Kalis Ilustrisimo

The Art of Filipino Blade Dueling

Kalis Ilustrisimo

Thrs 7:30pm-8:30pm

The Filipino Archipelago are home to one of the world’s most recognized and accomplished edged weapon warrior cultures. Kalis Ilustrisimo (KI) is one of the most celebrated styles of these martial arts.

Kalis Ilustrisimo at Boombox focuses primarily on the Sword Dueling methods of KI, as well as the complimentary methods of Sword + Dagger and Double Sword training.

What’s Kalis Ilustrisimo All About?

KI is the original fighting method of legendary Eskrimador (Filipino weapon fighter/duelist) Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo. The name “Kalis Ilustrisimo” literally translates to “The Sword of Ilustrisimo.” Throughout the 20th century, Tatang lead a storied life full of adventure, intrigue, and conflict, throughout which he faced many opponents in genuine bladed encounters. By his elder years, he had a reputation as one of the Philippine’s most impressive and accomplished Sword Masters, attracting master-level students from around the world to his open-air training sessions in Manila’s Luneta Park. After Tatang’s passing in 1997 at the age of 93, the art was perpetuated by a small collection of his students, most notably Master Tony Diego, who continued the tradition of teaching Kalis Ilustrisimo at it’s home in Luneta Park, Manila.

Our Style:

Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Original

Based in the home of KI, Luneta Park, Manila, Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orihinal (KIRO) is one of the world’s foremost KI organizations. KIRO was formed by our figurehead, Coach Arnold Narzo, a direct student of Tatang Ilustrisimo. Coach Arnold was also the primary protege of Master Tony Diego, the legendary martial artist who inherited the leadership of Kalis Ilustrisimo worldwide after Tatang’s death. Coach Arnold continues as the torch-bearer of Tatang’s legendary method.

KIRO teaches authentic Ilustrisimo techniques in a format that is accessible, replicable, and digestible, allowing students of all types to develop realistic skills.

Boombox is the home of Kalis Ilustrisimo for the state of Michigan. KIRO Detroit head coach Kurt Cornwell is a direct student of Master Coach Arnold Narzo and Guro Fred Bigliardi. Kurt is the KIRO director for Michigan, a student of Kalis Ilustrisimo since 2013, and a student of Filipino Martial Arts in general since 2003. He is also the owner and founder of Boombox.