David Samonte

First Balintawak session of AAPI month! Playing around with some ideas I had in mind on Sunday. 1) How to incorporate with a backfist or left handed strike as a means to close distance. 2) Taking the Group 5 pattern and breaking it apart 3) Finding opportunities to transition into and from those parts with different grouping patterns. 4) Adding in handling, bridging, and elbow butting techniques. I’m putting lipstick on a pig in this video, but it’s given me a lot to study and mull over on my free time. S/O to my training partner DK! #aapimonth #FMA #Balintawak #Arnis #Goliathstunts

🔥 Arnis, Community, and 50 Years of Legacy! 🇵🇭 What a night to remember! Last Sunday, we pulled off a surprise celebration for Guro Jemar Carcellar of @atlbalintawak — honoring his incredible 50th Arnisversary and birthday! 🎉 From students to lifelong friends, the room was filled with stories, laughter, and deep appreciation for the art of Arnis — a powerful reflection of our Filipino roots, resilience, and heritage. 🇵🇭✨ This wasn’t just a celebration… it was a reminder of how culture connects us, strengthens us, and brings community together. ❤️ Huge thank you to @goliathstunts for making it all happen and to @kamayan_atl for hosting such a meaningful and unforgettable evening! 🙌 💥 If you’ve ever been curious about Arnis or want to reconnect with your roots, come join us at @atlbalintawak — where tradition, skill, and community come alive. 🎂 Happy Birthday, Guro Jemar! Thank you for your passion, leadership, and for building something truly special for all of us. #Arnis #FilipinoHeritage #BalintawakATL #CommunityStrong filipinopride

Out of the three which one would you choose? Speed, power, or skill? Check out these two clips from GM Eugene and GM Zac the last time we hosted them. DON’T MISS OUT! This Saturday from 1-5pm we will be hosting our Grandmaster Double Header. Up your game by leaps and bounds by learning from two highly decorated Balintawak practitioners. $50 through paypal or cash at the door. #Filipino #WOTBAG #Arnis #escrima #ATLBalintawak

DON’T MISS OUT! On Saturday April 18, Atlanta Balintawak will be hosting WOTBAG Balintawak Grandmasters Zac Taco and Eugene Nepangue as they teach a wide spectrum of techniques iconic to the WOTBAG System. This event is OPEN TO ALL SKILL LEVELS AND STYLES. Everyone is guaranteed to learn something and walk out just a bit better than when they walked in. $50 Paypal/Cash at Door #Balintawak #WOTBAG #arnis #escrima #ATLBalintawak

Thank you so much to the Midtown International School for inviting me to come speak to your students about my career as a Stunt Performer. It felt great to be able to show two classrooms full of kids how important our job is on a film set, the many hats worn in the stunt department, and some bts footage and pictures from some of their favorite movies. A decent amount of them said they wanted to do stunts when they grow up, so hopefully when the time comes I have a chance to hire them someday. 😁 #stunts #stuntpoc #careerday #midtowninternationalschool #goliathstunts

Proof of life. Got the best seat in the house. Check in with y’all later. #SharkConservation #Malapascua #EvolutionDivingResort #Phillipines #GoliathStunts

Thank you so much Grandmaster Ceniza for taking me into your home and training me while I visit Cebu. What I like about the art of Baraw Sugbo aka (Arnes Diablo) is that it is very focused on one task, unarmed defense against a knife. The system itself is very spartan, efficient, and it aims to quickly bring it’s students to a point where they can focus on flow and drilling in order to build up reaction speed. I edited a bunch of it out to save face, but there was a lot of GM saying “Foot” or “Hayang” (palm up) as I stumbled through his drills. I very much appreciate your patience @eduardoceniza and taking the time to show me your art. Time to get in some practice. 😁 #Cebu #StuntPOC #BarawSugbo #ATLBalintawak #goliathstunts

