Bautista hits another master class
The late Kajukenbo instructor will be inducted into local HOF
It's difficult for Betty Bautista to go anywhere without being reminded of the strong influence her late husband, Emil — a decades-long Vallejo martial arts master — had on this city.
“I can't go anywhere without someone coming up to me and saying their cousin went there or their brother went there or their father went there or they themselves went there,” Betty says of her father, who ran the Kajukenbo Self-Defense Institute for over 50 years before his death in 2021. “It's a good feeling to hear that. I already knew it before, but it still feels good to know he's done a lot for the community.”
Now the community is recognizing Emil with its highest sports honor: Induction into the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame, scheduled for March 16 at the Dan Foley Cultural Center on March 16.
“This means a lot as it's way overdue,” Betty said. “I do realize that these things take some time but the fact that they finally got around to it means a ton. Mel Orpilla had tried to make it happen for years, back before Emil died. When it finally came to fruition this year and I found out the news I cried and cried, but it was a good cry.”
At the age of 23 Emil began training in Kajukenbo at Travis Air Force Base classes. In Fairfield he met Antonio Ramos, who taught him to the point where Emil was promoted to rank of Black Belt in 1966. He was later be promoted to 7th degree Black Belt in 1983.
By then he was already an established teacher at the Kajukenbo SelfDefense Institute of Vallejo, located on Benicia Road. In 1968 he opened up the facility and taught the Kajukenbo system, Emperado method and Ramos style. Fifty six years later the venue is still going strong, with a new era of instructors leading more youth to the strength and self-discipline of Kajukenbo.
“That's his legacy and it's still going strong. Thanks to all the people that have helped out with the place his legacy will continue to grow,” Betty said. “That place was his heart and soul and what was really important to him.”
By 1993 Emil was awarded the rare title of Grand Master. He was later featured in Inside Kung Fu Magazine in 2004 and Inside Karate Magazine in 1998.
“He didn't just live life,” said Betty, through tears. “He loved life. He was a very good man, teacher and instructor.”
When Emil died at the age of 82 in 2021, more than 300 people paid tribute at St. Catherine's of Siena Catholic Church for his funeral.
Tom Bautista, Emil's younger brother by a year, told the Times-Herald in 2021 that he had “so many thoughts” about his revered brother after the one-hour service.
“We have been pals and brothers 80 years,” he said, recalling that “our mom made him take me everywhere and he didn't like that. He would drop me off some places when he went to see his friends. There are many good memories.”
Emil “was always kind and family-oriented,” his brother added. “If people keep that in mind — family and kindness — that would promote his legacy. He was a great man and a great brother.”
Serene Terrazas, a student of Bautista's for 10 years, credits him for leading her son, Tyler, into self-defense and a Gold Gloves boxing career. Tyler Terrazas is now director of the Vallejo PAL Boxing Club.
“The great thing about it is that once you're Kajukenbo, you're family,” Serene Terrazas said in 2021. “There was a time I needed stability. He saved my life.”
Perry Moreno said he knew Bautista “for probably 40 years” during time spent working in youth programs for each of them. Moreno, however, focused on baseball and three years ago brought Bautista to put on a demonstration and throw out the first pitch at a Vallejo Admirals game.
“He once asked me why I didn't get into the martial arts and I told him I was into baseball. He said, `As long as you keep the kids off the streets, that's fine with me,'” recalled Moreno. “Emil kept a lot of kids off the streets and many went on to become world champions.”
Betty said she won't do a speech at the March event, but that her son Joseph will say a few words.
“I'm looking forward to seeing some people I already know are coming but I'm hoping for some surprises, too,” Betty said. “I think it's really nice that we can all come together to be there for him, because he was always there for others.”
Betty said that Emil also loved their dog XieXie, a dog they had found in American Canyon.
“He loved that dog so much and went on walks with him every day,” Betty said. “You know, Emil was a man for the people, but he was also a man for animals. I'm so proud of him because he was such a good guy.”
This year's Hall of Fame event is being put together for the first time by the Coach Sarna Football League, along with Vallejo PAL, and consists entirely of volunteers. All proceeds for the event will go toward creating scholarships for each organization.
The other inductees for 2024 are RIchie Anderson, Cheri Coover, Gary Carabato, John Garioto, Bobby Guillory Jr., Tony Longmire, Kelly Miller, DeMarcus Nelson, Joe Norlin, Stan Rogers, Mike Sweatfield and the 1982 Vallejo High boys basketball team. Norlin's son, Joe Norlin Jr. will be accepting the award on behalf of his late father.
The Times-Herald will be featuring stories on all the inductees over the next two weeks.