Ask me to swing a tennis racket, dribble an orange ball, swat a shuttlecock or jog a 10-K and I’m fine. But, the one sport that I admit complete ignorance on is the one activity that’s revered by millions: Martial Arts.
Aikido, karatedo, judo, taekwondo, and many more ‘Do’s that include Kendo, Hapkido, Jukendo—they are aplenty. Add one more type of combat that’s venerated from the U.K. to the U.S. and, above all, in Cebu…. Eskrima. Kali. Arnis.
The three are one. They’re the same. Or so I learned when, last Tuesday night and together with my fellow scribes from the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC), we trooped to a home that is a mecca of martial arts.
Doce Pares. Located at #31 Eagle St. of Sto. Niño Village in Banilad, the name “Doce Pares” is admired in the world of Filipino martial arts.
Gerald Cañete, only 27 years old but with decades of martial arts history swimming in his veins, welcomed us to his home and to the headquarters of the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF).
Minutes after I arrived together with Mike Limpag, Noel Villaflor, Jonas Panerio and Karlon Rama, taxi after taxi stopped at the front door. Out emerged non-Filipinos. In fact, they were British and numbered dozens.
Which brings me to one of the most-awaited events in Cebu this 2008, the 10th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Championships. Can you believe, over 500 foreigners have landed in our shores to compete? I didn’t know that. Until I saw the Britons myself. They were muscular, white, tall, black and all wore the same T-shirt with the print at the back, “Cebu, Philippines.”
This competition, slated this Wednesday to Friday (July 23 to 25), is a must-watch—even for neophytes like you and me. It’s not local or national—but a true “World Championships.”
“Most of the participants come here for multiple reasons,” said Gerald Cañete. “One is to compete, and the other is to train with different Masters and Grandmasters based in Cebu. Also, this is a time for fighters and their families to relax in Cebu—an event part of sports tourism.”
Gerald Cañete (left) explaining the basics of eskrima
Team U.S.A.? They’re sending a 110-person delegation, the biggest among the foreign teams. This number will be matched by our Philippine contingent, who are aiming to reclaim the overall trophy after losing the crown two years ago (in Florida, U.S.A.) and, back in 2004, when Cebu City last hosted.
Last Tuesday night at the WEKAF Headquarters, our group of 12 sportswriters was treated not only to crispy CNT lechon and savory dinuguan, but to a thorough explanation of the rules of Eskrima by Gerald Cañete. Next, we saw a full demonstration of arnis, with two fighters in padded attire striking each other, slamming and whacking using rattan sticks.
Karlon Rama (left) hitting a smiling Mike Limpag with Noel Villaflor at the back
Finally, the best part: the Supreme Grandmaster himself, Atty. Dionisio Cañete, lecturing on the sport he’s nurtured for decades. Looking fit as a 40-year-old with biceps that showed his robust build—he’s already 70—Diony Cañete demonstrated with his own two hands how to thwart attackers, swipe an aggressor’s hand, and snatch that knife and wallop the enemy.
Atty. Diony Cañete
Supreme Grandmaster Cañete with Noel Villaflor
The founder and chairman emeritus of WEKAF—the world-governing body of Filipino martial arts—Atty. Diony Cañete sweated. He preached. He taught us a discourse on Eskrima. He gripped a bolo, a dagger. He exuded, from the smile on his face to the graceful workings of his arms and feet, a man loaded with passion.
Atty. Cañete with some members of the British team
Yes, passion. And if you want to see that word in action, visit Ayala Center three days from now. A non-martial arts follower who never before appreciated Arnis and Eskrima, I’ll be there to watch. So, I hope, will you.
May I know what time will the 10th WEKAF tournament in Ayala starts?
Hi Raoul… I believe it’s the whole day of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Hope you can make it. Thanks
Great piece introducing the tournament. I enjoyed the article. What about the results? Could you direct me to where to find the medal winners? Many thanks. — From a fan in Toronto, Canada
hey great to see alex and diana there..
hey!!!!
this sport is so cool!!!!
challenging..excutung,nice and anything…
its the best
go DIANA!!!
YOUR THE BEST..,.
