World Pugilist Hall of Fame 

Cabeza Fria Con Pie De Plomo 2008

The seminar "Cabeza Fria con Pie de Plomo" , was excellent with everyone having a great time cross training in the different instructors who came taught at this gathering.

The students of the different styles portrayed a great sense of understanding the different elements that make up the different styles and systems that exist in today's world.

Everyone went home with a great overview of the understanding of the reality of a blade. Experience by the best in the game really showed the essence of  reality.

The Homage "Cabeza Fria con Pie de Plomo" was great and the enthusiasm. Seeing the different Martial styles  come together in a amicable spirit in training with  the different schools of Laredo. The energy that the seminar built is an example of the fact that their are still plenty of Martial Artists that care about the arts without the interference of rank or styles.

The zipoteros and karatekas that trained together in this homage showed appreciation to Sifu Greg Ringness , Guro Bob and I. I personally want to thank Sensei Rick Guerra of Shotokan and Sensei Beto Gutierrez of Goju-Ryu thanks for the help in Homage to my Uncle.

Also, please thank your students for attending and participating on the outcome of a great and successful Seminar & Homage.

The Seminar was a blend of Kenpo, Silat and Danse De Rue Savate which flowed from lock flows to knife work and showed the tenacity of a real situation.

The Start of the World Pugilist Hall of Fame was also initiated with great inductees during the Homage. Next year it will be better with more system come together to a show a brotherhood of armes.

Professeur Buitron

 I would like to thank Professor Paul Buitron for giving me the honor of attending the Homage to his Uncle Maitre Isidro "Chilo" Chapa. The event was truly gratifying to me for being able to share my system of Silat-Bledek with the city of Laredo, Texas. I would also like to thank the Mayor Raul G. Salinas and Council of Laredo for their recognition of all that participated in the Homage. The Homage brought together many martial artists of several different styles to learn and share their
knowledge with all who attended.

I addition, I would like to thank Professor Paul Buitron for inducting me to the Pugilist Hall of Fame. This is a great honor and I am sure I will be in exceptional company.


Maha Guru Muda Robert Vanatta (Tongkat, Silat-Bledek)

Serak Guru Robert Vanatta

To my brothers and sisters of the Guild and the many kindred enthusiasts of the Western fighting sciences, I welcome you. In the great city of Laredo, Texas I had the privilege to participate in the Homage Seminar to Maitre Isidro Chapa, “El Oso Blanco”, the patriarch of Zipota.

 It has been ten years since the legend has passed and I still hear of his extraordinary skill and feats of courage. This true hero and son of Laredo was honored by our mentor, Professeur Paul Raymond Buitron III, his disciple and nephew. Professeur Buitron assembled many accomplished teachers of our sister martial arts to share their deadly craft with us. Guru Bob Vanetta of Bledek Silat and Sifu Greg Ringness of American/Hawaiian Kenpo taught aspects of thier arts to the seminar attendees. Each demonstrated techniques and shared with us the philosophy behind their fighting art. There was absolutely no fluff or theatrics, just street oriented urban survival
tactics.

Professeur Buitron then took center stage and shared with us the quintessential nucleus of Danse de Rue Savate, his family art of Zipota. His execution was swift and precise. His technique was of the street lethal variety. I noticed the faces of the seminar participants and later those at the grand demonstration at Laredo’s Little Theater. There was a sense of awe as they were confronted with the sudden realization of the truth of combat. Danse de Rue Savate is an art for the street. Translated from French it means “the dance of the street”.
It is roughly 80% Zipota and it is only for the defense of one’s life. In the street, there are those who will not hesitate to harm you, humiliate you, or deprive you of your possessions. When confronted by such individuals, it is the teachings handed down from Maitre Chapa that can come to your rescue.

The same teachings Professeur Buitron demonstrated for the public to witness. The same family teachings handed down through his uncle, whom he honors, as a gift from God. A gift that can save your life or the life of those you hold dear. Through practice and dedication these skills can be passed down to us. They can give us the techniques and instill the mindset necessary for surviving a crisis situation. Defense against empty hands, knives, clubs, fists and feet were all demonstrated. When the shimmer of the blade was present, we saw the mental aspects of bravado and el Desperado emerge.

It was a great seminar full of excellent techniques from Zipota, Bledek Silat, and American/Hawaiian Kenpo.A grand expo was held the next day at the Laredo Little Theater to honor Maitre Chapa. Many martial arts schools from the Laredo area were present to display their arts and show their respect for his memory. Spectators were treated to brilliant displays of skill from the Western and Eastern martial traditions. Each did their part to captivate and entertain the audience who were on the edge of their seats the entire evening. I had the unique honor of being the “beating dummy” for the Danse de Rue Savate, Bledek Silat, and American/Hawaiian Kenpo demonstrations. The crowd was amazed at the speed and power of the techniques. A good time was had by all.

