Master Drigo Maranga

One of two brothers with seven other sisters, the responsibility of carrying on the legacy of his legendary father lay heavily on his shoulders. His elder brother Timoteo "Boy" Maranga, Jr. prefer the Karaoke microphone to the olisi, thus Rodrigo "Drigo" Maranga became the heir apparent to the Tres Personas Super Kwentada system of Grandmaster Timoteo "Timor" Maranga. But it did not happen overnight.

Master Rodrigo "Drigo" Maranga was born on April 6, 1950. His Eskrima odyssey did not begin until he was married. Although he started out early the basics of his father's Eskrima, he and brother Boy complied with the Hubad Lubod drills to please the old man. And typical of boys their age they can't help but horse-around when father was not looking. As teenagers there are some occasions they'd skip practice for a couple of shots with drinking buddies down the alleys of Pasil.

The neighborhood in Pasil is not only notorious for underworld characters, it is also home to the country's top Eskrimadors like Eslao Romo, Yuli Romo, Severo Reyes, Labontog, Molo Rosada, Teryo Ygot and Tony Diego. During one of this drinking sessions with his friends he was approached by Tanciong Yburan of Duljo a contemporary of his father. Tanciong threw a stick in the middle of the table and goaded the young Drigo to a friendly palakaw sparring. He hesitated knowing Tanciong's skills and also because of his lack of confidence in his skill. He tried to convince Tanciong to do it some other time, but Tanciong pressed on saying: "Come on you are a Maranga, show me your stuff." The tipsy Drigo had no choice but to accept Tanciong's "challenge". Tanciong played around Drigo giving him light raps all around his arms and body-in short a good lesson in Eskrima. Palakaw, is a friendly sparring where the strikes are carefully controlled so as not to hurt the opponent. But sometimes the light raps can cause contusions and bruises.

Tanciong is a respected left handed Eskrimador in the neighborhood. This humiliation by Tanciong was the turning point in Drigo's Eskrima training.
After the incident, he was often seen in his father's gym watching closely his old man practice with other serious students. GM Maranga ignored at first this renewed interest in Drigo primarily because of his disappointment over his eldest son and namesake Boy who never took the stick seriously. Drigo's overtures to his father was reminiscent of a tongue-tied lad courting his high school crush.

GM Maranga obviously pleased and convinced that Drigo was serious wasted no time and stepped up the training of the only son he hoped to take over his system. Tanciong's interruption in his usual drinking session continued but gradually Tanciong was no longer able to penetrate the defenses of Drigo. Eventually it became a reversal of fortunes with Tanciong already at the receiving end of Drigo's fast raps.

One day Drigo saw Tanciong drinking with his buddies and took the opportunity to "get even" with him. Tanciong was startled when Drigo dropped an olisi on the table and challenged Tanciong to a palakaw. Tanciong conceded: "Drigo, I can't beat you anymore!" If there is anyone person aside from his father who he owes so much to his skill in Eskrima- it is Noy Tanciong. Until today they remain very good friends.