Sal Todaro is the head instructor of the Cebu West Martial Arts Club. He is the co-founder of SMP Arnis and holds Lakan Siyam (9th degree black belt) in the SMP Arnis Group where he serves as senior master. He holds an advanced instructor’s certificate with the International Modern Arnis Association of the Philippines from Professor Remy Amador Presas. Sal is also a member in The International Philippine Martial Art Federation, Kombatan, and holds the rank of Lakan Lima (5th degree black belt) from Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas.
Other martial arts styles that have influenced Sal are:
- Tae Kwon Do (full contact/no pad fighting style) under Sensei Richard Sand and the World Tae Kwon Do Association
- Taika Oyata’s Okinawan Ryu Te
- Professor Wally Jay’s Small Circle Ju Jitsu
- Sayoc Kali
- Balintawak Eskrima
- Sabre and Epee Fencing under Master Pixie Roane
(Wallingford Swarthmore Panther Fencing)
His teaching style is direct but with an emphasis on the breakdown of all material presented as to allow his students to really understand what they are doing and not just going through empty motions. He is always willing to listen and learn.
Sal is a master locksmith and has owned and operated his own shop in South Philadelphia for thirty years. He now resides in Bradenton, FL.
