My Southeast Asian Kung Fu odyssey took an amazing turn yesterday when I had the opportunity to take a private lesson with and interview Grandmaster Yuli Romo. GM Yuli is one of the Five Original “Pillars” of Kalis Ilustrisimo as handed down by “Tatang” Antonio Ilustrisimo.

GM YULI & ME LR

The 5 Pillars of Ilustrisimo are:

1) Antonio Diego
2) Yuli Romo
3) Edgar Sulite
4) Christopher Rickets
5) Rey Galang

They are the five top disciples of Tatang Ilustrisimo. 3 of these Masters have already passed away, unfortunately. Only Yuli Romo and Rey Galang remain so, you can imagine how excited I was to train personally with GM Yuli Romo in the home of the Filipino Martial Arts, the Philippines.

GM Yuli Romo had quite a bit of Filipino Martial Arts experience before meeting Tatang Ilustrisimo in 1976. His major influences are:

1) Boy Ursal (Saavedra Eskrima)
2) Jose Millan Go (Directa Tactica)
3) Sofirino Borinaga (Refecada)
4) Antonio Ilustrisimo (Kalis Ilustrisimo)
5) Himself (GM Yuli considers himself self taught)

Grandmaster Yuli Romo calls his style “Bahad Zubu”.

According to GM Yuli…

“Bahad” means “threat”.

“Zu” means “current” or “wave”

“Bu” which is short for “Burunan” means your traditional identity since birth.

So, Bahad Zubu means “The Wave of Life” and is about “how to protect life”.

I had a great three hour lesson with GM Yuli that covered stance, footwork, double sticks, single stick/sword, single dagger and even some Karambit techniques.

Look out for my next post, where I will profile Maestro Arnold Narzo of Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orihinal.