Seminar Instructors

Henry Jayme

Henry Jayme was born in 1956 in the Sudlon Barrio of Toledo City on Cebu Island, The Philippines. He began his Martial Arts training when he was 15 years old while living in Manila. He studied both Northern and Southern Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu styles such as; The Little Tiger, Two Shadow Fighting, Tiger and Crane, Heron, Rat and Snake, Shooting Star, Cross Leg Fighting, and Budda. Henry in 1977 moved back with his family to Cebu. He continued his interest in Kung Fu by studying Tat Kun Tao in Cebu City but during the ensuing years also developed a keen interest in Filipino Martial Arts.

He trained with various Escrima teachers and was introduced to the Balintawak system of Arnis. His instructor was Teofilo A. Velez, who maintained the standard of teaching of Balintawak and is considered to be the last true Grand Master of the grouped style of Balintawak. Despite the high standards set by Teofilo, Henry progressed rapidly and soon became his assistant instructor. After several years of intensive training he obtained the rank of instructor in Balintawak. Henry then traveled the Philippines training with different masters, such as Grandmaster Victor Cagadas of the Doce Pares Club and Grandmaster Timoteo Maranga of the Kuwentada Escrima System just to name a few. He enhanced his knowledge and compared different styles of stick, knife, sword and empty hand fighting. In accordance with Teofilo’s philosophy of "not holding back and hiding knowledge", Henry commenced to teach other people his Martial Arts. Henry now resides in Pardo, Cebu City.

John Russell

John Russell was born in 1962 in Long Jetty, New South Wales, Australia. He began his Martial Arts training in 1978. For 10 years he studied Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do, several styles of Kung Fu, as well as a number of various styles of Escrima gaining a reputation both as a student and teacher.

John commenced his Balintawak training under the direction of Henry Jayme in 1988.  In 1989 he traveled to the Philippines and trained with such notables as Grandmaster Ciriaco Cañete of the Doce Pares learning Escrido and later with Grandmaster Victor Cagadas learning his style of Escrima. Having lived and traveled extensively in the Philippines, studying under many different instructors of Arnis/Escrima and also Kung Fu styles, he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the Filipino Martial Arts. He is now an instructor of various different Martial Arts styles and continues to live and work in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Miguel j. Fernandez (Guest Instructor)

Miguel j. Fernandez or "Mike" was born in Cebu City on Sept 29, 1938. At the age of 14 he trained with "Demetrio Arong". Demetrio's style was old Doce Pares styles and combat judo. The late Demetrio lived on Mactan Island.
Miguel after completing his training with Demitrio, started instructing with Demetrios' old styles. Another of Miguel's Arnis styles is the "TORSIDO" style or twisting style. This style originates from Iloilo where it is called in the local dialect "BAKHAN TAPADO" which translates roughly into "To level the ground with a big weapon". The stick used in training in this style is about 40 inches long. He has also learnt an early pre-grouped style of Balintawak. His instructor's name was "Sergio Arcel" a one time assistant of Anciong Bacon. In 1957 He began training in Kodokan sports Judo taught by Michael Sanchez, a University of San Carlos instructor.

The COJUKA style that he now teaches is the culmination of his learning. COJUKA means Combat, Judo, Karate and Arnis. His method of teaching: Exercises with applications in fighting; punching with stationary position combination in boxing style; Waving and punching in different target points. This is not applicable for tournament this style is for combat only; Footwork combinations; Halfmoon blocking, emergency blocking, double parrying up and down, blocking and holding, bone breaking, clipping technique, jerking and locking. Dagger disarming and Dagger thrusting; Body throwing, ground clipping and locking. Mikes current position is within the C.S.U. the Civil Security Unit, The office of the Mayor, City of Cebu.

Manuel Loguias (Assistant Instructor)

Manuel "Manny" Loquias was born in Barabo, in Surigao Del Sur, Mindinao.

    He began his training at the age of ten with his uncles and cousins, learning their families small double stick system. In his teens he trained in the "DE CAMPO" style with an instructor from Iligan City. After moving to Cebu, he trained in Balintawak with the late Grandmaster Teofilo Velez and his son Ramon "Monie" Velez.

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