Pekiti Tirsia Kali

Mandala Sebastien Poirier brings a wealth of knowledge in Doce Methodos gained from his experiences as a long time student of the legendary Tuhon Philip Gelinas.

Doce Methodos

Officially founded in 1897 by Grand Master Conrado Tortal. Pekiti-Tirsia Doce Methodos was reserved in secret as a family system to defend the Tortal land until the art was brought to the U.S. in 1972 by Grand Master Leo Tortal Gaje Jr., the grandson of Conrado Tortal and heir to the Pekiti-Tirsia System.

Pekiti-Tirsia is strictly a combat-oriented system, as opposed to a sport-focused fighting style. It is a fighting system that focuses on edged, impact, and improvised weapons. PTK has been adopted as one of the preferred combative training programs by several elite military and law enforcement units around the world. It is considered a highly lethal method of self-defense.

Traditionnaly, Pekiti-Tirsia's movements are based on the traditional blade art of arnis (arnis, kali, eskrima are used interchangeably based on the region and dialects of Philippines), which involves slicing swords in a circular motion, symbolic of the orbits of the moon and the planets. It also incorporated triangular movements symbolic of constellations. In ancient times, Kali was taught in rituals that were then used pragmatically to survive against adversaries and wild animals.

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali specifically was a family system that goes back at least four generations, starting with Norberto Tortal. It was further developed and improved during the years 1930-36 by his grandson Conrado Tortal. The system is now headed by Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje, the grandson of Conrado Tortal.

Grand Tuhon Gaje introduced his system to North America after arriving in the US in 1972. His style earned recognition and respect from major martial arts organizations and has been an influence on the Dog Brothers, Dan Inosanto and other FMA practitioners.

Fighting methods

All fighting ranges are integral parts of the Pekiti-Tirsia system, but special attention is given to closing in to kill in close quarters combat. Integral to this is a coiled close quarters stance that allows evasion and generation of powerful strikes even within close range. Pekiti-Tirsia is about quartering the opponent, or 'cutting up into little pieces', emphasizing destruction with counter offence while not getting hit. The Pekiti-Tirsia methodology originates from offensive and counter offensive principles against attacks from all ranges, angles and threat levels. There is less emphasis on purely defensive techniques per se, as this is not seen as an effective survival strategy.

Weapon categories

Pekiti-Tirsia Kali incorporates several weapon categories:

  • Solo Baston- Single stick, sword or spear
  • Doble Baston- Double stick or sword
  • Malayu Sibat - Spear, long stick
  • Espada y Daga - Sword and Dagger
  • Daga y Daga - Knife to Knife
  • Mano y Mano - Hand to Hand
  • Mano y Daga - Empty Hand against Dagger
  • Dumog - Grappling

Subsystems of training

There are various subsystems of training that have evolved over the years, including:

  • Doce Methodos (there are the 12 methods or subsystems of the Pekiti-Tirsia system. Each is a distinct grouping of techniques and related application methods which represent the core principle of that subsystem. A condensed form of 64 movements called the 64 Attacks illustrates many of those subsystems)
    1. Abecedario
    2. Quatro Cantos
    3. Payong
    4. Dakup y Punyo
    5. Tirsia Corto
    6. Tirsia Largo
    7. Panastas/Sungkete
    8. Orassan
    9. Florete/Echekete
    10. Pekiti-Disarma
    11. Pekiti-Pekiti
    12. Seguidas
  • Contradas (countering techniques with emphasis on following the attack as opposed to meeting the attack)
  • Recontras (re-countering techniques)
  • Recontradas (recountering against the recounter techniques)
  • Offensa-Defensa—Defensa-Offensa (evasion drills for weapon arm)
  • Contra Tirsia Dubla Doz
  • Tri-V Formula
  • Capsula Methodica (where both Contra Tirsia Dubla Doz and Tri-V are combined)
As well, other training aids have developed, including Alphabeto and Numerado and other strike patterns (similar to Kata in japanese martial arts or Tao/Taolu in chinese martial arts)

Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje
Tuhon Philip Gelinas
Tuhon Philip Gelinas and Mandala Seb
Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje and Tuhon Philip Gelinas
Mandala Seb and Guro Simon doing Dakup y Punyo
Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje and Guro Jim (2023)

Discover other Systems & Disciplines

PTK TRI-V

TRI-V is a methodology for Pekiti-Tirsia Kali that emphasizes direct combat tactics. It was originally designed for the Philippine military for urban & jungle environments.

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TRICOM

TRICOM is a series programs designed specifically for police, military and security organizations wishing to adopt a complete combatives / defensive tactics system.

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STICK FIGHTING, DMBA

As per the Dog Brothers credo, full contact stick fighting aims to develop "Higher Consciousness through Harder Contact". No judges, no referees, no trophies.

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