“A Manong/Manang rank in Sayoc is only achieved by someone who holds a position of seniority, experience, respect and character in the Tribe. It is someone whose knowledge and experience serve as guidance for those who follow. Manong Mark Fulcher – a tribe elder has earned the respect of the Sayoc Council through his wisdom and deeds.
– Pamana Silak Tess Sayoc
Pamana Silak Tess Sayoc, the Sayoc Council of Tuhons and Full Instructors formally announce the promotion of Guro Mark Fulcher to the title of Manong (Tribal Elder) in the Sayoc Tribe.
Manong Mark began his Sayoc journey in 2002. He had first read about Sayoc in Black Belt magazine, he called the number in the advertisement, but it was only on his third attempt that persistence paid off and Pamana Tuhon Chris Sayoc, Snr returned his call.
Upon request for training, PT Sayoc suggested to Manong Mark that he attend a seminar he was going to teach in California for the Dog Brothers. It was at this seminar that he first met PT Sayoc and Tuhon Tom Kier.
Attached to the seminar was an opportunity to engage in real contact Stickfighting. Manong Mark decided to have a go and asked PT Sayoc for any advice. PT Sayoc’s reply was “move, breathe and hit as hard as you can”. It was at this Stickfighting gathering that Manong Mark first met future Sayoc Full Instructor Guro Dave DaRe.
Upon his return home back in Wisconsin, Manong Mark decided he wanted to pursue dedicated training and practice in the art of Sayoc Kali. He followed up with a call to PT Sayoc and was invited to an Instructor weekend in Philadelphia. This experience was an eye opener, and as a serving Police Officer Manong Mark decided this is exactly what he was looking for with Edged Weapons Awareness and Tactics. It was at this weekend event, that he first met Tuhon Rafael Kayanan and future Sayoc Tuhon Harley Elmore and the Atienza Brothers.
Manong Mark’s first Sayoc Sama Sama was in 2003 in Hazleton, PA. He recalls “plenty of dust, dirt, roots, injuries and hard reality based training”.
It was at this event, that I first met Manong Mark, and he also met the wider tribe and started to forge enduring lifelong friendships.
As Manong Mark gained more experience in the system, he contributed towards enhancing Wisconsin Police Officers’ awareness of edged weapons capabilities. When he showed how the Sayoc VT 3of9 exposes openings in the police vest, his colleagues started taking note.
Over time, PT Sayoc would discuss with Manong Mark how as one progresses in his art, the focus transitions from Self development to Propagation of the art. Subsequently, Manong Mark was part of various STG missions and also hosted Sayoc Sama Sama’s in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin in 2022 & 2023. These were the first in person Sayoc gatherings post Covid.
Manong Mark, accompanied by his very capable wife Chelle, son Woodrow and daughter Mallory seamlessly hosted these events. No doubt, their vast experience in organising complex Rodeo’s helped greatly.
In recent years, Manong Mark has been mentoring the Sayoc Training Groups in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Imparting the insights he has gained in almost 25 years of practice in Sayoc Kali.
On behalf of the whole Sayoc Tribe – Congratulations Brother!
Sayoc Full Instructor –
Guro Krishna Godhania.
