:. What is the Pekiti-Tirsia System

Pekiti-Tirsia is a Filipino Martial Art developed by the Tortal family of Negros, an island in the central Visayan region of the Philippines and brought to the U.S. in 1972 by Grand Master Leo Tortal Gaje. In the Illongo dialect of Visayan, Pekiti-Tirsia literally means Close-Thirds; in the west we would say Close-Quarters; or as Grand Master Gaje likes to paraphrase it you cut him up small, up close

Pekiti-Tirsia International System of Kali is comprised of 5 main weapons categories:

• Solo - Single stick, sword or spear.
• Doble - Double stick or sword.
• Espada y Daga - Sword and Dagger.
• Daga y Daga - Knife to Knife (both single and double).
• Mano y Mano - Hand to Hand.

Pekiti-Tirsia International is based on 3 principles:

• 3 Ranges - You are taught Close Range first as this is the most dangerous and difficult to master; then Medium, and finally Long.
• 3 Levels - Along with every attack you are taught several counters to that attack, as well as several recounters to each counter. You develop the ability to think at least 3 levels ahead in a fight.
• 3 Opponents - You are taught to be prepared to fight at least 3 opponents; therefore, you don't spend too much time on any one opponent.

"In the field of strategic knife defense, the Pekiti-Tirsia System of Kali is one of the most progressive, practical and sophisticated systems of tactical knife self-defense and edged weapon awareness that I have encountered." Guro Dan Inosanto

"Leo Gaje, his art is based on the blade and may just have more street realism then any other." Inside Kung Fu magazine, February 1981