Grandmaster Larry Ordonio

     I was born, Laurencio Rosario Ordonio, "Larry" on April 10, 1956 at Ewa Hospital, Ewa, Hawaii, 1956. As the youngest sonof six childrenof Hipolito Selga Ordonio and juliana Rosario Ordonio, I had to learn things on my own. The large age gap between my youngest sister, Gloria Ordonio Pita, is 13 years my elder. Born in Ewa, Hawaii, and resident of Varona Village of the Ewa Sugar Company was tough. Some of the other martial arts schools in the area called us "Gang Busters" or trouble makers because of the fighters that came from Ewa. In 1964, I started learning the only martial arts available ink Ewa Clubhouse, Hawaiian Kenpo. My instructor, Warlito Querubin was a big, strong Sensei of whom was very scared of. It was later in 1970 that I got to earn my black belt. There were no paperwork showing our rank, and I paid for my lessons by cleaning the school after class or before class.; My white uniform was a hand me down which was worn by many but was 'good' enough for me, really big, but that was all I had.  In fact, my mother never knew that I was taking, because after class, my friend, Reynaldo Calamaan, would take it home and have it cleaned and pressed for me for the next class. I took classes from Sensei Querubin for almost 15 years off and on. He rarely gave higher rank, but I had the time and grade as a 3rd or 4th Dan before I left the islands. After graduating from University of Hawaii in 1978 in Business Management, I also got my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant from the US Army. I spent 5 years as an officer and later resigned my commission, Honorable Discharge as a Captain. I trained on my own and now and then, visited schools around Lawton, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Hawaiian Kenpo was too strong and viscious for the common student that I observed in Oklahoma. There were times that training done in the Ewa Clubhouse would be construed as abuse in the common Dojo in the mainland. I tried Kung Fu, Shotokan, Taekwondo, Karate, and others, but felt they did not offer any 'good training'. In the Army, I was Airborne, helped train Rangers and Special Forces with Hawaiian Kenpo. What I discovered was Hawaiian Kenpo was far too superior than what they were taught and had to offer. I often did not engage in brawls because I was afraid what might happen if I went 'all out'.
     While In Ewa, I studed with the old timers/elders doing sword fighting(Kendo), Judo, and Jiujitsu. My father also explained and taught me along with my brother, Cecilio, Filipino escrima or Largo Mano, in 1967. My father was a high level Master in this Pangasinan style fighting in the Philippines. My brother traveled all over the P.I. only to come back often victorious in Death Matches or pure'hard core' fighting. My father has anmed me his successor as Head Grandmaster in 1989. He has also given me his 'Oracion' that has helped him during his battles in the Philippines against assailants and the Japanese soldiers. This warrior's prayer, is something that is nothing short of devastating and with 'power' beyond comprehension. Only the 'oldtimers' would know what it can really do when propertly executed to their assailants. My brother, Cecilio, who now lives in California, went to Leo Giron, back in the mid 1990's when Tony Somero, the successor to his style was still a student. Mr. Giron conversed with my brother in length and even visited Leo Giron's place in Stockton, California. Mr. Giron's words to my brother was, 'your style of Largo Mano is far superior to what I learned and I honor your style'. These are words that only the two know of, of their time together, whether battling or plainly talking.
     Today, I have studied Japanese, Okinawan, Korean, Chinese weaponry and I can assure you that the filipiino eclectic 'baston' is far superior. Read filipino history of Ferdinand Magellan and his quest of the Philippine Islands. It was good enough to slay him over the superior escrima/swords the spaniards used.
     I currently oversee my son's (Lee) school, North Channel Martial Arts Academy, (NCMA), that I handed down to him in 2002 in Houston, Texas. My son, Lee, is now a 5th Degree Black Belt at 22 years old. It continues to flourinsh with his remarkable grasp of the Martial Arts. I am also starting a new school, in the Highland, Texas area with a 2rd Dan Judo school owner, Chuck Wood, who is also a State of Texas certified BodyGuard. NCMA continues to enjoy its 90+ students since 1989.
     I have taught over 1,000 students to date and promoted over 150+ Black Belts. I currrently hold master's rank in Korean Hapkido, Taekwondo, American Karate, Hawaiian Kenpo, Filipino Escrima, and black belts in several other styles.
     I have a BBA-Mgt from University of Hawaii, Masters of Arts in Business Administration/Management, Past Worshipful Master of Masonic lodge in Houston, Texas and also a Knight't Templar and Scottish Rite.
     My teachers in the Martial Arts are Professor Abregana, Warlito Querubine, Grandmasters JK Choi, Sun Choi, Pelligrini, Song, James Stevens, Ed Brown, Silverio Guerra, Rocky Anderson, and many other masters that I can't remember, from Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, and Texas.  My expertise is in knife fighting, disarming, multiple assailants, close quarters and single and doble bastons.