Grand Master Jose Mena Some bad news to report. IMAFP-PIGSSAI (International Martial ARts Federation of the Philippines- Philippine Indigenous Games) has reported that Grand Master Jose Mena, the founder of Doblete Rapilon Style has passed away. I pass along more details as they're sent to me.
Always sad to hear this sort of news. Met him in '92. Very nice man, enthusiastic and open. May his art continue to outlive him.
He had an iron bar that he liked to use in sword challenges so he could smash his opponents sword...... He once did faith healing on my brother and said, "don't thank me, thank him" pionting at a statue of the infant Jesus. He used to have his nephew/grandson(?) play with an unloaded gun in his home in Tondo, using it to hammer nails. He said "I do it to desensitize him" He liked double sided daggers that could be used similtaneously in pakal and hammer grips that he called "arka". I think it may have been an acronym of his two sons names. He liked to hit people in the head.... We once took him to jollybee and when an older women was flirting with me, GM Mena diverted her attenion and took her home instead.. He was the last of group of friends and eskrimadors that worked the docks in Tondo that included Felicisimo Dizon, Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo, Angel Cables, Floro Villibrille, Antonio Mercado and GM Mena. I honour him, at times I was frustrated by him, sometimes I loved him. He'll be missed.
All members of Kuntaw Kali Kruzada mourn his passing. We offer our sincere condolences to his family. He was a great man, and his legacy will endure. -------- Grandmaster Mena was the very first Arnis teacher to open a school in Manila (Tondo). He taught his family style from Ilo-Ilo that was handed down in his family for over three generations. He made many additions to the style based on his own fighting experience.
Condolences to all the family and friends of GM Mena. It's a sad day for the FMA community. Rest in Peace GM Mena. -Nico-
It is a sad day indeed, a small man in stature but a very big man in Arnis. he will be missed by us all. Condolancess to the Mena Family and freinds Pat