This is the Official Blogsite of Vasquez Modified Martial Arts. We propagate the Art, Science, and Discipline of Tapado both in traditional and modified form.

A lot had been written about Tapado owing to the fact many have been attracted to it due to its awesome power. Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike have been attracted to it and have endeavored to study it. Others write about Tapado for their own reasons and purposes. On the other hand, we present Tapado as teachers and practitioners of the art, look at it as critics and scrutinize its principles rather than treat it as myth.

We refuse to stagnate. Rather, we choose to evolve. We would appreciate to have you join us with an open mind - eager to grow with us in the true values of martial arts.

If Tapado is what you seek - this is Tapado.

We hope you enjoy your stay and that you too enjoy your reading.



Monday, November 1, 2010

The Negros Revolution





The best reason and time to celebrate Arnis Day in Negros Island is perhaps Novermber 5 of each year. As Al Cinco de Noviembre exemplifies the most daring strategy of our heroes who "with a thousand bolo-men took positions at the Lupit River in the south-east of Bacolod. The wily revolutionaries augmented their lightly-armed men with "cannon" made of bamboo and rolled amakan, and "rifles" carved out of wood and coconut fronds" caused the surrender of the Spanish forces on November 6, 1898 (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negros_Revolution). The bluff, use of the bolos, and wood were proof of the martial skills and strategic thinking of the Negrosanon at the time of the revolution.


The Bolo





A bolo is a large cutting tool similar to the machete, used particularly in the jungles of Indonesia, the Philippines, and in the sugar fields of Cuba. The primary use for the bolo is clearing vegetation, whether for agriculture or during trail blazing.

The bolo is called an itak in Tagalog while in Hiligaynon, the blade is referred to as either a binangon or a talibong.


Historical significance



General Aniceto Lacson depicted wielding a figthing bolo. General Aniceto Lacson's monument was erected in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.



General Juan Araneta depicted on horseback also wielding a fighting bolo. General Juan Araneta's monument was erected in Bago City, Negros Occidental.


Bolos are also used as military weapons and as such they were a particular favorite of the Filipino resistance during the 1898 Philippine Revolution against Spain, the Philippine-American War, and the Commonwealth period. Since the bolo was first used as a farming implement, it was used in combat because during colonial times the ubiquitous bolo was readily available to the common person (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolo_knife)



The bolo is now a Philippine Marine Corps standard issue weaponry (Photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Ayalin).





Use of the bolo was part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's participation in Amphibious Landing Exercise FY 2009, a bilateral exercise conducted annually with the Republic of the Philippines to ensure peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Both Marines are assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Combat Support Brigade. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Ayalin)
at 8:27 PM

This site is maintained by core group members of Vasquez Modified Martial Arts. As core group members we are required to be proficient not only in technique but in the art and science of Tapado as a whole - as it was handed down from its originator to the hand of its authorized master. We are dedicated to its propagation and protection.

Vasquez Modified Martial Arts is neither affiliated with nor subordinate to any Filipino Martial Art federation whether local or foreign.

Grand Master Mike Vasquez
Founder Vasquez Modifed Tapado and Vasquez Modified Karate

Grand Master Mike Vasquez holds a Degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the La Salle College (now University of St. La Salle), Bacolod City, where he once serve as Physical Education (P.E.) instructor. Likewise, he was also the P.E. instructor of La Consolacion College from 1966 to 1971. He finished his Education Degree Major in Physical Education from West Negros College, Bacolod City.

Mike Vasquez started martial arts training at the age of ten, when his uncle had him trained in the Filipino art of arnis de mano under two prominent instructors, namely Juan Lawan and Amador Chavez. When he was 12, he tried his hand on judo and jiu-jitsu. He also expanded his knowledge of ancient Oriental weaponry such as nunchaku, yawara, sai, the bo and the bullwhip.

Mike Vasquez, among his many accomplishments, won several karate tournament competitions as follows:

  1. Second National Professional Karate Championship, 1972 (Heavyweight Division)
  2. 1st Negros Invitational Karate Tournament, 1964
  3. 2nd Western Visayas Karate Championship, 1965
Grand Master Mike Vasquez other major accomplishments include his being one of the Top Five for the Philippine Team for the World Karate Tournament and as the Head Coach of the Philippine Team to the World Karate Goodwill Tournament, 1974.

Grand Master Mike Vasquez is the author of two books: Modified Karate (A New Concept of Advanced Karate) and Fundamentals of Tapado- Arnis Long Stick Art of Fighting, both of which had already been copyrighted under Philippine laws.

Grand Master Mike Vasquez was the only prodigy of the late Grand Master Nono Mamar - the originator of Tapado - to be given the Authority to teach and propagate Tapado to the world.


Ferdinand Y. Gayoles
Modified Tapado
Yasay Sable
Viñas Lapu Lapu Arnis
Oido de Caburata

Ferdinand Gayoles is a college professor holding a Degree on Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) and has his own TV show on agriculture. He currently teaches Defense Tactics at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Criminology Dept. and teaches English at Colegio de San Agustin in Bacolod City.

Henried B. Lamayo
Modified Tapado
Viñas Lapu Lapu Arnis
Dikiti Tersia

Founder: Arnis Unlimited and Sejitsu Judo Dojo

Henried B. Lamayo has a Masters Degree in Management Major in Public Management (U.P. Visayas). He is a former part-time professor in a Graduate School teaching Public Administration and also a former part-time college professor for 14 years teaching Information Technology courses. He is a free-lance consultant in technical writing for students in various undergraduate and graduate courses in his area and has assisted in training Criminology students and volunteer organizations in Judo and self-defense.

Official Seal

This is the Official Seal of Vasquez Modified Martial Arts