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Bio by Who's Who in Martial Arts
Ernest E. Laberge has studied the martial arts for most of his life, beginning his training at the age of ten. Laberge owns and operates Kicks and Sticks Filipino Martial Arts Studio, where he is head instructor. Training at Laberge's school includes but is not limited to Espada Y Daga (sword and dagger), Baston (single stick), Sinawali (double stick), and empty hand, including punches, kicks, blocks, trapping hands, throwing and ground fighting techniques. Laberge has studied numerous styles of martial arts, including Modern Arnis, AMOK! Tribal Knife fighting, Dog Brothers Inc. Real Contact Stick Fighting, Silat, Ju Jitsu, Judo, Kali and Escrima.
Mr. Laberge has studied under prestigious martial artists, including Remy Presas and Marc Denny. In addition, Laberge has trained in seminars with such martial artists as Dan Inosanto, Bobby Taboada, Michael DePasquale, Jr., Michael DePasquale, Sr. and James Lew. Also included in this list are Professor Wally Jay, Tadashi Yamashita, Joe Lewis, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Florendo Visitaction and Tom Sotis.
Laberge's Philosophy of the martial arts is to develop oneself in a positive manner, physically, mentally and morally. He believes that this total integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent manner. Laberge also credits the martial arts with providing physical benefits, including fitness, flexibility, muscle tone, and increased stamina. He also believes there are mental benefits to martial arts, including self discipline, confidence, improved concentration, increased awareness, and stress control. As well, Laberge maintains that there are numerous skills associated with martial arts training, including self-defense, balance, coordination and reaction.
Ernest Laberge's instructors are certified with the International Modern Arnis Federation, Zen-Do Kai Martial Arts Association, and the Cantin School of Karate and Arnis. These instructors train several times a year with Grandmaster Remy A. Presas, the father of Modern Arnis, and other martial artists.
Membership in the Martial arts' organization is important to Mr. Laberge, who is either a member of or certified with The International Modern Arnis Federation, The Zen-Do Kai Martial Arts Association, The International Federation of Ju-Jutsuans, and The Cantin School of Karate and Arnis.
Mr. Laberge has received recognition for his accomplishments in the martial arts. On September 15, 1997, Laberge received the teaching level of Guro from Remy A. Presas. He has received a Filipino Martial Arts Instructor Certificate from the Cantin School of Karate and Arnis in September of 1994. Since 1995, Laberge has participated in grade school awareness programs and has run a special program for training area mall security officers. Laberge has appeared in parts I, II, IV, and V of the public television documentary series entitled, Martial Arts of the World, which first aired in 1998.
In addition to the previously cited recognitions, Ernest Laberge has also received awards and honors for his participation in the martial arts. He has received three awards from Kick Drugs out of America and the Zen-Do Kai Martial Arts Association for supporting their programs and fund raising in March 1996, March 1997, and March 1998. In 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 Laberge received awards from the Zen-Do Kai Martial Arts Association for school achievement. On March 30, 1996, Ernest Laberge was honored by the International Bladefighter's Guild for supporting research and development of the art.