WEKAF forerunners take spotlight tonight

CEBU, Philippines - The founding fathers of World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation are expected to share the spotlight with the winners as the 14th WEKAF Championship formally dropped off its curtains with a meaningful awarding and closing rites at the historic Fort San Pedro tonight.

The different category champions of the five-day joust numbering some 190 will all receive their trophies, while the runners-up will get their medals. All the members of the 25 countries will be in attendance including the Hawaiian dancers, who will once again entertain the participants with their beautiful dances.

WEKAF Philippines President Engr. Michael Cañete said the highlight of the affair that will start at 6 p.m. will be the presentation of special awards of recognition to the three individuals who made the Filipino martial art into a very entertaining and exciting sporting event, which catapulted eskrima/arnis to an unparalleled worldwide popularity.

Lawyers Amorito Cañete and Dionisio 'Diony" Cañete, the Supreme Grandmaster and chairman emeritus of WEKAF, together with evangelist Nonito "Tatay Dodong" Limchua, the president of CCTN 47, will finally receive their long deserved recognition for their vision and efforts in bringing eskrima/arnis out from the doldrum into the limelight of the martial arts world.

It was these three individuals who conceptualized the art to become an enjoyable, entertaining and exciting sport and in the process rendering as obsolete the traditional fights or contests among eskrimadors, the so-called 'juego todo' or 'death match'. Wearing no protective gears, 'juego todo' normally resulted in injuries to either or both protagonists.

Their efforts paid off when the first ever Eskrima Arnis Tournament was held on march 24, 1979 at the Cebu Coliseumm, in which Limchua acted as the Chief Referee, and who preached not only the art and skill but also the ethics of an arnis arbiter.

Together with aforementioned individuals, two Americans will also receive similar awards, Grandmasters Arnulfo "Dong" Cuesta and Fred Bandalan.

These two men, Cuesta from New Jersey and Bandalan from San Jose, California, together with SGM Diony Cañete were responsible for introducing the eskrima/arnis fighting in the United States. They organized the historic 1st USA Eskrima Arnis Championship on October 15, 1988 in San Jose, California, which was made more significant as it united the rival and quarelling groups in the US.

In attendance together in the tournament were the top and renowned big names in the Filipino martial art in the US, Grandmasters Angel Cabales, Lee Giron and Ben Largusa. After the championship, the popularity of eskrima exploded like wildfire and eventually led to the inception of WEKAF, which now boasts of over 40 member countries splashed over six continents. 

Meanwhile, the Philippines pulled away from its rivals after two days of action in the 14th WEKAF Championship at the J Centre Mall Convention Hall and is now the virtual champ of the biennial tournament with 60 gold, 54 silver and 37 bronze medals as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Henry Talledo, Sebastian Villanueva, Trixie Lofranco and Rhonda Lucero of Phl are among the top 10 fighters of the five-day joust with three gold medals apiece.

Defending champion United States is a far second with 38 golds, 27 silvers and as many bronzes, while Japan is surprisingly at third place with 19-8-12 medal haul.

Rounding up the top 10 performers are Canada (10-10-10), Australia (9-2-10), Reunion Island of France (4-10-12), Hungary (4-6-9), Italy (3-3-5), United Kingdom (1-3-3) and Liechtenstein (1-2-3). (FREEMAN)