World Original Teovel's Balintawak Arnis Group

I am Grandmaster Oliver G. Maguyon, a Civil Engineer by profession and currently residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I started my Arnis/Eskrima carrier when I was 9 years old, which was in 1971 under the supervision of our late Grandmaster Teofilo Velez, the late Grandmaster Pachito Velez, the late Grandmaster Eduardo Velez and Grandmaster Ramon Franco “Monie” Velez. Our Club’s name then was Balintawak International but was changed to Teovel’s Balintawak Self Defense Club. Aside from our main club, we have our satellite club located at Caballes Compound, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City in a small open area owned by the Obrador Family and was later transferred to our own place at the same compound. My first instructor was Grandmaster Bobby Taboada who taught me the 12 basic strikes, power strikes, basic defense and offense and the basic 5 groupings. We also practiced Combat Judo and Knife Fighting defense which was checked by the Velez brothers from time to time.

The club was very active with the demonstrations whenever the club was invited. When Grandmaster Bobby Taboada went to New Zealand with his student Peter Bull, I continued with my carrier directly with the Velez brothers and checked by their father Grandmaster Teofilo Velez. I had a rigid training with the Velez brothers who taught me different skills and techniques, the method of proper teaching and the Teovel’s Balintawak curriculum. Many years later we decided to change the name of the club to WORLD ORIGINAL TEOVEL’S BALINTAWAK ARNIS GROUP (WOTBAG). We practiced the system seriously for long years until SGM Pacito Velez, GM Ramon Franco Velez, GM Eduardo Velez and WOTBAG President Dr. Evencio “Ben” Marapao Sr. promoted me to the rank of MASTER INSTRUCTOR on December 16, 2008. We continued to teach the Teovel’s Balintawak System to local enthusiasts and foreigners who love arnis/eskrima. We continue in reviewing all the past and present skills and techniques to maintain Speed, Timing, Accuracy, Flexibility, Reflexes and Power. In the year 2019 I was promoted by the pillars of WOTBAG – World Original Teovel’s Balintawak Arnis Group, namely SGM Pacito Velez, GM Ramon Franco Velez and GM Eduardo Velez as one of their Grandmasters and was later elected as President of the Club. Until now we continue to practice for advancement and further development of the system and share it to those who wants to learn more about the Teovel’s Balintawak System.