It originated in the central region of the Philippines, in the province of Negros Occidental. Today Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is represented by the sole heir of the system Grandtuhon Leo T. the only grandson of the Great Grandtuhon Conrado B. In the year 1997 the Centennial Celebration for 100 years of Pekiti-Tirsia was celebrated in Subic Bay, Zambales, Philippines last October 25, 1997. Pekiti-Tirsia i
s the only Filipino Martial Art that made the first one hundred years celebration. Grandtuhon Gaje pioneered the teaching of Kali in the USA. He and his Pekiti-Tirsia Kali earned recognition and respect from major Martial Arts Organizations such as Jewish Karate Federation, The United States Karate Association International and the United States Karate Federation. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is the only system recognized by the Philippine government including the teaching of the system to the elite units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is a compact and comprehensive fighting system. It encompasses all phases of self-protection.
•From Awareness to fighting in Ranged to Medium, to Close Quarters and Ground fighting.
•Fighting out of different angles and positions.
•Counter offense as defense against unarmed and armed attacks (stick, sword, knife, fi****ms)
•Counter offense as defense against single or multiple opponents
Filipino Hagibis The Pekiti-Tirsia System is based on the principle of offensive defense against Edged or Impact Weapon Attacks. The very same principle is true and functional for empty hand fighting. Therefore, in the Pekiti-Tirsia system, there is only one set of fighting principles and movement – no matter if attacker or defender are armed or unarmed. This structure allows a more economic use of practice time and creates confidence by understanding and experience. If a method works against an opponent armed with a knife, it also works against the unarmed opponent. The Mastery of a set of movements requires hard work and full time dedication. In the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system mastery is acquired by the application of movements through distance sparring and close-in technical exchange by use of tapping and cross-tapping methods. Because a skilled knife-fighter does not rely on brute muscle power, but on speed, timing and co-ordination, Pekiti-Tirsia offers convenient and logical methods against stronger opponents – no matter if knife or empty hands combat.
