Family Tree

ESTEBEN LATOSA

Rene’s Great Grandfather, Esteben, was a well-known (wanted) outlaw and a feared and dangerous Escrimador. As the story has it, he possessed the Anting-Anting, “the symbol of the supernatural” coupled with his martial arts skills made him a truely invincible man. As a young boy of seven years, Juan Latosa, Rene’s father was the only person his outlaw grandfather Esteben would allow near him. Esteben saw a future Escrimador in the brave eyes of his young grandson Juan.

He tried to teach him the finer points of fighting but Juan was too young. One day as Esteben, lay sick in bed dying, he asked his grandson to take the Anting-Anting protruding from his mouth. Even as a young boy, Juan sensed that this object had evil attached to it and refused to take it. Esteben smiled at Juan’s wise decision and felt assured that his courageous grandson would be a successful fighter without the Anting-Anting. In his weaken state Esteben left for the mountains never to be seen or heard from again.

JUAN LATOSA

Juan Latosa, Rene’s father, was a well-respected fighter within the province of Capiz, and in the city of Mambusao. Rene’s father was the eldest in his family and a big man in terms of the average size of a Filipino. As a teenager, relatives introduced Juan to the Filipino martial arts at a young age. With his interest and skills sparked, Juan asked his mother for money to go to college in Manila. His mother’s perception of study meant academics; whereas, Juan’s interpretation was to proceed to the mountains to study Escrima. He never made it to Manila. For over a year he studied in a secret camp where his training extended to weapons of different sizes, shapes (kampilan, staffs, ropes, double swords, etc.), and ending with a weapon completely out of character, the Japanese samurai sword. When he returned to his village, he continued to season his skills in actual fights and by practicing with different vendors and travelers who had martial arts skills. In his village, he was the best fighter; it did not hurt him too much that his athletic skills were at his highest level (Philippine Olympic Track Team).

He departed the Philippines in the 1920s for America seeking fortune, adventure, and a better life. On the ship to America, he confronted a Japanese Bo master because he was causing trouble and bothering the other Filipino passengers. Juan asked him to stop; consequently, the situation escalated into a death match. With the stage set, the match began with sticks against staff. The fight ensued with Juan rendering the opponent down and defenseless in a matter of seconds. Being a death match, the opponent requested that he finish the job; Juan refused. His opponent had to live with the humility and loss of face for the rest of the voyage. This story was told to me by other people, many years before I realized and verified that it was my Father who was the major part of this episode.

PEDRO LATOSA

Uncle Pedro was a wonderful source of training and stories. He told Rene fascinating stories of his brother Juan’s temperament, fights, and reputation in the Philippines. Pedro learned Escrima from Rene’s father. The training he received from my father was for survival rather than learning for learning’s sake.

RENE LATOSA

Grandmaster Rene Latosa has been teaching his unique style of Escrima (Latosa Escrima Concepts) for
over 35 years all over the world. He developed his unique style of Escrima using the fighting concepts
from several of his well known instructors and from his family system taught to him by his Father. He
developed a teaching system using concepts instead of techniques, to ensure a high level of retention
among the students. He was the first person to introduce the Filipino martial arts to Europe and England,
and still travels throughout the world spreading the martial art of his culture.

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