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Ranks and Curriculum

The Bernas Estocadas system has a curriculum that includes foundational and combative drill progressions that have been carefully curated by the Grandmaster to rapidly foster free, fluid, and effective skill development, and are constantly undergoing refinement to produce the best outcomes for the student journey. The progressions treat the learning of a martial art as similar to the learning of a new language, with the ultimate goal being the development of a capacity to express oneself freely, spontaneously, and effectively in the art's "body language". Promotions are often performed as part of special events that include workshops with the Grandmaster, or ranks may be awarded more spontaneously, at the end of a training session, when a student has made demonstrable progress and achieved the appropriate standard. Each level wears a specific T-shirt, and as we are a not-for-pofit school, the only cost associated with the five student gradings is the cost of the new T-shirt. [Note: There is a one-time Instructor Certification fee for those who pass the Manunúdlò test]. The major stages of development are somewhat similar to those one sees in the traditional medieval craft guilds: Apprentice Levels 1-5; Teacher (Manunúdlò), Master (Ágalon), and Grand Master or Head Master (Lólo Ámo). ​The curriculum requirements for all student levels and Instructor level, are listed below.

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Bag-óhan

Apprentice Level 1

Bag-óhan (novice; grey) is the first of five apprenticeship ranks. The Bag-óhan should focus their training on performing the Opénsa (12 Strikes or Consonants) and their Depénsa (12 Defences) in Tagísa (singular stationary) format; and Ságang (Blocking random attacks). 

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Requires a 2-Star rating on Form for promotion to Línghod. Flow and Focus are not rated at this level.

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Pagsolóndan (Fundmentals)

  • Saludo (Salute)

  • ​Panguyat​ (Stick Grip)

  • Ngangáng Búaya (Crocodile Mouth)

  • Pigar (Push or Pressure)

  • Garahé (Parking Stick)

  • ​Abierta/Serrada (Open/Closed)

  • Kayâ/Kulob (Supine/Prone)

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Paníndog (Stances)

  • Preparar (Ready Position)

  • Hiláy Likód (Back Stance)

  • Hiláy Tubang (Forward Stance)

  • Bakâ (Horse Stance)

  • Púngkò (Cat or Seated Stance)

  • Ekis (Cross Stance)

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Palakát (Footwork)

  • Walá kag Tuô (Left & Right)

  • Abante (Advancing)

  • Atras (Retreating)

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Opénsa (12 Strikes - Consonants)

  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12​

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Depénsa (12 Blocks)

  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12​​​​​​

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Depénsa-Opénsa (Defence & Counter)

  • Level 1: Sagáng (Blocking)

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Dógsing (Random Play)

  • Stage 1: Sagáng (Blocking Random Attacks)

Línghod

Apprentice Level 2​

Línghod (unripe; green) is the second of five apprenticeship ranks. The Línghod should focus their attention on performing the Opénsa (12 Strikes or Consonants), and their Depénsa (12 Defences) in Páres Páres (paired) sequences, while advancing and retreating; and Ságang Bálos (blocking and countering) in response to random attacks.

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Requires a 3-Star rating on Form, and a 2-Star rating on Flow for promotion to Gúlang. Focus is not rated at this level.

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Dóble Báston: Santikanay (Double Stick Sparking)

  • 1) High-High (R/L)

  • 2) Low-Low (R/L)

  • 3 )High-High (R/L) + Low-Low (R/L)

  • 4) High-High-Low-Low (R/L)

  • 5) High-Low (R/L)

  • 6) High-Low-High (R/L)

  • 7) Sinawali (R/L)

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Opénsa Páres Páres (Paired Strikes)​

Stationary, Advancing, Retreating

1-8 Reps Slow & Smooth, 8-1 Reps Fast & Hard

  • 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12

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Depénsa Páres Páres (Paired Blocks)​

Stationary, Advancing, Retreating

1-8 Reps Slow & Smooth, 8-1 Reps Fast & Hard​

  • 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12

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Pasunód​ Páres Páres (Consecutive Pairs)

  • 1-2

  • 3-4 (1-2-3-4)

  • 5-6 (1-2-3-4-5-6)

  • 7-8 (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8)

  • 9-10 (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10)

  • 11-12 (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12)​

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Dágway Level 1 (Forms)

Basic Forms

  • Dágway 1: Opensa Abante (12 Strikes Advancing)

  • Dágway 2: Depensa Abante (12 Blocks Advancing)

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Depénsa-Opénsa (Defence & Counter)

  • Level 2: Bálos (Single Counter)

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Dógsing (Random Play)

  • Stage 2: Bálos (Block & Single Counter in response to Random Attacks)

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Gúlang

Apprentice Level 3

Gúlang (maturing; yellow) is the third of five apprenticeship ranks. The Gúlang should focus their attention on performing the Opénsa (12 Strikes or Consonants) and their Depénsa (12 Defences) in a range of Pasúnod (consecutive) two, three, and four strike sequences while advancing, retreating, and switching directions; and Ságang Bálos Dámò (Block and Multiple Counters in response to random attacks). 

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Requires a 4-star rating on Form, a 3-star rating on Flow, and a 2-star rating on Focus for promotion to Habál.

