Bautista does it for love
'Old school' grand master's studio all about quality
By TONY BURCHYNS/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 08/25/2008 09:13:58 AM PDT
Emil Bautista has a soft spot for rock-'em, sock-'em combat. The ninth-degree
Kajukenbo black-belt has been training children, teens and adults in the mixed-
martial arts for 40 years at his hole-in-the-wall studio on Benicia Road.
Bautista, 69, says he does it for the love of teaching the harmony of mind, body and spirit - and
street-wise self defense.
"I don't make money doing this," Bautista said, cracking a smile. "If I did, I'd have nicer curtains in
here, and a more classical dojo."
Now retired from a slew of jobs, including working at a furniture warehouse and moonlighting as a
bartender, Bautista is free to focus on his passion.
He currently oversees three instructors and 30 students at his school, the Kajukenbo Self-Defense
Institute of Vallejo. He said it is Vallejo's longest-running martial-arts dojo.
Relying on word of mouth rather than advertising, Bautista, who is married and lives in American
Canyon, said it's the quality of students, not the quantity, that matters.
"We're a small school," Bautista said. "But because we're word-of-mouth, our students are more
serious. They are here to learn to defend themselves."
In four decades, Bautista has awarded more than 50 black belts. A handful of his students have
earned national recognition at competitions, he said.
Invented in 1947 by five Hawaiian black belts, Kajukenbo combines karate, judo, jujutsu, kenpo,
kung fu and boxing.
It uses fast strikes, high-impact takedowns and many joint- and limb-breaking techniques.
Bautista said he started training "seriously" in 1963 in his hometown of Fairfield. He opened his
school in 1968 with a group of like-minded friends who wanted to hone their skills.
"We wanted a place to romp," Bautista said. "We couldn't do it at home because we'd break
furniture."
Framed pictures of martial-arts legends and other memorabilia cover the walls. Punching bags, a
medicine ball and an array of swords and clubs also occupy the space, which smells like a locker
room.
Instructor Tito Alvarez, who teaches children and teenagers at the school, said Bautista is an "old-
school" grand master who stresses dedication, loyalty and hard work.
"He doesn't give away belts," Alvarez said. "You've got to earn them."
Academic success is emphasized, Alvarez said. Students have been suspended from training for
poor grades, he said. When grades improve, training resumes.
Ray Bitagon, who teaches classes with Bautista's son, Steven, called the dojo's master a humble,
generous man.
"He is willing to give you his time and his knowledge," Bitagon said. "If you stay long enough you
develop a sense of kinship with one another."
Bautista said watching students grow and mature is the best part of teaching. A number of former
students still keep in touch, and some are even sending their children and grandchildren to the
school to learn self defense.
Everyone from police officers to school teachers have passed threw his doors, Bautista said.
More classes for girls could be coming soon, the grand master said, adding that a former female
student and black belt wants to develop her own program at the dojo.
With his 70th birthday approaching, Bautista is still winning competitions in his age group. He
earned first place at a tournament in Las Vegas in July, where he was also awarded a plaque
commemorating his dedication to Kajukenbo.
At this point, he has no plans of slowing down, said Betty Bautista, his wife.
"He does it for the love," Betty said. "He'll keep coming in as long as he can."
• E-mail Tony Burchyns at tburchyns@thnewsnet.com or call (707) 553-6831.
Emil Bautista
Age: 69
Hometown: American Canyon
Occupation: Owner and chief instructor at Kajukenbo Self-Defense Institute of Vallejo
Quote: "We wanted a place to romp. We couldn't do it at home because we'd break
furniture."
'Old school' grand master's studio all about quality
By TONY BURCHYNS/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 08/25/2008 09:13:58 AM PDT
Emil Bautista has a soft spot for rock-'em, sock-'em combat. The ninth-degree
Kajukenbo black-belt has been training children, teens and adults in the mixed-
martial arts for 40 years at his hole-in-the-wall studio on Benicia Road.
Bautista, 69, says he does it for the love of teaching the harmony of mind, body and spirit - and
street-wise self defense.
"I don't make money doing this," Bautista said, cracking a smile. "If I did, I'd have nicer curtains in
here, and a more classical dojo."
Now retired from a slew of jobs, including working at a furniture warehouse and moonlighting as a
bartender, Bautista is free to focus on his passion.
He currently oversees three instructors and 30 students at his school, the Kajukenbo Self-Defense
Institute of Vallejo. He said it is Vallejo's longest-running martial-arts dojo.
Relying on word of mouth rather than advertising, Bautista, who is married and lives in American
Canyon, said it's the quality of students, not the quantity, that matters.
"We're a small school," Bautista said. "But because we're word-of-mouth, our students are more
serious. They are here to learn to defend themselves."
In four decades, Bautista has awarded more than 50 black belts. A handful of his students have
earned national recognition at competitions, he said.
Invented in 1947 by five Hawaiian black belts, Kajukenbo combines karate, judo, jujutsu, kenpo,
kung fu and boxing.
It uses fast strikes, high-impact takedowns and many joint- and limb-breaking techniques.
Bautista said he started training "seriously" in 1963 in his hometown of Fairfield. He opened his
school in 1968 with a group of like-minded friends who wanted to hone their skills.
"We wanted a place to romp," Bautista said. "We couldn't do it at home because we'd break
furniture."
Framed pictures of martial-arts legends and other memorabilia cover the walls. Punching bags, a
medicine ball and an array of swords and clubs also occupy the space, which smells like a locker
room.
Instructor Tito Alvarez, who teaches children and teenagers at the school, said Bautista is an "old-
school" grand master who stresses dedication, loyalty and hard work.
"He doesn't give away belts," Alvarez said. "You've got to earn them."
Academic success is emphasized, Alvarez said. Students have been suspended from training for
poor grades, he said. When grades improve, training resumes.
Ray Bitagon, who teaches classes with Bautista's son, Steven, called the dojo's master a humble,
generous man.
"He is willing to give you his time and his knowledge," Bitagon said. "If you stay long enough you
develop a sense of kinship with one another."
Bautista said watching students grow and mature is the best part of teaching. A number of former
students still keep in touch, and some are even sending their children and grandchildren to the
school to learn self defense.
Everyone from police officers to school teachers have passed threw his doors, Bautista said.
More classes for girls could be coming soon, the grand master said, adding that a former female
student and black belt wants to develop her own program at the dojo.
With his 70th birthday approaching, Bautista is still winning competitions in his age group. He
earned first place at a tournament in Las Vegas in July, where he was also awarded a plaque
commemorating his dedication to Kajukenbo.
At this point, he has no plans of slowing down, said Betty Bautista, his wife.
"He does it for the love," Betty said. "He'll keep coming in as long as he can."
• E-mail Tony Burchyns at tburchyns@thnewsnet.com or call (707) 553-6831.
Emil Bautista
Age: 69
Hometown: American Canyon
Occupation: Owner and chief instructor at Kajukenbo Self-Defense Institute of Vallejo
Quote: "We wanted a place to romp. We couldn't do it at home because we'd break
furniture."
Grand Master Emil Bautista
