CEBU, Philippines - All roads lead to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) today as over 600 eskrimadors from 30 countries gather for the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championship and Congress.
Host Philippines leads the cast of strong contenders that include perennial power and defending champion United States.
The Filipino stick-fighters bear a herculean mission of claiming the overall championship it last won 12 years ago. When Phl last hosted the biennial gathering of the world's top arnisadors in 2008 at the Ayala Center Cebu, it barely snatched the overall title, losing to the US by just one gold.
“Our players are ready to fight for the flag and country. It's going to be tough mission for them but given the hard training that they've been through, I'm sure they will give their best shot and hopefully win the overall crown for the Philippines,” said incumbent WEKAF president Master Gerald Cañete.
The rest of the participating nations are Belgium, Hong Kong, Canada, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, England, Oman, Spain, Scotland, Iran, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Sweden, Vietnam, Greece, Germany and Mexico.
Prior to the tournament proper, the WEKAF Congress will take place at the Amnezia Super Club in north reclamation area.
Aside from the election of officers, the other highlight of the affair is the selection of venue for the 13th edition of the biggest and most prestigious arnis tournament in the planet.
As part of its community outreach project, WEKAF, under the dynamic leadership of its Chairman Emeritus and Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio “Diony” Cañete, will also conduct a medical and dental mission in Brgy. Malubog, this city. No less than Margie Juico, the chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PSCO), will grace the worthwhile undertaking.
The main event of the day is the blessing and inauguration of the Shrine of Eskrima, the second temple in Asia that is solely decitated to martial arts after the Kung Fu Temple of China.
Afterwhich, WEKAF will bestow a distinct honor to 15 eskrima greats - the Order of Datu Lapu-Lapu - for their invaluable contribution in the study, practice and promotion of the indigenous Filipino martial art. The conferment rites is scheduled at 7 pm at the Amnezia Super Club.
The first batch of honorees who will be enshrined into the hallowed portals of the Shrine of Eskrima located at the Doce Pares Mountain Park in Brgy. Malubog, Cebu City are SGM Diony Cañete, 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, and Alfredo Carin of Carin Eskrima Club.
Also to be conferred with such great honor are the US-based GMs Arnulfo “Dong” Cuesta of FIMA Academy/Doce Pares USA, Max M. Pallen of Senkotiros, Dr. Carlos N. Patalinghug, Sr. of Kick Connection/Doce Pares and Dexter Labonog of Martial Art Club.
The competition will start on Thursday yet and will run until Saturday. (FREEMAN)