Kinaadman Gapiraan

Before Waya-an we were practicing concepts from Kinaadman Gapiraan which was a combatives-based fighting system, until we realized the need to develop a purely self-defensive methodology with considerations on the legal implications of the use of deadly force.

In Waya-an we differentiated the Self-defense response from Combatives to clarify and satisfy the legal requirements in the appropriate defense for the individual or stranger.

The responses in Kinaadman Gapiraan were typical martial arts techniques which we have done away with under Waya-an -- opting instead for natural gross motor reactions. 

Younglings in Training

The second Waya-an Self-defense session at Don Bosco was a revelation, with at least four students identified as possible candidates for advance training. The rest, with a little more perseverance can also reach their full potential. 

We have started situation simulation drills that require the students to use their basic defense tools -- the slap, palm-heel strike, in-step kick, side kick, elbow and knee strikes.

Critical to the drills is to develop "flow" which we call "agos" in order to execute "buhos" or the "shock and awe" aspect of counter-attack. Hopefully, the students' will develop "fighting spirit" or "unos" to give them efficiency and determination to survive any threat situation.

Self-defense as a State of Being

If you have time to go over the hundreds of self-defense systems and martial arts schools on the internet, you will find out that the trend nowadays is to train gross motor skills as opposed to "techniques" that require fine motor skills. Another common observation is the element of aggression and relentless ferocity in the reaction of victims of assualts as the determining factor for success or failure.

We in the Waya-an Self-defense system agree with these observations. Much more than the skills learned. The person's "will" and "character" determines his survivability rate. After all you can not choose your mugger. Most likely and more often the predator would be bigger and stronger. At the same time you can not choose your physical attributes. You are born with it. So if you are born on the lean side what are your chances against a steroid junkie towering over you?

So given that the odds against you will be unfavorable all that is left is your determination to survive. I love watching movies about underdogs like "the Replacements", the "Mighty Ducks", "Semi-Pro", etc. These movies gives you the idea that maybe, just maybe the geek gets to win in the end. Well, in real life, we remember Willis Reed of the New York Knicks playing in the championship with a knee injury. Or in the more dramatic fashion, the soldier who parachuted behind enemy lines in Vietnam who had to literally crawl his way back to safety. Or the the legendary 300 -- need I say more.

In both reel and real life what makes a winner and survivor is the one who "wills" his survival. One should never give up life just like that, Death should pry it from your hands!

Younglings at Don Bosco

Yesterday, Sunday, 3rd of August we introduced the Waya-an Self Defense Module to the Bosconian kids under the care of the Salesian Sisters. The kids were between the ages 13 and 19. Marginalized and needing a lot of morale boosting.

The Waya-an is an off-shoot of years of martial arts exposure and personal encounters. In structure and appearance it would resemble the Ki Chuan Do, Keysi Fighting Method, Damian Ross System and the Mixed Martial Arts schools in the United States. 

The Waya-an espouses the teaching concept of developing natural body reactions and movements as self-defense solutions. Thus, there are no techniques to memorize. No movements to train from point A to point B. 

Waya-an Self Defense Module therefore does not teach "self-defense" from a martial arts perspective but from kinesthetics. Waya-an does not teach "fighting", unlike other systems where students go into "sparring" drills or where they are made to "square-off" against each other. The Waya-an drills are simulated muggings and assaults where the students "problem-solve" their way out of conflict situations and find an escape route.

Waya-an is a pragmatic system where drills are designed to produce results in days and weeks instead of months or years.

The Bosconian kids are the first students of the Waya-an Self-defense Method. It is the founders' fervent wish and hope that Waya-an will be able to contribute to the "younglings" life experience and survival skills development.