American Brokil - Behind the Name
The term Brokil is a Filipino adaptation of the Spanish word Broquel, the small hand-held shield used in combat. In parts of Luzon, the term was also used to refer to a wooden sword used in training. For this reason, the term Brokil was used to represent the sword/stick style with a defensive shield. Over time, in areas such as Pampanga and Bantangas, the term Brokil was used to refer to Filipino Martial Arts, also referred to as Escrima or Arnis. Delfin Bernarte, from whose direct lineage American Brokil was born, used the term Brokil for his system. It is in his honor, that this traditional term is brought into our modern system. It is with the permission and support of Mataw Guro Louelle Lledo, to whom Bernarte passed his system, as well as Bernarte’s daughter, Flora, that the term Brokil is used.
Much like the United States, American Brokil is an eclectic derivation of traditions from many nations. The term “American” represents the diverse, modern, evolutionary side of the system. On the other hand, “Brokil” refers to the deep, traditional, Filipino roots of the system that serve as its foundation upon which constant development and refinement occur. This combination of terms is not meant to denigrate the Filipino origin, but rather pay respect while highlighting the evolution by worldly practitioners. As Edmund K. Parker used the term “American Kenpo” to represent the Asian origin of his art, American Brokil pays respect to the Filipino origins while incorporating the influences of other martial systems as a martial melting pot.
System Contributions
Filipino Systems Contributing to American Brokil:
o Amara Arkanis Sistemang Praksiyon
o Doce Pares Escrima and Eskrido
o Kalis Ilustrisimo
o De Campo 1-2-3 Original
o Pekiti Tirsia Kali
o Blood and Bones Tactical
o Counterpoint Tactical System
Additional Systems that Greatly Contributed to American Brokil:
o Blade Technologies
o Piper Knife System
o Medusa Edged Weapon System & BLEED Razor System
o Ed Parker’s American Kenpo – Planas Lineage
o Wei Kuen Do
o 52-VTK/52 Blocks
o Pentjak Silat Bukti Negara
o Gen Yuan Kempo
o Combat Judo
o Krav Maga
o Submission Arts Wrestling
o 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu