Sensei Mike Vasquez, Headmaster

Sensei Mike Vasquez (left) with Modified Tapado instructors

Sensei Mike Vasquez started martial arts training at the age of ten, when his uncle had him trained in the Filipino art of arnis de mano under two prominent instructors, namely Juan Lawan and Amador Chavez. When he was 12, he tried his hand on judo and jiu-jitsu. He also expanded his knowledge of ancient Oriental weaponry such as nunchaku, yawara, sai, the bo and the bullwhip. Karate, however, is nearest to Sensei Mike's heart. After the return of his elder brother, Ceferino F. Vasquez Jr., from Japan where he studied under Grandmaster Masatoshi Nakayama, he learned more from his brother. For additional instruction, Shihan Kunio Sasaki, the representative of Japan Karate Association to the Philippines, came to Bacolod City, Negros Occ.  In 1984, Sensei Mike Vasquez was intrigued by a new Filipino martial art called Tapado. After two years of private study from the founder of the art himself, Grandmaster Romeo "Nono" Mamar, he finally modified the art, which he now teaches. Sensei Mike Vasquez is the author of two books, Modified Karate (A New Concept of Advanced Karate) and Fundamentals of Tapado- Arnis Long Stick Art of Fighting , both of which had already been copyrighted under Philippine laws. He was also featured in several international martial arts magazine including Inside Karate.

Sensei Mike Vasquez holds a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, where he once serve as Physical Education (P.E.) instructor. Likewise, he was also the P.E. instructor of La Consolacion College from 1966 to 1971. He , however, got his P.E. major from West Negros College, Bacolod City.
Sensei Mike Vasquez, among his many accomplishments, won several karate tournament competitions as follows:

- Second National Professional Karate Championship, 1972  (Heavyweight Division)
- 1st Negros Invitational Karate Tournament, 1964
- 2nd Western Visayas Karate Championship, 1965

Sensei Mike Vasquez other major accomplishments include his being one of the Top Five for the Philippine Team for the World Karate Tournament and as the Head Coach of the Philippine Team to the World Karate Goodwill Tournament, 1974

His current rank is:Founder, Vasquez Modified Karate Head Master, Vasquez Modifed Tapado... Sensei Vasquez has discovered the principle of penetrating hands. Internal stylist have known absorbing energy for sometime, but the principle of penetrating energy is either unknown or has been lost in the distant past. .. Studying these principles will accelerate mastery of the martial arts. The epitome of the fighting arts, and possibly the "missing link" to many Oriental styles, these innovations will serve you in that "moment of truth"...- Dr. Russell Steven Harris, Professional trainer Ultimate Fighting Champion 8 & 9 Don Frye."... Sensei Mike Vasquez made the difficult look easy, rather than making what is easy look difficult".- Hendrickson "Baby" Dioko, Karate Champion, Openweight, 1975"... this book is a must for beginners and advanced percussion martial artists who want to master the art of penetrating punch and kick." - Antonio "Sonny" Guanzon, 3rd Dan Blackbelt (Shotokan).

Note: The book "Fundamentals of Tapado, Arnis Long Stick Art of Fighting" is the first book on Tapado in the world. The author, Sensei Mike Vasquez is licensed by its founder, Grandmaster Romeo "Nono" Mamar to spread Tapado all throughout the world. The book, set to be published this year (2004), contains the history of Tapado, its technical uniqueness to its predecessors and the fundamental skills of the art.The Modified Karate book, set to be published next year, will certainly influence positively the martial arts world through its innovative techniques such as Cross Method of Tournament Fighting (CMTF), Defense Breaking Method (Penetrating Punch and Kick) and Stopping Hands Penetration Principle (Highest technique in Modified Karate). These techniques were tested and proven by several local and international top martial artists. For reservation or inquiries on these two books, you may contact:
Mr. Tony Aguirre (authorized contact person)
+63 [920] 921-6390 or through his email address: modifiedmartialarts@yahoo.com
Visit Vasquez Modified Martial Arts Website: www.modifiedmartialarts.com