The good people of Laredo showed friendship and concern for me as I was often asked if I was O.K. “Man did that hurt” was something I heard a lot. I am fine and I learned even more from the teachers by being on the other side of the beating coin. I have many souvenirs in the form of scrapes, bruises, and mild contusions. Oh, and by the way, the recurrent regurgitation of my own blood and urine has finally subsided.
 

We are practitioners of a high art my friends. The evening ended with the formation of the World Pugilist Hall of Fame where the first of our history were honored by induction. The 2008 inductees were Guro Ron Saturno of Serrada Escrima, Guru Bob Vanetta of Bledek Silat, Sifu Greg Ringness of American/Hawaiian Kenpo, and Maitre Roger Lafond of French Savate. Thank you brothers of the faith. There is more to come and welcome to the family. As always, remember it is always better to give than receive.

Clyde Castorena
Initiateur Nilgai, Danse de Rue Savate

According to Guro Bob Vanatta, “If you look closely enough, you see a bit of silat in your own art.”

While that rings true, we are practitioners of Danse de Rue Savate. Greater aptitude and excellence as zipoteros is our stated goal. So, why cross train? What is the point? The short answer is: skills and attributes.

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Sifu Greg Ringness. Now I'd been hearing about these `Dallas Guys' for a long time: Sifu Keith See, Sensei John Ayers, and Sifu Greg. While I started martial arts training in Kenpo back in 1982, I had not practiced it in over (20) years. Prof. called me last year and said he wanted me to come down to Laredo and train with Sifu Greg. I said, “Ok, but my Kenpo will look like total s*** .”

“That's not important,” Prof. told me. “I want you to see how Sifu Greg moves.”

That week opened my eyes a great deal - as did this one. I do not consider myself a Kenpo or Silat practitioner. But working with practitioners and instructors of this expertise raises your game (i.e. you own art) to a new level. That is why Professor Buitron respects these men so much and brings them to Laredo. He does this to open our eyes and raise us to a new level as practitioners.

Did your head spin? At times did you feel completely and grotesquely incompetent while you tried to follow along during those sessions?? Don't feel bad. Many of us did. But the entire point of Guro Bob and Sifu Greg's presence at this seminar is take us out of our element and enable us to see our own art of Danse de Rue Savate from a different perspective. I thought I was finally beginning to understand Lamiak footwork, but Guro Bob sent me back to kindergarten with a boatload of mental notes on how to make it work and how to pull it off under pressure. You could not leave Mr. Vanatta's seminar without a new and enlightened sense of respect (if not outright fear) for the blade. I thought I understood what the “malice” aspect of DDRS was all about. That was until I worked with Sifu Greg. When you are repeatedly put on your ass by a man over 20 lbs. lighter than you, who is old enough to be your father, you begin to understand what total and uninhibited commitment to aggressive motion truly is.

We assembled last week to commemorate the passing of a man most of us did not know and never met: Zipota Master Isidro Chapa. Although we never knew him personally, we have certainly felt his presence through the legacy he has left us. Maitre Chapa set an example that has far outlived his time here on earth. He was a fighting man who understood the value of cross training. His expertise encompassed not only Zipota (the foundation of Danse de Rue Savate) but also boxing and judo as well. In fact, Maitre Chapa introduced the art of judo to Laredo. The example he set still endures: keep thinking, keep training, keep improving, keep an open mind, and last but not least - teach and share what you have learned with others. That is what this Guild is all about. Keep thinking, training, improving and sharing.

Initiateur Padraic `Jilguero' O'Gawain

The Homage “Cabez Fria con Pie de Plomo” in Laredo on the 13th and 14th of November was a huge success. I appreciate Professour Buitron organizing the event and inviting very capable teachers in Sifu Greg Ringness and Guru Bob Vanatta. These two individuals have a great love for what they do and it was very evident to all.

Movements and theories were broken down in ways that even a slow learner such as myself could understand.

The atmosphere was a great one to work and learn in. All I came in contact with and worked with had an open mind was eager to learn and help, which made for an enjoyable seminar.

I would like to thank Profes
seur Buitron, Sifu Greg Ringness, and Guru Bob Vanatta for the way you all teach and for taking the time to do so.



Coach Ken “Mechanico” Martin