Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite (September 25, 1957 – April 10, 1997) was a teacher of Filipino martial arts. He was the creator of Lameco Eskrima and trained such notables as: Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, Larry Hartsell, Fred Degerberg and Diana Lee Inosanto.
Born in Tacloban City, Philippines, he trained with several martial arts masters including Leo Gaje of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo of Kali Illustrisimo, Jose D. Caballero of De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orihinal, and Jesus Abella of Modern Largos. He created a new style and called it Lameco Eskrima. The name was a combination of the Largo (long), Medio (Medium), and Corto (close quarter) techniques that he learned during his studies of the Filipino martial arts.
Biography
Life in the Philippines
As a young boy, Edgar's father (a boxer and arnis practitioner) introduced him to the Filipino Martial Arts.
In 1981, he moved to Manila and became friends with Roland Dantes, a famous Filipino film celebrity and martial artist. This created opportunities for him to train various stuntmen, celebrities, and prominent businessmen. Also at this time he started to train under Antonio Ilustrisimo.
Completing college, Edgar earned his Bachelors in Arts and Majored in Economics. During his time in college, he sought out different Eskrima Masters to study under. Edgar was honored for his many achievements in the Filipino martial arts. He became a member of Bakbakan International (An Organization governing the legitimacy of the Filipino martial arts). He also became the representative for Leo Gaje's national Arnis Association of the United States.
Life in the U.S.
On June 30, 1989, he relocated to the United States and became the Eskrima instructor of Dan Inosanto, Diana Lee Inosanto, Ron Balicki and Larry Hartsell. His plan was to bring his family over from the Philippines, own his own home, and spread Lameco throughout the world.
Edgar managed to bring his wife, Felisa Sulite from the Philippines in 1992 however his children would have to reside with relatives in the Philippines for several more years. Two further children were born in the US bringing the total of children to five.
Death
He suffered from complications arising from a stroke and died on April 10, 1997.
Notoriety
He has had numerous appearances in popular martial arts magazines including three cover stories, a multi-volume instructional video series, and he has written three books:
- Secrets of Arnis - (out of print)
- Advanced Balisong - (out of print)
- Masters of Arnis, Kali and Eskrima - (out of print)
Sources
- Filipino Fighting Arts:Theory and Practice by Mark V. Wiley, ISBN 0-86568-180-5 Tuttle Publishing