Instructors Bios

Tuhon Ricardo Kayanan

Tuhon Ricardo began training in what was then called Sayoc Fighting System (SFS) in 1983.

As part of the pioneer SFS Florida demo group (along with Tuhons Ray Dionaldo and Rafael Kayanan ) that traveled up and down the peninsula introducing Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) to whomever would listen (or not listen) during the 80′s and early 90′s, a time when FMA was neither popular nor welcome in many circles. Ricardo was part of the Fort Myers Florida Instructors Sayoc Group, and also assisted in training students at Tatang Baltazar “Bo” Sayoc’s Naples Florida school in the early 90′s.

Through the years, Ricardo, while teaching and promoting Sayoc, has also cross-trained and researched multiple arts and disciplines.
These arts include Shorei-ryu Karate, Chinese Kempo and he fenced several years at both the FT. Myers and NYC Fencers Club. In the late 80′s while attending art school in LA, he spent the summer breaks training at the Inosanto Academy.

Tuhon Ricardo established Sayoc NorCal in 2001 in San Francisco, CA, and attained the rank of Sayoc Kali Master Instructor (Tuhon) in 2005. The Sayoc NorCal tribe continues to grow and proudly represent Sayoc Fighting System and Sayoc Kali-Silak.

Guro John Perrings

John began his training in 1992, training Sei Fu Ryu Aiki Jujutsu and Isshin Ryu Karate before starting his training in combative weapons and tactical aspects of the Filipino Martial Arts. John began training in Sayoc Kali in 2001 directly under Tuhon Ricardo Kayanan and currently holds the rank of Associate Instructor – Level 7, Katipunan 1 and 2.

He is a Sayoc Tactical Group instructor under Tuhon Tom Kier. He has instructed edged weapons combatives and awareness to military and law enforcement personel from US Special Operations Forces, Federal and Local Law Enforcement agencies, as well as private security contractors.

John is also the primary instructor for the Sayoc NorCal Family Safety Protocol seminars, designed from the ground up for people with zero experience in the martial arts or self protection.