Appointment of Grandmaster Dexter Labonog

 Off again on another trip to Stockton, California to visit the Bahala Na Multi-Style folks.   The day began early when GGM Isidro Javier, GM Frank Landers and Professor Cathy Landers and I set out from Grover Beach, California for the four-hour drive to attend the weekly training session of the Bahala Na Multi-Style.

   Bahala Na Multi-Style - Stockton Ca.

Master June Gotico & Guro Eugen Inis

It was sunny and hot as the students worked out in various exercises and drills, and GGM Javier watched with approval as the training progressed.  All the students showed their respects to GGM Javier, and as an added treat, with a surprise organized by Prof. Cathy Landers, they had a birthday cake prepared for GM Frank Landers. GM Landers was presented with a hand-made Bolo knife from the private collection of Guro Butch Gargalicana, and signed by members of the Bahala Na Multi-Style Family.  This knife is shaped in the traditional Bolo fashion, with a fine leather sheath, and GM Landers was deeply moved by such a beautiful gift.

Happy Birthday  Frank Landers

GM Frank Landers, Guro Butch Gargalicana

Master June Gotico, GM Frank Landers, Guro Butch Gargalicana

Maestro Dexter Labonog & Eugene Inis

The Bahala Na Multi-Style training covers numerous, rigorous exercises or Sinawalis involving stick-to hand, stick-to-stick, and stick-to knife, as well as disarm techniques, while maintaining footwork and balance.  GM Landers joined in with Gruo Butch Gargalicana to practice a Sinawali drill together.  I watched with amazement and enjoyment as these two great practitioners practiced for over thirty minutes.

GM Frank Landers & Guro Butch Gargalicana

 The tradition of the Bahala Na Multi-Style training is to have a bar-be-q after the workout; the food was great as always, but it was even more enjoyable and fascinating to listen to GM Landers ad Maestro Dexter Labonog as they talked about the Eskrima Art.  They conversed long into the afternoon, but it was time to attend a birthday party for Gruo Eugine Inis’s daughter at the Children’s Museum in Stockton.


The Javier Family

Prof. Cathy Landers, GM Frank Landers, Master June Gotico, GGM Isidro Javier -  Introducing GM Dexter Labonog.

 It was at this event that GGM Isidro P. Javier formally adopted Bahala Na Multi-style as his “family”, thanking them for all their affection and respect.  This was an incredibly important and heartfelt moment in the long and amazing life of GGM Javier.

Adoption of Bahala Na Multi-Syle

Born of the old customs and culture of the Philippines, to adopt someone into the family is the greatest honor that can be given by one of GGM Javier's generation.

Speaking softly, almost in a whisper, people strained to hear GGM Javier speak.  As the head of the Javier Family Art, along with his son-in-law GM Frank Landers, and his daughter, Prof. Cathy Landers.

GGM Javier read from a letter he had prepared, and then presented to Dexter Labonog a custom Certificate designed to GGM Javier specification in which he promoted Maestro Dexter Labonog to Grand Master of the Eskrima Arts.

As I looked around the room, I saw in the faces of the people emotions of surprise and pleasure, and there were tears in the eyes of Tommy Giron, son of GGM Leo Giron the founder of Bahala Na, as GGM Javier announced his decision to promote GM Labonog.  Applause and cheers erupted, followed by congratulations and handshakes, truly a great moment in the history of the Eskrima Art in California.

Then it was time to go home, with goodbyes and thanks to the Bahala Na Multi-style family for a great day.  GGM Javier, GM Landers, and Prof. Cathy Landers look forward to seeing everyone again, soon. - Glen "The Writer" Rathbone