make direct contact.
Today, Tuhon Gaje begins students
with the basics of the Contradas system and advanced ranging
footwork. Depending upon time, you will go through many of the
Doce Methodos.
Footwork or maneuver is always
executed in combat regardless of what strategy (Pasugat or Pasunod) and
tactics you employ with your weapon. The Pekiti-Tirsia system
teaches the fighter to enter “blow by blow” with the direct protection
of the weapon or, to evade and attack directly to the weapon
hand. In the end, both systems are one.