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Dóble Báston (Double Stick)

  • 1-7 Santikanay (Sparking) in a Single Sequence

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Pasunód​ Tagduhá (Consecutive Two-Each)

Stationary, Advancing, & Retreating​​

  • 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10, 10-11, 11-12

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Pasunód​ Tagtátlo (Consecutive Three-Each)

​Advancing on Odd & Retreating on Even

​Advancing on Even & Retreating on Odd

  • 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5, 4-5-6, 5-6-7, 6-7-8, 7-8-9, 8-9-10, 10-11-12

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Tagápat (Four-Each)

Stationary, Advancing, Retreating​

  • 1-2-3-4

  • 5-6-7-8

  • 9-10-11-12

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Palabúlak (Flowering Strikes: Vowels)

Abierta (Open-Side) and Serrada (Closed-Side)

  • Wasiwas (Wagging) - w

  • Redonda (Rotating) - r

  • Abaniko (Fanning) - a

  • Palpal (Pegging) - p

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Dágway Level 1 (Forms)

Advanced Forms​

  • Dágway-U-Turn

  • Dágway-T

  • Dágway-I

  • Dágway-Plus

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Depénsa-Opénsa (Defence & Counter)

  • Level 3: Balos Dámò (Multiple Counters)​​​​

  • Level 4: Paíway (Evasion)​​​​

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Pasúnod Ímo-Ákon (Consecutive Your Turn, My Turn)

Ensure I=Ímo & A=Ákon roles are switched for second round

  • I(1), A(2)

  • I(3), A(4)

  • I(5), A(6)

  • I(7), A(8)

  • I(9), A(10)

  • I(11), A(12)

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Dógsing (Random Play)

  • Stage 3: Ságang (Blocking) with Balos Dámò (Multiple Counters)​​​​ against Random Attacks​ delivered at anytime

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Habál

Apprentice Level 4​​

Habál (ripening; orange) is the fourth of five apprenticeship ranks. The Habál should focus their attention on performing the Opénsa (12 Strikes or Consonants) and Palabúlak (4 Flowering Strikes or Vowels) in complex Pasúnod (consecutive) two, three, and four strike sequences while moving in multiple directions. They should also focus on defending with Sagáng (blocks), Palápaw (parries), and Paíway (Evasions) in response to random attacks.

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Requires a 5-star rating on Form, a 4-star rating on Flow, and a 3-star rating on Focus for promotion to Hínog.

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Dóble Báston (Double Stick)​

  • Santikanay 1-7 + r-a-r-p-w

  • Sinawali Variations (HHH, HHL, HLH, LHH, LLH, LLL)

  • Gúnting (Abierta/Serrada)

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Páres Páres + Palabúlak (Paired Strikes + Vowels)​​

  • Páres Páres + Redonda: 1r2r, 3r4r, 5r6r, 7r8r, 9r10r, 11r12r

  • Páres Páres + Redonda & Abaniko: 1rar2rar, 3rar4rar, 5rar6rar, 7rar8rar, 9rar10rar, 11rar12rar

  • Páres Páres + Redonda, Abaniko, & Palpal: 1rarp2rarp, 3rarp4rarp, 5rarp6rarp, 7rarp8rarp, 9rarp10rarp, 11rarp12rarp

  • Páres Páres + Redonda, Abaniko, Palpal, & Wasiwas: 1rarpw2rarpw, 3rarpw4rarpw, 5rarpw6rarpw, 7rarpw8rarpw, 9rarpw10rarpw, 11rarpw12rarpw

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Pasunód​ Tagtátlo Abante/Atrás (Consecutive 3-Strike Combos Advancing & Retreating)                                         

Within Each Sequence

  • Abante-Atrás-Abante 

  • Abante-Abante-Atrás

  • Atrás-Abante-Abante

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Palabúlak Segída ( Flowering Strikes/Vowels in Succession)​

  • Corto 3 & 4 + Serrada: r-a-r-p-w

  • Corto 4 & 3 + Abierta: r-a-r-p-w

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Tagápat + Vowels (Fours & Vowels)

Stationary, Advancing, Retreating​

  • 1-2-3-4-r-a-r-p-w

  • 5-6-7-8-r-a-r-p-w

  • 9-10-11-12-r-a-r-p-w

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Dágway Level 2 (Forms)

Advanced Forms plus Vowels

  • Dágway: Opensa Abante + r-a-r-p-w

  • Dágway: Depensa Level 3 + r-a-r-p-w

  • Dágway: U, T, I, Plus (+)​ + r-a-r-p-w

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Depénsa-Depénsa (Stop & Pass)

S=Stop (Sagáng), P=Pass (Palápaw & Paíway)

  • S1, P1+S2, P1-2+S3, P1-3+S4, P1-4+S5, P1-5+S6, P1-6+S7, P1-7+S8, P1-8+S9, P1-9+S10, P1-10+S11, P1-11+S12

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Bálos-Bálos (Counter-Counter or Stop-Counter-Pass)

S=Stop (Sagáng), C=Counter (Bálos), P=Pass (Palápaw & Paíway)

