~ Great Grandmaster Isidro Javier ~ |
May 10, 1912 - August 18, 2010 |
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August 18, 2010 - Tonight our father, Manong, Isidro Javier passed away.
Cathy and I were with him by his side when he said "Thank you" and waved goodbye, and with that he was gone. My father was a wise man and a great warrior, and today Filipino Martial Arts has lost one of it's last great treasure, and he will be missed by all. His greatest joy in the last year of his amazing life, has been traveling and meeting many great Eskrimadora Fighters, but his greatest joy was his new adopted family Bahala Na Multi-Style of Stockton Ca. They reminded him so much of the way things were when he was young protecting his Barrio with his "Boy's". - Thank You for all the kind wishes, Frank & Cathy Landers |
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Bahala Na Multi-Style - Last night the FMA community lost of one it's greatest warriors, Great Grandmaster Isidro Javier. He is one of the last of the World War II era Escrimadors. He was from a time when skill and ability in battle was the measure of an Escrimador, not a piece of paper or title. As with many from his generation, who participated in actual life and death battles, he was a humble and honorable man. We, Bahala Na Multi-Style, were blessed to have met and spent such great times with a true hero of the Filipino Martial Arts. Times we will cherish forever. Manong Javier, we miss you and memories of you will remain in our hearts forever. May God guide you on your new journey and continue to bless you and your family. Bahala Na!!! |
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It's been a really hard week of ups and downs, ending with the sad loss of someone who has touched my life deeply. Six months ago I only knew Isidro P. Javier from what his son-in-law and daughter, Frank and Cathy Landers had told me. He was by all accounts a remarkable man, to be in his nineties and in such great health, still driving his car (Ford Mustang) down to his favorite casino, and very much his own boss. Frank and I became friends through our mutual interest in music, but for nearly fifteen years, he rearly touched on his own amazing history in martial arts. But Isidro Javier's health began to fail and Frank and Cathy gave up their home in Burbank and moved back up to Arroyo Grande to take care of Manong "Sonny", and that was when I met him for the first time. Frank had asked me help write Isidro Javier's biography, so I was introduced as the "Writer", and from that point on as far as Manong Sonny was concerned, that was my name. As the weeks followed, I was privileged to really get to know a truly great man. We shared some adventures together as we traveled to Martial Arts Tournaments, and I became very fond of him. He was a warrior who never claimed to be a warrior; a hero of WWII who was reluctant to admit it. In fact, he was not a man to wave his own flag, but he was immensely proud to have served the American Flag, even though in the 1940's America was not so proud of the minorities who gave their all for their country. Isidro P. Javier was not born of wealth and status. He came to America like so many Filipinos with only the shirt on his back, but a determination to succeed. Manong Javier, as I came to know more about him, was a fearless man. He was not a commercial version of a martial artist. He was the real thing. Eskrima was his family Art, passed down the generations from father to son. His body bore the scars of real combat in the streets of Tagudin. His character was built from hardship and the courage to face anything, from hand-to-hand battles against rival street gangs, to a face-to-face gun battle between him and a Japanese dive-bomber. There were others from his generation like Leo Giron who were heroes as well, and who brought their Eskrima Art with them. Some, like Leo Giron chose to share their art with the new world, and some, like Isidro Javier, chose to "keep it in the family". Courage and a powerful will that met every challenge head-on, were the trademark of Isidro P. Javier's long and amazing life. At the very last moment that courage was there when he looked calmly into Frank Lander's eyes, said "Thank You", waved good bye and was gone. He will be sorely missed. I will miss him. Glen "The Writer" Rathbone |
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With all my heart and on behalf of the entire Pallens Martial Arts/Senkotiros Incorporated organization, our deepest sorrow of the passing of one of the great warrior. He may rest in PEACE. Grandmaster Max M. Pallen
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To Cathy & Family, and to the extended family & friends of GGM Javier.
Our deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences on your loss. May you be comforted by the fact that although you may have lost him in his physical form, he will always be with you in spirit & memory. He will always live in the hearts of those who were fortunate to have known him. With love & affection, GGM Ernesto Presas & everyone of us in the International Philippine Martial Arts Federation.
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On behalf of Associate Grand Master Ed Bansuelo and the Warriors of Righteousness, Grand Master Ramiro Eastalilla and the Estalilla Kabaroan Eskrima family, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Javier family, friends and students. Master Anthony Manansala -
W.O.R. - Estalilla Kabaroan Eskrima
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My Dear Cathy, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. We really enjoyed getting to know him and the time we got to spend with him. I will always remember his warm heart and his kind smile. He was always so gracious and interested in meeting new people and sharing his passion for the martial arts. The world has lost a great man, but there is a legacy he left that we all can learn from. I want to tell you that you are a great daughter. You took care of him so well. We can all hope that we have lived a good enough life that we are fortunate to have someone like you to care for us in the last years of our lives. You and Frank were so wonderful to him. Whenever I think of your father I will see his smile, feel his warmth, and see you right next to him. Our sympathies go out to you and your family during this very sad time. I hope that wonderful memories you have will comfort you. GGM Isidro Javier's legacy and teachings will live on forever in his students and people that knew and loved him. With Love, Amanda Jahanvash.
