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StrongStyle meets SobrangStyle*: Filipino Tekken

*Sobrang means too much or excessive in Tagalog (Filipino)

Before I start detailing the Tekken culture of the Philippines, I’d like to introduce myself so that you know who I am. My name is JT, aka JTchinoy. I’m a Filam (Filipino American) from Northern California and my main character is Ling Xiaoyu. I’ve been active in the American Tekken community since Tekken 5 and have used Xiaoyu since Tekken 5: DR. I have experience playing against the top players in Japan, Korea, and the United States. Don’t worry, I know just enough about Tekken and Tekken communities around the world to talk about this.

I’m currently living in the Philippines for an extended period and I’m here to give you some insight into the Tekken community that has bred a few big name players in America including the one and only FilthyRich. While everyone knows of these players, nobody actually knows about the culture that raised them beyond that fact that they grew up and learned Tekken in the Philippines. I’m here to provide that information. I’ve spent a total of 5 months in the Philippines as of this article and have been extremely active within the community since I’ve arrived. There’s a lot to cover, so I’ll be writing about a different aspect of the culture in this series of articles.

The first thing I’ll be covering is play style in the Philippines.  Coming from America, I’m used to seeing play styles of all sorts from every corner of the country.  Unlike America, however, Filipino Tekken players, or Tekkenistas, are mostly oriented towards turtling, or a defensive play style.  Most people wait for others to whiff or do punishable moves or come to them and run into whatever they want to throw out.  Tekkenistas have very good throw breaking, which is likely tied into their defensive style.  While the players all are at a similar level of decency, very few players have play styles that make them unique compared to other people with the same character or make them raise above the rest in skill.

Among the few to be noted as unique in their own rights is the Lei player Dax. While not being a complete monster of a Lei player, his understanding of the transitions of Lei and constant use of them makes him always a nice break from the normal flow of games.  Along with him is a Marduk player named Allan, who doesn’t know when to stop attacking.  His offensive is typical Marduk offense, except he feels like a freight train running at you once the mixups start.  He’s also very adept at using Marduk’s clap to launch people, when most Marduks would just ws+4 or ws+1 in the same situation.  Lastly, there’s a misplaced Middle Eastern super model named Sassan who actually goes beyond the 5 move Bruce style.  I’d say he uses maybe ½ of Bruce’s movelist, which is more than any Bruce I’ve played in any country.  He also has a ridiculous instinct to low parry that dumbfounds me at times.

Because of the turtling oriented culture and emphasis on learning from each other, rather than pioneering their own play styles, the skill level of Tekkenistas is overall stagnant.  While people improve their knowledge of matchups, nobody seems to take the time to refine their basics and adaptability.  Some people spend several games losing just to get a vague grasp of their opponent’s style.  While this may be okay for casuals and possibly death matches, it makes the community overall very vulnerable to new opponents in a tournament environment.


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166 responses to “StrongStyle meets SobrangStyle*: Filipino Tekken”

  1. SKY

    “Nameless Master says:
    April 10, 2011 at 12:43 am
    Yeah filipino’s suck.. Their offensive tactics isn’t innovative enough to mess up your mind.. In plain words “boring playstyle”.. I have to agree with you JT…”

    – Hey Dick Head. Before you insult us like that, be sure you’re really that good. IF you ever have a plan to visit Philippines or IF you’re already here in the Philippines, be sure to drop off at SM North Edsa. Team SMN will be waiting for you. just tell me when will you be arriving >:) i’m pretty sure you’ll have a good challenge when you get there. >:)

  2. 0kills

    @nameless master… lol actually my parents like me. :)) “making up” with their girlfriends? What??? :))))) Dude, english isn’t my first language but you’re really awesome :))

  3. SM FAIRVIEW

    @JT
    I believe you haven’t payed a visit at our arcade place yet 🙂

  4. SM ILOILO

    HEY SM FAIRVIEW CARE TO HAVE A TEAMBATTLE AGAINST US!?

    1. a2k

      are you guys in manila? we’ll be happy to TB you just give us the details.
      how do we contact you? are you guys posting in the bacolod / ilo-ilo thread of TZ?

