Pekiti-Tirsia is martial art system developed in the central region of the Philippines. In the Ilongo dialect of the Philippines, Pekiti-Tirsia means literally “close-thirds” or, as we might say in English, “close-quarters”. It is called this as it is a complete fighting system that specializes in close-quarter techniques. It is based on three principles:
1) You will face multiple armed assailants.
2) There are three combat ranges: long, medium and short.
3) For every attack, there is a counterattack; for every counterattack, there is a recounter…and so on.
The system was developed by the Tortal family of Negros Occicental, Philippines in the 1800’s. As it was passed down from generation to generation, it has been tried and tested through the Spanish-American War, World War II, and many battles fought between neighboring tribes from other islands. It has also proven itself through street confrontations in the Philippines, the United States and abroad. The system has been brought to the world through the efforts of the surviving grandmaster, Mataaas Na Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje, and his senior student, Tuhon Guro William McGrath. It is taught to military and law-enforcement worldwide, and it is being made available to you through Pekiti-Tirsia International.