  • S1+C2+P1, S2+C1+P2, S3+C2+P1, S4+C3+P2, S5+C2+P1, S6+C1+P2, S7+C1+P2, S8+C3+P2, S9+C1+P2, S10+C2+P1, S11+C2+P1, S12+C1+P2

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Dógsing (Random Play)

  • Stage 4: Ságang (Blocking), Palápaw (Passing), or Paíway (Evading) with Balos Dámò (Multiple Counters)​​​​ against Random Attacks​ delivered at anytime

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Hínog

Apprentice Level 5​​

Hínog (ripe; red) is the final of five graded apprenticeship ranks. The Hínog should focus their attention on seamlessly blending the system's Abierta Opénsa  (open consonants) and Serrada Opénsa (closed consonants) with the Palabúlak (4 vowels) in complex Lákot (mixed non-consecutive) multi-strike sequences while moving in multiple directions. They should also focus on defending with Sagáng (blocks), Palápaw (parries), and Paíway (Evasions) in response to random attacks, incorporating Pang-Ágaw (disarms) and being able to switch from Opénsa (attack) to Depénsa (defence) as needed.

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Requires a 5-star rating on Form and Flow, and a 4-star rating on Focus for eligibility to sit the test for Manunúdlò.

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Dóble Báston Gunting (Double Stick Scissoring)

  • Gúnting (Serrada) +(Counters)

  • Gúnting (Abierta) +(Counters)

  • Depénsa 1 or 2 + Totsáda Dámò (Multiple Thrusts)

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Lakót Tagduhá (Mixed Non-Consecutive 2-Strike Combos)

  • 1+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 2+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 3+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 4+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 5+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 6+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 7+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 8+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 9+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 10+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 11+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 12+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

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Lakót Tagtátlo (Mixed Non-Consecutive 3-Strike Combos)

  • 1-2+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 2-1+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 3-4+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 4-3+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 5-6+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 6-5+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 7-8+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 8-7+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 9-10+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 10-9+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

  • 11-12+(2,4,6,9,11,12)

  • 12-11+(1,3,5,7,8,10)

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Dágway Level 3 (Forms)

Advanced Forms plus Consonants & Vowels

  • Opensa (Abante) + Consonants & Vowels

  • Depensa + Balos Damô + r-a-r-p-w

  • U, T, I , Plus (+) + Consonants & Vowels

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Depénsa-Opénsa (Defend & Counter)

  • Level 5: Pang-Ágaw (Abierta/Serrada)

  • Level 6: Pang-Ágaw + Vowels

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Ímo-Ákon (Your Turn, My Turn)

Random Stop and Reset to Opensa 1

Feed Stays in Consecutive 1-12 Order

  • Ímo-Ákon​ Bálos (Your Turn-My Turn w/ Counter)

  • Ímo-Ákon​ Bálos Dámò (Your Turn-My Turn w/ Counters)

  • Ímo-Ákon​ Paíway (Your Turn-My Turn w/ Evasion)​

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Dógsing (Random Play)

  • Stage 5: Ímo-Ákon (Your Turn, My Turn), Evade & Pass (Palápaw & Paíway) or Stop (Sagáng) Random Attacks. On Stop (Sagáng) initiate Bálos (Counter) and roles must switch.

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Manunúdlò

Teacher

Manunúdlò (Instructor; black) is a licensed teacher of the art who has demonstrated: (1) a capacity to accurately explain and demonstrate the principles and practices of the Abesedario, Pang-Áway, and Combate Heneral of the Solo & Doble Baston curriculum of the Bernas Estocadas System, with consistently strong form, fluidity, focus, and functionality, in front of an international audience, overseen by Manunúdlò, Agálon, and the Lolo Ámo, under intense exam conditions; and (2) maintenance of the form, fluidity, focus, and functional effectiveness, during high intensity defense and counter partner drills involving blocking, parrying, evading, and disarming.

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Must have attained eligibility to sit the test for Manunúdlò (see Hínog requirements), and have completed BES Teacher training, including supervised teaching practice.

 

Mústra (Demonstrating)

Can demonstrate all system requirements with:

  • Form

  • Fluidity

  • Focus

  • Functional Effectiveness

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Túdlò (Teaching)

Can explain all system requirements:

  • Conceptually (Principles)

  • Technically (Mechanics)

  • Tactically (Strategies)

  • Historically (Contexts)

  • Philosophically (Ethics)

  • Methodologically (Pedagogies and Curriculum Progressions)

 

Hánas (Rehearsal)

Hard & Fast with Protective Equipment and at Range without contact (using Combat Heneral)

  • Depénsa-Opénsa

  • Depénsa-Depénsa

  • Bálos-Bálos

  • Ímo-Ákon

 

Káranza (Free Movement)

Freeform mixing of consonants and vowels, attack & defence

  • Solo Báston

  • Doble Báston

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©2016-2026 Eskrima Academy | ABN 22 393 081 190

Academy Director: Agálon (Master) Robert Parkes | MAIA / KWA Ltd Club Member No. A2114

Academy Patron: Lólo Ámo (Grand Master) William Bernas

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