A Tribute to Jesus Corales  Jesus Ragail Corales, born in Narvacan, Illocos Sur Philippines on December 25,
1910. Like GME Leo Giron, Corales arrived in America in 1929. He immediately took a bus
from San Francisco to Stockton and would work in the fields and farm labor camps
in the San Joaquin valley. Due to his working in the many different Filipino
labor camps, he was exposed to a number of Filipino escrimadors. Corales
would take the time to play or train in the art after a hard days work in the
fields of Stockton, California. He remembers, “after working so hard during the
day in the after noon during a cool delta breeze my town mates and I would sit
outside next to the barn away from everyone and play with our asparagus or
sticks knives. I can remember the quickness of the weapon but no one would get
hurt”. Corales’ teacher was a man by the name of Hilario Ramolete from Santa
Catalina Illocos Sur, Philippines. Corales plays the cabaroan or new system of
arnis escrima. His specialty is the cinco tero style or five strikes; also the
redonda style or circular striking and close quarter hand to hand combat. Corales was a member of the 1st Filipino Regiment and served in the invasion of
Lyette, Philippines during World War II. It was difficult to interview Corales and
also play with him, at times, because he would keep moving... He would explain his current
movement and would already be demonstrating the next movement. His knowledge of
the Filipino arts of self-defense is unlimited as his energy to demonstrate it.
Corales is also a member of one of the “Big Three” Filipino Lodges of America,
The Caballeros de Dimas Alang. Manong Corales is also a honorary Guro for
BNMAA. |
Tributes >