Kali / Escrima (K/E) is a Filipino martial art developed over 600 years ago. Early Filipinos developed this martial art in response to tribal warfare, robbers and marauding bandits. This martial art is a very effective method of self defense, easy to learn and its adherents enjoyed a high rate of survival. 

    Kali, the predecessor of Escrima, utilized bladed weapons. However, with the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, the Spanish conquerors prohibited the ownership of long, bladed weapons. This prohibition of long bladed weapons forced the indigenous people of the Philippines to substitute sticks in place of the bladed weapon. Kali then became known as Escrima (a stickfighting art). The Spanish were fearful of the Philippine Moro warriors because a  Moro Rahjah, Lapu Lapu, killed Ferdinand Magellan and his men in the battle for Mactan Island. 

    The word "Kali" is thought to be derived from the word "kris" which was the name the Moro warriors used for sword. The word "escrima" is derived from the Spanish word meaning "skirmish" or "fence".

    Today, K/E utilizes single and double stick, single and double knife, stick and knife and machete and knife combinations. A serious K/E student can become efficient and highly skilled by practicing 2 hours a day, once a week for six months. In K/E, possession of a stick or a pocket knife is all that is necessary to adequately protect oneself.

    Kali / Escrima Stickfighting Association is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii and its chief instructor is Datu Lowell Manabe. 

   Datu Manabe has been training in Kali / Escrima since 1992. He travels semi-annually to the Philippines for advanced training. His K/E instructors include grand masters Toto Duldra, Donald Tobosa, Tony Diego and Topher Ricketts. As a result of studying under these Filipino Grand Masters,  Datu Manabe's instruction and training methods reflect the influences of Kali Illustrisimo/Bakbakan (Master Topher Ricketts and Tony Diego); Balintawak (Master Toto Duldra); and Batikan ("Tobosa Kali Escrima School" which is headed by Maestro Donald Mendoza). The training instruction include kicks and punches from karate as well as full contact sparring using rattan sticks and body armor (to minimize injury). Kali Illustrisimo is named after the famous Kali Grand Master, Antonio Illustrisimo, who survived many "patayan" matches (death challenge matches). The Balintawak Grand Masters trace their Kali / Escrima lineage to Venancio "Anciong" Bacon, deceased. Tatang Illustrisimo was instructed in Mindanao by a Muslim Rajah.

    In addition to his experience in Kali / Escrima, Datu Manabe was awarded the rank of sandan (3rd. degree black belt) in Shotokan Karate in 1980 under Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi. Shihan Funakoshi is the head of the worldwide Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association.

    Maestro Eric Y. Marn has been a student of K/E since 2001 and has conducted K/E seminars in various countries including Canada, Cuba and in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maestro Marn has also introduced his Shotokan Karate students to Kali / Escrima.