Name: Fighting Arts of South East Asia - Silat & Eskrima
Start: 2025-03-15T10:00:00+11:00
End: 2025-03-16T15:00:00+11:00
Location: 11 Friars Road,#10,Moorabbin,3189,AU

SEMERU presents a 2 day workshop introducing and covering the fighting arts of southeast Asia, Silat & Eskrima.
Join us for an immersive training weekend on the Fighting Arts of South-East Asia, where we will explore Silat and Filipino Martial Arts (Eskrima-Kali-Arnis).
Silat is the collective name for the indigenous martial arts of the Nusantara region of South East Asia. Originating from and around Indonesia, Malaysia, Singpore and Brunei, it is unique in it's one mind, all weapons philosophyand it's deep integration into the lifestyle and culture of the indo-malay people. Silat incorporates fighting from all ranges (distance - to close quarter)and with techniques that embrace striking/kicking to grappling, ground fighting and use of weapons. The Silat sessions of this joint workshop will be taught by Doug Hooi, who has a long history within the style of Silat, both competitively and in maintaining the cultural heritage of the art.
Filipino Martial Arts are renowned for the mastery of weapons, and sessions will introduce participants to the core principles, movements, and strategies of Filipino weapons combat. The Eskrima-Kali-Arnis sessions will be taught by Kacey Chong, and focus on one short weapon and one long weapon. Kacey will cover knife and short staff (or short spear). These hands-on training sessions will explore the fundamentals of knife-fighting, staff-fighting and spear-fighting that have been passed down through generations of Filipino warriors.
Session 1: Silat - Tangan Kosong, Kuncian/Bantingan
-Tactile pressure and sensitivity.
-Empty hand techniques. Striking, leading and trapping.
-Kuncian/Bantingan - Grappling, takedowns and throws.
-Langkah(footwork, bumping, pressure and level change.
-Timing, distance and angles. 3 important concepts that leads to better application of combative techniques.
Session 2: Eskrima-Kali-Arnis (Knife)
-Knife vs knife drills
-Defenses and counters
-Creating openings (faking) to draw a particular reaction from the opponent
-Flow drills to apply the techniques in real-time, improving your reflexes, coordination and decision-making under pressure.
Session 3: Silat - Sarong/Scarf & Flexible Weapons
-Reviewing and incorporating concepts from Session 1 as they apply to the Sarong
-Distraction strikes
-Effective use of tension and leverage.
-Catching, trapping and limb wrapping
-Locks, joint destructions and chokes.
Session 4: Eskrima-Kali-Arnis (Short Staff/Short Spear)
-Introduction to Short Staff
-Different Staff Grips
-Striking Drills
-Short Spear variations and applications
Who the workshop is for:
This Workshop is suitable for beginners, martial artists, martial arts instructors, and stunt actors who love weapons training, and are keen to integrate weapons into their existing skillset in a fun, friendly, safe yet exciting training environment!
What to bring:
We will be providing training weapons for use during the workshops. However, if you have your own, please feel free to bring them along. Wear comfortable active attire and don't forget a water bottle and sweat towel.
Event Schedule:
Saturday 15/03/2025
-Session 1 (10am -12pm) - Doug Hooi - Silat (Tangan Kosong and Bantingan)
-Session 2 (1pm - 3pm) - Kacey Chong - Escrima-Kali-Arnis (Knife)
Sunday 16/03/2025
-Session 3 (10am - 12pm) - Doug Hooi - Silat (Sarong/Scarf & Flexible Weapons)
-Session 4 (1pm - 3pm) - Kacey Chong - Eskrima-Kali-Arnis (Short Staff/Short Spear)
Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.