Article on Sera / Serak Silat by Bapak Ventje De Vries; late student of Mas Djut and Uncle to Our Uncle.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 originally written by Michiel Meijer

	(Serak publication pak Ventje De Vries; late student of pak Masdjoed; Tong Tong; The Netherlands 1962) Pak Masjoed is student of pak Sera; founder of Serak Style
In next story; I will tell some about my youth. At young age I left my parent house (of course against the will of my parents); to get life experience to be become independent. Because of my few income; I lived with humble family in a small lane in Buitenzorg, among locals. That’s how I learned Soendanees languish and adat; so I could good concentrate on poekoelan. Afterwards my master Masjoed gave me permission to give lessons myself. Finally people didn’t called me “djoeragan” (meneer) or anom (shortage of djoeragan anom (jonge meneer); but mamang (uncle); to express respect; what seems to be when they talked with each other discussing about “Mang Depris”. When they met me on the street; they welcomed with “Poenten Mang, bade angkat?”(Good day Mang; where are you going to?) Even aged people greeted me like this. I assume it’s because I never absence Pentjak competitions; as New Year celebrations in the stalls of Governor General and wedding and sunat parties. Parties with Governor General dated from period of Van Heutsz and were very popular; because winner of competition won 25 guilders (€ 12). There; many djagos and styles became famous. Even if losers were injured it never occurs; it became case for civil court. It was honest fight; to through your opponent; without weapons; and without revenge. In Soenda area; there are 3 main Poekoelan styles; “Tjimande”, Tjikalong” and “Sera”, last one I practice. Main styles are divided into sub streams like “Tji Matjan (Tiger), Tji Monjet (monkey); and Tji Kampret (bat). So far I know about Batavia; well known style of Mr. Petite de Rooy; “Petjoet" of Mr. Schoor from Petodjo; also called (nickname) Si Pantek. In Padang; they practiced Padang style; mainly kicking. There is also Koentau; divided into 7 sub streams. My experience is that this style is practice in Palembang (see article T.T. 15-9-1962). Most famous practitioners in Buitenzorg are; Baha Boek and Baha Boit; both large / strong guys. That’s why they use heavy sikoe –sikoe’s in there style. Sikoe-Sikoe is made of steel; and has length from under arm to elbow. In Pontianak there is kind of style; where “les” is main issue. Body is trained to avoid punches; by stepping backwards or step aside. Hands of experienced practitioner of Pontianak can be tied behind his back; without to be hit. Lets practice; in Lankah Lima. (See figure A to E). Right foot on B and left foot on E; while body weight is on right foot. This stand is called koeda koeda. He stands in langkah 3. Cross on figure is extended with triangle FGB. Man from Pontianak stands with his right foot on G and with his left foot on F (with front to opponent). His third point is B; (right foot of opponent). Situation is as follows. His arms are not is fight position; asking to be hit. Opponent sees no defense; and tries to punch. Pontianak moves body backwards; and counters when opponent strike back arm; to give second punch. Body of Pontianak close to opponent; so that bodyweight of opponent (B - E) is based on E. Then followed with sapu sideway; to throw opponent. This les is also incorporated in Sera; so our counter would be almost similar; using arms and legs. Would be too complicated to write down on paper. Now follows description; of fight of Pentjakkers in pengkalan pentjak (pentjak arena). All Pentjak styles are split into Kembang (bloem) or dance; djoeroes (alphabet) or techniques; langkah’s or steps with techniques; and samboetan; fighting system of severe kinds of Pentjak. Included sabet (kick away opponent) and sabet (shift away opponent, by placing your foot at foot of opponent; while pushing body of opponent) Guiding music is wooden trumpet; 2 gendangs; and gong. Gendangs are elongated drums; both side played (called male and female) with the start of gendang “tepak tiloe” (3 rhythm) or “tepak doea” (2 rhythm); female sound start; and male answers with variations. For beginners it’s hard to recognize severe melodies and gendang rhythm. It’s also not easy to dance; stepping and movements at the same time. Rhythm of Tjimande is slow and dragged; because dance is mentioned to show agile arm- and hand movements; while Tjikalong rhythm is faster and pleasant rhythm. Written by "Mang Depris” Alias pak Ventje De Vries (Notice the low stances as demanded by Uncle.-- Trent)

