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A Brief Martial Arts History Of “Kuya” John Bain, Punong-Guro

The spark that started “Kuya” John’s martial arts fire was the TV show “The Green Hornet”. This show co-starred the world famous martial artist Bruce Lee as Kato. This led him to his introduction to Tae Kwon-Do by Master Soo Young Cha at the age of 12. It was many years later while serving in the U. S. Navy that his serious martial arts instruction began at the Chuck Norris Karate Studio in Norfolk, VA. It was because of the quality instruction and the personal relationship developed with the Instructors, that a burning desire was instilled in him to research and learn as much as possible about the martial arts.

He went to Korea in 1984, and studied the Korean language at Yonsai University and Tae Kwon-Do at the National College of Physical Education in Seoul. This experience was priceless as it gave him a real insight into the Korean culture and lifestyle. Upon returning to the United States, “Kuya” (Older Brother) John set out to study and experience many other martial art systems. In 1986 Professor Remy Presas introduced “Kuya” John to the Pilipino martial arts. It was in 1988 that a national chain of karate schools hired “Kuya” John to teach and manage many of their schools throughout the east coast. In 1991 Master Dominick Giacobbe became his instructor. Master Giacobbe instilled in him the traditional martial arts philosophy that emphasizes the ideals of personal and social development, rather than sports competition.

1992 was an eventful year for him with the meeting of Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi. Grandmaster Choi’s martial arts system opened his eyes to the use of different concepts and modern science in the martial arts instead of old methods that may do damage to the practitioner over a period of time. It was also during this time that his training was renewed in the Filipino martial arts, leading "Kuya" John Bain to become a Guro (teacher)(in 1994) under his instructor, Ama-Guro Rufino Pambuan. Ama-Guro is the 5th. Generation inheritor of the family system, and instilled the virtues of the true combat arts in "Kuya" John Bain. This also made "Kuya" John Bain the first person outside the family to ever be promoted to teacher, holding certification by Ama-Guro Raffy pambuan and his father the late Lolo-Guro Isidro Pambuan. Ama-Guro Raffy bestowed the title Maestro Guro (Teacher of Teachers) in Spirit Warrior Kuntaw on July of 2000 and the title of Kuya Guro (Older Brother Teacher) in the family system of Pambuan Arnis on July of 2006. 1996 was Mr. Bain’s first introduction to Kyusho Jutsu (Pressure Point Skills) with Grandmaster Jack Hogan. It wasn’t until 2002 that Mr. Bain began to study this art in earnest through Grandmaster Hogan and his then Texas State Representative Master David Jones. Also 1996 Mr. Bain began his training with Grandmaster Al Tracy of the Tracy Kenpo System. In 2003 Mr. Bain had the opportunity to train with Hanshi Patrick McCarthy (Martial Arts Researcher, Historian and Author). That opportunity has led to McCarthy Sensei being one of his mentors and the reason for his return to Traditional Martial Arts. In March of 2008 Ama-Guro recognized "Kuya" John Bain as the Punong-Guro (Chief Teacher) of Lima Katipunan ng Kamay (Five Systems of the Hand), a blended system of "Kuya's" over 40 years of training. Also in May of 2008 he was recognized as the Founder of Lima Katipunan ng Kamay by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council.

With a long and varied background in the Martial Arts the one thing that Mr. Bain tries to do is continue to learn. Mr. Bain has said. “I believe we must always keep the spirit of being a student, that way we can learn in all aspects of our life. My job is to give the best quality instruction and continue learning better ways to help my students and their families become winners in life.” 

In 1998 Guro John Bain came to the Dallas area as an Instructor for Chuck Norris’ KICKSTART Foundation (Formally Kick Drugs Out Of America). “I am able to make a difference in our future, through our youth.” “Kuya” John is authorized to offer insights into Chinese Kenpo, Spirit Warrior Kuntaw, Streetworks Self-Defense System, Pambuan Arnis as well as Traditional Karate-Do (Tang Soo Do). MABUHAY! - LONG LIFE