Sunday, October 13, 2013

2013 Serrada Escrima Cinco Teros Graduates

Congratulations to the candidates who completed the 2013 Serrada Escrima Cinco Teros Training Program.


Edward Castilleja

 Congratulations to Edward Castilleja.
Eddie is a hard worker who runs a family business.
Eddie trained with me in semi-private classes.
He has a martial arts background in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Tae-Kwon-Do and Aikido.

 

  

Enrique Romero Jr.


Congratulations to Enrique Romero Jr.
Enrique is a devoted school teacher with a passion for martial arts.
Enrique trained with me in semi-private classes.
He has a martial arts background in Tai Chi Chuan and Tang Soo Do.





Fernando Reyes

Congratulations to Fernando Reyes.
A dedicated student practitioner, Fernando drove in from out of town to attend private classes.
Fernando has a martial arts background in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing.





George Guerra
Congratulations to George Guerra.
George is a 2012 graduate who participated in a second year training curriculum, outside of the purview of classical Serrada Escrima, called Corto Cruzado Tactical.
George trained with me in private classes and he will no doubt make an excellent martial arts teacher.



I want to thank everyone who took the opportunity to participate in this year's training courses.
Best of luck and success in all of your future endeavors.


Keep practicing,
Maestro Castro

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

2013 Serrada Escrima Training Course Is Full

The 2013 Serrada Escrima "Cinco Teros" Training Course is Full and not accepting any applicants.

Check back in January 2014 for updates on this blog.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Closed For The Holidays

The candidate trainee program has concluded. We are closed for the holidays. Check back in January 2013 for updates.

Happy Holidays!
~Maestro Castro

Sunday, November 4, 2012

George Guerra - 2012 Candidate Graduate

Congratulations to Mr. George Guerra on completing the Serrada Escrima of San Antonio Texas Candidate Trainee Program.

George trained privately with me receiving one on one instruction in an apprenticeship-style course.
In addition to the basic requirements of the candidate program, George was introduced to "picking" or faking concepts, tactics, and strategies - as well as knife combat, hand to hand combat tactics: striking, deflecting, trapping, seizing, jointlocks, disarms, foot and leg sweeps, and takedowns.

A dedicated student, George has a martial arts background in Kenpo and Wing Chun.

Keep up the good work George!

~Maestro Castro

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Jonathan Robert Ucab - Serrada Escrima Candidate Trainee - Graduate

Congratulations to Mr. Jonathan R. Ucab on completing the Serrada Escrima of San Antonio Texas Candidate Trainee Program.

Jonathan trained privately with me receiving one on one instruction in an apprenticeship-style course.
In addition to the basic requirements of the candidate program, Jonathan was introduced to "picking" or faking concepts, tactics, and strategies - as well as knife combat, hand to hand combat tactics: striking, deflecting, trapping, seizing, jointlocks, disarms, foot and leg sweeps, and takedowns.

A dedicated student, Jonathan has a diverse martial arts background having trained in Kickboxing, Aikido, and Historical European Martial Arts with the Meyer Frei Fechter Guild.

Keep up the good work Jonathan!

~Maestro Castro

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Sifu Salvador De la Rosa - Chen Tai Chi Chuan Instructor

Born June 7, 1948 - Salvador Anthony De la Rosa, III was my first martial arts teacher.
I first met Sifu Sal in 1986 at the Unlimited Thought Bookstore when it was located on Blanco near Fulton street.
I had just finished school and was searching for a form of exercise that would challenge both mind and body. I swam competitively for Central Catholic H.S. and knew if I didn't find something engaging I would slack off from any physical exercise.
I'd read about a free Tai Chi demo and class at the Unlimited Thought bookstore being given by a TCC instructor who called himself "Yaqui". After the demo and introductory class Yaqui introduced Sifu Sal who gave a brief talk and mentioned that in addition to Yang Style TCC he also taught the Eighteen Lo-han Hands exercises...just the exotic sounding name of the Eighteen Lo-han Hands was enough to arouse my interest and I began my martial arts journey with Sifu Sal.

Sifu Sal really was a gatekeeper for my martial journey. He introduced me to Filipino Martial Arts when he taught me the heaven six sinawali drill and gave me a copy of Dan Inosanto's, now out of print, book on Filipino Martial Arts.
It was thru Sifu Sal that I met Sifu Kirk Woller and began my journey into Shuai Chiao Kung Fu.
Sal was passionate about martial arts. Tai Chi Chuan "The Grand or Supreme Ultimate Fist" was his love but he kept learning and training. Even when he was battling cancer he was training in Brazilian Jujitsu.
Sal was a warrior thru and thru. A veteran of the "Brown Water Navy" patrolling on PBRs in the maze-like waterways of Vietnam. Whenever we corresponded I affectionately gave him the call sign "PBR Street Gang". Sal was a gun and knife enthusiast. Whenever we would meet up we usually ended up at gunshow.
He set my feet upon the path and pushed me foward.

Sal is never far from my thoughts. My journey began with him at San Pedro Park which is where I currently teach - I've come full circle.

Sifu Sal passed away September 3, 2011 in his home surrounded by family and friends.

Farewell my friend.

Some of Sifu Sal's accomplishments:
Sal had won numerous gold and silver medals in International, National and Regional tournaments. At the Tai Chi Legacy 2001, he won four gold medals competing in Chen solo forms, Broad sword, Straight sword and Other Tai Chi, and a silver medal in Long weapons. In the Tai Chi Legacy 2000, he won four gold medals competing in Chen solo forms, Other Tai Chi (Cannon Fist), Tai Chi sword, and Saber. In '98 he was awarded two gold and four silver medals in forms and weapons. In '97 at the United-World Kung Fu Wu Shu Championships, Orlando, Florida. Awarded one gold, two silver and one bronze medal for forms and weapons divisions. He was active in competitions since 1991, and up until his passing.

Sal was a certified judge in the A.A.U.'s Chinese martial arts division. He also taught an accredited course in Tai chi at Northwest Vista College. He had been instructing Tai Chi through the Continuing Education Dept. of N.E.I.S.D. since 1988. He also taught at the Baptist Hospital System's Health Link Center, and at NorthRidge Park.