Born in Camotes Island, Cebu, Philippines, on the 23rd April 1949, Grandmaster Epifanio "Yuli" Romo has a long and extensive background in the Filipino Martial Arts, with an impeccable lineage to some of the most respected Filipino warriors ever known.
At an early age, he was introduced to the Warrior Arts of the Philippines, first learning the revered art of his great-uncle Islao Romo, who defeated many well-known Eskrimadors in Cebu during the 1940's. GM Yuli learned this art from his uncles Pedring Romo and Pael Aviles.
As a teenager GM Yuli learned the art of Repikada-Pigada from Kikoy Borinaga, a descendant of the legendary Soferino Borinaga. GM Yuli is the only inheritor of this system.
During the early 1970's GM Yuli moved to Manila, where he studied the Balintawak Eskrima system, learning from Boy Ursal, a senior student of the legendary Grandmaster Joe Go. In this period, GM Yuli also trained directly under Joe Go, extending his skills in the Balintawak system while also learning Tat Kun Tou and the Bio-Olisi - long-stick fighting method.
In 1975, he began training with the much-respected late Grandmaster Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo. Acknowledged by his peers as the second most senior student of Tatang, and one of the original Five Pillars of the Kali Ilustrisimo system, GM Yuli displays a colourful interpretation of this sword-based art, and is particularly renowned for his explosive disarming methods.
On the 23rd April 2000, the art of Zu'bu Kali Ilustrisimo was born, after a lifetime of devoted study of the Filipino Martial Arts. Training in Zu'bu KI includes, but is not limited to, the use of:
Barong - a leaf-shaped sword, the favourite weapon of GM Tatang Ilustrisimo
Kampilan - a long-range heavy blade
Tungkod - four-foot staff
Sungkod - three-foot staff
Doble baston - double stick
Solo baston - single stick
Pisaw - knife
Espasa y daga - sword and dagger
Panyo - handkerchief
Lubas pangamut - hardcore empty-hand techniques

For more, visit GM Yuli Romo's Website at www.yuli-romo.com.

Picture and information contribution by Avel Arcilla