Seminar Was Fantastic; Hours of Video to Review

My apologies for not posting sooner to the blog as an update; however, since returning to work I've been inundated since I was out the last week dealing with the seminar and catching up with family.  The seminar was phenomenal!  Unfortunately, Uncle was struck ill at the last moment and unable to fly in, but Sigung Philip Sailas was able to make it and greatly awed my students.  His amazing skill and wonderful personality truly won everyone over immediately.  43 years of training with Uncle!  I also have approximately eight hours of video to review.  Nothing will be available to outside folks, but those who attended the seminar and other kuntao silat brothers will be able to purchase DVDs for a nominal fee (probably $20 plus shipping just to cover my costs of the DVDs, packaging, labels, ink, delivery and wait time at post office, etc.  No, it doesn't even come close to paying for edit time and burn time otherwise I'd simply burn the whole thing raw to multiple DVDs and be done with it.).

That said, what did we cover?  As promised we went over Uncle's Serak Silat.  Sigung Phil could see we have been practicing and my students did have many of the basics, therefore we quickly went into more advanced apps.  Outstanding!  From there, we reviewed Uncle's Cimande / Tjimande Silat system as inherited and practiced by him from his father-in-law, Bapak Carl Deems.  Truly a wonderful system with many things to impart.  Similar to, but also very different from, Serak.  One of those things you have to experience and/or study to understand.  We spent a great deal of time on the buah and sambuts as well as the 18 djurus and langkah of Cimande.   Later we worked on Kuntao Monyet, or Monkey Kuntao, as well as the advanced drunken movements of the system.  It must be understood that I have one student that is truly huge, and athletically so.  Former powerlifter, elite level college football player, former pro football player until a knee injury; also a blackbelt in multiple arts and law enforcement officer that instructs others-- very nice guy.  But to provide comparison, he is in his mid-thirties approximately 6'4" and nearly 400 pounds, squatting ability of 900 pounds and bench of 500 pounds for reps...raw.  Yeah.  Sigung Phil is 63 years old, approximately 5'3" and 130 lbs.  He effortlessly and repeatedly threw my student over his head, end over end, to the mat with a thunderous thwack!  Drunken monkey is no joke.  Later, we moved to internal striking which opened up many eyes, then kuntao silat knife.  We ended the seminar with kuntao silat stick techniques and Q&A. Two days of joyful mayhem for practice.

I wish a speedy recovery and constant well being to Uncle and a heartfelt thank you with much gratitude to Sigung Philip Sailas for making this seminar such a resounding success.  It's cliche', but it truly was awesome.  I hope to get Sigung Philip back along with Uncle as quickly as possible.

Uncle Arrives Tomorrow for the Seminar

Here is a video of Uncle performing a langkah from his art.  He and Philip Sailas, his longest studying student, arrive tomorrow for the seminar.  It appears that heavy rains are in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday and I reserved space in the park as outside training in good weather is always best.  Now I'll need to reserve a gym at the last minute.  The video is Willem de Thouars: Hakka Kuntao Silat de Thouars - Pasang 1

Only Four More Days!

I'll be picking up Uncle and Philip from the airport this Friday afternoon for the workshop this weekend.  A large crawfish boil is scheduled at a student's house right after I pick them up.  Attached you'll see Sigung Philip Sailas performing some of Uncle's forms.  The years of dedicated training sure do show.  I'm greatly looking forward to seeing them both again.  I'll be presenting some clips of the seminar once I download it all.  The theme for this weekend will be silat serak, kuntao silat knife and monkey kuntao, or as I like to call it, "Blood, Sweat and Steel".

