Shaun Porter ist der einzige Lightning Scientific Arnis Meister außerhalb der Philippinen*. Er unterrichtet in London und an seinem Wohnort Cambrigde und hat mit Erlaubnis von Großmeister Ben L. Lema einige offizielle Lightning Scientific Arnis Lehrer hervorgebracht.

Cvp: Could you tell me a little bit about the History of Lightning Scientific Arnis and how it is organised today?

Shaun Porter: Lightning Scientific Arnis was founded by Grandmaster Ben L. Lema 1937. Regretfully he passed away on January 5th 2003. The Lightning Scientific Arnis organization in the Philippines is headed by Grandmaster Lema’s daughter Ate Patty L.Caballero. If you require any information about Lightning Ate Patty is the person to contact in Manila.
She can be contacted by writing to her at:

Lightning Scientific Arnis
c/o Ate Patty L.Caballero
Block 4,Lot 5
Pamplona Street,
Maria Salud Village,
Salinas 1,
Bacoor,Cavite 4102
Philippines
Phone: +63(0)46-434-0947
cellphone: +63-919-450-3345

Ate Patty would be very happy to speak to anyone interested in Lightning Scientific Arnis or her father Grandmaster Ben L. Lema

Cvp: What was your Relationship to Grandmaster Ben L. Lema like?

Shaun Porter: Mang Ben was my friend, teacher and Grandmaster and I miss him every day.

CVP: What does the name „Lightning Scientific Arnis“ mean?

Shaun Porter: Lightning indicates the speed, power and sudden attack.
Scientific means the techniques have been well thought out and used effectively in real combat.

CVP: How did you come in contact with the FMA in general and with LSA specifically?

Shaun Porter: I first came in to contact with FMA whilst in school in Manila. I was fifteen and there was an Arnis demonstration at our school.

It was good luck (and good fortune) that I discovered Lightning Scientific Arnis. I was living in Manila (at my mother’s house) and I was looking for an Arnis system that I would be happy to immerse myself in completely. Just about 100 meters from my mother’s house there was a shop with a small sign outside with the Lightning logo on it.

I enquired inside the shop where I met Grandmaster Lema’s most senior student, Master Agripino Mayuga. We had a training session then and there. Master Mayuga told me he would bring Grandmaster Lema (Mang Ben as we fondly called the Grandmaster) to my mother’s house in two days.

Two days later Mang Ben came to my house and we I started to learn Lightning Scientific Arnis.

CVP: Is there a special tactic or weapon Lightning Scientific Arnis is known for?

Shaun Porter: Lightning is known for it’s powerful and extremely fast use of the baston (stick). It is first and foremost a stick system as opposed to a more blade oriented style. We do however train with live blades at a more advanced level.

CVP: How is the system structured?

Shaun Porter: Like most Arnis systems you learn the basic types of striking initially.There is also a very strong emphasis put on correct footwork, use of the whole body to generate power from the strikes and keeping your head clear of the striking zone.

This is taught right from the beginning. The 12 methods of striking are taught next along with an important Lightning drill called Bigay Tama, which means to give a hit.

Working the stick, or Serrada is also taught at an early stage. This is a close in drill where the use of the different strikes along with footwork is used to perfect timing-something Mang Ben would repeat to you during practice.

This is the heart of Lightning when used with the stick and dagger. There are also disarms, double stick, knife and empty hand techniques taught.

CVP: What about Knife vs. Knife?

Shaun Porter: In Lightning the baston (stick) is king. There is not much emphasis put on knife vs. knife. This is because it is MUCH more difficult to learn to use the stick than the knife. Once you master using the stick with the correct footwork you can apply this to knife vs. knife. This has been proven many times by Lightning practitioners in real confrontations, many of whom are Close Protection Officers for politicians, celebrities and businessmen in the Philippines.

CVP: Is there also self defense against Knife taught in the system and what do you personally think about that topic?

Shaun Porter: There are many empty hand self defense techniques against the knife in Lightning.
Grandmaster Lema always stressed that you must control the knife hand and disarm your opponent as quickly as possible.
I Think that it is important to train against a knife in a free sparring manner as opposed to using pre-set drills.

CVP:Could you explain a training method or exercise for generating hitting power?

Shaun Porter: There are no specific training methods for generating power when you strike. It is simply using your body correctly combined with physical strength. Mang Ben put great emphasis on weight training as well as stamina fitness.
We do hit tires or heavy bags to improve hitting power and to get used to making contact.

CVP:How do you spar in Lightning Scientific Arnis, is there a special format?

Shaun Porter: In Lightning we use drills where there are certain sequences and techniques are taught. As the student becomes more advanced there is more random use of different techniques and the power of the attacks increases severely so much so that if you were to get hit accidentally it would cause an injury.
This is the medium distance drills. This is where much sparring is done.
We also have a similar close in sparring drill where control is necessary so as not to injure your partner.
When Mang Ben was learning Arnis there was no protective equipment available.

Shaun, thank you very much for this Interview.

offizielle Homepage Lightning Scientific Arnis International

*Stand zum Zeitpunkt des Interviews. Mittlerweile lebt und unterrichtet Master Jon Escudero in Israel