The Life History and Philosophy of the Legend Ama Mauricio Fabia 1876-1961 The Father of Estrella System
by: Jennifer Salinas
Jennifer Salinas
In Filipino martial arts, the term arnis, kali, escrima are most well known Filipino fighting art in the Philippines. There are many different styles or systems, which have been developed by the experience practitioners of these fighting art. However each styles or systems had their own foundation and philosophies, and their system was studied, practiced and developed by their skills. They began to proclaim themselves as master of their own styles. One of the legendary Bastonero of Pangasinan Ama Mauricio Fabia founded the first generation of his family system of Estrella de Estoque. He dedicated his entire life to scientifically, create his own fighting art. His vast knowledge of many styles helped him forge his fighting art, which serve him as a police officer and also during personal alteration. Ama Mauricio Fabia was believed to have a gift of power known as amulet (anting-anting), His power helped him on many occasions and he became legendary Bastonero in the province of Pangasinan.
He creates his system Ocho Tiros Orihinal the Eight Original strikes thru combination of striking angles and thrusting techniques called estocada. The system was practiced secretly only amongst family members, until the death of the legend, the system was passed on to the next of kin the only son Saturnino Quinto Fabia.
At that time of the late master Mauricio Fabia the well-known Bastoneros in the neighboring towns of the province of Pangasinan were: Francisco Quinto, Fausto Navarro Pablo "Japang" Navarro, Ricardo Golison of Mapandan Pangasinan, Eugenio Nati, Ricardo de Vera of Mangaldan Pangasinan, Arturo Espinoza of Snta Barbara Pangasinan, Emeterio Samson, Pablo Lalaquil, Jose Riola, Eugenio Quarisma, of Manaoag Pangasinan, and the legendary Bastonero of Lingayen Pangasinan Maestro Santiago Toledo. By: Maestro Mauricio Fabia
Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia Inheritor of the Estrella System 1915-2005
After the death of Ama Mauricio Fabia, his son Saturnino became the successor of the family system. The system was forgotten and remains unknown. Until 1986 when Bernardo Fabia Salinas a nephew of Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia and direct student of the late Master Mauricio Fabia returned to the Philippines to make a research and revive his family system. He approaches his uncle to teach him, and to refreshes his know-how of the art from his late grandfather. Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia was convinced by Bernardo Salinas to shares his knowledge of the art, and he slowly teaches the system of his father and shares his experience during his time. Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia is very traditional, humble and dedicated teacher, and true master of the Filipino Martial Arts.
Ama Maestro Saturnino Fabia is also known by his father legendary nickname Langka that describes his art as a survival self defense which is only used to protect family, yourself and those who cannot protect themselves. Ama Maestro Saturnino Fabia is recognized as one of the respected master and the Hawaii Martial Arts Society inducted him into the International Martial Arts Hall Of Fame 2002. Sadly Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia, last of the second generation of Estrella pratitioner on May 25, 2005
Ina Eugenia Quinto Fabia 1920-2007
Ina Eugenia Quinto Fabia the last Bastonera of the Fabia Clan the youngest amongst of the six sisters Esperanza, Flora Simplicia, Natalia, Elpidia, and brother Saturnino of the Fabia Clan passed away January 2, 2007.The family art is now passed into the hands of the next generation. Alfonso Quinto Fabia, (grandson and direct student of Ama Mauricio Fabia) who is an advisor of the family system, and cousin Maestro Bernardo Fabia Salinas, who revive the unforgotten family fighting art of the Fabia Clan, and founder SFMA in honor to his mentors. He founded the Sinkatan Arnis Estrella system and created a training curriculum, for easier and safer understanding to the beginner’s students and practitioners
Ama Maestro Bernardo Fabia Salinas Successor of Estrella System
Ama Maestro Bernardo Fabia Salinas was born in the religious town of Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines, to Bernardo Calicdan Salinas and Elpidia Quinto Fabia, formerly of Mapandan, Pangasinan. Estrella, the secret family system of Martial Arts, was passed down through the generations to Maestro Bernardo Fabia Salinas. He was taught this traditional Art of stick fighting under the watchful eye of his Grandfather (Estoque Maestro) Mauricio Fabia and later with his Uncle, Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia. He persevered through exhausting and sometimes brutal traditional sessions of mental and physical training. This intensive training style ingrained the system into his mind and body and has since shaped every aspect of his life. Bernardo Salinas continues to show respect and admiration for his grandfather and uncle through his passionate dedication to perfecting and preserving his family’s Art of Estrella de Estoque.
