BIO – Dalubhasa (Master) DeLeon
Raised in the martial arts since birth, combat has been in the blood of Thomas Alexander Edward Luther Sanano DeLeon, also known to the family as “Sonny”. By age 4 Sonny’s grandfather started out he & his older brother Chris fencing with homemade bamboo swords. Soon after that the San Francisco born native has learned, practiced, experienced, and trained in martial arts for many years such as Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai kickboxing, Sin-Moo Hapkido/JeetKuneDo Concepts (JKD Concepts were traded off directly from Bruce Lee to Grand Master Ji Han Jae & vice versa during the time they filmed together in the movie “Game Of Death”) , & DeLeon S.F.C. Style Techniques. The DeLeon Street Fighting Combat Style techniques are actually street effective ways, means, & survival tactics (such as homemade mini sling & arrow, pen knife, newspiper (pipe wrapped in newspaper) etc…) which Sonny’s father brought with him to San Francisco back from the Philippine Islands which without them, would not have made it here alive. It has also proved very useful in Sonny’s own rough & rugged upbringing of various neighborhoods in the city of San Francisco. Along with that, the DeLeon Clan has a Suntukan,Karate, Judo, & Tae Kwon Do background.
Master Sonny also emphasizes on The Sanano Martial Arts System, which was developed by his mother’s twin brother Grandmaster Andy Sanano. His style is called The Art of Awayan, a filipino martial art which literally means “The Art of War”. GrandMaster Sanano as well has brought with him from the Bicol region of the Philippine islands the family art of Trecehampas (13 strikes) Arnis De Mano stickfighting. Master Sonny has formally & informally, mentally, physically, & spiritually practiced these arts throughout his life, learning & perfecting these techniques he has so far obtained. Being he is so talented with collaborating his martial arts experiences, all the styles & techniques were merged as one in order to honor both sides of his familia without disregarding the other. Master Sonny was able to create his own Filipino Martial Arts System known as IronLionCombat. The ILC system starts as an inside/closed quarter empty hand street effective system then transitions to sticks & weapons, opposite of traditional FMA teachings due to modern day societies standards & how you would be viewed walking around with a stick (although a cane is legal or a maglite in your car). In 2010 Master Sonny’s godbrother Guro Mike (who has been training w/ Master Sonny since the ILC system was created) has helped link in the FMA teachings of Grand Master Bandalan of Bandalan Doce pares & Grand Master Remy Presas Jr. of Modern Arnis as well. Two well known & respected Filipino Martial Arts styles each in their own rite. Which, just as Trecehampas Arnis De Mano, originate from the rough Philippine Island barrios.
