MANSFIELD – As a young boy in the Philippines, Victor Cabrera fell victim to aggressive bullying as he began attending school.
Taking notice of his son’s penchant for fighting, Cabrera’s father began teaching Victor the indigenous fighting styles of Southeast Asia, including eskrima.
The beginning of a lifelong passion
Beginning at age 5, Cabrera’s first lessons have since developed into a lifelong passion for learning about, practicing, and coaching martial arts.
Cabrera and his daughter, Mary Cabrera Kennard, recently opened their own brick and mortar studio in downtown Mansfield, 111 N. Main St.
Kennard, who began training with her father around the age of seven, said she stepped away from training for nearly 20 years.
“Just a few years ago, during the pandemic, we started training together again,” she said. “I realized it was like riding a bike and it really re-sparked our passion for it again.”
With their passion reignited, Kennard said she and Cabrera felt the need to share their knowledge with the community.
When a studio space became available, they jumped on the opportunity.
The meaning behind Maharlika Martial Arts Concepts
Cabrera said inspiration for the studio’s name came from the Maharlika, the feudal warrior class of the Northern Philippines.
“They (Maharlikans) were noble people with honor, their own system, and their own functioning martial art,” he said.
“The type of art they were practicing is what we try to continue to preserve and also introduce to this world, that there was actually beauty in other arts and other aspects on their side of the world.”
Furthermore, Kennard said naming the studio was also inspired by the methodology of combining different combat styles to customize them for your own defense system.
“We’re very intentional about honoring the indigenous heritage,” she said.
“It taps into the idea that it’s the concept of finding your style and your way, by using all of these incredible systems which are already in place to do that,” she said.
‘Passion project’ emerges from COVID-19 pandemic
“This is really a passion project for us,” she said. “My father is getting close to retiring, but this has been his life’s work.”
The duo opened Maharlika Martial Arts Concepts in November, which currently offers classes for teens and adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
All students learn hand-to-hand combat, joint-locks and disarms, weapons techniques, and grappling.
Combat arts coached at the studio, including kali, silat, dumog and Thai boxing, are rooted in the school of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid form of martial arts created and practiced by Bruce Lee.
Maharlika Martial Arts Concepts provides unique learning opportunities
While coaching, it is important to both Cabrera and Kennard to preserve and promote the pre-colonial indigenous fighting styles of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
“Both pre-colonial and post-colonial styles are important,” Cabrera said.
“Martial arts evolve, and understanding this evolution helps us appreciate the art’s history and adapt to new influences.”
With their new location centered in the heart of downtown Mansfield, the father and daughter are hoping to provide a desired destination for those locally and statewide who are looking for a place to train.
“You do have some schools here (Richland County) that will teach some cross technique and curricular styles,” she said.
“But, this is the first school that’s really dedicated to those indigenous Southeast Asian styles.”
Additionally, Kennard said they intend to begin offering youth courses in open-hand defense and weapons, a dirty-boxing cardio class for women, and yoga classes as early as next year.
“We’re offering something really unique and different,” he said. “It brings people closer and helps them understand the diversity of this community.”
Studio space is open to all willing to learn
Kennard and Cabrera want their classes to be accessible to anyone who is willing to learn, no matter what age, experience level, or physical shape.
“We focus on what it is you bring, how do we maximize your natural strengths and how do we pull in what makes sense for you and your journey,” Kennard said.
“It’s a nice blend of that, as well as pushing and growing yourself too.”
Cabrera said self-discovery is a staple principle of martial arts and happens often without intention.
“You will discover who you are and what your strengths are,” he said. “What you even don’t know, you’re capable of doing.”
A celebration for Maharlika Martial Arts Concepts opening will be hosted at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 at the second-floor studio, 111 N. Main St.
“We’re happy to educate and show people what we have,” Cabrera said. “It’s so beautiful and amazing, and we like sharing.”
For more information, visit Maharlika Martial Arts Concepts on Facebook.