Of bolo rush & bolomen

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

----what does yours mean?

Miguels is Alibata/Baybayin script. It is old writing from the Philippines that is pre-Spanish. The first book ever published by the Spanish in the Philippines(Doctrina Cristiana in 1593, or Christian Doctrine) was written in Alibata in order to convert the natives. The writing in Miguels avatar looks to be the "La" character...both together I am guessing would be "Lala"...not sure what that means though, maybe his Filipino pet name. hehe Some Filipinos still signed their names in Alibata up until the mid-19th century...so it is not as if it all disappeared when the Spanish took over. The Katipunan also placed the "Ka" alibata symbol in the middle of some of their flags...not to represent "Katipunan" but for "Kalayaan"(independence). Today there are some tribes and places that still use that writing to communicate(Mindoro and Palawan being the two most recognized places). Many Filipinos now are understanding its importance and are embracing it...myself included.
Sorry Miguel, thought I'd help myself to your question.

[Lew]

I found an old news reel from 1943 it shows Philippine troops being armed with bolos. It's about 5 minutes into the video.

http://ahivfree.alexanderstreet.com/View/526281

[carlos]

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

I found an old news reel from 1943 it shows Philippine troops being armed with bolos. It's about 5 minutes into the video.

http://ahivfree.alexanderstreet.com/View/526281

Could somebody put a picture of one bolo like the video? thanks
carlos

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by carlos

Could somebody put a picture of one bolo like the video? thanks
carlos

Hola Carlos! I don't have one but I posted some video grab as can be seen above ... Hope somebody can post a pic from his own collection ...

[trenchwarfare]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

Hola Carlos! I don't have one but I posted some video grab as can be seen above ... Hope somebody can post a pic from his own collection ...

The Bolos in the video are not locally made. They are of US mfg., made by the US Spring & Bumper Co. Los Angeles Ca. They have molded green rubber handles with co. logo cast in, and star pattern grip. Blades, and guards are plated. Came with a very flimsey canvas scabbard, but the standard 18" machete scabbard fits perfectly. I sold one on ebay a while back. Will try to find pictures. Couldn't find one, back when I was collecting WWII US edged weapons.

[carlos]

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

The Bolos in the video are not locally made. They are of US mfg., made by the US Spring & Bumper Co. Los Angeles Ca. They have molded green rubber handles with co. logo cast in, and star pattern grip. Blades, and guards are plated. Came with a very flimsey canvas scabbard, but the standard 18" machete scabbard fits perfectly. I sold one on ebay a while back. Will try to find pictures. Couldn't find one, back when I was collecting WWII US edged weapons.

Thank you very much !! this information is very fine to me!1
Thanks again
carlos

[KuKulzA28]

Thanks Dimasalang!

@ LOUIEBLADES:
Oh wow, that's wicked cool, I like how the text follows the video clip...
Interesting how the Filipino soldiers were issued bolos by the US Army...

I bet they would've brought bolos even if they weren't issued them

This reminds me of Crossing the Sulu Seas where an old man relates of how he remembers Moro krismen ambushing Japanese forces. It seems a common theme with the Filipinos, Moros, Gorkhas, Chinese, Taiwanese, etc. to use a big native blade since guns and ammo were low.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

Interesting how the Filipino soldiers were issued bolos by the US Army...

Certain elite units of the present Philippine Marines are still issued bolos (e.g., ginunting), even up to now.

On where to buy them, kindly check out this post.

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

Certain elite units of the present Philippine Marines are still issued bolos (e.g., ginunting), even up to now.

On where to buy them, kindly check out this post.

I actually bought a ginunting from Buddy last Dec. It was a Xmas present to myself. Buddy makes them for the Philippine Marine elite unit. They practice pekiti tirsia under Leo Gaje...and this is their weapon of choice and it is made to their specs.


I just have to add...it is extremely well balanced and light. The Kamagong handles make it look heavy but it is not. Very easy to swing, chop, hack, thrust, etc... And Buddy is a great guy to deal with.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

I actually bought a ginunting from Buddy last Dec. It was a Xmas present to myself. Buddy makes them for the Philippine Marine elite unit ...

Which reminds me, I've been meaning to get one for myself, too!

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

I just have to add...it is extremely well balanced and light. The Kamagong handles make it look heavy but it is not. Very easy to swing, chop, hack, thrust, etc... And Buddy is a great guy to deal with.

By the way, would you know if the Phil. Army (with US troops below, in the 2008 joint exercise in Luzon) would also have a standard issue bolo? Thanks.

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

By the way, would you know if the Phil. Army (with US troops below, in the 2008 joint exercise in Luzon) would also have a standard issue bolo? Thanks.

Hi Miguel, I wouldn't know if the regulars in the Phil. Army have an issued bolo. Im now curious to know if they do. My guess would be yes, considering the environment they have to deal with most of the time. I'll try and find out.

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

In studying the story of the bolomen, I have yet to read Muddy Glory: America's Indian Wars in the Philippines (1981) and Bullets & Bolos: Fifteen Years in the Philippine Islands (1928).

I've read several times however, Vic Hurley's Jungle Patrol (1938) and Swish of the Kris (1936).

You can read Bullets and Bolos online at a secret location. I'll PM it to you.
I have yet to read Muddy Glory also...tough to find that one. I also read through Jungle Patrol and Swish of the Kris a couple times. A copy of Swish of the Kris sold on ebay a few months back...if I remember right it went over $100. I got my copy of Jungle Patrol on ebay for ~$40.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

I found an old news reel from 1943 it shows Philippine troops being armed with bolos. It's about 5 minutes into the video. http://ahivfree.alexanderstreet.com/View/526281

Thanks Lew for the link! That's a very cool find

For quick reference, the narration went:

Narrator: A regiment of Filipino infantry in the United States army receives the one weapon they know best, the Philippine bolo knife. Used in cutting through jungles, the bolo is equally effective in hand-to-hand combat. Filipinos, young and old, have a long and outstanding score to (inaudible ) with the Japanese invaders of their native land. Today, armed with native weapons, augmenting their modern equipment, they are eager to meet the enemy.

Below are some stills from the video.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

Miguels is Alibata/Baybayin script. It is old writing from the Philippines that is pre-Spanish ... Sorry Miguel, thought I'd help myself to your question.

Dimasalang, maraming salamat po [many thanks]!

Yes indeed, alibata is still very much alive. And per my earlier post we can even see alibata characters in some old Phil. swords ...