Manong Jose, the founder of Eskrima de Campo 1-2-3 Orihinal, is one of Manong Eric’s eskrima teachers. Manong Jose, who formulated the largo mano system in 1925, said that his system was very combative and highly functional. He was an undefeated “juego todo” champion in his day, having subdued some well-known eskrimadors including: Horje Navado (1936), Anoy of Tangub (1939), Isidro Aguante (1943), Alfredo Macalolan (1945), Balbino Mancao (1950), Simeon Saavedra, Vicente Labor, Juan Carolla, Tanciong Lopez, Solomon Canonio, Heneroso Carbajosa, and Pastor Hingoyon. Manong Jose’s strength, speed and technique were definitely legendary.
Manong Eric, a humble fighter and teacher of Filipino Martial Arts, is the protegé of the late juego todo champion Grandmaster Jose D. Caballero. He developed the system Eskrima de Campo JDC-IO, a largo mano fighting art that focuses on the use of a single weapon. Certified by GM Caballero himself, Manong Eric is his only direct student who still teaches the art to this day. He is based in the Philippines and teaches a small group of eskrima students. In 2019, he released his first book about Eskrima de Campo JDC-IO, “Out of the Shadows: History, Philosophy and Basic Techniques”.
TRAINING BACKGROUND
1957-1961 (summers)
Boholano style of eskrima
Teacher: Martiniano Lumacang
Place: Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
1962-1964 (and occasionally thereafter)
Kuk Sut (Chinese Boxing)
Teacher: Antonio Rosales Ching
Place: Mandaluyong City
1964-1967 (and occasionally thereafter)
Sungkite de Abaniko Eskrima
Teacher: Billy Castaño Baaclo
Place: Ozamiz City
1967 (5 days a week for 2 hours daily)
Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate-do
Teacher: Seigi Shiroma (special instructor) assisted by the instructors of Commando Self Defense Karate Club of Latino Gonzales
Place: Echague, Sta. Cruz,Manila
1968 (2 months in the summer)
Tai chi chuan
Teacher: Wong Kit Min
Place: Divisoria, Manila
1967-1978
De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orinihal
Teacher: Jose Diaz Caballero
Place: Malaubang, Ozamiz City
1977-1978
Doce Pares Eskrima System
Teacher: Fernando A. Candawan
Place: Brgy. Burgos, Aloran, Misamis Occidental