Rene Latosa is a highly respected Escrima instructor with a rich history spanning over 30 years. His journey in the martial arts began in his hometown of Stockton, CA, at the first Escrima Academy established by Angel Cabales and Maximo Sarmiento.
Eskrima sticks used in training.
He had the rare opportunity to learn from greats such as Angel and Max, as well as world-renowned instructors like Leo Giron and Dentoy Revilar. This diverse training shaped his unique approach to Filipino martial arts.
Latosa's System: Understanding Movement and Balance
The Filipino martial art system Latosa developed and teaches is basically a method of educating students on how to understand ones body in relationship to movement. This system is a blend of the attributes which makes the many different systems of the Filipino martial arts similar.
The basic system is based on five concepts:
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- Balance
- Focus
- Power
- Speed (timing and distance)
- Transition
The student must understand these concepts, then apply them to techniques, and adapt them to pre-fight, fight and post-fight situations. The student then knows and realizes what they (their body) can do in a given situation, and to depend on a techniques. It is the person behind the techniques and not the technique that makes it works.
LATOSA ESCRIMA Vol-5 THE TRANSITIONS By Grandmaster Rene Latosa
Introducing Filipino Martial Arts to the World
When Rene left the Stockton area he had the opportunity to introduce the Filipino art to various Police SWAT Teams and to the Air Force Security forces in the Virginia area while stationed in the Air Force. Rene was later stationed in Europe where he is the first person to introduce and teach the Filipino martial arts to England and Europe.
Rene Latosa conducting a seminar.
He eventually authored a book both in English and German, spent three years developing Escrima in England and Europe and eventually headed the largest organization of Escrima practitioners in Europe.
Current Activities
Today, Latosa travels throughout the US and Europe giving seminars, still multi-tasking, Rene holds a full time job as a Deputy Administrator for Management Services at the SF Housing Authority, this is after his retirement from the Federal Government as Director of Contracting. He is married and has three daughters.
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Key Milestones of Rene Latosa's Career
| Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| Early Training | Began at the first Escrima Academy established by Angel Cabales and Maximo Sarmiento in Stockton, CA. |
| Law Enforcement Training | Introduced Filipino martial arts to Police SWAT Teams and Air Force Security forces in Virginia. |
| European Introduction | First person to introduce and teach Filipino martial arts in England and Europe. |
| Author and Leader | Authored a book in English and German and headed the largest organization of Escrima practitioners in Europe. |
| Current Activities | Continues to give seminars in the US and Europe while working as a Deputy Administrator. |
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