Sensei Mike Vasquez is the Headmaster of Vasquez Modified Tapado, Founder of Vasquez Modified Karate and the undefeated Philippine Heavyweight Professional Karate champion.
He was the first Filipino to modify Karate and bring to the world arena "Filipino Modified Tapado"- the Arnis Long Stick Fighting. His innovation have caught the attention of internationally renowned martial artists and they spent several months in the Philippines just to study this new art from him.
Testimonials on Vasquez Modified Karate:
I am a student of Sensei Mike Vasquez (under Shotokan Karate) since 1971. As a youngster, he introduced me to a way of life where discipline, honor and respect are first and foremost. He embodied the spirit of the "bushido"- heart of a gentleman, mind of a scholar and courage of a Samurai warrior. He was brought up in the Japanese way of martial art spirit and was able to adopt and absorb other martial arts (as seen in Tapado) with the same passion and excellence.
Sensei Mike Vasquez is one of the most cerebral martial artists I have ever encountered.
- written by Tony Aguirre |
Sensei Mike Vasquez, Headmaster
Vasquez Modified Tapado
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The Modified Tapado
The technique of fighting wherein somebody bludgeons somebody with a stick or cane must have come from people who settled the island now called Panay. These seafarers from somewhere in Malaysia or Indonesia had iron tools and weapons, which means they were in Iron Age culture. Logically, we can surmise that in real combat, these people did not fight with sticks and canes. Instead, they wield weapons wrought from iron. The use of sticks, canes, and batons, therefore, were merely training weapons replacements for their actual weapons for mayhem, much like kendo was for the training of Samurai warriors. Now Samurai warriors are non-existent, except in Japanese tradition and history, but kendo flourishes. Similarly, Filipinos don't fight with bolos, machetes, and kampilans anymore, since guns are readily available; yet, the training weapons remain. |
