The art of self-defense

Last week, I was invited to join a class on self - defense. Do I have time to spare to join such a class, I snickered to myself. Then I remembered that when I was living in New York City in the mid ’90s, I experienced getting mugged in broad daylight on a busy avenue.

 I re-enacted the scene in my mind and surprisingly, my memory panned out every detail so vividly, exactly the way it happened. It was early afternoon and I was leisurely walking on 3rd Avenue near 65th Street.  It was a crisp spring day, bright and sunny, and I thought I wanted to enjoy the beautiful day by walking the remaining 20 blocks to get home to 85th Street instead of taking public transport. A new boutique across the street caught my attention and I deliberated for a second whether I would cross to check out the new boutique or just head straight home. But before I could make a decision, I felt a hand on my throat, choking me and pressing the carotid arteries on both sides of my neck.   I gazed straight at my mugger and saw a black man and my survival instinct told me to scream at the top of my voice. I had a very fine chain with a small stone around my neck, a watch, and a handbag slung diagonally across my body. Surprisingly, the mugger did not make an attempt to pull my chain off (it was so fine, he could have broken it easily). My bag was impossible to grab as it was wrapped across my body, and he did not make an attempt for it either. I think the idea was to choke me till I fainted so he could steal my handbag, my watch, and necklace.

Unfortunately for him, my scream attracted all the passersby around. They stopped and milled around me and that made him run for his life. One brave burly-built man was about to grab him off me and give him an uppercut, but the attacker ran off before that could happen.

After I thanked everyone who helped me ward off my attacker, he stayed and advised me that I should always be “mindful of my surroundings, never walk absentmindedly, always look at people walking towards you so you don’t give the impression that you are an easy victim.”

I shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if my guardian angels did not come to my rescue at that moment of danger.

I decided to attend the defense class under martial arts expert Victor del Rosario who was head of the Southeast Asian Martial Arts Studio in Santa Clarita, California since 1992 until he decided to come back to the Philippines two years ago.

I told him about my mugging experience in New York City and he told me I did right in screaming. He said in situations like that, we should not be afraid to use our voice — scream or talk to the mugger to distract him. He said the advice about mindfulness and to always be aware of your surroundings is so right.

Hold attacker’s knife hand with both hands, pin it to your chest and drop into a low squat so you can possibly wiggle out under his armpit, as demonstrated by Karina Mantolino and Sam Nepomuceno.

 He gave the class several reasons why we should join a defense class: The benefits of training are many. Within a few weeks, you will notice a change within you. There will be physical gains, endurance gains, agility, flexibility. and much more. You will be taught the most practical, efficient, highly sophisticated martial arts self-defense techniques that will enable you to not only defend yourself but also defend your family or friends in time of need. Martial arts will expand your outlook in life, as you will learn about philosophy, biomechanics, psychology, culture, history, tradition, and human behavior. Your sensitivity and awareness will increase. Your potentials will be revealed.

As you progress in the program, you will experience self-discipline and gain self-confidence. You will see the positive results you’ve achieved through your physical conditioning. No other system in the world can be as powerful and can encompass so many varied disciplines in life as a whole as in martial arts. In truth, it is for self-understanding and brings a more positive attitude towards life.

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The class on self–defense (empty-handed and weaponry) under martial arts master Victor del Rosario is at the rooftop of Chemphil Bldg along Pasay Road (across Bank of Commerce).  Classes are every Tuesday and Thursday, 7-9 p.m. at P500 per class or P2,500 monthly. Interested parties can call 09175773495.  There’s a free one-day trial.