Certified Instructors
Assistant Maestro Alvin Albano - recognized Maestro, first level blue shirt in Derobio | San Francisco, CA
Guro Alvin Albano like countless practitioners today, was inspired as a young boy to train in martial arts after his father took him to a showing of Bruce Lee's classic film "Enter the Dragon." He was soon enrolled for lessons at The Doc-Fai Wong Martial Arts Center in San Francisco, where he eventually progressed to learning the fundamentals of weapons such as the long staff, double daggers, and broadsword. In 1992, Albano started training at Hapkido USA, the International Hapkido Federation headquarters in San Francisco under the tutelage of Master Jino Kang. Through his years of experience, Albano added cane, katana, and dan bong (tethered short stick) to his weapons skills. He currently holds the rank of 4th Dan. Albano's path in the Filipino Martial Arts began in 1996 when he started training in Eskrima Serrada with Grandmaster Sultan Uddin and attained the rank of Senior Advanced Guro. At this time he met longtime training partner, Bobby Manalo. Like Manalo, Albano furthered his Serrada skills under GM Tacosa, then trained with Tuhon Jordan of Mandala Mandirigma.
Guro Albano draws from his experiences and training methods in various styles to give his students a solid understanding of the fundamentals that form the basis of the arts. His classes incorporate drills that foster the development of attributes such as coordination, speed, power, and perception—combined with an understanding of the mechanics of the body, positioning, and range. He works to teach general FMA concepts, strategy, and tactics.
Guro Alvin Albano like countless practitioners today, was inspired as a young boy to train in martial arts after his father took him to a showing of Bruce Lee's classic film "Enter the Dragon." He was soon enrolled for lessons at The Doc-Fai Wong Martial Arts Center in San Francisco, where he eventually progressed to learning the fundamentals of weapons such as the long staff, double daggers, and broadsword. In 1992, Albano started training at Hapkido USA, the International Hapkido Federation headquarters in San Francisco under the tutelage of Master Jino Kang. Through his years of experience, Albano added cane, katana, and dan bong (tethered short stick) to his weapons skills. He currently holds the rank of 4th Dan. Albano's path in the Filipino Martial Arts began in 1996 when he started training in Eskrima Serrada with Grandmaster Sultan Uddin and attained the rank of Senior Advanced Guro. At this time he met longtime training partner, Bobby Manalo. Like Manalo, Albano furthered his Serrada skills under GM Tacosa, then trained with Tuhon Jordan of Mandala Mandirigma.
Guro Albano draws from his experiences and training methods in various styles to give his students a solid understanding of the fundamentals that form the basis of the arts. His classes incorporate drills that foster the development of attributes such as coordination, speed, power, and perception—combined with an understanding of the mechanics of the body, positioning, and range. He works to teach general FMA concepts, strategy, and tactics.
Assistant Maestro Bob Manalo, Jr. - recognized Maestro, first level blue shirt in Derobio | San Francisco, CA
Guro Bob Manalo started his journey in the martial arts under Sifu Mike Solaices in Chinese Karate/Kenpo. After several years, Manalo continued his training under the late Sensei Erdie Manila of Shotokan Karate. In his college years, Manalo studied Shorin Ryu Karate under Sensei Isao Wada. After college Guro Manalo began his study in the Filipino Martial Arts with Eskrima Serrada, the well- known style founded by the late Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales. Manalo trained for almost two decades with one of Cabales' top students, Grandmaster Sultan Uddin and attained the rank of Senior Advanced Guro. Manalo strengthened his FMA foundation of Serrada under another legend, Grandmaster Jimmy Tacosa, who was one of Cabales' longest tenured students. Guro Manalo recently received his Level 1 certification under GM Tacosa. Though Guro Manalo has been close friends with Tuhon Jordan of Mandala Mandirigma for well over a decade, Manalo began his study of Mandala Mandirigma in recent years, starting with the fundamentals of Derobio and Pencak Silat.
Guro Manalo is a firm believer of having a solid foundation, focusing each class on developing the understanding and comprehension of fundamental movements, techniques and concepts of the Derobio Escrima and Mandala Mandirigma System.
Guro Bob Manalo started his journey in the martial arts under Sifu Mike Solaices in Chinese Karate/Kenpo. After several years, Manalo continued his training under the late Sensei Erdie Manila of Shotokan Karate. In his college years, Manalo studied Shorin Ryu Karate under Sensei Isao Wada. After college Guro Manalo began his study in the Filipino Martial Arts with Eskrima Serrada, the well- known style founded by the late Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales. Manalo trained for almost two decades with one of Cabales' top students, Grandmaster Sultan Uddin and attained the rank of Senior Advanced Guro. Manalo strengthened his FMA foundation of Serrada under another legend, Grandmaster Jimmy Tacosa, who was one of Cabales' longest tenured students. Guro Manalo recently received his Level 1 certification under GM Tacosa. Though Guro Manalo has been close friends with Tuhon Jordan of Mandala Mandirigma for well over a decade, Manalo began his study of Mandala Mandirigma in recent years, starting with the fundamentals of Derobio and Pencak Silat.
Guro Manalo is a firm believer of having a solid foundation, focusing each class on developing the understanding and comprehension of fundamental movements, techniques and concepts of the Derobio Escrima and Mandala Mandirigma System.
Elicio Benetua
Second Level Black Shirt |
Alex McIntyre
First Level Black Shirt |