Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is the family system of Grand Tuhan Leo T. Gaje, Jr. which was taught to him by his grandfather Conrado B. Tortal. GT Gaje's system of Kali is similar to other Filipino Fighting Arts like Arnis and Escrima with the difference lying primarily in the exclusion of non-indigenous Filipino influences and that the emphasis is on the blade (Kalis) rather than stick or impact weapon techniques. It differs from sport styles currently in vogue that focus on ring fighting, where equally weighted opponents compete against one another with equal weaponry in a relatively benign environment. These styles are further offset from real world combat because fighting is governed by a set of rules enforced by a referee and judges. This stands in stark contrast to Kali which was birthed in the jungles of the Philippine Archipelago where the techniques have been tested in the "laboratory of pain" and the technology was earned at the expense of Filipino life and limb.

    The mentality of Kali is different in that the emphasis is placed not on overcoming an equal opponent, but rather, on beating the odds and defeating a superior one. Training is conducted always with awareness of the possibility of being confronted with opponents larger in size or number, who may not be playing by any rules. It is a system well suited to military and law-enforcement as well as private individuals interested in the protection of themselves and their loved ones.

    It only takes a cursory lesson in Filipino history to understand how devastatingly effective are these techniques. It is a living system, applicable to fighting in todays world, which has been utilized from the time of its origin until today. It does not rely on techniques which haven't been used for centuries against antiquated weapons that have not been used for centuries. This modern system is currently being utilized by police and military units around the globe as an aid in understanding the lethal potential of the blade and how knowledge of it can be one more tool in their safety and survival.

    Historically the filipino blade arts have developed along with the advancement of firearms. The history of the filipino Kaliman's ability to overcome superior western forces begins with the defeat of Magellen by Lapu-Lapu, and includes the frustration and finally the abandonment by their Spanish colonizers. Included in this saga is the story of the U.S. servicemen's transition from the .38 special to the more devastating .45 ACP and the use of leather collars by Marines in order to maintain their heads. In World War II the Filipino Bolo Brigades were able to drive the Japanese into the sea where McArthur had failed.

    Students begin their study of PT Kali by training with a rattan stick approximately the length of their arm. The proper understanding of the techniques, tactics, and footwork applied to baston techniques lays the foundation for all weaponry, so that at the advanced level a Pekiti-Tirsia practitioner can easily transition from stick, to knife, or to a larger blade, eventually utilizing the same techniques for empty hands. Also included in the repertoire is double weaponry with either weapons of equal length (as with double stick or double blade) or in a combination of long and short weapons as is the case with "espada y dagga" techniques. The emphasis and awareness of the blade is always existent even while using blunt weapons. Footwork in Pekiti Tirsia is highly developed and emphasized, and is utilized to effectively maneuver oneself out of the way of an opponents strike and into a position of advantage. This is especially important when fighting with lethal weaponry as one can ill afford to trade blows with an opponent.