Welcome to Kapatiran Arnis

Grand Master John Harvey

John Harvey, Chief Instructor of the Kapatiran Arnis System and Head Coach to the British Stickfighting Team, was recently promoted to Grandmaster – only the 2nd non-Filipino to be so in the UK. He has been undoubtedly one of the greatest driving forces in Arnis within the UK and Europe for decades and quite rightly in April 2009 received due recognition. The award, delivered by two of his students who had been training with various Grandmasters in Cebu, Philippines, was signed by GM Dionisio Canete, Supreme GM of Doce Pares Multi-styles and GM Nicomedes “Nick” Elizar of Nickelstick Eskrima.

John has not only been the inspirational coach for many sport stickfighters on the GB team but has developed a large following of students and instructors in the traditional but combat orientated art of Arnis. One of the elements that sets GM John apart is his continual drive towards self-development by training with other top instructors around the world to ever expand his knowledge of the Filipino Martial Arts. Even at this elevated level he still manages to retain his grounded attitude and humility - happy to learn from his students as well as fellow instructors.

As a long-standing student of GM John's I have long thought he deserved greater acknowledgement for his ongoing contribution to the FMAs and now we have it. It might not affect the way we treat him - we already thought of him in that light - but now others might realise how lucky we at Kapatiran Arnis have been. Congratulations John – from all your students and friends at KAS.

John James

Head Instructor

Kapatiran Arnis System

 

What is Kapatiran Arnis?

Many students ask if Kapatiran Arnis is a style or a organization which promotes Filipino Martial Arts,it is both. The name Kapatiran means brotherhood and this is what we are. Formed in Feburary 2001 by 8th. Degree Master John Harvey and his instructors who are all well known in Great Britain and Europe. This group consists of Jude Tucker WEKAF British, European and World Champion, John James British Champion in WEKAF stick fighting and low armour. John James is also double stick British, European and World Champion. Last in this group of seasoned stick fighters is Dennis Russell WEKAF British, European and World Champion.

Grand Master John Harvey who before he retired was WEKAF British, European and World Champion. Well known on the stick circuit locally and internationally as John "machine gun" Harvey because of his very fast abaniko strikes. Grand Master John Harvey has been training in the Philippines since 1989 when he was part of a delegation from Master Bob Breens Academy who went to take part in the first WEKAF World Championships which was held in Cebu. Grand Master John Harvey has trained with many people in the Philippines but every time that he has arrived in Cebu he has trained with Grand Master Prudencio "Ondo" Caburnay of Lapunti Arnis de Abanico and recently he has been training with Grand Master Nick Elizar.

These are two of the many Grand Masters who have influenced Grand Master John Harvey in Kapatiran Arnis. In Kapatiran Arnis we use the fast abanico strikes from Lapunti and close range strikes of Grand Master Nick Elizar from Balintawak.Many people have influenced Grand Master John Harvey over the many years he has been training in FMA and with his skill as a stickfighter Kapatiran Arnis is growing steadly. The group was formed by good competition fighters but they are all dedicated to the promotion of Filipino Martial Arts. This includes traditional Filipino Martial Arts as well as the sport.

This small group of martial artists led by Grand Master John Harvey have gathered round them like-minded students whose sole interest is to promote FMA in Great Britain and are free from the politics of larger groups who seem to be interested more in self promotion than Filipino Martial Arts.

Enjoy the site and please give us feedback and information for our diary via the postmaster. Mabuhay