In Memoriam
Apohan Tuhan Hasting Albo, Head of System of Albo Kali Silat, was tragically killed in an automobile accident in El Paso, Texas on February 14, 2008. Apohan Tuhan Albo was born on the Big Island of Hawaii on June 23, 1970. He began studying martial arts at the age of five. During the majority of his life, he studied multiple martial arts simultaneously. He once told me that he usually had three masters at a time. His first instructor was his grandfather, who had brought the family system of kali with him from the Philippines. Apohan Tuhan Hasting Albo always said that his base or root art, and the foundation of everything that he did, was his family kali system. He studied other forms of kali, various forms of silat, to include styles from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as several forms of kung fu and other Chinese arts. He also studied the Japanese arts, to include jujitsu and sword arts. He was granted instructor ranks in several arts, and became the head of system of his family kali system as well as two Chinese systems, and, due to his rank in the Chinese systems, was known by the title of Sigung.
It is very popular, in this day and age, for instructors in the martial arts to claim experience in multiple arts and so many high-level instructor ranks that one wonders how they could possibly have had time to amass such ranks and the knowledge to justify such titles and honors. After training with many such people, it becomes painfully obvious that the knowledge and skill they possess does not entitle them to such lofty titles and ranks. However, there are those who have legitimately earned such ranks. Hasting Albo was such a man. I was honored to train with him. It was obvious, to anyone of experience, that he was an extraordinarily accomplished and gifted martial artist. He preferred the title of Sigung, and I was honored to call him this, but even more honored to call him friend. When I met him, I had over fifteen years of martial arts experience, was older than he was by several years, and, as a law enforcement officer, had been in more than one life and death struggle. Despite not being easily impressed, Sigung Albo’s skill astonished me. In addition to his martial arts prowess, he possessed a sense of honor and generosity of spirit that is seldom seen and which will be sorely missed. Many of the students in his classes came from underprivileged backgrounds and were taught for a reduced fee or for free, as he remembered the generosity of his own teachers and always sought to assist his community. When he died, he left behind a wife, siblings, a mother, and literally thousands of people whose lives he had touched.
Apohan Tuhan Albo granted me the title of Tuhan, or Master Instructor, in early 2006, making me the second highest-ranking instructor in the art of Albo Kali Silat. The day before he died, Apohan Tuhan Albo called me and we discussed many matters, including a seminar, which he was to instruct at my school. During this conversation, we discussed many plans involving the growth of Albo Kali Silat. With the passing of my friend and teacher, I intend to make his plans and wishes in regards to Albo Kali Silat a reality, and will assume the mantle of leadership in the art. As the head of Albo Kali Silat, I will remain Tuhan Jon Holloway, rather than assuming another rank or title.
In the near future, a full memorial section of this website will be completed. It will consist of more information regarding the life and teachings of Apohan Tuhan Albo, along with some videos which demonstrate his extraordinary skills.
Tuhan Holloway, March 2008