After graduating high school in 1961, Bernardo enrolled in trade school and took a two-year curriculum of Machine Shop Technology. He went on to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education in Manila, taking night classes so that he could work during the day. In 1966, He was employed as a machinist by the Ship Repair Facility at the United States Naval Base in Subic Bay, Philippines for eight years before he immigrated to Canada with his wife and sons in 1974. For many years the family system was forgotten. In April 11, 1986 Bernardo Salinas returned to the Philippines to research his family system of Estrella to once again train with his uncle Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia. During his stay in his province Sinkatan Arnis Estrella was name and officially founded by Bernardo Fabia Salinas in honored to his mentor, his late grandfather Ama Mauricio Fabia and to introduce the system of the art in North America. Bernardo introduced his fighting art in the Peace Region of British Columbia by giving a free introductory lesson and demonstration in Fort St. John, BC to his karate class and to the public. In 1988, Bernardo received an invitation from the Premier of British Columbia, Canada Premier Bennett, to demonstrate the Filipino Fighting Art of the Philippines, in Hudson Hope, British Columbia. These demonstrations attracted more people to the art and brought Arnis to the community. In 1996, Bernardo received recognition for his dedication and attentive study of Filipino Martial Arts from Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia, who awarded him the degree of Master. Bernardo, accompanied by a group of his Canadian students, has since returned to the Philippines every second year to continue his research in Filipino Martial Arts and train with respected masters in his province, Master Fortunato Rebualos, Cipriano Rebualos, Marcelo Laurian, Manuel Quiros, Rodolfo Tamondong, and Master Flaviano Cabuang. In the past, Master Salinas has instructed RCMP Law Enforcement, and Auxiliary Forces in weapons and combat training in Fort St. John, BC, Canada In 1999 Bernardo founded the non-profit Northern Shotokan Karate Association (NTSKA) to help students further their training and experience in martial arts, and to encourage them to excel in every aspect of their education. In addition to his expertise in Arnis, Grandmaster Bernardo Fabia Salinas has also been an instructor in the traditional Japanese martial art of Shotokan Karate for the past twenty-two years; as well, he has studied Aikido and Boxing. He has trained internationally in Japan, Philippines and Canada. In 2002 Bernardo Fabia Salinas received a recognition the Heir of the Estrella system by Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia and awarded him the title of Ama Maestro of Sinkatan Arnis Estrella. Bernardo also founded SFMA International, a brotherhood society that was formed to promote unity among Martial arts worldwide. Recognized by the International Assembly of Sokeship, Founders and Headmasters Ama Maestro Salinas conducted training seminars in Sinkatan Arnis throughout Canada, United States, and Philippines. After twenty years of research and study of his family system the Estrella of Arnis, Ama Maestro Salinas published a book, dedicated to his Uncle and his late Grandfather, wherein he illustrates the origin, philosophy and the system of Estrella de Estoque. Sadly, Ama Maestro Saturnino Quinto Fabia, the last of a generation of Estrella practitioners, died on May 20, 2005 and her younger sister Ina Eugenia Quinto Fabia the last Bastonera of the Fabia Clan, died on January 2, 2007 at the age 87 yrs old. If not for Bernardo’s passionate dedication to preserve his family’s fighting Art, Estrella would have undoubtedly not survived to be passed on to future generations. His goal is to continue to improve the system of his Art by including the origin and philosophies within the training format, and he will continue to share his knowledge and experience to keep his family Estrella system alive.
Ama Maestro Salinas skill and dedication to Martial Arts has brought him international acclaim. More importantly, he has touched the lives of every one of his students, practitioners, and will forever have their respect and admiration for being a truly great teacher and mentor.
Grandmaster Bernardo Fabia Salinas Achievements
Inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall Of Fame 2001 International Martial Arts Hall of Fame Master Instructor of the Year in Filipino Martial Arts By the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Orlando, Florida USA
2002 International Martial Arts Hall of Fame Grandmaster of the Year Hawaii Martial Arts International Society, Honolulu, Hawaii USA
2002 International Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award World IL-Do-Kwan Federation New York, USA
2003 Hawaii Martial Arts International Society Hall of Fame Founders Award Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Proclamation By the International Assembly of Sokeship Founders and Headmasters (IASFH) Rank and Recognition of Status of the Founder of SFMA International October 17, 2002 New York, USA
2005 Recognition Award Society of Federated Martial Arts International Silver Lifetime Achievement Award Fort St. John, British Columbia Canada