Lineage

Grand Master Emeritus Leovigildo "Leo" Miguel Giron (1911–2002) was born in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines and began his Escrima training at age 9 under Master Benito Junio, learning the Largo Mano and De Fondo styles before continuing with Master Bundoc and Fructuso Junio, who taught him Estilo Macabebe and impressed upon him the distinction between Cadaanan (old style) and Cabaroan (new style). Arriving in California in 1926 with just 25 cents, he worked the fields alongside other Filipino immigrants and trained in secret in the prune orchards of Meridian with fellow Escrimador Flaviano Vergara. When WWII broke out, Leo enlisted and was assigned to the 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment and the elite 978th Signal Group under General MacArthur, operating behind enemy lines in the Philippine jungles — establishing communications, gathering intelligence, and surviving close-quarter bladed combat that put his Escrima skills to the ultimate test, earning him a Bronze Star and multiple commendations. After the war, he returned to Stockton and eventually began teaching his art in 1968, establishing the Giron Arnis Escrima Club in 1970, where legends like Dan Inosanto, Richard Bustillo, and Angel Cabales trained alongside his students — cementing his legacy as one of the most important figures in the history of Filipino martial arts in America.

Grandmaster Michael Giron, born December 31, 1949 in Stockton, CA, is the son of legendary WWII veteran and bladed warrior Grandmaster Emeritus Leovigildo "Leo" Giron — though he didn't discover his father's martial past until age 19. He began training in 1975, earning his Certified Graduate rank from Bahala Na Giron Arnis Escrima in 1980 while witnessing history firsthand at the first Filipino Martial Art Academy in Stockton alongside greats like Dan Inosanto, Richard Bustillo, and Rene Latosa. After his father's passing in 2002, GM Michael saw the original system being modified in ways he believed compromised its integrity, so he made the difficult decision to resign from the Bahala Na organization and founded the Original Giron Escrima Federation in 2007 to preserve the pure, battle-proven art his father taught him.

Master Jacob Ragsdale was a lifelong martial artist who began training at a young age, earning the title of Sifu in Wing Chun Kung Fu before ever picking up a stick. His journey into Filipino martial arts began under Grand Master Michael Giron, and after a decade of dedicated study he earned the rank of Master within the Original Giron Escrima Federation, going on to lead the San Francisco division where he passed the art on to the next generation of students. An electrician by trade, Jake's true passions were sharing his love of martial arts, honing his craft as a tattoo artist, and riding his motorcycle. Those who trained under him knew him as an extremely loyal and kind-hearted person who took his martial study seriously and instilled that same focus and discipline in every student he taught. He was tragically taken from us in a motorcycle accident in September 2018. His spirit lives on in every student he trained and in the San Francisco division he founded. Rest in peace, Brotha.

Evan Rubin has achieved the title of Master in the OGE system under Grandmaster Michael Giron, son of Great Grandmaster Leovigildo Giron. Master Rubin has a 15 year background in both weapons based and empty hand martial arts. He holds multiple first place escrima tournament titles and is a self proclaimed “student for life”. Mr. Rubin takes no greater joy than sharing the art of escrima with those eager to learn. He is currently the head instructor of the San Francisco Division of the OGE Federation teaching out of the outer Richmond District.