Grandmaster Sam Buot is the eldest surviving student of Anciong Bacon’s original Balintawak Eskrima group from Cebu, Philippines. He is a true enthusiast of Filipino martial arts and has served as the unofficial historian of the Balintawak style, having studied under the tutelage of Grandmaster Venancio Bacon, Jose Villasin, Teofilo Velez and Teddy Buot since the late 1950s. At 79, Sam is now retired and teaches eskrima in his backyard in Phoenix, Arizona
Born March 24, 1936, Sam Buot a lawyer and businessman, a graduate of Silliman University in the Philippines. He was a broker, appraiser, investor and developer, who engaged in real estate both in the Philippines and the USA. Buot was active in the Realtors Board, serving as three-term president of the Cebu Realtors Board and rising to become national president of the Philippines Association of Realtors Boards at age 37. He was active in civic clubs and served as Lieutenant Governor of Philippine Kiwanis and was one of the founders and charter members of Queen City Lions Club and later as of the Metro Cebu Rotary Club. He is author of the Tambuli Media’s book, Balintawak Eskrima.
Manong Sam recently joined the hosts of FMA Talk Live for an hour long interview, wherein he discussed his background, what it was like training with the late and legendary Anciong Bacon and Jose Villasin, challenge matches, and his new book. Click the box to listen to this fascinating interview!
In early 2014, Tambuli Media teamed up with Sam to publish his book, Balintawak Eskrima. Stick fighting is indigenous to the Philippines and in the 1950s one of the most popular styles emerged: Balintawak. To appreciate Anciong Bacon’s Balintawak Eskrima, you have to understand set-ups, anticipation, the art of outwitting through ruses and lures; economy and simplification of motion, sans lavish and squandered movements; effective strikes fused and bonded with speed, power, elegance and grace. That is the essence of Anciong’s Balintawak and these are the methods Sam Buot explains and demonstrates in this book. Here is what GM Bobby Taboada, Steven Dowd of FMA Informative and Mark Wiley have to say about Manong Buot and his book.
“This book is a treasure trove of knowledge and a book which will be considered one of the best, if not the best, book on Balintawak.”
—GM Steve K. Dowd, FMA Informative
“Sam Buot’s techniques and knowledge are direct from the masters. If there is anyone who can teach them to the world, it is Atty. Sam Buot.”
—GM Bobby Taboada
“Sam Buot takes the reader on a journey into the belly of Balintawak Eskrima. His narrative style is honest and compelling.” —Dr. Mark V. Wiley
Written from the author’s half-century of personal experience and hard-earned knowledge, Balintawak Eskrima presents the art from origin to modern times, as a fighting art, as cultural tradition and a means of personal development. Included are personal histories, experiences and photos of the legendary masters of the art, including Anciong Bacon, Jose Villasin, Teofilo Velez, Ted Buot, Bobby Taboada, Timoteo Maranga, Nick Elizar, Nene Gaabucayan, Jimboy Hife, and many others. Illustrated with nearly 700 historical and instructional photographs, this book is a must-have for all martial artists and those interested in the history of a people and their fight art.
Don’t miss out. Grab your copy of Sam Buot’s Balintawak Eskrima today!
