Pamana Tuhon Sayoc, Sr. had the foresight of creating a Legacy in order for his system, “SAYOC KALI, The Art Of Blade”, to continue on past his last breath. As generations and generations before him had given him the lessons earned by blood.
Sayoc Tuhons continue to build upon the legacy of the system. Their readiness for that task started as a Sayoc Full Instructor. There are no shortcuts. There are no exceptions.
In Sayoc Kali, the rank of Full Instructor is based on deeds. Every Sayoc Full Instructor has a minimum of 15 years of unbroken training in Sayoc alone. However, time in the system does not earn one a Sayoc rank. Nor can rank be bought — only earned through trust and competence.
As Guros, they grew up in the ranks of Sayoc Kali. Having trained together with the Source, they have traveled far and wide to teach and represent Sayoc around the world.
Sayoc Full Instructors are responsible for protecting the Sayoc Tribe and teachings of Pamana Tuhon Sayoc.
They are family in the living ART OF THE BLADE.
It is with this understanding that we announce the promotion of four Sayoc Full Instructors.
Guro Sean Brandt
Sean Brandt started training Sayoc Kali in 2004. A lifelong martial artist, Sean has earned black belts in Aikido, traditional Japanese jiujitsu, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Besides physical training, he has an affinity for academics, and has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and an MBA.
He leads the northern New Jersey crew, Tumabak Kali, continuing the legacy of Sayoc’s founder, Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc, Sr.
Guro David DaRe
Guro Da Re was introduced to Sayoc Kali at a CA seminar in 2002 taught by Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc, Sr. Sayoc Kali was unlike any FMA system he was exposed to. Those 6 hrs of training with Pamana Tuhon Sayoc, had a positive effect that already started to change Guro Da Re’s thoughts on what FMA can be.
Guro Da Re officially began his Sayoc Kali training with the Sayoc Arizona Tribe in November 2003. In 2006, Guro Da Re took over the role of Training Group Leader for the Sayoc Arizona Tribe. His training with all the the Sayoc Tuhons has helped shape his life in the most positive way in all aspects. Listening to the words in the lessons that are given is just as important as the motion training that is given.
As Guro Da Re started climbing the associate ranks, he was added to internal team’s at Sayoc events which would lead to other work on outside projects. Learning more about the deeds of others was priceless in helping Guro Da Re grow into his future role in the Sayoc Tribe
Guro Jason Epps
Owner and Head Instructor at Pride Mixed Martial Arts ( Muay Thai, Silat, BJJ, JKD) in Edmond, Oklahoma.
At nine years old Jason Epps enrolled in a martial arts class hoping he would learn to protect himself from the neighborhood bullies that terrorized him on a daily basis.
Not only did the martial arts teach him self-defense, it taught him how to be more disciplined, confident, and self-controlled. The Martial Arts soon became a passion that would define his life.
Introduced to Sayoc Kali in 2003, Guro Epps began the instructor program under Tuhon Harley Elmore.
Teaching is more than a passion for him. He knows firsthand that the values and principles, taught through the martial arts, are life changing. Guro Epps credits much of his success to his training in Sayoc Kali.
Guro Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell, ranked Sayoc Full Instructor, Mataas na Guro, and Katipunan II, started training Sayoc Kali in 2002. Based in Louisville, KY, Guro Matt is the founding instructor at Sayoc Forge Fighting. As a Sayoc instructor, he has traveled across the U.S. and England to personally train over 1,000 students and teach 500+ hours in the last year. He is actively involved with Sayoc Tactical Group (STG) and Sayoc Combat Choreography (SCC).
Guro Matt is the Sayoc Tactical Group Master at Arms, Integrative Combatives Instructor, and primary training partner to STG subject-matter-experts globally.
Guro Matt trained the Sayoc Royal Guard System privately; directly under Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc, Sr. the Source of Sayoc Kali, and now teaches in weekly U.S. Apprentice and Europe Sayoc instructor calls.