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Within the streets of Manila, danger and uncertainty are all around, there are kidnappers, hold-uppers and the ever elusive snatchers. How do we counter such problems? What are the solutions to these problems? MARTIAL ARTS! Most people say that in martial arts, they teach you the defense you need in dangerous situations. However the question is: is it really effective? A few years ago I was able to visit a martial arts gym called the Jeet Kune Do Association of the Philippines located at Vito Cruz street, Manila. Very obvious from its name, it teaches Jeet Kune Do. It is the art founded by martial arts legend Bruce Lee.

A few days ago, I went back to the same gym to conduct an interview with the instructor Mr. Joey Perico. He doesn’t seem like a Jeet Kune Do instructor at all. He wears glasses and he doesn’t look like the type who can beat someone in a fight but hey, looks can be deceiving. I asked him what Jeet Kune Do means and he told me that in English it means “Way of the Intercepting fist.” He told me many factors that make it quite different from other martial arts, some of which are: JKD (Jeet Kune Do) uses the strong-side lead concept, the straight-line theory and the concept of interception. According to Mr. Perico, in JKD, speed is a must. He said that to be able to deliver a strong blow, speed must be present. Mr. Perico also said that in JKD, we don’t waste time retracting our legs or our arms before striking but we immediately strike.

As I was about to speak he interrupted and said with humility that: “I’m not saying that this art is better than that or that is better than the other one, I’m just saying na depende sa sitwasyon kung ano ang masmagagamit… always remember that each martial art has it’s strengths and I think one of Jeet Kune Do’s strengths is being non-telegraphic, not giving a sign that you are going to strike.”

A few minutes passed and I was eager to see a demonstration. He showed me the famous “one-inch punch” that Bruce Lee used for demonstration purposes. He punched my chest, of course with a pad in between my chest and his fist, and to my surprise, I flew about four feet behind. It was a strong punch, however he emphasized that it was only to show that power can be generated by twisting the body properly while attacking and that it is not a weapon to be used in combat. Some very effective JKD techniques were demonstrated like the “fingerjab”, a hand technique where in you strike the eye of the opponent with tremendous speed. Another was the “forward snap” or groin kick, this one goes straight to the opponents groin before he gets close enough to grab you.

After showing a demonstration, he told me that JKD has more to offer. He told me that in his gym they practice different hand and leg techniques regularly to improve the power, precision, balance, flexibility and of course speed. I then asked Mr. Perico: “what if you many opponents, let’s say five of them and you are alone?” he answered wisely: “the best thing to do is run, I would run and try to escape…. You see that is JKD. It is intercepting the situation… however if there is no escape the only thing to do is fight….That is why we train, we train to be ready for anything that may come.” I was impressed by his physical skill as well as his wisdom. He talked with confidence and it seemed like he had mastered every move in Jeet Kune Do. Mr. Joey Perico is indeed a master, combining strength, speed and wisdom, he makes Jeet Kune Do one of the efficient martial arts of today.