The late Punong Guro Edgar Sulite founded Lameco Eskrima on September 25, 1981 in Manila Philippines. He formed the system to represent all of the knowledge of the various Grand Masters with whom he had studied in the Philippines. Quiet a few of the Grand Masters had hopes that Punong Guro Sulite would carry their name and represent their individual systems. Punong Guro Sulite realized very quickly that he had a problem because if he chose any one style to represent than all of the other Grand Masters with whom he had trained would think that he would teach their secrets but would say that it was within the one system that he represented, therefore not giving credit where credit was due. The solution was an acronym that he came up with “LAMECO”; “LA”= largo, “ME”=medio, and “CO”=corto. Every system which was long range was represented by “LA” in Lameco, every system which was in the medium range was represented by “ME” in laMEco, and every system that was close range was represented by the “CO” in lameCO. This was the only way that Punong Guro Sulite could take the knowledge that he had learned from all of his instructors and present it to his students without disrespecting those from whom he had learned. It seemed to please everyone, Punong Guro never claimed that LAMECO was his. He has always given credit to those with whom he trained for this knowledge and has said time and time again that LAMECO was the creation of all the Grand Masters  with whom he had trained. Punong Guro Sulite credited the following systems as being major influences in the development of Lameco:

1. De Campo uno-dos-tres Orehenal (Jose D. Caballero)
2. Kali Illustrisimo (Antonio “Tatang” Illustrisimo)
3. Kali Pekiti- tirsia (Leo T. Gaje Jr.)
4. Moderno Largo (Jesus Abella/ Pablicito Cabahug)
5. Sulite Rapelon (Helacrio Sulite Sr.)

Punong Guro credited the following systems as being minor influences in the development of Lameco:

1. Siete teros serado-serado no puede entrar (Marcilino Ancheta)
2. Lapunti Arnis de Abaniko (Felimon Caburnay)
3. Abaniko de sungkiti (Billy Baaclo)
4. Doce Pares (Dion y Canete)
5. Balintawak (Johnny Chiutin)
6. Tres personas eskrima de combate (Timoteo E. Maranga)

The major influences were from people under whom Punong Guro had trained for years and had learned their systems in depth. The minor influences were from people that Punong Guro would associate with and engage in conversation and from time to time workout with and exchange ideas. The logo of Lameco can be broken down as such:  “LA ME CO” you already know what that represents. The arrows represent the flow of nature and the concept of going with the force, blending, not contradicting the universal law of nature. The Kris sword represents the island of Mindanao. The Batangas (balisong knife) represents the island of Luzon. The Stick reperesnts the island of Visayas. The Triangle represents the footwork as well as the integration of mind, body, and spirit. This is a brief look at “LAMECO ESKRIMA” a very effective fighting system which is complete with ground techniques, grappling with the weapon and locking.      

I hope this give everyone a better understanding of LAMECO ESKRIMA and sheds some light into the meaning of the name and how it came about.