From left to right: Guru Art Guarnes, Father Greg Soldevilla Jr., and Master Guru Melecio O. Balberde
(Written by: Master Guru Melecio O. Balberde)
On August 25, 2009, one of the Old Masters of Eskrima in Panay Island passed away at the age of 82 years. He was buried on September 6, 2009 in the Province of Iloilo.Grand Master Gregorio “Awas” Soldevilla was the originator of the Arnis style in Panay Island, Philippines called ‘Hanot Puerta’ (meaning; striking door) which is patterned from the movement of the door. It has three major strikes called ‘tres teras’ (meaning; three strikes). The major strikes are called Sera which is in Hiligaynon (Ilongo dialect) means closing the door, trangka or locking the door, and bwelta which is bouncing the door.
Grand Master Awas showing his masterpiece; the "Hanot Puerta" or the 'Striking Door' technique
Before his death, Grand Master Awas directly commissioned his son, Father Gregorio Soldevilla, Jr., a Parish priest assigned in Antique, to continue teaching his style of Eskrima to those who are interested and worthy to learn this simple and very effective form of Arnis honed in the province of Iloilo. As a result, Father Greg organized the new group of Eskrimadores called Bastoneros a traditional Hiligaynon term used to describe practitioners of Arnis in the Island of Panay with the help of Guru Art Guarnes which happened to be one of the members of CASASAI Board of Directors and also an incorporator. Eventually, the Bastoneros became the sister Arnis organization of CASASAI headed by Guru Mel Balberde.
On behalf of all the members and family of CASASAI, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Our Late Grand Master Gregorio AWAS Soldevilla and to all his family members for teaching us his unique style of Arnis which becomes an integral part of the COMBATIVE and SPORTIVE ARNIS SYSTEM.
We say good bye to his mortal body but not to the man and his enduring fighting spirit! Eskrimadores, let us all together give our grandest pag PUGAY to our Grand Master Gregorio “Awas” Soldevilla!
I am happy to see your Blog on my Father’s passing away Grandmaster Mel. I hope we continue to honor our Grandmaster Gregorio Sr. by faithfully passing on the legacy of his simple but very effective style. You have passed away, Pang; but your legacy will remain in our hearts and spirit! More power to you and may the spirit of our forebears will uphold you in all your good intentions.
Thanks so much Father Greg. I am really proud of your father who developed a very unique style of Eskrima in Panay. Thanks for your support. More Power!
Correction does much,
but encouragement does more.
~Author : Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Great Saying
“PAG PUGAY SA DIYOS! PAG PUGAY SA MUNDO AT PAG PUGAY SA KAPWA!”
Once a Bastonero always a bastoneros!
Mabuhay si Grand Master Greg “awas” Soldevilla!
Mabuhay ang PANAY BASTONEROS!
Mabuhay ang CASASAI!
Mabuhay ang PILIPINAS!
Is Master Greg Soldevilla is Tatay Goring as well?
Huo Robby. Sorry that we failed to let you know the passing away of your Tay Goring. We have no idea how to contact you. But thank you very much for your prayers for the repose of his soul. Keep the faith!
belated condolences to the family of father boy soldevila.sorry for not coming to the wake of tatay goring. I was not informed that tatay goring passed away until my son read this blog. rest in peace tatay goring
Salamat gid Auntie Luz. God bless you and your family. My best regards.
May I correct the date of my father’s death as stated here in your blog. My father died August 25, 2009 and not August 2 as mentioned in this blog. Please consider my humble correction. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much Master Guro Mel for considering the correction re:the date of death of our Grandmaster Gregorio Soldevilla, Sr. More power to you and to your CASASAI group. More power and CONGRATULATIONS from your sister Group: Panay Bastoneros.
I WILL BE UR SUCCESOR LOLO GREG..!
I WILL BE THE GRAND MASTER OF ARNIS OF FAMILY SOLDEVILLA..!