The Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system is a true, indigenous combat Bladefighting system from the Philippines that employs all traditional weapons including Empty-Hands.  The authentic system of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is comprised of the Doce Methodos, The Contradas, and the Contra-Tirsia Doble-Dos. The foundation system of Pekiti-Tirsia is the Doce Methodos.  The Doce Methodos are the twelve (12) methods that define every manner and method in which a bladed weapon can be used to strike with.  Doce Methodos defines strikes and attacks by angle, energy, weapon anatomy (strikes with the edge, point, back of blade and butt) and manipulation.  Knowledge of the tactics and techniques of the Doce Methodos transfer to all weapon categories and allows one to effectively employ any weapon (edged, impact, flexible, projectile) and combination of weapons (double, long and short) in combat.  The advanced systems of Contradas (Contradas, Recontras, Recontradas), Contra-Tirsia Doble-Dos, and Advanced Combat Methods all likewise transfer in application to all weapons.  This systemology is unique to the Filipino martial arts and exclusive to the Pekiti-Tirsia system today.

STRATEGY - TACTICS – TECHNIQUES

The foundation strategy of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is:

1. Protection from all attacks.

2. Destruction of opponent(s) weapons.

3. Domination of the combat or self-defense encounter.

Combat Bladefighting tactics are executed according to this strategy.  Tactics and training must provide skills for protection, evasion against opponents’ strikes, and the ability never to be hit.  The live blade provides instant realization of this principle.  Protection from strikes and attacks are accomplished by footwork mobility and maneuver, counter-offensive strikes, and by striking the opponent first.  Opponent weapons are destroyed by direct strikes to the weapon hand or incapacitation by striking vital areas off-time of opponent’s strikes.  Domination of close-quarters combat is executed by attacking, quartering, controlling, and neutralizing the threat regardless of terrain, environment, or multiple adversaries.

The essence of close-quarters combat is defined, detailed, and executed through the system of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali.  The understanding and skill provided by this training will allow the practitioner to counter any combat technique with weapons or empty-hands regardless of system or style.

The Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system is the official Close-Quarters Combat System of the Philippine Marine Corps and the ONLY Filipino Martial Art recognized as official warfighting doctrine by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Click on the cover of the Official Philippine Marine Corps Manual below and preview the

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system as taught to the Philippine Marines

We believe in Life, we do not believe in death.

Our belief in life is supreme and permeates all aspects of our being. 

We believe in Health, we do not believe in sickness.

Health and longevity is our primary maintenance.

We believe in Success, we do not believe in failure.

We commit ourselves to success in every action.

The Kaliman, spiritually through his philosophy and physically through his training in the combative arts of Kali, confronts death as a daily part of life.  By a constant awareness of the presence of death and one’s resolution to confront it, the Kaliman is liberated from the fear of death.  In this confrontation with the darker side of life the Kaliman comes to see things as they really are, a view uncluttered by futile dreams, hopes, and false expectations.  The Kaliman learns not to base his actions on the fear of death, old age or sickness but to revel in the success of the moment.  Only in the “now” can one see things clearly and without judgement or bias.  This philosophy engenderes mutual respect among men and respect for life.

Culture is the product of the Kaliman’s philosophy of life.  The culture of the Filipino people is based upon three tenets.

Respect – The Kaliman believes in life and thus, respects the life of another.

Concern and Care – This is the outgrowth of respect for others

Hospitality – The combination of respect, concern and care results in hospitality towards others.