Preparations for the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championships are in full swing as Senkotiros founder and grandmaster Max Pallen Sr. arrived in Cebu City yesterday to meet with WEKAF International president Gerald Cañete at the World Headquarters in Sto. Niño Village, Cebu City.
Pallen, who is based in San Leandro, California, is also the WEKAF USA president and is here to discuss Wekaf USA’s participation in the event which will be held next month at SM City Cebu.
“As WEKAF USA president, I am here to meet with Gerald and Micheal Cañete to ensure that USA will be fully represented next year,” GM Pallen said.
The event is expected to gather 800 sports tourists in the biggest gathering of Filipino martial art practitioners all over the world.
GM Pallen also met with WEKAF chairman emeritus and supreme grandmaster Dionisio Cañete, who is building the first-ever Eskrima Temple.
“I am here to see for myself the construction of the Eksrima temple and how WEKAF USA can help,” GM Pallen said.
GM Pallen will be joined today by his student Mayan Shauna Okusako of Davis, California. Oskusako, who has trained under GM Pallen in the last 10 years, will visit the Senkotiros Headquarters in Basdiot, Moalboal. GM Pallen and Okusako will be joining the International Eskrimadors Festival on July 22, 2011 at the SM City Cebu.
On June 11, GM Pallen will be the Guest of Honor in the Final Qualifying Tournament for the Philippine Team at Cubacub Sports Complex. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio