By: King Cortel
CEBU CITY – Eskrima tournaments have become school-based and were staged in malls and somewhat out of reach of the masses.
Now Doce Pares Supreme GM Dong Cuesta, ODL (Order of Datu Lapulapu-a title conferred to eskrima grandmasters who are over 50 years old and have contributed immensely in Filipino martials arts) wants eskrima to be more accessible to the masses.
“We started before in the 1970’s in the barangay level and we are bringing eskrima back to where we started,” SGM Cuesta ODL said, “We at Doce Pares see that there are no more barangay-level tournaments and for us to continue Doce Pares legacy, we want to back to our roots which is the barangay level.”
It was learned that Doce Pares started the Cebu Eskrima Association which led to Naraphil and eventually the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation led by SGM Diony CaΓ±ete, ODL. WEKAF is the world governing body Eskrima Kali Arnis.
Today close to 20 eskrima clubs representing their different barangays will convene for a two-day Bahug Bahug sa Mabolo at the Mabolo Elementary School Gym.
“This time we will be in the north of Cebu which is Mabolo. The next edition after two months will be in the south in Labangon or Mambaling while the third edition will be in Lapulapu City,” said SGM Cuesta ODL.
Doce Pares Eskrima Academy, Patrod Eskrima Martial Arts Club, Lilo-an Mixed Martial Arts Club, Labangon Arnis Kali Arnis Club, Hinigaran Arnis Training Center, Bohol Balintawak Arnis Federation, Kritters Marapao Aggression, Doce Pares Orihinal, Eskrima Foundation, Arnis de Caballes Sidlak Loon Arnis Club, World Nickelstick Eskrima Club, Eskrima Cufntada
Eskrima de Abanico Master Soronio House, Eskrima de Cadena and Mabolo Arnis All Star are among those who have committed to participate in the tournament.
“We are calling ourselves collectively as Eskrima association since we, the different clubs and organizations, have the same goal of promoting Eskrima as we used to since we started to make Eskrima a sport,” added SGM Cuesta ODL, who is confidently bringing the Doce Pares torch after the demise of SGM Diony CaΓ±ete, ODL in 2021.
(Photo:L-R-Senior Master Gerardo Rusiana, Master Joseph βBatoyβ Canete, Senior Master Rossi Solatorio, SGM Arnulfo βDongβ Cuesta, GM Neon Arcilla, Atty Cesar Tabo-Tabo and Senior Master Alberto Alonto Jr. The new set of Doce Pares International officers led by SGM Dong Cuesta ODL.)
