‘ Grand Master’ Michael Anthony Filingo -- Martial Arts Resume
1978/79 – Judo/Korean Karate (Yellow belt)> Instructor: Master Soon-Ho Chang (6th degree black belt) – Judo/Korean Karate/Hapkido – Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA/Freemansburg, PA
1978/79 – Taekwondo – (Orange belt)> Instructor: Mr. William Bell (4th degree black belt) – East Stroudsburg University – East Stroudsburg, PA
1987/91 – Shorinji-ryu Karatedo (1st degree black belt)> Instructors: Alick Smith, Sr. (10th degree black belt – Alick Smith, III. (6th degree black belt) – Red Dragon Karate Society (Easton, PA.)/ Alick Smith’s Nazareth (PA.) Karate Academy – Red Dragon System including weapons training with nunchakus, bo, tonfa, sai, kama, Filipino stick.
1988/89 – Filipino Stick Certifications – Arnis de mano levels 1, 2, 3> Instructor: Master Rene Navaro (Hung Gar Kung Fu) – Al Smith’s Red Dragon Karate Society; Alick Smith’s Nazareth Karate Academy.
1988/89 – Tai Chi> Instructors: Master Rene Navaro; Master Mantak Chia (Nazareth, Pa & New York City, NY)
1991/96 – Pai Lum Kung Fu; Tai Chi (Brown level)> Instructors: John Wenninger (Pai Li Lung – 7th higher black belt) – White Dragon System – Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai – Bushkill Township, PA.
1996/present – Vee Arnis Jitsu Te (awarded 7th degree black belt in the Vee Arts by Senior Grand Master James A. Roma; 2018) and Shigun (Teacher of Teachers) in various Chinese Arts – studied many years from Professor Charles Gerrity (9th black in the Vee Arts), Shihan Willard ‘Rusty’ Hunter (9th black in the Vee Arts), and presently associated with the Bethlehem (PA.) School of Vee-jitsu (Shihan Brett Young; 9th black in the Vee Arts;recognized and awarded by Senior Grand Master Jim Roma). While training with Shihan Brett Young, Master Filingo participates in seminars taught by Shihan Jim Roma as part of his continued education.
2005/13 – Ghost Hands of Dim Mak (Certificate of Attainment)> Instructor: Dr. Pier Tsui-Po – Golden Lion Academy & Pressure Point Fighting/Defense (Berwick, Australia)
Present: Awarded Hachidan {8th degree black belt} in the Vee Arts by Senior Grand Master James A. Roma as of June, 2019.
2020 -- This update is written by Senior Grand Master, Jim Roma {Kudan}:
Grand Master Filingo has more than forty years of martial art training as of 2020. Based upon my personal judgment and evaluation, I have promoted Grand Master Michael Filingo to the prestigious rank of Kudan (Ninth Black). Kudan is my rank. For clarification, though we share, now, the same rank, I am respected by Grand Master Filingo, Grand Master Brett Young and some others as Senior Grand Master. That title simply acknowledging that I studied directly under Supreme Grand Master Florendo M. Visitacion and was ranked Kudan by him in 1993. I founded both the Bangor (Pa.) Vee-jitsu Club abd the Akron (Oh.) Vee-jitsu Club. The official date of GM Filingo's promotion is November, 2020. GM Filingo's official and original Kudan certificate has my signature and that of GM Brett Young.
2024 -- As of October, 2024, Grand Master Michael Filingo has been certified and documented as a recipient of the Doctor of Martial Arts/ Doctor of Vee-jitsu. This recognition was bestowed upon him by Senior Grand Master Jim Roma and Grand Master Brett Young. He is now Doctor Michael Filingo.