Mandala Magino’o Edwin Tam – Pekiti-Tirsia System of Kali
Systems:
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Pekiti Tirsia System of Kali
- Rank: Mandala Magino’o (1st Hagdan)
- 25+ years training and teaching
- Under Grand Tuhon Gaje, Tuhon Gelinas, Guro Jorgenson
Edwin Tam is an advanced instructor of the Pekiti-Tirsia System of Kali with 20+ years of training and teaching. He has extensive knowledge of the details of the system and a strong focus on bladed weapon technique, both theoretical and practical. He is a regular instructor at maelstrom, typically leading the popular Saturday morning training class.
Milestones in Pekiti-Tirsia System of Kali
2018 Mandala Magino’o (1st Hagdan)
2012 Mandala Mandatus (3rd Hagdan)
2008 Mataas na Guro (1st Hagdan)
2004 Guro (4th Hagdan)
2002 Guro (1st Hagdan)
1999 Lakan Guro (1st Hagdan)
Instructors
1987-1994
Mandala Tuhon Philip Gelinas of Montreal: Top-ranked Pekiti-Tirsia Kali instructor in Canada as recognized by Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, jr., head of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, and original member of the Dog Brothers
1994-present
Guro Loki Jorgenson: One of the top Pekiti-Tirsia Kali instructors in Canada, also a Dog Brothers instructor and fighter
1994-97
Guro Louie Lindo: Ikatan Kali, Mande Muda pencak silat
2008
Sifu Michael Chiao
HISTORY
In terms of Kali, Edwin also has trained in seminars with Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, jr, who is the current head of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali system as well as by Dan Inosanto (Lacoste-Inosanto system of Filipino Martial Arts), Marc Denny (Dog Brothers Martial Arts) and Norman Suanico (Kali Ilustrisimo). He has also trained with Tuhon Bill McGrath, Tuhon Scott Faulk & Tuhon Jack Latorre of Pekiti Tirsia International. He actively researches other styles of kali/arnis to gain a better understanding and broad appreciation of the Filipino martial arts.
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2008 Tai Chi sword
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1998-2004 Dog Brothers Martial Arts
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1994-1997 Arnis (eclectic) and Pencak Silat Mande Muda
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1991-present Regular training in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali
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1987 First introduction to Pekiti-Tirsia Kali
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1985 Tai Chi
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1981 Shotokan Karate
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1973 Judo
Edwin has had exposure to other martial arts styles on a more informal level at various martial arts clubs, through seminars, private lessons and informal drop-ins. These arts include grappling (Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Sambo), Gadjah Putih pencak silat, Krabi Krabong, Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai and reality based self-defense (Guro Ed Wong). Edwin also keeps well informed through readings and explorations of various martial arts styles and topics (e.g. self-defense).
Other information
In 1998, Edwin obtained Instructor Status from the Crisis Prevention Institute to teach its “Nonviolent Crisis Intervention” program. He has been teaching it both formally and informally since that time. Although not strictly a martial art, it involves non-violent self-defense techniques for the workplace environment in addition to its verbal de-escalation techniques.