Ilustrisimo

19/08/2026

The Huwarang Mandirigma FMA Summit 2027 will be held in Marinduque, Philippines, from February 1–7, 2027.

This inaugural gathering will bring together practitioners of De Campo 1-2-3 Original, Baraw Sugbo, Ilustrisimo, and Lameco for six full days of immersive training.

Representing the Ilustrisimo tradition, Manong Epifanio Yuli Romo Jr. will be attending and teaching at this first Huwarang Mandirigma FMA Summit, alongside the other instructors featured on the official banner.

Participants will rotate through all four systems each day, making this a true cross-training experience rather than a single-style seminar.

Slots will be very limited.

HUWARANG MANDIRIGMA FMA SUMMIT 2027
February 1–7, 2027 | Marinduque, Philippines

In 2027, Huwarang Mandirigma begins a new chapter.

Huwarang Mandirigma was formed by practitioners whose martial roots go back to the Hwarangdo that was taught to us during the 1980s and 1990s. Part of our purpose has always been to preserve what was passed down to us, while continuing to grow as martial artists.

Over the years, that purpose expanded.

As Filipinos and practitioners of the martial arts, we also felt a responsibility to help preserve, practice, and promote the fighting traditions of our own country.

Preserve the legacy. Protect the people. Pass on the wisdom.

Beginning in 2027, we hope to make the Huwarang Mandirigma FMA Summit an annual gathering where practitioners from different backgrounds can come together, train seriously, exchange knowledge, and experience several distinct Filipino Martial Arts traditions.

Our inaugural summit will be held in Marinduque, Philippines, from February 1–7, 2027, with six full training days dedicated to four arts:

DE CAMPO 1-2-3 ORIGINAL
BARAW SUGBO
ILUSTRISIMO
LAMECO

This will not be a conventional seminar where participants choose one instructor and remain there for the entire event.

The summit is designed as an immersion experience.

Participants will be divided into four small groups—A, B, C, and D. Throughout each training day, the groups will rotate through all four systems.

For example:

Session 1
A — De Campo
B — Baraw Sugbo
C — Ilustrisimo
D — Lameco

Session 2
A — Baraw Sugbo
B — Ilustrisimo
C — Lameco
D — De Campo

Session 3
A — Ilustrisimo
B — Lameco
C — De Campo
D — Baraw Sugbo

Session 4
A — Lameco
B — De Campo
C — Baraw Sugbo
D — Ilustrisimo

By the end of each day, every participant will have trained in all four arts.

The instructors may present the same lesson or training theme to each group during that day's rotations, allowing everyone to receive the same material while keeping the groups small and the instruction personal.

Previous experience is welcome, but beginners are also welcome.

You do not need to already practice all four systems. In fact, part of the purpose of the summit is to give practitioners the opportunity to encounter methods they may never have trained before.

What we do ask is an open mind.

This is not intended for someone who wants to attend only De Campo, only Baraw Sugbo, only Ilustrisimo, or only Lameco.

Each art is part of the experience.

Naturally, someone may occasionally need to sit out a session because of fatigue, injury, or other circumstances. But participants should come with the intention of training in all four systems throughout the six training days.

We are deliberately keeping this gathering small.

Our target is approximately 12 participants, with an absolute maximum of 16.

That means groups of only three to four practitioners per instructor during each rotation, allowing much more direct interaction, correction, and hands-on training than would normally be possible at a large seminar.

Four arts.
Six full training days.
One island.

Not simply a collection of seminars, but an opportunity to experience different Filipino Martial Arts traditions side by side and discover both their differences and the principles that connect them.

HUWARANG MANDIRIGMA FMA SUMMIT 2027
February 1–7, 2027
Marinduque, Philippines

A 7-DAY FMA EXPERIENCE
6 FULL TRAINING DAYS

LIMITED SLOTS • INQUIRIES NOW OPEN

18/06/2026

Update on Manong Yuli’s recent handcrafted pieces

We are updating this post to keep everything focused on appreciation, documentation, and cultural craftsmanship. The earlier wording may have been read by Facebook as a direct selling post, so we are revising the caption to avoid any misunderstanding.

These beautiful pieces were personally crafted by Manong Yuli, Epifanio Yuli Romo Jr., while he was in Camotes Island, Cebu. For those familiar with Manong Yuli’s work, you already know that every piece he makes carries more than just shape and appearance. His work reflects his understanding of movement, handling, balance, tradition, and decades of experience in the Filipino blade arts.

These are not mass-produced items. They are individual works made by Manong Yuli’s own hands. Each piece has its own character, from the carving and shaping of the handle and scabbard, to the proportion, line, weight, and overall feel. The details may look decorative at first glance, but for those who understand traditional Filipino craftsmanship, these details are part of the identity and spirit of the piece.