Keep an eye out for your chance to go see The Traction Park Massacre! There’s a saying, “Stunt guys either have the easiest day or the hardest day on set. No in between.” Some days you get paid to look like a snarling bad guy and go home. Some days you gotta bring in your motorcycle and sit right on top of a popper and get blown up. Unfortunately I was too busy prepping for this trip to Cebu to go to the ATL premiere today, but I’m glad I get to share this BTS of one of my big gags. (Go watch the movie if you want to see me get kicked in the nuts really hard.) S/O to the homies at @georgiaspecialeffects for keeping me safe and for prepping a GREAT gag and @cbrunettifilm for hitting me up to audition and get cast as Brother Brutal and keeping all of us safe. First time seeing myself near the top of the call sheet. 😁 Fun story about this scene. I REALLY liked the boots they gave me in wardrobe. This was my last night on set and I was desperately trying to keep them, but the Directors Doug and Adam said I unfortunately couldn’t. Flash forward to after the gag, I hit the deck (as is protocol) because I wasn’t sure if I was on fire or not. I wasn’t, the C02 cleared, and I gave the thumbs up that I was okay. I walk up to video village to watch playback. Adam looks at me and goes, “Yeah you can keep those boots”.

Got to water safety with a great Marine unit this week. Crew stayed 100% safe and as dry as possible 😁. From what I heard the footage looked great too. Major kudos to my Avengers Endgame bro @thetyanaya for snapping some candids of me in the middle of it. We were both still starting out 8 years ago when we last worked together and it was great to run into each other on set again. S/O to @waihana.wetsuits and @nrsrescue for keeping me warm and safe. Been using their gear for a couple of years now and they never disappoint. #stunts #watersafety #stuntpoc #atlantafilm #goliathstunts

For his birthday, Stephen wanted to build the next chapter onto a photo project he did a few years ago. This time he wanted to involve me and Brandon, all of three of us were having a very transitional year. Like most growth, it can be pretty rough. Anywho since I did the pyro for the last shoot I decided I would BE the pyro for this one and here’s the BTS from it. Given the nature of stunt work the process can be pretty insular. This is one of the few opportunities I have had to show my non-film friends what goes on in what I do and I really do enjoy doing that. Major s/o to the whole crew who made this happen! 📸: @noel_nichols 🔥: @jeff.does.stunts 💄: @ansleyk16 📍: @micahthomps1

Should I carry around a self defense tool? Ultimately carrying a self defense tool or force multiplier of some sort is a personal choice. If you decide on one the best tool for you is going to be the one that you are the most comfortable operating. Here are my 3 thoughts on what to consider: 1. Legality: Make sure what you carry is legal to have on you. Check your local laws to find out. 2. Accessibility: The best tool in the world is useless if you don’t have easy access to it. You should be able to deploy your tool like its a second nature. 3. TRAIN: Whatever you decide to carry you need to practice how you will carry it, deploy it, and use it. Train often and train until you can do it without thinking. Anywho those are my thoughts. Would love to hear from any other instructors out there with your opinions. Y’all take care of each other alright? ⬇️⬇️Follow for more self defense tips⬇️⬇️ @stonewallguardiangroup

I am extremely happy to say that I passed my level 5 Taboada Balintawak test this weekend! The past three years of learning this art have truly been amazing. Learning to relax and flow in it has been so beneficial to all parts of my life. A huge shoutout and thank you to my friend and brother @goliathstunts for introducing me to the art and being such a great teacher and training partner as I progress to level 6 (black belt equivalent🥋). Another big shoutout to Guru Jemar Chancellor and @atlbalintawak for welcoming me in to train and learn with a great community of folks. Congrats to my friends and fellow classmates @johnniemoxknox and Kenny English on passing their levels 2 and 4 test as well! Balintawak is such a fun system, I highly recommend it to anyone. ❤️ My martial arts journey continues on as I grow and hit new milestones! 🙂❤️ #Balintawak #Escrima #martialartstraining #martialartslife #kali #arnis #balintawakcuentada #martialarts #bobbytaboada #martialartsfamily