      1. SM FAIRVIEW

        so sori but i still dont have a team i might someday fight if i have team

      2. xxx

        Sir,Im from Iloilo. I know the tekken scene here right now, currently,there are 3 teams in iloilo,and Im sure,none of the 3 teams are there in Manila. Although, a team battle would be fun,but this sm iloilo guy is a fake cocky asshole. Its a scam. Sorry for this stupid Sm iloilo guy.

    2. xxx

      Say,are you trying to ruin Iloilo’s image? Are you truly from Iloilo? WTF! Just watch out if I find out who you are.

    3. -JeST_TeR-

      dont listen to sm iloilo, its a fake account trying to destroy iloilo’s image… just ignore him…

  5. a2k

    Btw, just a few videos for reference of Philippine play

    http://www.youtube.com/user/MrKendrickyu

    this was from a tournament a few months ago

    the allan guy featured in the article is also shown here
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL4u2kdeHU8
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V-A5ZiMPCk

    1. unknown

      That player Ong bak is one of the best bruce player i’ve ever seen! and he broke 100% of throws and take downs. I’m surprised JT didn’t mention him in the article but mentioned allan, even though he got destroyed.

  6. Take N Lord

    @a2k where you from?

    1. a2k

      from PH.. usually plays at G4 and megamall

  7. Islaw

    Nameless Master says:
    April 10, 2011 at 12:43 am
    Yeah filipino’s suck.. Their offensive tactics isn’t innovative enough to mess up your mind.. In plain words “boring playstyle”.. I have to agree with you JT…

    scared of turtle players? maybe you don’t think when you attack, just like now, you don’t think before you post. The turtle style might be boring but it is effective for careless players like you. If you want to fight aggressive Filipino players, come and visit here and you might find what you are looking for

  8. akech-chinoy

    a crap article coming from a very lousy player..

    how about some money match??

    1. douche03

      money match? are you serious? JT wont waste time with CARD CHICKENS like you.

      1. a2k

        they already fought last saturday not sure who won

      2. Akechi

        Me and JT.. But i don’t think JT and “akech-chinoy” had fought already.. Lol..

  9. team upskirt downblouse

    ^ whoa akechi(?) turned the heat up a notch! This we’d love to see….
    by the way just for some additional references to a2k’s post, this usually happens after a money match has ended.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4T9roUK-BM

  10. Akechi

    Who the hell is “akech-chinoy”????
    woah, look i have a poser! 😀

    1. mont

      Akech-inoy what the ?! haha

  11. Akechi

    Can you trace that poser??
    i don’t want to start a fight or somethin’..

    1. -JeST_TeR-

      damn posers, even iloilo people got involved… K.S.P is what they are!

  12. stranger

    hey guys from philippines, i’m just curious.

    who do you is the best bryan player there? i can’t find new vids on youtube. they’re really old.

    and do you think he can beat mr. naps?

  13. Prime

    “Jes_Ter says: not everyone from manila or from luzon are that great… other provinces like from the cities of visayas have good players like from cebu city, iloilo city and respectively bacolod city… if you think you’re that great get over here…”

    i hope this doesn’t caught some fire or rivalry thing between Manila Players and Bacolod players(or even Cebu/Iloilo players)

    i know were not that great, but i’m pretty sure were not really far from Visayas players.

    1. -JeST_TeR-

      Not at all, we have good friends in manila.. im referring to what nameless master’s post… im just assuming he must have fought a lousy filipino player… please sir dont make this an issue im just saying that in general… i believe some of us from visayas have good potential and we lack the exposure or opportunity that some manila players have… we dont have enough recognition thats all… so sir kindly respect what i have posted… and please do mind im speaking for general knowledge thats all..

      1. Prime

        hmm okay sir. i just think its kinda offensive, but anyways my bad.

        yeah your players there in Bacolod have insane potential especially El and the Kazuya player(i forgot the name)i already fought them, when they were here.

        anyways looking forward to have a match with El again and the rest of BCD 🙂

    2. eL

      A rivalry is the last thing we want. We’d be severely outnumbered lol. Like what Jester says, he’s just trying to make a point that not all Filipino’s can be generalized for the shortcomings or limitations of a few.

      1. Prime

        yeah, sorry dude. 🙂

      2. eL

        No probs at all. Could I ask who you are? We had some games? Don’t really remember who I played with there lol T_T

      3. Prime

        uhhhhh i’m your friend at FB lol. search Kenny Samia

      4. eL

        LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez man hahahahahah!!!!

