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***CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE***
Welcome to our testimonials page where students from the past and present share their pure thoughts about Pinakatay Arnis Sigidas. We hope their words inspire all those interested in a complete and practical FMA martial art to start with us!
Maria Salientes
"I love the fluidity of PAS's "cursive", close-quarter combat style that allows for continuous flow in sparring. It challenges your ability to build power through body torque, speed from natural momentum, accuracy in delivering crippling blows to bones and joints, and innovation because the system is adaptable and unique to the individual. Most importantly, it is a bond I share with my kids. Nothing can replace the memories we've created learning and sparring together at all ages."
- Maria Salientes
Josh Garcia
"PAS is not just a place you learn practical skills for self defense but you're also a part of a family that looks out for you and imparts invaluable life lessons. Kuya Walter, Wesley and Lex Crisostomo (head instructors) are part of a long lineage of Filipino martial artists. Along with their members, their collective knowledge, humility and camaraderie is what drew me to learn from them. As a teacher by profession, I can testify to the effectiveness of their teaching methods. This approach is the first I've encountered that doesn't focus too much on techniques but rather teach holistic principles that you can apply whatever your background is or even if you're a beginner. Their instruction is methodical with routine drills that enable you to practice and master basic skills at the same time let you apply what you've learned in more realistic situations through sparring. They adopt Bruce Lee's "Be like water" philosophy where you have to be flexible and make your form confirm to the vessel, or the circumstances you're in as not everyone moves and fights the same way. Best of all, it's a lot of fun learning as you get to "play" with others and discover what works and what doesn't and get feedback in real time. In my almost 20 years of practicing and teaching martial arts I can truly say they exemplify the progressive nature of martial arts as both a science and art while keeping to it's roots in traditional Filipino culture. "
Pugay! (Bow) 🙏
-Josh Garcia
John Cabrera
"Pinakatay Arnis Sigidas is the best Filipino Martial Arts in the Metro Washington DC area. The school provides a unique opportunity to anyone interested to learn the style and techniques from the ancient arts originally from the Philippines. We thank Lex Crisostomo and the rest of the Master instructors for continuing to teach the tradition to my son Alex Cabrera and the rest of the students. Your dedication is immeasurable!"
-John Cabrera
Malenga Patrick Gayle
"I have been involved in the Chinese and African martial arts for a number of years .First time I saw Pinakatay was at Oso Tayari school ,Kuya Wesley had a school there and I always wanted to learn Escrima but was never drawn to any of the other styles until I saw Pinakatay.It resonate to me because it is like the straight sword and tai chi I have been learning all this time .Yielding and accepting the attack and responding. We do not do the easy move ,we become good at the awkward and difficult that when seen we are asked how did you do that or our opponent did not expect it from that impossible angle Pinakatay allows the practitioner to be himself and to improvise and to be a split second in front or behind the attack .We are not taught much set patterns, we are encourage to be ourself and attack in a way that is natural to us .We are taught in only hitting bones .I will be learning in some form or another Pinakatay for a long time"
-Malenga Patrick Gayle
Eddie Faulk
"The primary thing I like is the authenticity and practicality. In the sense you expect to have contact and feel the impact of the strikes Secondly, I like the balance and symmetry that tunes the entire body to function as one. For instance, the emphasis on what the hand that is not holding a weapon contributes to overall defense. Mohave to mention that the lineage and brotherhood of practitioners is a cherished element as well. Lastly, I like the passion and genuineas of the instructors."
-Eddie Faulk
X. Qweili Ahmasi
"The primary thing I like is the authenticity and practicality. In the sense you expect to have contact and feel the impact of the strikes Secondly, I like the balance and symmetry that tunes the entire body to function as one. For instance, the emphasis on what the hand that is not holding a weapon contributes to overall defense. Mohave to mention that the lineage and brotherhood of practitioners is a cherished element as well. Lastly, I like the passion and genuineas of the instructors."
-X. Qweili
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