HOPE TO MEET YOU SOON
arnis kali escrima Sana’a Republic of Yemen
Tad Sun Pok: The Arts of Self-Defense:
Tad Sun Pok- Fighting- System (Deadly Street Fighting Multi-Mix Martial Arts)
The way of Filipino Self-Defense system for reality Derives from Kicking (Tad Yak), Punching (SunTok) and Stick fighting (PokPok) method is a set of martial arts appearing in Bagacay, Tinambac Camarines Sur, Republic of the Philippines approximately in the year of nineteen hundred and eighty nine Created by: Master Arnel C. Ariap (Tad Sun Pok) Both of the words (Tad Sun Pock) means Self-Defense.
Tad Sun Pok is based on combining physical and psychological processes in fact as a self-defense system for reality to defending oneself. Such as kicking, Grappling and hitting. Unlike many others type of martial arts, Tad Sun Pok trains its fighter to use weapons alongside the various elements of hand to hands combat.
Tad Sun Pok Fighting System which are more practical
No need to previous martial arts training.
No need to waste years of time to master.
No need to waste your time to learning this system.
You can learn valuable skills right now.
A simple and effective street fighting system for reality
Self-Defense and Personal safety any time any where
Tad Sun Pok Fighting System quickly spreading in the Republic of the Philippines and Republic of Yemen, Yemen was the first Arab country to import tad sun pok in the year two thousand seven (2007), the same year Tad sun pok Fighting System formed.
Master Arnel C. Ariap
Founder / Creator
Tad Sun Pok Fighting System – http://www.youtube.com/tadsunpok
Website: http://www.wix.com/kruarnel/Tad Sun Pok-Fighting-system
Nice!!
TAD SUN POK FIGHTING SYSTEM
(JAMBIAS) authentic weapon
By: Master Arnel C. Ariap
The jambia is a traditional curved dagger worn at the waist by Yemeni men. Archeological evidence suggests that jambias originated in about 500 B.C. The jambia is worn with the tip of the blade pointed toward the side, which is jamb in Arabic, hence the origin of the name. Jambias are usually handed down from generation to generation and many are quite old and valuable.
We are proud to offer a full line of authentic jambias weapon as a martial arts and self-defense as well as TAD SUN POK FIGHTING SYSTEM. Jambias is an ancient authentic weapon a unique system was created by the Filipino Master Arnel C. Ariap, during 21th century in the city of SANA”A Republic of Yemen, under his own organization World Tad Sun Pok Scientific Combat Martial Arts Confederation (WTSCMAC) with Junjie B. Romero as sparring partner and co-founder. JAMBIAS is mainly a stand up or striking martial arts that is s extremely in history. It emerged on the TAD SUN POK Fighting System as a blend of native and ancient authentic weapon of the Yemeni people.
JAMBIAS consist of a handle, a steel blade and a sheath in which the dagger is carried. Most handles are made of exotic types of wood, but some of the older and more valuable jambias have handles made of rhinocerous horn.
Although originally used as a weapon, nowadays jambias can only be used in self-defense. If someone were to use a JAMBIA improperly against another, he would be ostracized from his tribal group, and would also be subject to prosecution by the law. JAMBIAS are only taken out of their sheaths as cases of self-defense.
Come & Join us!
(1st Filipino Freestyle Grappling Workshop Seminar)
Filipino Freestyle TAD SUN POK is a HYBRID sports and self-defense: offering competitive 2-hour workshop/seminar sessions in submission fighting, grappling general theory of imaginative practical skill. Half-day seminars/workshops provide, in addition to this introduction, opportunities to gain basic experience designing grappling and submission tournament rules and regulation in a fun, safe and friendly environment. The goal of the sport is to obtain a submission hold on your opponent using such techniques as chokes, arm-bars, leg-locks, etc. Scale workshops offer a more complete understanding with limitless learning and enjoyment of the practical applications for self-defense to the competitive sport.
Registration fees:
• Including Certificate of Awards (5000 YR)
• Certificate not-including: 3000 YR
Schedule:
• March 30, 2012
• Thursday: 2:00 / 5:00 PM
Venue of Event:
“Sports for Peace”
Alquiada Street, Republic of Yemen
Contact Information:
Interested applicants please send your application documents to the following email.
Coach Arnel Ariap
Founder / President
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +967-737477181 / +967-711280848 / +967-771365751
For Your Information you can visit:
http://www.youtube.com/silatredbikol
kali, sikaran, kalisikaran, fma, arnis, escrima, eskrima, video, kali video, kali in movies.
Modern Arnis is promoted around the world by many different organizations that have their fundamental structure based on Grandmaster Presas’s teachings and insights.