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Years Of Experience
About & Lineage
My History
About Instructor Ben Wong
From a young age, Ben was deeply inspired by Chinese kung fu movies, sparking a lifelong passion for martial arts.
His outgoing nature and strong social network connected him with like-minded martial artists, allowing him to exchange knowledge and explore various kung fu styles.
Martial Arts Background
Throughout his early journey, Ben trained in Wing Chun, Hung Gar, and Hsing Yi, gaining a solid foundation in traditional Chinese martial arts.
As his journey evolved, Ben had the opportunity to train under Malcolm Lomax, a former British SAS soldier and celebrity bodyguard, from whom he learned Tibetan Lama Pai Kung Fu (also known as Lions Roar) – a style historically associated with Hong Kong Triads in the 1970s due to its aggressive and dominating characteristics.
Ben’s exploration of martial arts led him to Southern Mantis Kung Fu under Sifu Greg Seeto, learning the Sue family lineage.
Later, in search of Traditional Chow Gar Southern Mantis Kung Fu, he trained under Sifu Paul Brennan and Sifu Brett Thiedeke. His commitment led him to Hong Kong, where he further refined his skills with Sifu Li Tin Loi.
Ben expresses heartfelt gratitude to all his teachers and friends for sharing their knowledge and shaping his journey.
Their guidance and teachings have been invaluable, and he acknowledges that he would not be where he is today without them.
Boxing and Muay Thai
In addition to his kung fu training, Ben frequently traveled to train and spar in Boxing and Muay Thai with his friends in the ring.
His exposure to these striking arts allowed him to expand his combat skills and learn from experienced fighters.
His training network included practitioners who had trained with Buakaw Banchamek, a legendary professional Muay Thai fighter in Thailand.
Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)
Ben’s exploration of Filipino Martial Arts began with a seminar led by Glenn Zwiers—a student of Hock Hochheim from the Scientific Fighting Congress—where he was introduced to Military Close Quarter Battle (CQB) techniques, joint manipulation, and throwing methods.
At the time, Ben found these techniques vastly different from the Kung Fu styles he had previously studied. They were simplistic, efficient, and direct, focusing on practical application rather than elaborate forms.
Years later, a captivating YouTube video of Filipino martial artist Doug Marcaida performing the Karamabit reignited his interest.
Determined to learn more, Ben attended Doug Marcaida’s seminar in South Korea. Doug’s refined approach to Traditional Kali, delivered through a unique clock system, left a lasting impression.
Further broadening his FMA expertise, Ben also attended seminars by Guro Dan Inosanto in Australia, absorbing valuable insights from a true living legend.
Training Under Maestro Melchor William Amosco
In 2019, Ben officially began his training in Arnis under Maestro Melchor William Amosco, founder of Armado Deftac.
Maestro Melchor’s system is a dynamic blend of Modern Arnis, Kalis Ilustrisimo, and Lightning Scientific Arnis, providing a comprehensive approach to Filipino weaponry and empty-hand combat.
By 2022, Ben earned his Black Belt and was honored with the title “Lakan (Instructor)” in the Philippines.
Exploring Negros Occidental Stick Fighting
His continuous pursuit of excellence led him to the traditional stick-fighting arts of Negros Occidental in Bacolod, where he trained under GM Felix Guinabo of Sungkudan.
Ben was captivated by the precision and power of GM Felix’s techniques whose exceptional skill and mastery of whipping power through the cane were nothing short of phenomenal.
Ben acquired skills that incorporate elements from the Navales, Buenaflor, Tanique, and Gubaton systems, as well as Oido de Caburata methods.
In 2024, Ben was officially certified by GM Felix Guinabo to teach and promote the Sungkudan System and Tapado Long Stick, contributing to the preservation and spread of Negros Occidental stick fighting arts.
Current Affiliations and Security Expertise
Ben is currently affiliated with Hastartes Tactical in the United States and continues to receive mentorship in Pekiti Tirsia Kali under Guro Ferd Terado, the successor of Tuhon Tim Waid from PTK SMF.
This ongoing guidance allows him to further refine his skills and further aquire knowledge of the Doce Methodos principles in the Pekiti Tirsia Kali System.
With over 25 years of experience in the security field, Ben has developed specialist skills in threat assessment and conflict resolution, drawing on diverse experience from Pubs, Nightclubs, Corporate Environments, Hotels, and Aviation Security.
With specialist training in close personal protection from the United Kingdom, he is also a member of the Professional Bodyguard Association in England.
Notably, Ben served on the close protection detail for US singer Cher during her 2005 visit to Australia at the Stanford Plaza Hotel.
Punong Maestro Melchor William Amosco
Punong Maestro Melchor William Amosco
Founder & Chief Instructor – Armado FMA Deftac
Punong Maestro Melchor William Amosco is the founder and chief instructor of Armado FMA Deftac International, a modern system of Filipino Martial Arts focused on Arnis, Mano Mano, and Dumog.