What makes these even more meaningful is that they were made in Camotes Island, Cebu, a place connected to Manong Yuli’s roots, memories, and personal journey. Because of that, these works are not only examples of craftsmanship. They also carry a connection to place, time, and tradition.

The pieces shown include a small Barong and Binulang pieces. Each one reflects a different form and character, but all of them carry Manong Yuli’s eye for traditional design and functional understanding.

For those who appreciate Ilustrisimo, Bahad Zubu, and the living tradition of Filipino blade culture, this is a rare chance to see new work from Manong Yuli while he is still actively creating. He does not often make pieces like these, and when he does, they are always worth documenting and preserving.

For serious inquiries about Manong Yuli’s current work, please contact Manong Yuli directly.

For those outside the Philippines who need guidance on proper handling and international arrangements, you may contact Paolo Pagaling.

Thank you for understanding the update. This page will continue to share and preserve the work, history, and craftsmanship connected to Manong Yuli and the Ilustrisimo tradition.

24/05/2026

Another Pamantukan Sunday. This time we covered some sparring techniques and reviewed "redonda". Watch till the end!

24/05/2026

Committed to preserving what was taught by Manong Epifanio Yuli Romo Jr.

22/05/2026

Kali Pamantukan Ilustrisimo

Manong Yuli Romo will be conducting a special webinar this May 25, 2026 at 7:30 AM PHT focusing on Pamantukan and long stick methods within the Ilustrisimo tradition.

This will be a 2 hour online session open to those interested in learning and supporting the continued growth and revival of one of the branches of Bahad Zubu - Pamantukan under Sir Maynard Andan.

Topics:
• Pamantukan
• Long Sticks

Registration Fee:
$50 USD

Registration and payment via PayPal:
[email protected]

After sending payment, please email Mang Yuli at the same address with your name and proof of payment so the webinar link can be sent to you.

If you are already friends with Mang Yuli on Facebook, you may also contact him directly through Messenger after payment to receive the webinar link and additional details.

For questions and additional information, feel free to send us a message.

Hope to see everyone there.

17/05/2026

Kali Pamantukan Ilustrisimo is not a new group. It has deep roots in Luneta going back many years, even during Tatang's time. Back then, Kali Pamantukan was founded and led by Manong Yuli Romo, becoming part of the long standing culture of training and gathering in Luneta.

When Manong Yuli eventually moved abroad to Morocco, the original Kali Pamantukan group in Luneta gradually stopped operating in its original form. But the spirit and identity of the group remained alive through the students who trained under it.

Today, one of Manong Yuli's longtime students, Sir Maynard, decided it was time to bring it back. A retired police colonel, tournament champion, and one of the dedicated students who regularly trained under the Kali Pamantukan Ilustrisimo banner in Luneta, he felt that after many years, the group deserved a revival.

This Sunday, we proudly supported that effort and trained once again in Luneta, very close to the original area where Tatang and the original Kali Pamantukan group used to train, near Manila Hotel.

The gathering was also an opportunity to reconnect with the wider Eskrima community. We met, trained, exchanged ideas, and shared time with fellow practitioners from different groups including KIRO, Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orihinal, and RRK, Rapido Realismo Kali.

Special thanks to KIRO and RRK for the warm welcome and camaraderie. The spirit of Luneta has always been about brotherhood, friendship, and keeping the Filipino martial arts alive.

This video captures moments from that day. Training, reconnecting with old and new friends, exchanging ideas, and taking part in the revival of a piece of Luneta history.

Kali Pamantukan Ilustrisimo is back.

If you would like to train with us or become a member, send us a message and we will gladly provide more information.

See you in Luneta.

23/04/2026

Today is the birthday of Manong Epifanio Yuli Romo Jr.

This clip is from one of our Saturday sessions a few months back. No cuts. No edits. A small look at how he really trains us.

Strikto. Walang palusot. But at the same time, palabiro. May timing ang biro, pero mas may timing ang tira. Kung kailangan ka paluin sa pwet para matuto, gagawin niya without hesitation.

That balance is what makes the training real. Hindi lang technique. Disiplina, awareness, and presence.

Happy birthday po, Mang Yuli. Maraming salamat sa patuloy na pagtuturo.

For those who want to send a small gift or support, you can send directly via PayPal:
[email protected]

28/03/2026

Happy Birthday to Sir Louie Lindo.

Sharing a clip of Sir Louie training with Mang Yuli, working on Serrada Abierta. A reminder that beyond techniques, what is passed on is understanding, timing, and connection.

Sir Louie has always carried himself as a student of the art first, and that shows in how he moves, how he trains, and how he continues to learn from the elders. This kind of mindset is what keeps the art alive and moving forward.

Wishing him continued health, strong training, and many more years of sharing and growing in the art.