San Antonio, TX

The Pekiti-Tirsia system of Kali originates from the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines and was formulated by the Tortal family of Negros and Panay islands. The family patriarch, Conrado B. Tortal, passed this system and its attributes onto his only grandson, the sole heir and its present guardian, Grand Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje, Jr. Blade fighting at close range. That is the hallmark of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. It teaches you how to engage opponents at close range. Various methods and strategies are learned and practiced to enable you to overcome any opponent at close quarter. Pekiti also teaches long range fighting. Both close range and long range fighting methods are taught to make you a formidable opponent. Utlimately, you become proficient at all ranges. Instruction begins with footwork, proper body mechanics, and basic strikes with the single stick, single knife, and empty hand. Emphasis is placed on the importance of footwork and proper body mechanics, in addition to basic striking. Categories of instruction include single stick, double stick, stick and knife, knife vs. knife, and empty hands. The weapon is learned first followed by the other weapon categories. Empty-hands is traditionally taught last. However, you’re actually learning empty hand fighting skills while learning weapon-fighting skills. Weapon fighting skills transfer to empty hand fighting skills. This is not true of the reverse. Grand Tuhon Gaje’s system is a complete martial art system. Armed or unarmed you learn how to protect yourself effectively. Pekit-Tirsia Kali is as deadly as it is fun to learn.

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali EDGED / IMPACT WEAPON TACTICAL COMBAT SPECIALIZING IN BLADE FIGHTING “The nature of combat is warfare. Warfare is the utilization of weaponry, not empty hands.”

This website is dedicated to the promotion of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali System as taught by Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is an indigenous Filipino fighting art originating on the islands of Panay and Negros.

© 2007 Dustin B. Denson