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Angel Cabales

Angel Cabales’ training took place mostly in the Philippines, he gained some "street" knowledge as a laborer in Manila. While in the Philippines, he was challenged on separate occasions by five other Escrimadors. Challenges are common practice in the islands when a man gains a reputation with his sticks. Only one, Cabales remembers, gave him any trouble. That one, whose abilities equaled Cabales’ own, was the only one of the five whom he really hurt. Stick fights never last very long and this one ended when Cabales broke open the man’s knuckle. The blow lacerated an artery and the blood pumping out of the man’s hand kept him from continuing.. Cabales moved to the U.S. to seek work and peace. However, his reputation quickly grew, and with it the threat of challenges. That alone, the idea of being challenged, has kept many stick fighters in seclusion, but Cabales was the first Escrimador to open instruction to the public.

The close fighting system Cabales taught was "Serada," lock and thrust. Each stroke is met with a block or deflection, a check with the stick hand to lock the opponent’s position and a thrust with the free hand that will often carry a dagger. Between the block and final thrust there may be any number of counterstrikes.