PTK Bayanihan

PTK Bayanihan was named, appointed and authorized by Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr. to promote Pekiti Tirsia Kali in Michigan, the Midwest and Beyond.

PTK Baganihan is an organization that upholds the doctrines of the Filipino Fighting Art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali and the teachings of Grand Tuhon, and operates under his direct guidance. Pekiti Tirsia Kali is a Filipino Martial Art and weapon-based combat system, which includes striking, kicking, joint locks, and grappling. PTK Baganihan is led by Tuhon Justin Shaffner.

03/29/2025

This table defines what GT calls, the "order of operations" for "non-counterability," outlining the necessary conditions for engagement in a combat or tactical scenario. When inside the arc of a weapon, one must bisect it with their own weapon to neutralize the threat and prevent being struck. If within the arc of a hand, one can either bisect the attack with a weapon or with the hand, depending on the range and situation. Where there is a tie, this creates a "bridge," to bridge across ranges. Failing to abide by this order of operation means risking vulnerability, as the avatar is exposed to hits, which could result in significant damage or even death. This order of operations ensures a structured, strategic approach to maintaining control and minimizing risk in dynamic engagements.

Key for Terms:
- Stick: Refers to any weapon that the hand can hold, such as a sword, staff, or other objects used in combat.
- Hand: Refers to the whole arm, branch of a tree, or even the foot when kicking, symbolizing the extension of the body for action and movement.
- Head: Refers to the whole trunk (torso) and everything below the head, symbolizing the central body mass.

03/28/2025

"Karanza is the self-generating flow of the forms with themselves [karanas], where each movement dissolves into the next, embodying creation and destruction in seamless rhythm. It is the living dance of reality, ever-becoming, never static.

The term Karanza in Filipino martial arts refers to the Sanskrit term karanas. As described in the Nāṭya Śāstra, the term karanas refers to fundamental movement sequences in classical Indian thought, particularly in dance, ritual, and embodied philosophy. Each karana is both a complete form and a transition, illustrating the principle that all motion arises from the interplay of stillness and transformation (Nāṭya Śāstra, Chapter 4).

The influence of Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, can be traced to the Srivijaya Empire (7th–13th century CE) and the Majapahit Empire (13th–16th century CE), which facilitated the transmission of Indian cultural, religious, and martial practices across the region. This legacy is evident in linguistic traces, mythology, martial arts, and artistic expressions, reflecting a deep cultural exchange with India and its Southeast Asian counterparts long before the colonial era.

Karanza has analogues in the practice of yoga and energy cultivation traditions in the region, such as Tāṇḍava in Shaivism, Trul Khor in Tibetan Buddhism, and Qigong in Chinese Daoist and martial practices, all of which emphasize the harmonization of movement, breath, and inner energy as a means of transformation."