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PROFESSOR JOHN PAGDILAO
Professor John Pagdilao was born in Honolulu,
Hawaii. He began his martial arts career in 1959 at the age of
10; he enrolled in the Ewa Judo Club under Sensei Nobur Sato. In
1961 he studied Karate with his uncle Philip Caurisma at the same
time he enrolled in the Kenchu Kun Karate Club in Kalihi, under
chief instructor Steven Malagues.
In 1966 Professor Pagdilao attained his black
belt in Judo from the Ewa Judo Club in the same year he attained
this black belt from the Kenchu kun Karate. In 1966 he enroll in
the Ewa Kenpo Karate Club, under Professor Haime Abregana. In 1967
he was recognized by Professor Haime Abregana, as a Black Belt
Instructor in the art of Kenpo Karate. Professor Pagdilao left
the Ewa Kenpo Karate Club, for the tournament circuit.
From 1966-1979 Professor Pagdilao was very active
in all forms of tournaments here and abroad. In 1967 Professor
Pagdilao opened his own karate school in Iroquois Pt. Navy housing
and in the same year open branches at Ewa and Ewa Beach.
In 1971 he became affiliated with the Shirotaka
Karate Club under Chief Instructor Alex Cadang, to conduct classes
at Makakilo and Waianae to build a tournament team. In 1973 Professor
Pagdilao received his Chief Instructorship from Grandmaster Marcus
Lim of the Kenchu Kun Karate Club, and was also received recognition
as a Chief Instructor from the Shirotaka Karate Association. In1974
he left the Shirotaka Karate Club to span more time with his own
karate schools and build a his Fighting Team.
In 1986 Professor Pagdilao was reunited with the
Ewa Kenpo Karate Club, but this time working with Professor Jaime
Abregana Jr., the son of Grandmaster Haime Abregana Sr. At this
time Professor Jaime Abregana was promoting professional Kick Boxing
sanctioned by the World Karate Association and The Karate International
Council of Kickboxing. Professor Pagdilao and his Kickboxing Team
supported Professor Abregana's with his Kickboxing promotion for
the next 3 years.
In 1996 after 37 years in the martial arts Professor
Pagdilao received his Professorship, from the Abregana Self-Defense
Institute under Professor Jaime Abregana Jr.
Professor John Pagdilao is one of the co-founders
of the Hawaii Kenpo Jujitsu Society and currently serves as President.
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