NORWEGIAN Danny Huertas managed to slip through the eye of the needle as he passed the stringent Doce Pares black belt examinations last Tuesday at the newly launched Eskrima Temple in barangay Malubog-Busay, Cebu City.
Huerta upgraded to 6th grade blackbelt, a feat made even more special as it was made in the presence of Doce Pares Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio Cañete, grandmasters and masters. He is the first and the highest Doce Pares master to have been awarded the rank at the newly inaugurated and blessed Eskrima Temple, which nestles at a hilltop.
Huertas was proud of the achievement but was even prouder of his heritage. “I am a true Filipino that is why I practice and propagate Eskrima in Europe,” he said. Marc Toussaint of Australia earned the title master after he hurded the 5th-grade black belt examination. Toussaint is now the second highest black belt in Australia next to his mentor Peter Shannon.
Other foreigners who also earned their black belts were Nancy Walzog of the USA, Victor Morales of Puerto Rico, Dean Carter, Patrick Jarvis, Craig Farrier and Josh Farrier of Australia. They all earned the 1st-grade black belt. Meanwhile, Jason Roque of the USA received his brown belt promotion. Correspondent Jonas Panerio