Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerry Valido.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gerry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a Los Angeles, California native. Like many other martial artists, my first exposure to the arts were Saturday afternoon “Black Belt Theatre,” “Kung Fu Theatre,” and frequent visits to the local library to read anything they the martial arts-related. Unfortunately, when you’re a kid, it’s not your decision as to whether or not you train–it’s your parents’. I was strictly an “armchair martial artist,” as a youth, whose sole exposure to the martial arts were movies, books, and sometimes coming across someone who actually trained!! I was a small, Filipino-American child, growing up in a predominately Caucasian city in the 1980’s, There were more than a few occasions where I was bullied at school, standing up for myself was a trait instilled in me by dad, Pastor Valido, who was a soldier in the U.S. Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry, in WWII. He taught me how to throw a punch, and to not let a bully get the best of me.
As a child of the 80’s, the martial arts movie craze constantly fueled my interest. This peaked after seeing the movie, “The Karate Kid,” in the summer of 1984. Other movies, like “Above the Law,” “The Last Dragon,” the “Best of the Best” Trilogy, and “Bloodsport,” plus all the Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and ninja-themed films of that era became the catalyst to what would eventually become my calling. In 1990, the movie, “The Perfect Weapon,” starring Master Jeff Speakman, introduced me to a fascinating, devastating style of Karate known as American Kenpo. In my mid-20’s, I discovered a Chinese Kenpo school near my childhood home, in Glendale, CA. I watched a class, and subsequently took the introductory program, and signed up. My journey began, under the tutelage of the late Shidoshi P.S. Wimberly. After five and half-dedicated years, I attained my 1st Degree Black Belt. I achieved the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo in 2005. In 2006, over 10 years after I began as an instructor, I was elevated by Shidoshi Wimberly to the esteemed position of SENSEI (honorable teacher). In 2007, as my goals, ideals and direction began to take a different path than my teacher’s, I decided to leave my school, and begin a journey as a “Kenpo ronin (traditional name for a master-less samurai).”
Another path on my journey is that of the Filipino martial arts (FMA). I started training after witnessing a demonstration at a Filipino cultural event. Being a 2nd generation Filipino, I’ve always felt a bit alienated from my Filipino culture. After watching the demonstration, I immediately called my good friend, and former supervisor, David Dizon, who I knew studied the F.M.A. I received a fantastic surprise when I discovered that my friend David, was actually GURO (teacher) David Dizon, teaching the Giron® system of Esrima Arnis. In August of 2002, Guro David became my 1st instructor in the art of Escrima/Arnis. I embarked upon a journey of cultural discovery as well as martial knowledge. Upon Guro David’s untimely passing in July, 2006, I took up training under Master Kirk McCune, and directly under the late Grandmaster Tony Somera. In 2007, Grandmaster Somera certified me as the Giron® System’s Affiliate representative for the Los Angeles area.
In late 2011, I began a search to find a new teacher in Kenpo. I sought a teacher who could provide clarity in my training, and who was a legitimate representative in the legacy of Kenpo Karate. In January, 2012, I participated in “The Power of American Kenpo” seminar in Pasadena, CA. What an EYE-OPENING experience to an art I “thought” I knew. I learned from some living legends in the American Kenpo community, and met other American Kenpoists–who were as skilled and respectful, as they were welcoming. I had found my new home!!
In February of 2012, I officially began training in the art of American Kenpo. I joined Sr. Professor Rich Hale’s Ohana Kenpo Karate Association, and began training under 3rd Degree Black Belt, Mr. Maurice Gomez, I trained with Mr. Gomez from 2013 to 2016, and he instilled a solid foundation of American Kenpo principles and basics within me. Currently, I study under 8th Degree Black Belt, and internationally recognized, Associate Master, Mr. Angelo Collado.
My Escrima teacher, Grand Master Tony Somera passed away in 2013. His death still affects me to this day. He left a void within me, and everything about what I was doing in the Filipino martial arts just wasn’t the same. In 2016, after heavy contemplation, I formed my personal system of Filipino martial arts, with the guidance of my new teacher/advisor, and longtime friend, Guro Alex Reyes. My system is called Cinco Estilos Urban Arnis, and is a blend of my knowledge base from Grand Master Somera, as well as more evolved methodology from Guro Alex. I currently am working to spread my system and put it on the map in the martial arts world.
