PULAHAN 

Pulahan, literally "those wearing red", refers to the members of a religious movement and warrior cult that developed in the Philippines following the Philippine-American War, around 1902-1907. At its peak, it numbered around 10,000-15,000 adherents. The movement began after the Philippine Constabulary took over patrols in Samar, after the U.S. military declared it pacified

Pulahan Combat Prowess
The weapon of choice was a heavy, crescent-shaped Bolo knife; known also as the Garab or Talibon. Their battle preparations consisted of bottles of holy oil, prayer books, consecrated “Anting-Antings” (magical charms), and other religious paraphernalia. Led by priest-warlords; one of these priest is known to be our GGM’s teacher General Faustino Ablen, Pulahan were notorious fighters, usually disregarding better technology (such as firearms), in favor of hand-to-hand fighting using their bolos. The Pulahan sought nothing but death in battle, making them very dangerous combatants and also contributing to their high casualty figures. In seeking death in battle, they believed that those who perished would be sent to paradise.  The Pulahan main battle tactic was simply to advance upon the enemy, fire a volley, then throw down their firearms and rush in to the enemy and fight in hand-to-hand combat.

General “Papa” Faustino Ablen
To the Americans, he was known as a rebel.
To the Pulahan, he was known as a leader and Holy man.
To the Great Grandmaster, he was known as teacher.

Through cultural perspectives, Faustino Ablen was many things to many people.  In history, he is known as the rebel leader of the Pulahan of Leyte.  A spiritual rebel movement in arms against the occupying forces of the Americans in the late 1800's - early 1900's.  Known to his people as "Papa" Faustino Ablen, he was part of a spiritual sect of holy men, proclaimed healers and deliverers of their people, preaching throughout the land of Filipino unity and the evil of the occupying forces.  "Anting-Antings" were magical, spiritual amulets, medallions, and writings that Papa Ablen provided his people before battle and for healing.  He was not only known as a healer but also as a fierce warrior.  His army of Pulahan warriors was armed with only their razor sharp bolos, their “Anting-Antings”, and their warrior spirit.  The fiercest of warriors of the time matched only by the Moro's of Mindanao, the Pulahan brought fear to the soldiers with the battle cries of "Tad Tad" as they rushed the regiment lines fearless of the guns knowing of only one thing, drawing blood.  The Pulahan Wars (1902 - 1907) saw much bloodshed on both sides and made Papa Faustino Ablen a wanted man.  In history there are many accounts as to what happened to Gen. Ablen, some say he was killed and others say he was captured and never heard of again.  From what Great Grandmaster Pedoy has told us through his oral history is that he escaped and found his way to the mountains to live out his life.  

It wasn't until a young boy from Ormoc City ran away from home and came across a small hut and campfire.  This boy was Great Grandmaster Braulio Pedoy and the man he found was Faustino Ablen.  To GGM Pedoy, Faustino was a General of a rebel army who refused to salute and bow down to the American flag.  Ablen had told GGM Pedoy that he was in hiding and no one has been able to find him until now and that it must be fate that they had met.  Faustino Alben took in GGM Pedoy and taught him his art of Derobio; a battle tested no-nonsense bladed art form of Eskrima.  For eleven years, the GGM trained and lived with Faustino Ablen in the mountains of Leyte; as apprentice and master, as it was done centuries before them.  Through a grueling test of his acquired skill and knowledge of Derobio; the young Braulio Pedoy was made Master, Ablen sent GGM Pedoy out into the world to learn and spread the art of Derobio to assure its legacy.  GGM was told to seek out other Eskrimadors and open his heart and knowledge to all forms.  Through his travels he met many compadres, had many battles that tested not only his skill but his spirit as well.  

Links: 
Historical accounts of General "Papa" Faustino Ablen …

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1907/dec1907/gr_l-4201_1907.html
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1908/aug1908/gr_l-4464_1908.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulahan
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/251251-1-american-anti-terrorist-campaigns-1908-2008/
http://www.watawat.net/the_pulahanes_movement.html

The Pulahan War, Part I – Jennifer Hallock

The Pulahan War, Part II – Jennifer Hallock

The Pulahan War, Part III – Jennifer Hallock

Great Grandmaster Pedoy was born on October 16, 1900 in Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines.  At the age of six, he ran away from home and traveled into the mountains of the Southern Visayas where he was taken in by General Faustino Ablen.  The General was a leader of the Independence movement against the occupying American forces on the island of Leyte.  For eleven years, the Great Grandmaster lived and trained under the General in the art of Derobio Eskrima. At the age seventeen, Pedoy was tested by the General on what he had obtained in his years with him; their choice of weapon was the bolo.  As it was told , the test lasted almost two hours with Pedoy receiving a cut on the chin and near the eye;  the General none.  Through his ability to survive the battle, the General awarded Pedoy mastership of his art of Derobio and the task to expand his knowledge of the martial arts and travel the land learning other styles of Eskrima.  

In 1924, his travels brought the Great Grandmaster to the island of Hawaii where he worked on the Ola’a Plantation.  During World War II he worked as a security guard for the Army.  Later in life he worked and retired from Gaspro Inc.  In 1961, Great Grandmaster Pedoy began the first Eskrima School in the islands. The Great Grandmaster would come to be known for his prowess as a man of counters and as a healer in the art of Hilot; Filipino healing and bone setting.  

On April 9, 1976, he was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Hawaii, House of Representatives; awarded the entitlement "Eskrima Expert Extraordinaire", House Resolution No. 633.  In 1991, he was inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution in promoting the Philippine martial art of Eskrima.

The Adventures of Escrima Master Braulio Pedoy - Tambuli Media

Excerpt from GM Dan Medina’s Book, “The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima”.

“Before traveling to other islands, Pedoy decided to stop at his home to visit his father. But the visit was not well received. After seeing things had not changed much, Braulio continued onward. After traveling to many of the Islands and studying from as many masters as would teach him, Braulio found that every village had different styles of fighting. Pedoy once said that some systems relied on sound—once the crack of weapons was heard, that was the indicator to counter the attack. One of the last places the young Pedoy found himself was in the southern Philippines. There, he said that the Moro fighters had incorporated a special skill that was adapted to their environment. Living primarily on or near beaches, these fighters used footwork that sprayed their opponent’s faces with sand as they fought, crippling their eyes with sharp blinding shrapnel. This technique was unique but also limited as they relied upon it heavily and found themselves somewhat handicapped on more solid ground. But on sand it was like fighting a whirlwind. This and many more things he learned.

Later in his travels the young master found himself in Mindanao, there he was presented with yet another challenge. Rumors of a fierce fighter, Datu Piang’s bodyguard, who was terrorizing the town’s people, reached his ears. Many told tales of rape, extortion and bullying. Although the young Braulio was new to this town he felt something had to be done. So he entered a tournament the bodyguard was fighting in. Much like in the old movies, many of the towns people turned up to watch justice hopefully be served.”