GM Angle Cabales (Serrada) GM Max Sarmiento (Kadena de Mano)
Inayan System of Eskrima Founder
Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay
December 11, 1944 – September 27, 2000
Inayan Eskrima was developed by Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay. GM Inay devoted his entire adult life to the promotion, preservation, and propagation of the Filipino Martial Arts.
GM Inay studied privately under the tutelage of two great Eskrima GrandMasters, Max Sarmiento and Angel Cabales. GM Inay proposed the formation of an organization to preserve and promote the Cabales Serrada Style of Eskrima to GrandMaster Angel Cabales. With GM Inay’s help, GrandMaster Cabales formed the first Cabales Serrada association. GM Inay also developed a ranking structure for GrandMaster Cabales.
The ranks that were developed and presented to the budding Cabales Serrada Association were:
- Basic Level Certificate
- Advanced Degree Certificate
- Masters Degree Certificate
The Advanced Degree and the Masters Degree gave the certificate holders permission to award rank in the Cabales Serrada Style of Eskrima. Each certificate was an acknowledgment of proficiency achievement by the student named there-on. GrandMaster Cabales accepted and adopted the three certificates and at least two of the certificates were in use as of 1998.
The West Coast Eskrima Society
GM Inay co-founded the West Coast Eskrima Society with its first chairman, GrandMaster Max Sarmiento in 1979. The West Coast Eskrima Society was formally inaugurated in Los Gatos, California in GM Inay’s home. The West Coast Eskrima Society was founded in the hopes of preserving, propagating and promoting the Filipino Martial Arts.
The “West Coast Eskrima Society” was, for the first time in the Filipino Martial Arts community, able to unite several Filipino Masters under one organization. The Society’s Charter was signed on January 13, 1979. Many notable Eskrima Masters joined the West Coast Eskrima Society and were present during the Charter signing. Some of the original members were: Max Sarmiento, Mike Inay, Jimmy Tacosa, Jeffrey Elliott, San Tendencia, Dentoy Revillar, Gilbert Tenio, Leo Giron, Narrie Babao, Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo.
Mangisusuro Inay was instrumental in bringing both The “West Coast Eskrima Society” and the “Cabales-Serrada Eskrima Association” to light. They were the forerunners of the present day Filipino Martial Arts organizations that have emerged in the last 20 years.
Expanding Filipino Martial Arts Worldwide
GM Inay also played an integral role in the events over the 30 years that lead to the growing acceptance of the Filipino Martial Arts in the U.S. and Europe.
Mangisusuro Inay began teaching law enforcement throughout the United States and became well known and respected in the law enforcement community. Suro Inay also began traveling abroad to conduct seminars and clinics on Inayan Eskrima in England, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Australia.
At the request of a large Midwest law enforcement organization, PPCT, GM Inay developed the first nationwide law enforcement knife defense program called “Spontaneous Knife Defense”. He also appeared on Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN). GM Inay developed several courses dealing with pressure sensitive nerve areas, riot baton and advanced knife training. Mangisursuro Inay also developed the use of the knife as an alternative weapon for executive protection in instances where a firearm is not warranted or safe to use.
Building the Inayan System and Legacy
During this period, GM Inay also developed and refined the Inayan System of Eskrima (ISE). Inayan Eskrima is comprised of 7 distinct styles of Eskrima. Each of these styles have a complete set of basic, intermediate, and advanced techniques and concepts that make them independent of each other in terms of self-defense viability.
Mangisusuro Inay put a learning structure to these styles and a ranking system for grading. GM Inay elected to call all of the styles he teaches “Inayan” to avoid confusion with other teachers and styles that have the same or similar names. This also reduced the amount of controversy and claims of validity others could or could not profess with regard to “Inayan” Eskrima.
Mangisursuro Inay passed away while doing what he loved the most – teaching Inayan Eskrima. Though he was taken from us long before his time, he made a profound impact in the lives of many.
Suro Emanuel Hart
Suro Hart has dedicated his life to the preservation of the Inayan System of Eskrima as taught to him by Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay. As a dedicated and loyal student, Suro Hart continues to train and develop students in Inayan Eskrima throughout the world.
1984 Suro Hart started his training in the Inayan System of Eskrima.
1988 Mangisursuro Inay opened his home to Suro Hart to live and train as his private student. Suro Hart spent over seven (7) years living and training with the founder of Inayan Eskrima.
1999 Mangisursuro Michael G. Inay produced his last will and testament regarding the Inayan System of Eskrima. The founder stated that at the time of his death Mr. Hart would assume the title of Suro (Heir/Master) as one of three heirs and the only non-family member to receive this title. Until the time of Mangisursuro Inay’s death in Sept. 2000, Mr. Hart spent over 16 years supporting and studying from the founder.
2001 A Founding member of Inayan Brotherhood of Eskrima, Inayan Systems International, and the Inayan Federation of Eskrima. Three organizations dedicated to preserving the Inayan System of Eskrima.
2002 Established The Academy of Inayan Arts (AIA). A small Inayan Eskrima school in Paris France.
2005 Established Eskrima International (EI), a branch of Martial Arts International (MAI), an art predominant association for Inayan Eskrima, Wing Tsjun, and ChiKung.