      5. Prime

        yeah ahaha. i heard your visiting Manila again? when?

      6. eL

        Huwaaaaaaat? Where did u hear that? No plans yet, just desires. As of now, $$$time$$$ is a problem hehe. But hopefully soon. Miss everyone there T_T

    3. -JeST_TeR-

      im also from bacolod, i was that fat kid using eddy…hehehe yeah, we would love to have visitors here at bacolod…

      1. Prime

        yeah i know you. i’m Prime. Kenny Prime the Bryan player? from team 3’TC(or Lars player cause when your here i use Lars more often than Bryan)

        i heard El is visiting Manila again? when?? 🙂

  14. -JeST_TeR-

    yo kenny si pao to, maybe when ttt2 will be available there…hehehe maybe some of us will be joining his trip back to manila…. of course i remember you…

    1. Prime

      hmm okay see you then, when ttt2 comes out. and please don’t bully me when ttt2 comes out cause i’ve never played tekken tag tournament 1 ahahaha.

      anyway sorry bout that dude, no offense meant back there in my post okay? ehehehe. my bad.

      1. -JeST_TeR-

        no problem ken, likewise… peace tayo.hehehe kita mo marami dito posers, better ignore na lang sila…

      2. Prime

        yeah, i saw them. and the Akechi poser is funny ahahaha 🙂

        anyway thanks dude. gtg na. 🙂

  15. GAGUKAMO

    hoy mga taga-bacolod balbal man kamo sa iloilo nga tournament? law-law kamo! biskan 3rd place la na dala!hahaha

    1. xxx

      Hoy gago! kay.ohon mo na baba` mo ha. pustahanay ta bwas 6pm sa bibo sa sm. daw si sin.o ka karon ma nuya nuya ha, kasarang ka sa mga tga BCD aw? ikaw ya? ka daog ka sa tournament? ha? yuta mo!

      1. GAGUKAMO

        hahaha amo na ya gosto namon! bagsik sa imo mig! sarang eh! la gani sila ka daog sa amon!HAHA panghagad ka pa? din ninyo gusto!?

      2. GAGUKAMO

        kita man namon paglasak ninyo sa ila didto sa tournament! ahay sa video man lang sila gali asta!? pero wala gid gani ka show hampang nila didto husto lang mag paigo!? din to godfist ninyo bacolod? daw eddy man lang to nagdala sa inyo!? pero la man siya may nahimo? lain man gid ang tournament sa casuals!hahaha

    2. xxx

      bwas sa bibo. 6pm a. kitakits. lntawon ta gd b.

      1. GAGUKAMO

        hahaha asa ka mig paghulat didto usik lang na chempo sa amon, diba goba da ang joystick? bation didto wakal sang bacolod! rason pa kamo! tatlo ka gago! champ pa kono didto? kulbaan ba!hahaha la na poslan!hahaha daw kinder gahampang! hindi na kamo mag asa nga magdaog pa kamo diri liwat team battle!

    3. -JeST_TeR-

      im tired of your trashtalking! name yourself!!! kung isog ka!!! husto ka lang tubang pc! dont push it buddy! better lay off or else you’ll pay hard… and i mean really hard!!!

      1. GAGUKAMO

        pa english ka pa sir! kaw to ang eddy ay? congrats daw kaw lang to mayo galing lawlaw ka gyapon sa mata namon!HAHAHA amo na diri sa amon ya, guba ang joystick para hindi kamo ka pagwa sang inyo mga ginaobra permi, si el sikatsikat na mishima player kag captain nila pa nga kazuya player… hai la ka godfist haw? rason joystick ay? bal-an to namon nga guba ah.. gina kadlawan kamo namon gani kay husto lang kamo mag yuhom pero daw mahibi na nu!?hahaha dira lang kamo mayo! hibi na lang kamo poli bacolod! mga lawlaw!hahaha

      2. -JeST_TeR-

        hahaha talk all you want, we will ignore you buddy.. you got us all wrong, maybe your one of the guys who got asskicked sa “casuals”… this is the last message i say to you… never ever messed with us… i know you, i heard you saying the same line “lain man gid ang casuals sa tournament”.. better not push it or i might go there and haunt you…