BMAA/HTAI Academy
The Academy opened its doors on November 1, 1991, officially as "Bellevue Martial Arts Academy". It all began with Master Myrlino Pascua Hufana, a true "Guro" of Martial Arts! His journey in the martial arts began at the young age of 7 under the tutelage of his father, Ysmael Rivera Hufana, Sr., a descendand of an Eskrimador family. The family-Eskrima is traced back to the great-grandfather, Theodoro Hufana, a priest from Madrid, Spain, who was skilled in Espada y Daga. Other Eskrimadors also came from Master Hufana's grandmother, from the Rivera side of the family. Aside from being an avid martial artist, Hufana was a strong athlete during Junior and High school, focused in track & field team, becoming one of the fastest in WA state. He was also part of the baseball and wrestling team in Junior high. In or outside of school, he loved sports, especially basketball. There's much more about Master Hufana that make him stand out from all other instructors, teachers, and masters. You will certainly learn more when you become a student of his Academy.
Punong Guro Myrlino P Hufana has learned and trained from the top two teachers of Filipino Martial Arts. One of his most inspiring teacher was the late great Professor Remy Amador Presas (Founder of Modern Arnis, IMAF, MAFP), where he earned the rank and title of Punong Guro (Principal Teacher) on 10/15/1998. Another teacher was the legendary Grandmaster Ramiro U. Estalilla, Jr. (Estalilla Kabaroan Eskrima), where he earned the rank and title of Certified Instructor (6th Dan) and Associate Grandmaster on 8/14/2005. Since 1992, "PG", as his students respectfully address him, has incorporated the Presas Modern Arnis and Estalilla Kabaroan Eskrima systems into his brand of FMA (Filipino Martial Arts), the HTAI Arnis Systems, a strong mix of Largo, Medio, Corto, and Buno/Dumog.
Other influences come from his travels to the Philippines and the USA, meeting some of the top exponents in the world, including but not limited to GM Roland Pintoy Dantes (Modern Arnis), GM Conrad Manaois (MSI Systems), GM Antonio Diego (Kalis Ilustrisimo), Master Ariel Flores Mosses (MSI, Lameco SOG, Kalis Ilustrisimo, Combat Eskrima), GM Bobby Taboada, and other combat-oriented Filipino Masters.
Filipino Martial Arts of ARNIS, ESKRIMA, and KALI is certainly PG Hufana's primary fighting system. Master Hufana has also a vast and extensive training and experience Taekwondo since 1982, earning several Black Belts with ATA (2nd Dan), ITKF (3rd Dan), and HTF (4th, 5th Dan). Master Hufana earned his 5th Degree Black Belt/Master Instructorship on 6/24/2000 from the late Grandmaster Jack Pierce. Since the death of GM Pierce, he has stopped seaking TKD teachers to gain further instructions or ranking. He continues to teach his Taekwondo students, support and encourage those few that venture into the sport and competition. Some have become state, regional, and national champions.
Become a student today! The Academy offers TAEKWONDO training for kids and teens/adults, and the FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS for teens/adults. Click on the links for each programs to find out more.
SEE YOU IN CLASS SOON!
"It it works, then it's good! If it doesn't, find the weakness and fix it! And, when in doubt, strike!"
- PG Hufana
