SGM Frank Cariaga, born on March 19, 1946, began his Martial Arts training in 1968 after two tours in Viet Nam with the United States Navy. The first experience was from his brother-in-law, Tom Simon who introduced him to Moo Duk Kwon, a Korean Martial Art School located in Salinas California.
After a short period of time, Cariaga began training with Kajukenbo in San Jose, California under Charles Silberstein. This training had taken him to green belt after which he began under his new teacher GM Max Togisala and was promoted to brown belt. Due to a job transfer taking Cariaga from San Jose back to Salinas in 1973, SGM Joseph Halbuna promoted him to black belt and under his guidance, authorized SGM Cariaga to open his school in Salinas. KSDI Salinas was founded in 1973 and just a year later the Kajukenbo Demonstration Team was established. It was in 1976 at the first Demonstration Team competition hosted at Jack Long’s Tournament where Cariaga’s Demonstration Team took notice by winning first place among the following competitor teams, The Castro Family, Sid Campbell, Bill Owens, Dacascos Team and Steve Sanders BKF.
The Demo Team went on to represent Kajukenbo as the Official Kajukenbo Demonstration Team named by Sijo Emperado and was featured in Black Belt Magazine and Karate Illustrated. Recognized nationwide as the one of the most exciting teams to see, Cariaga’s Demo Team was asked to perform at most of the largest tournaments in the Country. Such as, the U.S. Open in Florida, Diamond Nationals in Minnesota, the Lama Nationals in Chicago, the National Karate Finals in Oklahoma, Battle of Atlanta, the California Karate Championships in Oakland, the West Coast Championships in San Jose, the Silver State Open in Nevada, the Top Ten Nationals in Stockton, and the first full contact Muy Thai world Championships at the MGM Grand in Nevada.
In addition to tournaments, SGM Cariaga’s Demo Team had the privilege of performing during the San Francisco 49er’s and Oakland Raiders Halftime shows.
SGM Cariaga has taught and will continue to teach using the old school, hard contact and disciplined workouts. His training method utilizes the four main characteristics of Kajukenbo: Self Defense, Body Contact, Take Down, and Ground Work. A true Martial Artist, SGM Cariaga is always will to share knowledge if asked.
One of his greatest treasures was personally knowing and performing for the heads of all five branches of Kajukenbo, Senior Grandmaster’s Halbuna, Ramos, Reyes, Gaylord and Dacascos. It was with great honor and humility that on another occasion, Sijo asked as a gift, that the Cariaga Demonstration Team perform at GM Clarence Emperado Luna’s Wedding Reception.
Though Cariaga has had many fond experiences, like traveling to China with Grandmaster Clarence Lee, giving seminars in Mexico and Portugal, it was being asked to serve on Sijo’s Board of Advisors with such amazing Kajukenbo Grandmasters that has truly been a grand honor.
SGM Cariaga believes in “Knowledge Before Rank” and stands by that philosophy with all of his Black Belts and those who are true to the art. You often hear him say, “the mat doesn’t lie.” It is there, where you will see the truth. If ever you have the opportunity to meet SGM Cariaga, you might hear him giving advise to future Kajukenbo Black Belts, as Sijo did for him: “Go create, make Kajukenbo stronger, but never forget who came before you.”

Accolades: American Jujitsu Institute Distinguished Service Award, PKA Award to the Cariaga DemoTeam, Karate illustrated 1985 Senior Forms, U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame, KSDS International Certificate of Recognition