1.  How and why did J.K.D. evolve from Wing Chun to its final expression in China Town?


In my opinion Bruce Lee's J.K.D. did not evolve only from Wing Chun alone.  Wing Chun was only a part of the whole Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.  Fencing, boxing, wrestling, Tai Chi, and many other systems of Kung Fu or Martial Arts have evolved into Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.  Bruce Lee's JKD, however, endorsed the Center Line Theory of fencing and Wing Chun.

2.  Please describe the five ways of attack and the appropriate circumstances in which to use them?


There are five popular ways of attack.  However, there is one more way which is each individual’s secret way.  My secret way is the Single Direct Attack.

1.  SDA - Single Direct Attack: This attack is my favourite.  "Let the man feel it before he sees it."  A one-kill punch or kick.  It is a reaction, applied with minimal energy and maximum force, at a twitch of a threatening act from an opponent.   A single direct attack to an opponent’s knee joint with a perfect side kick or a single direct attack to an opponent’s eyes with a perfect finger jab is a Single Direct Attack.

2.  ABC - Attack By Combination: This is also one of my favourite attacks.  It is used when you are threatened with physical body harm.  Attack by combination with kicks or punches before an opponent can retaliate.  The faster your combination of attack to your opponent, the faster your opponent goes on defence.  Boxers have an efficient way of attacking by hand combinations. 

3.  ABD - Attack By Drawing: This attack is used to draw an opening of an opponent's defence to strike.  This is used when feinting to one part of the opponent's body to uncover an opening for an attack.  ABD is a false attack used to expose an opponent's open area for striking.

4.  HIA - Hand Immobilization Attack: This is used to trap a single or double hand / arm of an opponent.  Immobilizing, stopping or pinning of an opponent's hand or arm so that he is unable to deliver a strike.  Immobilization could also be extended to the leg, head or hair.

5.  PIA - Progressive Indirect Attack: PIA is used to redirect an attack.  While HIA moves toward an opponent’s limb to immobilize an attack.  PIA moves away from the opponents blocking hand to redirect an attack.  It is similar to ABD.  PIA could be continued or followed up with an ABC, a SAA, or HIA. 

6.  SAA - Simple Angle Attack:  A Simple Angle Attack is used  with explosive speed and power to an opening of an opponents defence. A direct strike is made when an opponent is not protecting a line for attack.  A straight line of attack is used to feint for a circle or hooking line of attack or a Simple Angle Attack.  

3.  Many practitioners question the combat effectiveness of trapping. Please comment?


The combat effectiveness of trapping or any combative art will always depend on the skill and experience of the practitioner. One who has the experience and skill of a full contact fighter can make trapping work.  Those who lack fighting skills will find it difficult to trap effectively in combat.

4.  Could one trap from a boxing structure?


One could trap from a boxing structure if one is an experienced boxer.  Any real fighter can make any technique work, even trapping.

5.  What influence did fencing have on J.K.D?


The Center Line Theory of fencing is a big influence in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.  The straight line between two points is a direct, simple and effective discipline toward the ultimate reality.

6.  How does the J.K.D. dummy set differ from the Wing Chun dummy set?


Bruce Lee's J.K.D. wooden dummy set is a little different from the traditional Wing Chun dummy set just as most others are different.  Bruce Lee, as well as others, used his own flavours in the dummy set.  He favoured the combative applications and rejected the unnecessary.

7.  How much of Chi Sau is practised in J.K.D?


When you say J.K.D, I assume you are referring to Bruce Lee's JKD.  Bruce Lee was a master of Chi Sao.  It was only a part of Bruce Lee's arsenal of martial arts training.  Since Jeet Kune Do is each individuals own martial arts way, Chi Sao is practised by a few, but not by most.

8.  What is the progression in J.K.D. at the IMB Academy, and what material does each phase cover?


The Phase 1 J.K.D. class is a beginner's class.  Basic and fundamentals are taught at this level.   The basic twirling and various numbering systems of many long range Filipino arts are taught at this level.  The basic offence / defence / counter hand strikes, kicks, knee and elbow strikes of Muay Thai and boxing are taught for the middle striking range.  The close range grapple of floor exercises and basics techniques are taught.  The Phase 2 J.K.D. class is an intermediate class teaching safe sparring techniques in boxing / Muay Thai, Jujitsu / wrestling and Doce Pares Eskrima.   The Phase 3 is the advanced class.  Free sparring in long range weaponry, middle range of boxing / Muay Thai strikes, and in close range grapple of Jujitsu / wrestling is tested.  This is a level where advanced students are given an opportunity to advance to the Apprentice Instructor Level.  The IMB's goal is to encourage personal well-being to all mankind. All individuals, based on their abilities and experience, have their own unique (Jeet Kune Do) way. IMB takes the position: “These are some of our principles and concepts that are practical, simple and direct.  We supply you with the three basic ranges of various martial art disciplines. You practise them on your own and you make your own decision on what best fits your needs.”  We don't want to teach you only martial arts. We want you to be able to develop it. This is ultimately my Jeet Kune Do goal.

