The founder of Kuntaw Kali Kruzada

Maestro Rico founded Kuntaw Kali Kruzada in 1993. He was born in the Philippines in the late 1950's and has studied the martial arts continually since the age of five. He has over 30 years experience teaching the martial arts. He is a recognized Master of several styles of Filipino martial arts. In the year 2000 he received an award for "Best Maestro/Guro" from PIGSSAI, at the DIGMAAN competition in Luneta Park grandstand, Manila. In 2001 he produced a video on Lightning Scientific Arnis with Paladin Press. This past June he was officially appointed as the IMAFP coordinator for New York. He recently taught at the IMAFP seminar tribute for Grandmaster Remy Presas' death anniversary, held in the Philippine Department of Tourism this past August.

Maestro Rico has lived in the Philippines until recent years and is now focused on propagating the Filipino martial arts here in the U.S. and abroad. He is currently working on producing two books on the Filipino martial arts to be published in 2006. He returns to the Philippines regularly to continue his study of the Filipino martial arts, continually developing and improving his system. It is his hope that through the propagation of the Filipino martial arts, his system can be an impetus towards a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of the Philippines.

Maestro Rico Acosta has received extensive personal instruction in the Philippines under many notable Masters and Grandmasters such as Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema (LSAI), Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez (KAI), Grandmaster Roberto Presas (Modern Arnis), Senior Master Samuel Dulay (Modern Arnis), Grandmaster Jose Mena (Doblete Rapelon), Grandmaster Florendo Picate (Picate Style Crossada Espada y Daga), Grandmaster Charlie Villanueva (Lao Lan - Doce Generales), Grandmaster Jesus Pallorina (WEDOCA), Master Frank Sobrino (WEDOCA) and Grandmaster Ric Esteban (Kuntaw Combat Escrima). His experience in Judo, Jujutsu, Karate and Aikido has complemented his knowledge of the Filipino martial arts.

Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez and Senior Master Samuel Dulay are advisors to our system, we are grateful to both of these great men for their continual support and guidance. Kuntaw Kali Kruzada supports the efforts of the organizations that we represent in the Philippines, International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines, Kali Arnis International, W.E.D.O. Combat Arnis and Doce Generales, to promote unity among the different styles/systems of Kali/Arnis/Escrima.