Ama Guro Jun De Leon is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Kali De Leon. Like most traditional arnisadors, Ama-Guro Jun's journey in the martial arts began informally. His formal training began in 1966 under Mr. Lamberto Ticsay of the Far Eastern University where Ama-Guro Jun was a member of the FEU Arnis Team. He was also taught by his Grandfather Rosendo de Leon. A student of the arts first and foremost, Ama Guro Jun continued to train, research and exchange ideas under some of the best teachers in order to gain further insight and expertise. Among the Masters he has trained with are: Danny Marfal a former detective in NBI, Eliseo "Pudoy" Javelosa, retired US Navy, now residing in Iloilo, Philippines, GM Ernesto Presas, Dr. Jopet Laraya and Tuhon Rommel Tortal of PTK. Ama-Guro Jun has also trained with Manong Dan Inosanto and Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje Jr. and he is a Certified Instructor from both.

Another teacher Ama-Guro Jun gives great credit to in developing his art of KDL was the late Mr. Maning Recto. Unheard of outside his village, Mr. Recto was famous in his home town of Hinigaran Negros Occidental for defeating Moses Padilla in an infamous duel (reto) in 1941 in Isabela, Negros. Mr. Recto served as a guerilla with the USAFFE during World War 2, a legend in his hometown and an unsung hero to his country.

With such a diverse background in martial arts, it should come as no surprise that Ama Guro Jun has developed a curriculum for KDL that is innovative and disciplined. Ama Guro Jun has fostered a family atmosphere in KDL where everyone is relaxed and instruction is easy going, but at the same time self-discipline is maintained by having respect for the teacher, other students and the art. KDL is also respectful of other martial arts and systems. Like many of his students, has also attained high ranking in other martial arts including karate, judo and wing chun.

Aside from the requisite technical skills, Ama Guro Jun demands that his students continually demonstrate humility, openess and compassion if they are to represent the system. To promote the arts, Ama Guro Jun believes it should be every teacher's aim to produce other good teachers. His sincere wish is to produce students and teachers who are every bit his equal and even better. KDL has very high standards. In 30 years of teaching, Ama Guro Jun has only promoted 2 students to the rank of “Guro.” 

Guro Romelle Espiritu is KDL’s senior student. Like Ama Guro Jun, Guro Romelle is also a student first and a teacher second. Aside from Kali, Guro Romelle has also achieved high rank in wing chun, muay thai and is currently studying the Chinese internal arts. Guro Romelle also has expertise in the field of human kinetics with his coaching background in gymnastics. With an understanding of how the human body functions athletically, and his knowledge of how best to teach movements, Guro Romelle has introduced many innovative drills and insights that have contributed to each KDL’s student’s progress. Guro Romelle has also served as an inspiration to younger KDL students that excellence in KDL doesn’t mean having to move like Ama Guro Jun. The purpose of training should be to find your own way and Guro Romelle exemplifies that notion.

Burton Sousa, Michael Allen, Michael Balao and have also been given permission to teach Kali deLeon after having successfully passed the Level 10 criteria. Although they have passed the level system, Burton, Mike A, and Mike B. continue to study under Ama Guro Jun and the various training methods that nourish their growth as martial artists.  

Michael Allen teaches at Evolution Filipino Martial Arts. Michael has studied with Ama Guro Jun for over a decade. As a sign of his dedication to KDL, Michael also makes the long trip to Kingston to study with Guro Romelle Espiritu whenever possible. Previously, Michael received training in JKD, boxing and the Chinese Martial Arts.  Michael made KDL proud by traveling to Ireland to compete in the WEKAF World Championships and winning two medals, gold and silver. A talented martial artist, Michael can make any movement look easy and any technique easy to learn. Michael has also earned his 10th level in KDL’s student grading system.

 
Burton deSousa instructs at the KDL academy in downtown Toronto. Aside from KDL, Burton is a certified instructor in JKD under Guro Dan Inosanto and Sifu Makoto Kabayama. Burton has also had previous martial arts training in the Chinese Martial Arts.  A student of Ama Guro Jun’s for over a decade, Burton is able to synthesize what he’s learned from Ama Guro Jun with his own hard earned insights. Burton is an eloquent and cogent communicator who is able to break down seemingly complex movements into simple and easy to learn patterns. Burton was the first KDL student to earn his 10th level in KDL’s student grading system. Burton Sousa instructs at the KDL academy in Etobicoke, west end of Toronto.

Michael Balao has trained in Kung Fu for 12 years and achieved a high standard in the system.  After having studied the 5 Animal styles, Tai chi, and Chi Kung, Michael joined Kali de Leon and became a student of Ama Guro Jun de Leon In 1999. Impressed by Ama Guro's dedication, desire to improve, eye for detail, the quality and ability of his Seniors as well as the number of students who travel far and wide just to attend his classes, Mike decided to be part of the KDL family. The fundamental structure for all the techniques in KDL has contributed to Michael in achieving level 10.