9.  What is your forte in J.K.D?


My honesty in Martial Arts training and my respect for my teachers and students is my forte in my Jeet Kune Do.  However, my combative forte in Jeet Kune Do is a secret.  It may be my front hand or my front leg, or it may be many other attributes.  Most things should be shared but a few things should be concealed and classified for oneself.  In Jeet Kune Do we are discreet in our forte or we become general Martial Artists.

10.          Please list the prominent first generation Bruce Lee students and describe what each ones speciality is?


Since Mr. Inosanto and I have trained together for over twenty years, I can only describe Mr. Inosanto's specialty.   I have not practised with the others for over thirty years and can't possibly know what their level of specialty is.   However, Mr. Inosanto is a truly dedicated Martial Artist who continues to cultivate and grow above and beyond the average.  His specialty is his natural addiction and obsession to learn, practice and teach martial arts to all mankind.

11.          Who are your past and present teachers in the Filipino martial arts and describe what each ones speciality is?


Angel Cabales along with his top students Max Sarmento and Dentoy Revilar taught Dan and I the Serrada Eskrima system.  Leo Giron system of the Largo Mano Arnis, Gilbert Tenio, Jack Santos, Ray Tobosa, Pedro Apilado and Illistrisimo taught us various styles of Eskrima.  Floro Villabrille and Ben Largusa taught their developed system of Villabrille / Largusa Kali.  Braulio Pedoy's system was the Derobio Eskrima.  Feliciano Maxcinete who was Villabrille’s Eskrima sparring partner also taught Kali & Eskrima.  Juanito Lacosta and Suprino Subingsubing, a very unique individual, taught the Moro-Moro style of Eskrima. Cacoy Canete, the last of the original Doce Pares founders taught his developed Eskrido as well as the original Doce Pares system.

12.          When and how did you start training in the Filipino martial arts?


My start in the Filipino martial arts started when I trained with Bruce Lee.  Dan Inosanto and I were training with Bruce Lee, at the Lee Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Chinatown Los Angeles, when Dan asked me if I knew anything about the Filipino art of Eskrima.   I told him that I'd seen an Eskrima performance and I wasn't interested.  I just wanted to learn to punch, kick and wrestle with Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.  Dan and I became close friends when one day he asked me if I wanted to come with him to Stockton, California to study Eskrima with Angel Cabales.  Dan's Mon & Dan, Mary and Sebastian Inosanto of Stockton, had set up a private lesson for us with Angel Cabales.  In the beginning, I wasn't too excited about Eskrima; however, it was Dan who said to me that I should have patience, and that we would learn more secrets the Filipino arts have to offer.   After a while we learned more than what we expected when we researched the martial arts of the Philippines.  Our research far exceeded our expectations in the Filipino martial arts.  Today, Dan and I are given credit worldwide for reviving and promoting the Filipino martial arts.

13.          Does the edged weapon require different training to an impact weapon or are the skills transferable?


Edge weapons and blunt impact weapons are similar and transferable.  Edge weapons have a special application because of a sharp point and edge.  To be proficient in edge weapons, requires learnt skills.  Blunt impact weapons are normally power strikes with minimum skills.  Formal training in impact weapons and edge weapons will give one the benefit to transpose one weapon to the other.

14.          What are the similarities and differences between Panantukan and Western boxing?


Both, Panantukan and Western boxing, are hand-striking arts.  Boxing, however, is limited to punching or the Pugilistic art.  The Filipino art of Panantukan is the art of striking with an open hand or closed fist.  Panantukan is the empty hand product of Eskrima, Kali and Arnis.

15.          Describe the syllabus of Escrima at the IMB.


The Kali / Eskirma / Arnis syllabus at IMB Academy consists of the fundamental basic coordination and exercises for twirling, angling, footwork for defence, offence and counter techniques.  The intermediate stage continues with the lines of attack for the numbering system of many different styles of KEA for defence and disarming techniques.  Pormas or forms are added to enhance weapon control and handling.  Advance stage is the sparring training of single or multiple attacks.  Weapons against empty hand sparring is also introduced at this level.

16.          What is your weapon of choice?


My weapon of choice is my Colt "Gold Cup" 45 automatic hand gun and my single, semi and full-auto Uzi long gun.  My second choice is my Ethica shot gun, my 9mm Berreta and my 2" Smith & Wesson.   My third choice is my "Imerson" wave blade.  And my fourth choice of weapon is a single rattan, the long and short rattan and the double rattan sticks.

Sifu, I am going to list some terms used in the F.M.A, please describe what each one means. 


DUMOG: Grappling or wrestling techniques
SIKARAN: Kicking techniques
BUNO: Weaponry
LIMB DESTRUCTION: Destroy or attack the incoming striking limb with a kick, punch or weapon.
PARRY, CHECK, KILLING BLOW CONCEPT: Parry the aggressor's weapon hand strike, check or hold the weapon hand with the support hand, and continue with a killing blow to the aggressor.