30/09/2026
Survival Arts Academy mourns our beloved grandmaster of Filipino fighting arts. 🗡️
Grand Tuhon "GT" Leo T. Gaje Jr.
May 5, 1938 — September 25, 2026
As the Guardian of Pekiti Tirsia Kali, Grand Tuhon Supremo Leopoldo Tortal Gaje Jr. was a 3-time Hall of Fame awardee and renowned Weapons Master Instructor across the globe. He has been featured on magazine covers since the 1980s, recognized as Man of the Year 2018 by Black Belt Magazine, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Martial Arts Supershow in 2019.
Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK) was recognized in 1897 by Conrado Tortal in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Visayas, Philippines. Conrado Tortal received the tradition from his father and grandfather, and passed the teachings to his only grandson, Leo Tortal Gaje Jr. who then taught his only son, Leo Gaje III and named him the Grand Tuhon Manunubli (Heir) in 2015.
Grand Tuhon brought Pekiti Tirsia Kali to the United States in 1972, and has since shared his family art with more than 30 countries around the world. Grand Tuhon's contribution to Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), Close Quarters Combat, Edged & Impact Weapons is unsurpassable, making him one of the greatest legends of our time. PTK is so effective with the use of the blade technology, that it is sought after by military & law enforcement groups internationally. Many other Filipino Martial Arts systems derived from Pekiti Tirsia Kali, as PTK has influenced every Arnis, Eskrima and Kali group of the modern era.
Survival Arts Academy continues Grand Tuhon's warrior legacy with our trainings & teachings, protecting the women and children, preserving the blade technology and the indigenous Filipino fighting art of Kali that has survived the test of time, from ancient warfare to modern weaponry.
Our deepest condolences to Grand Tuhon's wife Gila Gaje, his son Leo Gaje III, and all our students and community who grieve with us. Grand Tuhon was our beloved Master Teacher, Tito, Lolo, mentor, a proud Filipino, Negrosanon, and Bacolodnon. He taught us the history of our bayani, the importance of our warrior bloodline, and to always be proud to be Filipino.
Loyalty, Wisdom, Tuhon! ⚔️
