Wekaf to honor 20 arnis grandmasters
THE 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Championship will pay tribute to 20 grandmasters that helped the sport prosper as they get inducted to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame on July 18 at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
The distinguished arnis practitioners will be feted for their dedication to the sport and their invaluable contributions in the study and practice of the unique Filipino martial art. Two birds will be hit with one stone as also on the same date, the Eskrima Temple will be blessed and inaugurated at the Doce Pares Mountain Park in Brgy. Malubog.
It is the second martial arts temple in Asia after the renowned Kung Fu Temple in China.
At the top of the list is WEKAF Chairman Emeritus Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio Cañete and 11 other Filipinos while the rest of the awardees are foreigners.
Tobe feted will be Ciriaco “Noy Cacoy” O. Cañete of Cacoy Doce Pares, Bonifacio “Loloy” Uy of BDU Eskrima Club, Isidro Casio of San Miguel Eskrima Club, Andres “Cano” Cañete of San Miguel Eskrima, Nick Elizar of Nickel Stick Balintawak, Rodrigo Maranga of Eskrima Maranga Kombati, Prudencio “Ondo” Caburnay of Lapunti Eskrima de Abaniko, Felix “Tenciong” Gutang of Doce Pares, Pacito Velez of Balintawak International, Alfredo Carin of Carin Eskrima Club, and Ramon Rosada of RR Eskrima de Combati.
The US-based awardees are Arnulfo “Dong” Cuesta of FIMA Academy/Doce Pares USA, Alfredo Bandalan of Bandalan Doce Pares, Max Palen of Senkotiros, Vincent Cabales of Serrada Eskrima, Leo Giron of Bahala Na Eskrima, Remy Presas, Jr. of Modern Arnis Federation USA, Carlos Patalinghug, Jr. of Kick Connection/Doce Pares and Dexter Labonog of Martial Art Club.
“It’s a very significant event because for the first time, we will enshrine our treasures, our living legends in eskrima. We feel that it’s high time that we bestow them such distinct honor for the indelible mark they left in the promotion of our very own Filipino martial art all over the world,” said incumbent WEKAF president Master Gerald Cañete.
Aside from the host Philippines and defending champion United States, the other participating countries include France, Oman, Iran, Scotland, Ireland, England, Spain, Puerto Rico, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong, Hungary, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Greece, South Korea, Vietnam, Sweden, Poland, and Indonesia. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio
