Mandala Tuhon (12th hagdan) Philip Gelinas
Mandala Tuhon Philip Gelinas started training with Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje jr in 1981. Thus began the era of Pekiti-Tirsia System of Kali in Canada. Since then, Tuhon Philip has trained, taught, and fought PTK. He has become one of the most skilled, knowledgeable and capable PTK practitioners in the global community.
Early Years
Tuhon Gelinas launched his martial arts training in Chito Ryu karatedo at the age of 14. Since then, he trained in many arts including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kali, Muay Thai, Judo, Kempo, Kajukenbo, Jun Fan-Jeet kune do, Silat, and Capoeira. He obtained black belts in Kempo (1973) and Kajukenbo (1975). In the 1980s, he received a Muay Thai instructor credential under Tom Harink after meeting him in 1985. He holds a 9th degree black belt as Grandmaster in Emperado Kajukenbo, as well as a 4th degree in Chuan Fa Method Kajukenbo.
PTK in Canada
Philip Gelinas began his training in PTK and the Filipino Martial Arts in 1981. He won the Grand Championship at the International Kali Grand Championships in Nashville, Tn. in 1988. Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje has since been elevated him to the rank of Mandala Tuhon 12th degree in PTK. Philip is also a Full Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto in IAMA, and holds the rank of first tier fighter “Sled Dog” and guro in Dog Brothers Martial Arts. He is a founding member and a Council Elder of the Dog Brothers Canada full contact stick fighting community.
He continues to stick fight full contact PTK to this day.
Gelinas Academy of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA)
Tuhon Philip teaches around the world in seminar, as well as from his own school GAMMA based in Montreal, Quebec. He maintains a network of strong relationships with Grand Tuhon Gaje and all of the major proponents of PTK in the US, the Philippines and abroad.