FMA Old School West Coast Vibes

The history of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) on the West Coast, specifically in California, dates back to before World War II. My grandfather, who arrived at the age of 16 through Hawaii from the Philippines, was acquainted with some of the renowned Escrima masters back in Manila during his time as a dock worker. Later, as a migrant farm worker in California, he came to know other masters. My father was born in 1944, and at that time, my grandfather was in his 30s. It was in the Central Valley area of Northern California where Filipino Self Defense and Filipino Martial Arts began to take root, marking the start of this rich cultural tradition in California.

The most renowned of these masters was my dad's instructor, Angel Cabales, who is referred to today as Great Grand Master Cabales. Initially, he simply referred to his teachings as Escrima. He progressed from the title of Guro to Master and later renamed his art Cabales Serrada Escrima. He is credited with opening what is widely accepted as the first FMA school accessible to the public, specifically teaching non-Filipinos. He began teaching in Stockton, CA, to his family and close friends as early as the 1950s. My father started learning under him in the early 1960s. The Serrada style of Escrima gained widespread adoption due to demonstrations at Grand Master Ed Parker's Karate Internationals in Southern California and Grand Master Ernie Reyes's West Coast National tournaments. This visibility played a significant part in the rising popularity of Filipino Fighting Arts on the West Coast.

My father, Mike Inay, played a significant role in the rising popularity of FMA on the West Coast. He helped organize the West Coast Escrima Society, whose members and officers included GM Max Sarmiento, GM Gilbert Tenio, GM Leo Giron (another of my father's teachers), Master Sam Tendencia, Master "Lucky" Lucay Lucay, Master Subing Subing, and many others. Their students continued the cause of revitalizing Filipino American ethnic identity through Filipino Martial Culture.

The "Old School West Coast Vibes" of FMA also tell a tale of evolution. From the cane fields where early Filipino immigrants practiced their art in secrecy under moonlight,  to the modern dojos that dot the urban landscapes of cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle, FMA has continuously adapted, reflecting the dynamic spirit of its practitioners. Today everyone has experienced FMA, though often unknowingly, through popular movies like Jason Bourne movies, the John Wick movies, and so many more.