Pentjak (Pencak) Silat Pamur / Pengasinan Jalan Enam

This series of movements looks similar to the pentjak silat pamur djurus that Uncle showed me many years ago although there are some definite differences.  Pamur is from the island of Madura and what I was shown was  a series of blade movements that was also trained empty-handed.  Now, I see something that uses hand transitions similar what I learned at the time that I haven't seen since except in a couple other silat arts.  The clip is entitled "Pengasinan Jalan Enam" and is labeled as being from the area of Jakarta, not the island of Madura.  I hope you enjoy it.

New Designs and Products and the Kuntao Silat A'ir Shop

Click here for more new designs and products at the Kuntao Silat A'ir

Basic Internal Art Principles

Here is an excellent article on some very basic principles of the internal arts, yes all of the internal arts, that must be instinctive when used, from a blog entitled "The Way of Least Resistance."  The article's title is The Way Internal Arts Work: Part 1 and eloquently breaks down the usage of footwork coupled with momentum and mass to develop power.  Naturally, since the internal styles (e.g., taijiquan / tai chi chuan, baguazhang /  pa kua chang, hsing I chuan / xingyiquan, I chuan / yiquan, liuhobafa, etc.) each do this differently, it doesn't break each style down into specific detail; however, the article does provide a nice overview of those concepts for the three major internal styles as known in the West.  Each internal style also has its unique methods for relaxation and skeletal usage to employ its own power generation mechanics based upon the tactics and core theories of the style, but indeed it is physics and not magic.  Kuntao Silat relies heavily on the principles of internal martial arts especially at more advanced levels, but a trained eye can spot it even at the introductory levels.

Bapak Willem de Thouars Seminar in Niles, IL June 24, 2012

If you can't make it to the "Blood, Sweat and Steel" Seminar I'm putting on for Uncle in New Orleans on May 12  & 13, 2012, please attend the seminar my kuntao silat brother is putting on near Chicago on June 24, 2012.  Guru Joe Judt is hosting the seminar and Guru Kris Roberts will be assisting Uncle when he teaches.  I'm adjusting my schedule now to try and attend.  You can register at www.studiogaruda.com

Profile of Sigung / Guru Marcelo Rainero Video

Here is a video profile of one of Uncle's senior instructor's in Kuntao Silat de Thouars.  The video clearly shows the family style of training and friendship between the practitioner's while providing a glimpse of the potentially lethal techniques trained.  You'll also see some other familiar faces. A link to Marcelo's website can be found to the right of this page in links.

Guru / Tai Si Hing Philip Sailas at a Seminar 2010

Here you can see Uncle's most accomplished and longest practicing student, an amazing martial artist and person in every sense of the word, Philip Sailas.  This video shows a very casual bit of instruction during The Family Gathering 2010 Seminar for Kuntao Silat de Thouars.  Guru Sailas will be here for the Blood, Sweat and Steel Seminar in the New Orleans area May 12 & 13, 2012 demonstrating Monkey Kuntao, Kuntao Silat knife and Uncle's Pencak Silat Serak.  It will be so good to see them both.  It's been too long.

Fencing with the Sabre

Uncle speaks quite often about the integration of the fencing he learned while living in Europe.  Kuntao Silat de Thouars contains quite a bit of fencing in the footwork, lunges, and usage of the arms while entering.  Fencing is a simple system to learn, but takes a lifetime to master to any real degree...much like good Kuntao Silat.  The attached video demonstrates the fundamentals of sabre fencing.  It's the closest to a large knife you'll find in an officially sanctioned international sporting context.  Notice the timing required for even one pointed moves.

The Kuntao Silat Design Store is Now Open!

Be as water.  Kuntao Silat Designs including the Seminar Shirt for Uncle's arrival May 12 & 13, 2012.

The Kuntao Silat Design Shop for a shorter link.  Exclusive designs for Kuntao Silat you can't find anywhere else!  Proudly support your art.

Basic Sapu and Besset Drill with Guru Stevan Plinck

Video of a great basic exercise to assist with awareness, sensitivity, familiarity and mechanics in a relaxed manner with some langkah movements.