During WW many Fiipinos fought the Japanese hand to hand with their blades as guerilla fighters or as military units under USAFFE like the Bolo Battalion (now known as TABAK DIVISION)

Some of the grandmasters who are known to their skills are:

Antonio Illustrisimo
Leo Guiron
Teodoro Saavedra 
Euologio and Cacoy Canete

Timoteo Tamor Maranga Sr.
Jesus Bayas
Balbino Tortal