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.



FAQs


1. Who was given the legitimate Authority to teach and propagate Tapado to the world at large?

Answer:

Below, a photocopy of the Authorization given by the late Grand Master and originator of Tapado Romeo ‘Nono’ Mamar of Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Grand Master Mike Vasquez was only prodigy given such an Authority.






2. With the Authority granted to him, did Grand Master Mike Vasquez teach and propagate Tapado to the world at large?

Answer:

Yes. Grand Master Mike Vasquez with a select core group members taught and propagated Tapado to the world at large. Local and foreign students came and were taught the Art, Science, and Discipline of Tapado.


Sparring with an American student



Below - Grand Master Mike Vasquez training some Russian students












Tapado featured in the FMA Digest


3. Is there an available reference/text book on Tapado making it available for study as an Art, Science, and Discipline?

Answer:

Yes, Grand Master Mike Vasquez was the first to write a book on Tapado. It is used as standard reference in teaching Tapado along with other research materials making the teaching of Tapado systematic and organized.

4. Given the awesome power behind the Tapado strikes, is Tapado safe for students to study?

Answer:

The primary aim of our organization is to teach Tapado in a refined yet disciplined manner. This means we teach Tapado systematically - scientifically. This makes Tapado safe to learn for all those who come with an empty cup.

5. Is it possible to learn Tapado in a day or in a week's time?

Answer:

Just like any true Martial Art taught by an authentic master, one can choose to study it given any length of time, i.e., taking up a specific course on the subject. For a student's name to be recorded in the Record of Training, one has to complete a prescribed number of contact hours. But to learn Tapado and gain more than just proficiency one has to have a life long pursuit of the knowledge. Anyone who claims to be master of the Art, Science, and Discipline of Tapado in a day or in a week's time is a liar and has a questionable motive for making such a claim.

6. Does the Vasquez Modified Martial Arts have a record of its masters?

Answer:

Yes. Anyone who has seriously studied under the guidance of Grand Master Mike Vasquez has a Record of Training with a corresponding serial number and rank. This Record of Training is kept in the Archives and the care of the core group.

7. Is Vasquez Modified Martial Arts affiliated with any Filipino Martial Arts federation or organization?

Answer:

No. Vasquez Modified Martial Arts is neither affiliated with nor subordinate to any Filipino Martial Arts federation whether local or foreign.

8. Are there any available video of Tapado?

Answer:

Yes. Grand Master Mike Vasquez is Co-owner of a video documentary on Tapado entitled: The Secret Art of Tapado. A contract stipulating on the production of the video and its non-transferable ownership is in our archive. Unfortunately, perhaps due to ignorance, portions of the video were tampered with and posted on the internet without the expressed permission of all the owners. This makes the copies of the posted video illegal and those who posted them may be held legally liable.

Also, Vasquez Modified Martial Arts has instructional video on Modified Tapado - and of Modified Karate.

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