Patayin Estilo: sun-moon-mind with sharp bolos!

This double-DVD set teaches a method of simplified bolo fighting as was practiced by Filipino soldiers durring WWII. It is a direct and powerful system that stresses using basic attacks and the discipline of training with live steel. It is a long range fighting method and does not teach infighting or trapping of any kind, prefering instead to evade and slash, hack, or thrust from a distance. Though the name may sound unusual, the sun, moon, and wind refer to the three basic attack combinations in the system.

In Filipino martial arts terms, the Patayin Estillo: Sun, Moon, Wind System is a Largo Mano style that uses the Banda y Banda extensively. As far as Filipino arts go, it is as stripped down as possible while still retaining functionality. It was intended to be taught as a military course, and one can learn the entire method in a matter of hours. From there, the student is left to develop the techniques for themselves.

For new students to the Filipino arts, the Patayin Estillo: Sun, Moon, Wind System could be a quick-start package to handling the bolo or single stick (solo baston). For advanced Arnis players, it is a refreshing look at the power of the basics. It could also serve as an introduction to handling the bolo for those folks who still only use rattan in training, and are not used to actually handling blades.

Whatever your level, if you are interested in getting a quick-and-dirty crash-course on the bolo that you can "bolt on" to your existing art, no matter whether it is Filipino or Eskimo, the Patayin Estillo: Sun, Moon, Wind System DVDs would make a good choice!

Tech Notes:
The DVD menus were nicely animated and worked flawlessly. The music was original, and consited of a mix of heavy metal and more traditional Indonesian-style music, all of which was good. The editing was tight, and the montage sequences and slow motion scenes worked in well with the rest of the production to enhance learning.

The DVD was shot in an empty outdoor greenhouse in the desert, so it gave a surreal sense to the whole procedings that I enjoyed. As always, Blaise and his assistant demonstrated excellent skill and control working with live blades.