Always the sponge for martial arts knowledge, I continue to be “the student,” and take every opportunity to learn from other martial arts masters, through workshops and seminars. Through the generosity of these individuals in sharing their knowledge, I have had the extreme privilege to have trained with some of the most skilled teachers on the planet. March, 2017 marked the completion of 23 years in the martial arts for me.
Has it been a smooth road?
I am no stranger to obstacles/challenges/adversity. Three major struggles come to mind, which were all separations. Separations from those who were supposed to be martial arts family.
My first separation came in leaving my late teacher in Chinese Kenpo, Shidoshi Wimberly. Let’s just say that there were many different reasons that this took place, but for me personally, it became more of a need for liberation. LIBERATION is defined as:
(1) The act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.
(2) Freedom from limits on thought or behavior.
Interestingly enough, liberation seems to have been the main them of the adversity I’ve encountered in my martial arts career. I don’t believe in limits in the martial arts….at least not wholly unreasonable ones. My liberation stemmed from limits…
The second separation came when I departed from the Kenpo association I helped create, after my departure from Shidoshi Wimberly. However, in this case, I found myself surrounded by a few toxic, manipulative people, who were destroying the sanctity of my martial arts experience. It came down to either staying and letting that toxicity eat me alive, or spreading my wings and flying–I chose the latter, and never regretted it. Moving away allowed me to find my family in American Kenpo, who mean the world to me.
The last separation came in the summer of 2016, with my former Filipino martial arts organization. Once again, toxic people, who overstep boundaries, and lack motivation, are not people you can be around, if you are trying to better yourself. Rather than succumb to this, I decided to build, create, and move from a place of positive energy. This is what lead to the creation of Cinco Estilos Urban Arnis.
Armed with lessons from the past, my challenges have turned into opportunities for growth, and redemption. There are no limits–there is only growth.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with VALIDO MARTIAL ARTS – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
VALIDO MARTIAL ARTS is a part-time endeavor dedicated to teaching QUALITY martial arts at affordable rates, to bring out the BEST in an individual. Realizing potentials and working to achieve them is the focus. Realistic self-defense is favored over what looks good. I don’t focus on competition, I focus on fighting to save your life, or the lives of your loved ones. I have a full-time job—if I didn’t love spreading the arts…. I wouldn’t be doing this at all. This is my life.
I specialize in self-defense–or as I like to call it, PERSONAL PROTECTION. Personal protection is truly a body, mind and spirit activity, and I emphasize all of that. I am known for being an articulate martial arts educator. I am known to be thorough when I teach, and I care about a student being able to understand what they are doing, and why they are doing it.
I am most proud of my students–because they stick around. We are a small, but dedicated group of individuals, and I have found that about 80% of people I teach stay for the long haul.
I am a mobile martial arts teacher. I drive to different venues to teach, and try to be very flexible.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing I like best about Los Angeles is that there are a lot of people.
The thing I like least about Los Angeles, is that there are a lot of people.
(Smiling)
With the population we have, there will always be people needing martial arts. We live in one of the largest metropolitan and suburban areas in the country. Crime and personal protection should be on everyone’s radar. So, it stands to reason, that one’s chances for finding students is high.
However, because there are so many people, there are also a lot of martial arts choices out there. Some good, some great, some not so good, and someone should not even consider. Los Angeles is the “hub” for martial arts on this side of the country, so, those looking for martial arts instruction out here, are extremely fortunate.
I like being a smaller school that caters to smaller, group classes.
I like being able to give that one-on-one attention EVEN in a group class.
Pricing:
- American Kenpo Adults – $110 per month
- American Kenpo Children – $110 per month
- Filipino Martial Arts (ages 15 and up) – $80 per month
- ALL private sessions – $1 per minute
Contact Info:
- Address: My Gym Atwater Village: 3462 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065
CINCO ESTILOS Urban Arnis Classes are held in the Atwater Village area of Los Angeles, 90039 - Website: www.vipta.webs.com
- Phone: (818) 207-1256
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: validomartialarts
- Facebook: Valido Martial Arts
- Twitter: @SenseiGerry
- Yelp: Valido Martial Arts
- Other: YouTube Gerry Valido
Image Credit:
Gerry Valido
