INSIDE KUNG-FU: How and when was IMB Academy first established?

RICHARD BUSTILLO: The original Filipino Kali Academy was founded in 1974. After 10 years of growth and evolution, the IMB Academy was co-founded by Mr. (Dan) Inosanto, Mr. (Chuck) Martinez, and me, in 1984 based on the trust and respect we have for each other and the martial arts. By fate, the original IMB acronym of Inosanto, Martinez and Bustillo also stands for “International Martial Arts and Boxing,” “Individual, Mind and Body,” and the ideal of “Individual spirit, Mental attitude, and Body fitness.” The IMB Academy is built upon Bruce Lee’s concept of being well-rounded in all martial arts ranges. I support learning all three combative ranges: the weapons range, the striking range and the grappling range.

IKF: What is unique about your teaching style at the IMB Academy?

RB: The IMB Academy is unique because of its curriculum. We have a well-rounded combative martial arts program: the long-range weaponry of Cacoy Doce pares eskrima/kali/arnis, the striking range of boxing/muay Thai and the close-range grappling of judo/jiu-jitsu. These three combative ranges are enhanced by Bruce Lee’s concepts, philosophies and training methods. More importantly, we have an “Aloha Spirit” that intensifies our camaraderie, loyalty and respect for each other.

IKF: What was the real reason behind your split with Dan Inosanto?

RB: There will always be those who feed on speculation and controversy at others’ expense. These people need to get a life. Dan Inosanto and I have gone our separate ways after 20 years of partnership with no animosity. From 1967-87 we researched, promoted and revived the Filipino martial arts together. Many have credited us with being able to bring back the FMA because of our position in the martial arts community. The reason for our amiable split is simple: We had developed our individual ways to share and teach martial arts. Our partnership produced great things, but our lives and careers have also changed positively since our split [two decades] ago. Wow! It’s been over 20 years and a few jealous people are still trying to live in the past.

IKF: You managed to stay clear of the JKD controversy. Was that by luck or design?

RB: What JKD controversy? It was neither luck nor design staying clear of any JKD controversy. There are so many other things to concentrate on rather than getting involved with negative issues. We are all in this together. I share the history of JKD and I share JKD in its present form, but we all share in the shaping of JKD’s future.

IKF: What would you consider your contribution to martial arts?

RB: As the former president of the World Kali/Eskrima/Arnis Federation, I introduced and hosted the first international Filipino Martial arts event in which athletes from 12 countries competed in Carson, Calif. I was also happy that my application for the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star for Bruce Lee was finally accepted. For Bruce Lee’s students and fans, I have helped keep his name alive by hosting the 10th and 20th anniversary memorials in Gardena, Calif., and Los Angeles’ Chinatown, respectively. Twice a year I conduct a self-defense awareness seminar for children, women and men in my community. Also, Mr. Inosanto and I have helped revive and promote the martial arts of the Philippines worldwide.

IKF: How would you rate your martial arts skill?

RB: Bruce Lee once said, “If I tell you I’m good, you will say I’m bragging. If I say I’m not good, you will say I’m lying.” In this business, you must be confident in what you do and believe in what you teach, but I’ll let you be the judge of how good I am. After you check me out, it’s a matter of honesty. You’ll know I’m the best.

IKF: What is the greatest lesson you learned while under Bruce Lee’s instruction?

RB: It is hard to say. They were all great, but I think the best lesson was to be honest with myself. I always talked about wanting to work on a specific technique, working on my “six-pack” abs or intending to jog more. Bruce used to tell me, “Just do it. Don’t procrastinate.”

IKF: Who is Richard Bustillo outside of IMB?

RB: Outside of the IMB family, I am a husband, a father of two boys and two girls, a grandfather of three, and an uncle and godfather to many. I enjoy music and play the Hawaiian ukulele and bass guitar, but no singing (thank God). I also serve my community as a volunteer member of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Search and Rescue (Recovery) Unit. I’m a certified law enforcement defensive tactics instructor for the safety of peace officers and citizens alike. I enjoy riding my ’61 Pan Head Harley or my ’02 Road Glide Harley. I love to tinker with my ’30 Ford sedan when time permits. I’m a man who enjoys life and enjoys sharing his experiences to improve other people’s total well-being.

IKF: What will you do after you retire and what will become of IMB?

RB: When I die, not retire; the only things certain on my horizon are death and taxes, but not retirement. My continuing projects include writing books, developing DVDs and donating my time and energy to my community. IMB will continue to prosper throughout the world with a new president and chairman of the board.

IKF: What do you hope your students take away from your teachings?

RB: It is my hope that my students grow and develop to be responsible, law-abiding citizens and always strive to be an even better martial artist than I. I plant the seed by teaching my students a strong emphasis on the basic fundamentals of the International Martial Arts and Boxing discipline. However, I leave it up to the student to determine how he grows, matures and adjusts to the direction his art takes.

Empty-Hand Techniques for Weapons Training

Vince sets up for right-left punch.	Guro Richard Bustillo parries Vince’s right punch and strikes his biceps	Bustillo follows with a left punch to the opposite biceps.
He then applies right elbow strikes.	He adds a hammerfist to the groin.	He ends with a left open backhand killing blow to the head.

 Bustillo On:

Dan Inosanto: “Mr. Inosanto is a walking martial arts encyclopedia. He strives to learn everything he can about all martial arts styles, methods and disciplines. When we used to drive eight hours to and from Los Angeles to Northern California to study with the kali/eskrima/arnis masters, Dan would constantly practice new techniques in the car while I drove. When we ate lunch or dinner, he would use chopsticks to simulate eskrima sticks to analyze and practice techniques. To develop, research or modify techniques to fit our individual way, Dan used to say, ‘Let’s JKD’ize this technique.’ We were always analyzing a martial arts technique to make it combative, simple and practical.”

Cacoy Cañete: “Mr. Cañete is an unbelievably young man at age 87 who still spars daily. He was hospitalized for a day for a stomach ailment and returned to sparring the very next day after being released from the hospital. He took his Filipino martial arts to another level and is the founder of eskrido. He continuously makes everyone laugh with his endless jokes and contagious laughter. He is a religious man who can fight. He is a model martial artist that every martial artist should emulate.”

Bruce Lee: “Mr. Lee was very charismatic, electrifying and was the most powerful and intelligent martial artist the world will ever see. When Bruce wasn’t training in martial arts, he had fun playing tricks on his students. He had God’s gift of physical talent and man-made, hard-earned martial arts skills. Bruce Lee was a genius when it came to martial arts—just as Mozart was to music, Van Gogh was to art or Einstein was to physics. He had an affinity for both physical and mental martial arts training just as Cacoy Cañete and Dan Inosanto have.”

(In part 2, Bustillo continues his examination of a martial arts career filled with great masters and even greater experiences.)

Aimee C. Giron, managing editor of  Inside Kung-Fu, is a Southern California-based martial artist and freelance writer.