FRED GARCIA, Founder of Sibukan Combatives, Yawyan expert, Philippine Kickboxing Champion, 1975 to1982, Director, Universal Mixed Martial Arts.
The founder of YawYan-Sibukan and our Friend - Master Fred Garcia
Fred Garcia started training martial arts since he was a kid. He was influenced by his older brother Ray when he was making Martial Arts demonstrations at school. When his family moved to Manila in 1972 Fred enrolled at the Philippine Yawyan Association. He soon became one of the pioneers of Yawyan First Generation Full Contact Fighters. He fought from all over Philippines from Manila, San Pablo City, US Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Poro Point, US Naval Facility in Olongapo City, Tuguegarao, Bacolod, Cebu and Baguio.
He retired from fighting undefeated with 60 fights to his credit and soon became a trainer and coach to his brother Ismael Boy Garcia, with over 100 fights to his credit. Boy is also a renowned kickboxing superstar in the Philippines and Emiliano Zapata, the pride of Yawyan. As soon as he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelors Degree in Architecturehe took the Board Exam and passed it. Then he started working overseas in Saudi Arabia, Guam and later moved to Canada with his family.
Fred has more than 37 years of Martial Arts experience ranging from fighter, coach and promoter. He is a pioneer of no hold barred full contact kickboxing in the Philippines. He held the open weight divisions undefeated for seven years. The Garcia Brothers (Fred & Ismael Boy Garcia) was once the most feared fighters in their prime during the late 70′s to early 90′s. Their fights usually end up in a brutal knockout from kicks and turning elbows. Their tricky and powerful kicks can put an opponent off guard.
Master Fred Garcia and MMA fighter Jeremy Horn at UMMA
Fred can be regarded as one of the first prized fighters who contributed to the popularity of Yawyan in the Philippines. He is one of the 1st generations of full contact fighters of Yawyan during the formative years. Later, he and his brother Boy Garcia developed Sibukan, a Combative Art Form based on mixed Filipino martial arts and other combat arts. Its techniques were derived from real world scenario, from one to multiple opponents. They were proven and tested in the ring and in the streets.
Síbukan was derived from the Filipino “Kapampangan” word meaning tried and tested. It is a living and progressive martial arts style were it continue to evolve in today’s needs and situations. It is the true mixed martial arts in a sense because it also incorporates the use of weapons. A Sibukan practitioner should be able to fight in three stages. 1st stage is boxing with kicks, sweeps and throws, 2nd stage is ground fighting with submission, and 3rd stage is full contact kali / arnis/escrima.