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My heart felt condolences to you and your family. I am thankful that I was able to start a friendship your dad, and learn more about and from him. God bless, John R. Malmo
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Gm Isidro you will be missed dearly by us, your boys at Bahala Na Multi Style, you were very special to all of us and you will always be apart of us cause we are family now. Cathy/ Frank we are all here for you... God Bless - Butch Gargalicana
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He was an amazing man and I know we are all better for having known him. I hope Frank and Kathy continue to spend time with us and let us help keep his memory alive. Bahala Na! - Chris Slate
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My deepest heartfelt condolences to you for your father and friend to the Filipino world of these arts and sciences. God bless his new journey my warm regards to his family, friends and the Filipino community. Greg Alland |
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It is always a sad occassion when an Original FMA GM Passes. Deepest Respect to you. I know your students and followers will keep your spirit alive. Rest In Peace. Anton St' James |
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I would like to offer condolences to GGM Javier's family and students for their loss on behalf of Modernized Philippine Martial Arts and GM Norlito Soriano.
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Thank you for paving the way for my generation of American born Filipinos. Respect to you and the other Manongs in the past. Surving in the battlefields of the Philippines and the Farmlands of California. Sacrificing for us in Blood and Sweat. It was a blessing to have met you. You will be remembered through me and my daughter Dahlia. I will miss you. God bless you Manong. Bahalana Multistyle!!!!! - Eugene Inis
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Cathy - on behalf of myself and members of the Villasin Balintawak Arnis Academy in Vallejo, we send our deepest condolnces to you and your family. I feel so very honored to have met your father at this summer's Vallejo tournament. He is now joining my dad and all his Legionarios brothers in heaven. - Mel Orpilla
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Prof. Cathy, from all of your Bahala Na Multi-Style family, we send our deepest condolences for the passing of your father. We heard the news last night during practice, at the end the practice we had a moment of silence and prayer for GGM Javier. We were all blessed to have met and spent time with such an honorable an...d loving man. It is memories that we will cherish forever. We will miss him greatly. If there is anything you or your family may need, we will be here for you. Our prayers go out to GGM Javier, to you and the rest of your family. God Bless - Bahala Na Multi-Style
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Sorry for your loss, I feel fortunate to have met him. A fine man, a fine life. - Grand Master Jerry Fisher |
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to all family friends and students. Its always a great loss when one of our venrible GGM are lost to this world. I did not get to meet him but would love to hear and learn more about him and his art. - Dan Medina
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Cathy, on behalf of FMA SCHOOL and Visayan Legacy we extend our deepest condolence to you and the rest of your family. I know we were all honored to have met him and that the FMA community has just lost one of it's greatest warriors. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Our prayers will be with you. - Francis Serrano
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You are in our thoughts and prayers! - Gwendoline Gotico |
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My deepest heartfelt condolences to you for your father and friend to the Filipino world of these arts and sciences. God bless his new journey my warm regards to his family, friends and the Filipino community. - Greg Alland
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Cathy & Frank, I am sorry for your family's loss, I truely enjoyed meeting your father with his visit to my house. He had special sparkle to him, he will be missed. My family's prayers are with you all. - Marc Lawrence
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Another great loss to the FMA community. Sincere condolences to you and your family. May our Lord Bless and keep you and yours - Randy Pizarro
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May his spirits rest in peace. Condolences goes out to you and your 'ohana for the loss. - Kajukenbo Pride
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I will miss him. - Butch Gargalicana |
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I first meet GM Isidro Javier when I was 8 in 1985. He always treated me as a Son and it was an honor to be part of the Javier family. I will miss you. - JohnnyAguilar
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Cathy I'm sincerely sadden by this news. My heartfilled thanks goes to you and Frank for giving me the opportunity to have a very small part in your father's life. My deepest sympathy are for you and your family and I will continue to have your father in my prayers. - Arnelle de Guzman
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Goodbye Grandpa, I Love You and will miss you. - Anthony Marin
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I am so sorry for your loss but glad I was able to see you father in San Jose this year before he left on his new journey> my prayers are with you and your family. - Steve Cooper
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Gajo Cathy, It was a great honor meeting your father last June at West Covina...May this great warrior rest in peace. - Mario Mendones |
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My condolences to you and your family. - Michael Rubi McKenzie |
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I feel fortunate to have met him at the Las Vegas Tournament, a fine life! - Jerry Fisher |
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We miss him already. He was agreat warrior and mentor! I wish we would have had more time to spend with him, But we will cherish the time that we did spend with him. "Rest In Peace" You will never be forgotten. - Terry Joven
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So very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. - Gilbert Marmolejo
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May he rest In peace. Our sincere condolences to you and to your family. - Bayside Martial Arts |
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My friend you were blessed for the tme to say good bye, but only to this world, I know your faith will keep you going , for one day we all will face that day, we love and miss you and your family. - Rose Rodriguez |
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Rest in paradise manong Javier.our prayers and condolences go out the family. He was very much liked and well respected by everyone here in Stockton. I will miss drinking with him. Bahala Na! - Marcus Quilenderino |
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Frank, I'm so sorry to you and your wife for your loss. Manong was truly an amazing man and I feel blessed to have known him, however briefly. Please reach out to your Bahala Na family if you need anything. Chris Slate |
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Condolences to the family, In Gods time, we will see each other. - Ceasar Turingan
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My condolences -- God bless you and your family. - Bee Landrum |
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Condolences to you and your family. i will say a pray for his safe passage. - Glenn Peter Lobo |
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A.R.N.I.S. Tendencia sends our sincere condolences to the family! - David Guillory |
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A My sincere condolences to you and the family. - Guro Caloy |
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Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. - Rabino Sara
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Respects and Condolence. - Guro J Cruz |
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Condolences. - Shaun Porter |
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You wiil be misses. - Cory Gray |
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R.I.P. Bahala Na my Friend - David Alessandro |
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You will be missed.... R.I.P. - Luis Martinez |
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RIP Master - Dexter James |
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Nakikiramay po sa kamag-anakan at Estud'yante ni PunongGuro: R.I. P. Javier RESPECT. - William Keno Ask |
