BOTHOAN RULES, REGULATIONS & POLICIES

  1. No swearing

  2. No food, beverages, or gum chewing

  3.  No smoking, chew, drugs, or alcohol in the school

  4. No jewelry (exception- wedding bands/rings)

  5. No street shoes allowed in workout area

  6. Horseplay will not be tolerated

  7. No unauthorized sparring or weapons training allowed

  8. Students using weapons without permission will be warned only once.

  9. No loss of temper or control will be tolerated.

10. Any injury no matter how slight shall be brought to the attention of an instructor

11. Any hazardous condition shall be brought to an instructors attention

12. If you use equipment, put it away where it belongs.

13. You are responsible for anything broken / damaged as a result of your actions.

14. Aster each class, training gear shall be put away, don’t leave it for the instructor to put away.

15. Instructors reserve the right to issue penalties or remove violators for the safety of others.

16. This is a learning training area. We are all here to learn, do your part to make it a clean, and safe environment. Don’t leave it for someone else to do.

17. Persons using equipment last is responsible for putting it away.

18. If you notice anything in bad repair bring it to an instructors attention.

19.  No shoes or sticks will be used against bags, shields, or focus mitts.

20. No piercing motions by sticks against kicking bags or shields with sticks or staffs permitted.

21. No swinging or hanging on kicking bags.

22. Lifting of heavy weights (in excess of 100 pounds) shall require a spotter.

23. Advanced students shall own, maintain and properly wear uniform at all classes.

24. No pur4rposely dropping of weights will be tolerated.

 25. All house rules & regulations will be strictly enforced at all times.

26. Time spent in class is knowledge for you, so make the best use of your time. 27. The most important rule is: if you don’t understand – ask- no question is a dumb one except the one that wasn’t asked.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO FOLLOW THE RULES- WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE

*NOTE: ANYONE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF CLASS WILL BE SUBJECT TO EXPULSION FROM THE SCHOOL.

UNIFORM

 

Originally there wasn't a uniform or belt rank in Kuntaw or any Filipino martial art. As the arts were not associated with schools or organizations. Father taught son, brother taught brother, neighbor taught neighbor. In 1966 the Philippines competed in the Asian Games and opted to join the rank and file of world martial arts associations. They adapted a traditionally styled karate type uniform, which was green trimmed in white. Belt ranks were systemized and actively promoted. In 1975 the International Kuntaw Association changed the art to more actively compete in the Karate based tournaments. Mr. Smith chose to go with the Filipino Martial Arts Association uniform of black vest / black pants. This uniform was changed in 1995 to be more acceptable to karate tournaments and female students.

Any loose fitting clothing may be used in practicing Kuntaw when one is a beginner. Preferably black. Generally no uniform is required for the beginning student. This is because the students are sampling an art that they may or may not want to stay with. An investment in a formal uniform that they will never use again is a waste of money. Upon the students acceptance of the art (third month of training) they should obtain a uniform. However the Kuntawista must wear the designated uniform once they have attained their first rank in Kuntaw.

 The uniform is worn with pride for which the Kuntawista is and whom they represent, thus the uniform should reflect this feeling.  The standard Maharlika Kuntaw Uniform is a black karate top with a red band on the sleeves and black pants.  The AMKA emblem is worn on the left side, over the heart. Any larger affiliation emblem is worn on the left sleeve to the front of the crease. No other crest or writing may be displayed on the uniform. If you are serious to become one with the art you must look the part. During competitive events the full dress uniform is to be worn a black vest can be worn when practicing or competing in weapons.  Black muscle shirts are worn under the vest for women.

The black leather vest was historically worn by the Spanish Foreman with a white shirt underneath, this signified authority to the Filipinos. When the Spanish were rousted  the Filipinos felt  that no one was better than another so they adopted the use of the vest to signify that they were just as good as anyone else and that everyone was created equal.

If a student of another system attends class either as a guest or as a registered student he/she may wear the uniform and rank of their other club / class or they may wear appropriate Kuntaw class dress.

 

RULES OF UNIFORM:

 

1. Should be kept clean and pressed

2. Should be mended if damaged

3. Will not be covered with unauthorized patches or writing

4. Ranked students are required to wear their uniform to class or any other function                                                                        deemed necessary

5. The uniform consists of a short sleeved Black  Karate type top with a 1 1/4 inch red    band on the sleeve cuff, and black karate type pants (muscle "T"women only)

6. Traditionally, Philippine Martial Arts did not have a belt rank system, however in recent Philippine Martial Arts History, there was a rank system developed.  In keeping with both traditions all students are required to wear their belt to class. For all other functions (competition, demos. etc.)  Belts will be worn unless specified differently.

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EXPLANATION OF THE EMBLEM

 
The colors of the patch: Signify the colors, which are on the Philippine flag - Red, White, Blue, and Yellow.

 

The Red Circle:  The circle / sphere of personal influence.  This represents the area in which the Kuntawista influences another person or is influenced by another. For example: if you had a stick in your hand your influence would reach as far as the tip of the stick extended, if you had a gun your influence would be as far as the bullet can travel.  It is the distance in which you can influence another or another can influence you. The sphere is generally within arms reach to 5 feet. Once someone enters that range they may be influencing you.

 

8 Large Rays: 

Signify the 8 Provinces that rebelled against Spain.

The 8 angles of attack

The 8 directions in which flow can travel

The 8 directions in which the art of Kuntaw has traveled

The 8 directions of force & balance

 

1 Large & 2 Small Rays: 

Signify the 3 main weapons - mind, hand and foot - of Kuntaw. 

The 3 main arts, which Kuntaw is comprised of - Kali, Pentjak Silat, Shaolin Ssu Kempo          

The 3 main Filipino arts of Kuntaw - Buno, Bugtongan, Sikaran

The 3 areas from which the art came from - India, China, Indonesia

The 3 ranges - largo, sumbrada, hubud

The 3 altitudes - air, standing, and ground

Signifies knowledge triangle - Knowledge, Skill & Wisdom.1st must attain the knowledge then must attain the skill to use it, then you must have the wisdom to know when to use it.

Signifies the 3 main islands of the Philippines - Luzon, Mindanao & Visayan.

Signifies the Godhead father, son, Holy Ghost

 

Yin & Yang: 

The symbol of great balance Yin is the red fish with the white eye, the negative aspect and action Yang is the white fish with the red eye, the positive aspect and action.  They continually flow one to another, where one ends the other begins.  There will always be a little of one in the other

This applies to you as a student to train your mind as well as your body

To develop defensive and offensive techniques / skills

To be able to move  in or away