Lima Lama Grand Master Tu'umamao "Tino" Tuilosega

One of the root systems of Gosikido is Lima Lama. My first teacher, Sensei Manuel Soloman was a direct student of Master Haumea "Tiny" Lafiti (a.k.a., Uncle Tiny). Sensei Manuel would teach us all of the fighting techniques, and the incredible hands of Lima Lama. I never had the opportunity to train directly with Uncle Tiny, but his teachings certainly were instilled in me - or should I say "pounded" on me. I was never taught any Lima Lama forms, just techniques - which have become one of the key foundations of my system. Years went by and I got to see Grand Master Tino, also known as Mr. Tino. I could still remember that day, at Mr. Parker's Long Beach Internationals. The announcer got on the microphone, called attention to the entire room and announced the entrance of Mr. Tino. Everyone got up and paid respect to him. I've never seen anything like this, it was like royalty had walked in - and that's exactly what it was, royalty. I remember the respect that Mr. Parker gave him, although it was obviously that the feeling was mutual. That's the year that his son Master Rudy won the Grand Championships. I remember putting my elbows on the raised stage and watching, mesmerized, how Rudy showed the world the incredible "hands of wisdom". Mr. Tino looked on, proud as ever, flanked by a who's-who of Martial Arts masters. Some more years went by and Mr. Tino disappeared for ten years. No one knew where he went, lots of rumors floated, but everyone went on with Lima Lama "with what they had" - making the best of the seeds planted by the Lima Lama elders. Again, another day to remember, the funeral of Mr. Parker, with over 2,000 people there, the only one that stood out was Mr. Tino who came to pay respect to his old friend. This was the first time anyone had seen Mr. Tino in ten years, and as soon as the ceremonies finished, everyone ran to pay respect to him. Lots of people were relieved to see him and know that he was well, others had concerns of what he would do to those he left as stewards of his system. This is where I really started my relationship with Mr. Tino. I watched as many came to him for "rank", others for validation of what they have done with his art. Lima Lama really blew up in Mexico, with hundreds of schools and thousands of students. I had the pleasure of escorting him and being his personal body guard to one of his trips to Mexico City. It was amazing to see how they worship him like the Pope or the President of a country. To see 2,000 Lima Lama students line up in two rows just to see him walk into a tournament was humbling. I dedicated a few years of my life trying to help Mr. Tino reach his dreams and get financially secured. However, this is not about me, and what I did and why I did it is between me and him, as well as our God. Many, many, many days and hours I spent by his side, planning, training with him, and helping him. Don't let this picture fool you, he posed it like that during one of our training sessions - I would have never been able to hit him, I lost a molar from one of his "gentle" blows. Through the help of many good people, I was able to give him a great birthday luau, and an international tournament - I did it all out of love and respect for one of the living treasures in Martial Arts, never for any rank or prestige - his act of promoting me to Master level in Lima Lama was out of his recognition of the teachings passed down to me by Uncle Tiny, and his personal work with me. Believe me, I declined the promotion, but for those of you that know Mr. Tino, you just don't say no to him (and live to tell about it). There are lots of rumors and politics surrounding the origins of Lima Lama, and who was the real founder - at the end of the day, I wasn't there, I just know what I was taught. No matter what, just as Sijo Emperado did for Kajukenbo, Mr. Tino has done for Lima Lama. I know that I have earned the right to call him "Papa", a term used by those closest to him that love him. To this day, Papa knows that I would do anything I can to help "HIM", and make sure he is sound, safe, and healthy. It is bewildering, astonishing, and repulsive to me that there are lots of Lima Lama "teachers" basking in the glory and riches of the fruits of Lima Lama and the Grand Master is living in poverty - and if the shoe fits, please wear it firmly. I've never claimed anything with Lima Lama, I just pay respect to the teachings Uncle Tiny and Papa - anyone that wants to know what I know, there's always the floor . . .my hands will tell you the story of "wisdom". My heart is heavy with how Papa is doing, and I'm just waiting for that dreaded phone call.