In Memoriam – Ben T. Largusa [1926 – 2010]


It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Grandmaster Ben Largusa.

Grandmaster Ben Largusa entered into eternal rest on October 3, 2010.  We will remember him fondly, not only as a great martial artist but also as a great friend, husband, father and grandfather.  He is preceded in death by his son, Lane and is survived by his wife, Philomena, daughter, Lois and sons, Jerry and Lindsey.

139 comments

  1. Tony 'JingJing' Sabarez -

    My deepest condolences and prayers go to the Largusa families. I have not met Grandmaster Ben Largusa but have heard so much about. I consider myself and the rest of the Kombat Kali family both from Bakersfield, Delano and Monterey, CA. from the line of Villabrille Kali system as descendants who will continue to honor, respect and keep the art. We are proud followers and we would like to wholeheartedly express our gratitude and thanks to Master Ben Largusa for taking the steps and creating the milestones and establishing the legacy for us newer generations to follow and look up to. He is and will forever be remembered as a Filipino Ambassador and well-respected master of the Filipino Martial Art.

  2. Dave Harriman -

    Our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Grand Master Ben Largusa. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

    With deepest sympathy,
    David Harriman and family
    Vacaville, California

  3. Guro Mario Mendones Gajo -

    My deepest condolences and prayers to the Largusa family. GrandMaster Ben Largusa will be missed but never forgotten. He was my role model in loyalty to family.

    With our Lord’s blessings,

    Guro Mario Mendones Gajo & family

  4. Guro Michael Blackgrave -

    From the SEAMOK brotherhood, we wish to convey our condolences to the family, friends and students of GM Laragusa. He was a pioneer of the FMA and a man of great wisdom. He will be missed.

    Amo Guro Michael Blackgrave
    Founder of SEAMOK Tactical Solutions

  5. Guro Keith Groves -

    My deepest condolences go out to the family of Grandmaster Ben Largusa and to all of my Kali Association of America family members. I count myself lucky to have met and spent some time with this wonderful man, mentor, teacher and leader of this great martial art system. I will cherish the stories he told us, the guidance he gave us, and his kind words.
    Peace be with you Grandmaster Ben,
    Guro Keith Groves and Family

  6. Guro Lawrence Motta -

    On behalf of Master Michael Giron and Original Giron Escrima federation, please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Grand Master Ben Largusa. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

    With deepest sympathy,

    Guro Lawrence Motta
    Head Instructor
    California Regional Director
    Original Giron Escrima Federation

  7. Jon Balsa -

    Grand Master Largusa will be missed terribly. Throughout the years, we have valued his teachings. We wanted to let you know that you have our greatest sympathy, and our hearts are truly saddened. Grand Master Largusa will always remain within our hearts, and we have included him and his families in our daily prayers.

    May God give all of you strength.

    Villabrille, Lucaylucay, Largusa System of Kali
    Delano, California

  8. Sifu/Guro John G. Oliver -

    On behalf of the United States Wan Chuan Do Association I would like to offer our condolences to the family of Tuhan Largusa and to all of his students. My students and I offer our sincere gratitude for all of your efforts to perpetuate the art of Kali. Maraming salamat po

  9. George Hernandez -

    My heart goes out to the Largusa family. Grandmaster will be missed by all. My deepest condolences to all who knew him.

  10. Combat Kali/Boxing (Bakersfield/Delano Group) -

    In behalf of the Combat Kali/Boxing of Bakersfield and Delano, California headed by Guro Les Rogers, extends our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Grand Master Ben Largusa. GM Ben Largusa will be remembered and will stay forever in our hearts and memory since he became a part of one of the great Filipino Martial Arts, the “Lucay Lucay/Largusa/Villabrille System’ which is at present still active here in Delano and Bakersfield area.

    Peace be with the Lord Jesus Christ
    Guro – The Flores Brothers Combat Kali/Boxing (Delano Group)

    Note: please, inform us about the date for the funeral.

  11. Guro Bion & Lana Quan -

    Our deepest condolences to the Largusa family. GM Ben will be deeply missed. I will always remember his wisdom, humor, along with his words of encouragement. In June of 2008, at Redwood City, Grandmaster Largusa decided to share his knowledge, of the highest level of Villabrille-Largusa Kali with his professors and guros. His teachings demonstrated how unselfish he was. It is an honor to have known and been in the presence of such a great martial artist.
    Peace Be With You Grandmaster Ben.

    Guro Bion & Lana Quan

  12. Sifu Mike Mather -

    My deepest condolences to the family.. Grandmaster Ben has been an inspiration to us all… He will be always be remembered and never forgotten..

    Sifu Mike Mather
    Pro-Fitness/Mather Martial Arts Academy

  13. Prof. Ric de Rama -

    My deepest condolences and prayers go to the Largusa families. We will greatly miss the Grandmaster. His spirit, fond memories, and teachings will continue to live on in us fortunate enough to be his Villabrille-Largusa Kali students and friends.

    Peace be with you Apohang Tuhan

  14. Guro Oscar Paraiso Villanueva -

    My most sorrowful, deepest and heart-left condolences go out to Grandmaster Ben Largusa and his family. I will always remember you as a man of knowledge and wisdom, a man of honor and principle and a man of peace and love. I will miss you, the KAA will miss you, the martial arts world will miss you as well. Your legacy, your tradition and your history will forever be remembered in our training and in our hearts.

    Humbly in Kali,
    Guro Oscar Paraiso Villanueva

  15. Keith 'Kippy' G. -

    Condolences to the Largusa Family. Thank you Grandmaster Ben for bringing us all together, especially the KAA. R.I.P.

  16. Bret Traweek -

    My condolences and prayers for Grandmaster Largusa and family.
    God bless.

  17. Guro Frank Mingo -

    The Grandmaster, my Grandmaster Ben Largusa, will be surely missed and his memory cherished by all whose lives he has affected by his teachings of the Villabrille-Largusa Kali system. What a great legacy he has left behind for us to uphold! This system has spread around the world. What a great life he had! I personally will always honor and respect the man and what he has given to me and I now give to my children. Grandmaster, it was an honor to have met you and may you be at peace in heaven.

    My deepest condolences to the Largusa family.

    Guro Frank Mingo
    Rock Hill, SC

  18. Jay Jasper Pugao -

    We are blessed to have a master come and share his knowledge with our community. with love and condolensces, we thank you Master Largusa for visiting and providing pathway for future martial artists and human beings to follow and pioneer.

    Salamat po,
    Jay Jasper Pugao of the Visayan Style Corto Kadena family

  19. Emanuel Hart -

    From all of us in Inayan System III Eskrima, we wish the family, students and friends of GM Largusa a peaceful transition. Our prayers are with you in this time.

    Respects,
    Suro Emanuel Hart
    Inayan System III Eskrima

  20. Kathryn Machino Pickerell -

    I will always fondly remember my Uncle Ben as a warm, loving man who was my hero. Aunty Fely and cousins Lois, Jerry and Lindsey.. My deepest condolences to you and your families. I know my mother will welcome him home in heaven………..as will Lane and all of Uncle’s family. God bless all of you in this saddest of times.

Comments are closed.