Grandmaster Vicente "Vic" R. Sanchez was a Filipino martial artist and the founder of Kali Arnis International.

Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez with students at Rizal Park

Early life

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GM Vic Sanchez was born on April 25, 1934.[1]

FMA Styles

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In his practice of Filipino martial arts for over 60 years, Sanchez mastered four major arnis systems:[2][3]

  • Cinco Teros from Pangasinan - under Antonio Javier. According to Sanchez's teachers, this was the style of Arnis practiced by Andres Bonifacio.
  • Kasilagan (Kali Salag Ilag) - under Johnny Panuringan
  • Modern Arnis - under Remy A. Presas
  • Tersia Serrada, Cadenilla y Espada y Daga (Lightning Scientific Arnis International) - under Benjamin Luna Lema

Grandmasters

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Vic Sanchez had been a long-time student and friend of Remy Presas and Benjamin Luna Lema. Sanchez and Presas met through Roland Dantes on the film set of "Pacific Connection" (alternate title: "The Stickfighter"). The two became fast friends, as they were both very impressed with each other's martial skills.[2] Presas was so impressed of Sanchez' skill that he insisted upon including Sanchez' Cinco Teros in the pages of "The Practical Art of Eskrima".

Sanchez was one of a handful of Modern Arnis practitioners worldwide to be promoted to Lakan Walo (8th degree black belt).[4] He is also a member of the Modern Arnis Senior Masters Council, a founding member of the World Kali-Eskrima-Arnis Grandmasters Council (headquartered in Manila) as well as founder of Kali-Arnis International.

Sanchez remained deeply loyal to his late friend and teacher, and continued to promote Modern Arnis making it the first step in his training progression. After a student masters Modern Arnis, he then progressed to Lightning Scientific Arnis and then to Cinco Teros and Kasilagan.

Awards

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GM Vic Sanchez was conferred the Living Legend Award during the 1st Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame awarding ceremonies in 2012.[5]

Death

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GM Vic Sanchez passed away in June, 2017 after illness and hospitalization.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tribute to Senior Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez". LIGHTNING SCIENTIFIC KALI FEDERATION.
  2. ^ a b Steven K. Dowd. "Special Recognition Issue - Man, Woman and School of the Year 2005" (PDF). FMA Digest.
  3. ^ "LSAI & LESKAS the Difference". Mandirigmang Kaliradman.
  4. ^ Dieter Knuttel. "Grandmaster Dieter Knuttel Biography".
  5. ^ "Issue No. #25: 1st Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame" (PDF). FMA Informative. 2012.
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