Grandmaster Vicente "Vic" Sanchez
Experience of a Lifetime – A Wealth of Knowledge

Through the years Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez has learned and mastered such Filipino martial arts as Cinco Teros, Kasilagan, Modern Arnis and lastly, Serrada, Cadenilla, y espada y daga (Lightning Scientific Arnis International). At the age of 17 years old in Pangasinan, Vicente Sanchez commenced his training in the Filipino martial arts with Cinco Teros. Being a body builder and with his good looks, it seemed that others would challenge him to test if his character was as good as his appearance. Needing to defend himself his father finding out that this was happening to his son arranged through a co-workers brother to teach his son some self-defense. What happened is that Vicente Sanchez commenced his training in the art of Cinco Teros. Vicente found that instead of just learning to defend himself he found a whole new way of life.

Excelling in his learning he realized the benefits of Arnis and the spirituality (anting anting), it was in just four years that he also commenced his training in Kasilagan adding to his arsenal of knowledge. Throughout the years Grandmaster Sanchez has continuously added to his knowledge and has become one of the most respected Filipino martial artists in the Philippines.

A professional stuntman he has been called upon to do various movies throughout the years. One movie was "Pacific Connection" starring Guro Roland Dantes who introduced him to Grandmaster Remy Presas. It was suggested to Grandmaster Presas that it would be beneficial to get with Grandmaster Sanchez and teach him Modern Arnis. Grandmaster Sanchez with his prior knowledge and skill excelled in his learning. When Grandmaster Presas ventured to the United States, it was Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez who helped Grandmaster Presas's wife, who carried the Modern Arnis banner in the Philippines.

During the filming of "Sticks of Death" also starring Guro Dantes, Vicente met another great Filipino martial artist. Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema of Lightning Scientific Arnis was known and respected as a great fighter proving his art time and time again. These two men built up a friendship and great respect for each other through the years, until the passing of Grandmaster Lema.

To study with Grandmaster Sanchez is exciting and demanding, and a decision that if made will never be regretted. With the gracefulness of a dancer, coupled with the flowing movements like a well-rehearsed stage play. Grandmaster Sanchez through his instruction will impart upon you and open up and drawing you into a world of physical and mental inspiration of a true Arnisador.

A student of Grandmaster Sanchez will find patience, yet a demand from the student, which is given freely of retention and dedication. As the training progresses one can feel the history and tradition of a true Filipino warrior being taught. Commencing your training with the knowledge of Modern Arnis and thinking you have obtained a part of the art, Grandmaster Sanchez opens a door that has several paths of knowledge to his vast experience through the years. A student soon finds himself addicted and a desire continuously grows for more and more knowledge, which seems never to be satisfied.

On this magical tour, the student continues to learn Lightning Scientific Arnis. Not just as arts within themselves but as a combination and coalition of extreme knowledge which if serious in learning will make one a formable Arnisador.

In learning one must realize the steps to become a true Arnisador, first starting with the dipa (long form), then tapado (cut in half) making two sticks becoming sinawali. Cut again becomes espada y daga; take away the Daga forming solo baston and that moving to mano mano. All this equals the complete Arnisador.

One must also understand that there is no quick way to gain this knowledge. There must be the interest, coupled with dedication, and the time to put forth to obtain the true essence of the teachings. The student must commence with the thought of learning the art to fight, for it has been handed down through history as a way of life, and as a way of self-preservation in the face of confrontations.

When teaching Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez hides nothing and shares all his knowledge he has acquired. This maybe hard to believe, but his belief is that by giving his students his knowledge, then once he has passed on, his knowledge will continue throughout time and nothing will be lost.

So if planning to go to the Philippines it is well worth the effort to visit with Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez and if going to be there for an extended time it is most beneficial to seek his teachings and train.

-Steven K. Dowd (Publisher FMA Digest)

-photos courtesy of David Foggie