Over the years, Maestro Amosco expanded his studies across multiple disciplines. He trained extensively in Doce Pares Arnis and continued exploring other martial arts, including Judo, Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate), Shorin-Ryu Karate, and Aikido, along with various branches of Filipino Martial Arts such as Kali Ilustrisimo, Kasilagan KAI, Lightning, and Budiwan Kali. This broad foundation became the backbone of his own system.
On October 10, 2012, he officially founded Armado FMA Deftac.
The name Armado reflects its three pillars:
Arnis – mastery of weapons and blades
Mano Mano – empty-hand striking and defense
Domog – grappling and control
His system emphasizes the interconnectedness of weapons and empty-hand tactics. The same principles applied with sticks or blades translate seamlessly to striking and grappling, allowing practitioners to move fluidly between ranges and contexts.
As President and Director of Armado FMA Deftac International, Punong Maestro Amosco has organized and led numerous events, including the Unified Arnis Alliance Invitational Tournament (2019) in Marikina.
He continues to represent Filipino Martial Arts globally, conducting seminars, workshops, and interviews in the Philippines and abroad, including features in Hong Kong and online platforms.
Dedicated to the growth and preservation of FMA, he mentors a new generation of martial artists while showcasing the adaptability of Arnis, Mano Mano, and Dumog in both traditional and modern applications.
Grandmaster Felix Guinabo
Grandmaster Felix Guinabo
Oido de Caburata & Founder of Sungkudan Negros Multi System
Grandmaster Felix Guinabo’s martial arts journey is deeply rooted in Oido de Caburata, a classic stick-fighting tradition born in Negros Occidental, Bacolod. This unique system—preserved through the Gubaton family and tracing back to its founder,
Grandmaster Antonio “Toñing” Tolosa (est. 1936)—is renowned for its flexibility, deceptive tactics, and ability to bypass defenses. GM Guinabo carries this heritage forward, demonstrating techniques and principles that keep this Negros legacy alive.
Beyond Oido, Grandmaster Guinabo immersed himself in the study of multiple Eskrima/Arnis traditions, training under at least seven different masters across Negros. Each teacher contributed distinct perspectives, techniques, and philosophies—forming a broad foundation of knowledge that shaped his vision of a truly adaptable system.
Drawing on his diverse training, GM Guinabo developed the Sungkudan Negros Multi System, a comprehensive Filipino Martial Arts approach that integrates the strengths of several Negros-based styles.
It spans the full spectrum of combat: from close-range piga-piga tactics to the long-range striking power of Oido de Caburata.
Higher-level training incorporates tactical deception concepts such as Eganyo, designed to bait, mislead, and outmaneuver opponents.
The result is a system built on adaptability, range management, and strategic cunning—hallmarks of Negros fighting traditions.
Grandmaster Guinabo actively shares his art through interviews, demonstrations, and seminars, including features on the FMA Pulse platform and international events such as the Russian House in the Philippines training camp.
His teaching emphasizes not just technique, but also cultural understanding and the living heritage of Negros martial traditions.
A passionate advocate for Filipino martial heritage, GM Guinabo is one of the driving forces behind the Negros Mustrador events.
These gatherings unite masters from across the island to showcase, preserve, and celebrate the diverse range of Filipino martial arts styles in one collaborative exhibition—strengthening both community bonds and cultural identity.
Guro Ferd Terado
Guro Ferd Terado
Founder – Hastartes Tactical
Guro Ferd Terado is a seasoned martial artist with over 15 years of experience in the Filipino martial art of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. He began his martial arts journey at 17 with Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate and later trained in Hung Gar Gung-Fu, Muay Thai, Capoeira, and Jeet Kune Do.
With over three decades of martial arts experience, he is recognized as a Certified Professional Instructor (Guro) in the combat blade art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali under Tuhon Tim Waid, Senior Master Instructor and President of PTK-SMF (Saevio Militaris Faber).
Through dedicated study under Tuhon Waid, Ferd transitioned from PTK’s Tri-V Method into the traditional Doce Methodos Curriculum – the original twelve methods of the system preserved by Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr.
The Doce Methodos (12 Methods) is the foundational system of Pekiti Tirsia Kali, focusing on the principles of Pasugat (offense) and Pasonod (defense).
It encompasses various drills and techniques that form the core of the system’s blade-fighting strategies. Hastartes Tactical also explores the 64 Attacks and Tri-V method, building upon the traditional Pekiti Tirsia Kali framework.
Guro Ferds approach emphasizes adaptability, practical application, and the preservation of Filipino martial arts traditions.
In 2010, Guro Ferd established the PTK-SMF Peninsula affiliate in Foster City, California, and later the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali [Kidlat] group in San Diego.
He currently resides in Eugene, Oregon, where he founded Hastartes Tactical. The name “Hastartes” combines the Latin words hastae (spears) and artes (arts), reflecting a blend of ancient Roman military culture and martial discipline.
Guro Ferd is known for his dynamic teaching style and active participation in the martial arts community. He organizes events like Hastiludia: Oregon State Martial Gathering, an open sparring event promoting cross-discipline engagement.
At Hastartes Tactical, Guro Ferd offers training in edged and impact weapons, unarmed self-defense, and modern firearms integration. His approach emphasizes adaptability, practical application, and community building within the martial arts world.
Photobook
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