About OGE

"OGE" is a weapon based Filipino martial system led by Grand Master Michael Giron, son of Grand Master Emeritus Leovigildo "Leo" Giron and represents the original style passed down by GM Leo to his sons. Hailing from Bayambang, Pangasinan, Grand Master Leo began his martial journey at the age of 9 under Master Benito Junio, an expert in the styles of Largo Mano and De Fondo. After a year of training with Master Benito, Leo continued to learn from Benito's uncle Fructusio Junio who instilled in him the importance of defining the difference between Cadaanan (old style) and Cabaroan (new style). At the age of 15, Leo moved to the United States and settled in Stockton California. As it was for so many Filipino immigrants at the time, employment opportunities were limited to hard agricultural labor. It was here in the prune orchards of Meridian CA that Manong Leo met his next instructor, Master Flaviano Vergara. Leo and Flaviano trained together for 4-5 years and when the United States military opened up the draft during WWII, they both enlisted. GME Leo Giron became part of the 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment and was subsequently assigned to the famous 978 Signal Group of the Allied Intelligence Bureau. Leo would be dropped in the Philippines behind enemy lines, tasked with the establishment of radio communication points to assist American ground forces. According to Leo's memoir "Memory Rides the Ebb of Tide", he fought in many night encounters with the Japanese who were known to be highly skilled in close quarter combat. Due to the lack of night vision and the dense jungle environment, bladed encounters were a regular occurance and Manong Leo attributed his survival to the Escrima skills he applied to great effect. GM Leo was honorably discharged from the United States military as a war hero earning multiple medals and commendations. With no desire to keep the war in the forefront of his mind, Leo chose not to teach his martial arts until the terrible nights of July 13th, 1966 when a serial killer murdered 8 nurses in a Chicago dormitory, some of which were Filipina. Manong Leo could not understand how 8 nurses were unable to subdue one maniac and was convinced that if one or more of them had his martial knowledge, they would have survived. GM Leo began teaching his art in Tracy CA in 1968 with the official 1970 establishment of the Giron Arnis Escrima Club in Stockton CA.