Informative Issue No. 155 2014 World Championships International Filipino Martial Arts Seminar / Workshop Hall of Fame Ceremony 2014 CDP Eskrima World Championships 4th Doce Pares Hall of Fame Seminar and Workshops Farewell Party The Eskrimador (A Personal Account of the Event) The FMA Informative was very fortunate to have Grandmaster Catherine “Kitty” Canete-Knight provide information on the 2014 Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete FMA Festival. The main article was written by Grandmaster Catherine “Kitty” Canete-Knight in collaboration with Ms. Gloria R. Canete and edited by James L. Knight, PhD. Also Mitchell F. Langon wrote his experiences at the event. This is the article entitled “The Eskrimador” and is a personal account of his experiences at the event. James L. Knight, PhD assisted by editing the article to ensure all the “T’s” were crossed and the “i’s” dotted. About the Writers: Grandmaster Catherine “Kitty” Canete-Knight is her father Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete’s principal emissary and ambassador. She is also the Vice-President for International Affairs, Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation. Ms. Gloria R. Canete, a writer-radio announcer in Cebu, is the widow of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete’s late son Grandmaster Edgar Canete. She is also the mother of Grandmaster Chuck Canete the heir apparent to carry the torch for his grandfather Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete in the future. About the Editor: Cacoy Doce Pares Headquaters (CDPHQ) 81-A C. Padilla St. Cebu City, Philippines. Grandmaster Chuck Canete takes the calls regarding the CDPHQ operations. Home Phone: 261-5387 (011-63-32 Intl. area code) Email: [email protected] Each issue features practitioners of martial arts and other internal arts, other features include historical, theoretical and technical articles; reflections, Filipino martial arts, healing arts, the culture of the Philippines and other related subjects. The authors, publisher and owner of this online magazine are not responsible for any injury, which may result from the instructions contained in this online magazine. Before embarking on any of the physical activates described in the magazine, the reader should consult his or her physician for advice regarding their individual suitability for performing such activity. The ideas and opinions expressed in the FMA Informative online magazine are those of the authors or instructors being interviewed and are not necessarily the views of the publisher, editor or owner of the FMA Informative. The articles are the property of the author’s that wrote them and cannot be used without the permission of the author. The FMA Informative is for the promulgation and promotion of the Filipino martial arts and the Culture of the Philippines. NO issue can be printed and Sold for Monies, without the express permission of the Owner and Publisher of the FMA Informative. James L. Knight, PhD is the husband of Grandmaster Catherine “Kitty” Canete-Knight. He is a former Purdue University professor and a retired Bell Labs scientist. Visit and Join the following FaceBook pages to find out more about Cacoy Doce Pares Cacoy Doce Pares Headquarters: Click Here Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation: Click Here Cacoy Doce Pares USA: Click Here SGM Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete Fan Page: Click Here Catherine Kitty Canete-Knight: Click Here As attendees arrived in Cebu City in droves from all over the world, the anticipation and excitement of the Cacoy Doce Pares (CDP) members and players, not only to participate in the Tournament, but even more importantly, to see Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy healthy and to spend the entire week of his 95th birthday with him, was simply overwhelming. The Festival started with a big bang as the foreign CDP players were treated to a Welcome Party at CDP Headquarters. This kickoff really turned out to be a kind of family reunion, since Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy considers them all to be a part of his family. 2014 CDP Eskrima World Championships The 2014 CDP Eskrima World Championships action really started on August 4, at the City Sports Club in Ayala, Cebu City with the “parade of colors”. Participants from the US, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, United Kingdom as well as local stick-fighters from Cebu City, Borbon Cebu, San Fernando Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, were all cheered by the crowd and by Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy himself. Arnis de Caballes Team CDPHQ Team Mindanao Group USA Team United Kingdom Team Australian Team UC Team The participants, led by Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s grandson, Grandmaster Chuck Canete, who was also the tournament director and head organizer of the events, first recited the Oath of Sportsmanship. Then Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy officially declared the Tournament, open. On August 4th, the Tournament’s opening day, the first competition was the Forms (kata or sayaw). Most of the younger breed of Eskrimadors performed their fancy theatrical “kata”, garbed in their native costumes which obviously wowed the crowd. Other classic/traditional stickfighters presented the real combative Forms, which also awed the audience. Arnis de Caballes Mexico - Lalo Palomares CDPHQ - Rachel Sabello UC group Canada Team Mexico-Lalo Palomares-Jerry Arrechea Wollongong-Dominic Lavalle Team Indonesia Team The next day was the start of the most-anticipated Eskrima competition which included Single -Stick, Double-Stick, and the “Kulata” (Beat Up) Challenge (the only category where contenders fight without wearing body protectors). The fighters for all divisions were categorized by their weight and age except for “Kulata” which was open weight. The tough Eskrimadors, who didn’t seem to care about the blows their body received throughout the fight, valiantly fought with all their might, not only for the medals, but also, to honor their Eskrima mentor, Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy. Each time the contenders won a fight, they automatically approached Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy, to have their foreheads touched by his hand, a traditional Filipino gesture, that we call “Amen” or “Bless”, as a sign of respect towards our elders. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy attended every day’s action to witness the unfolding of events from which future leaders and innovators of Eskrima would rise. I am sure that the daily competitions gave a solid assurance to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy that Eskrima, the only Filipino martial art, would live on for the coming generations. UK Mark Lock - Grandmaster Vince Palumbo (Adelaide) Andrea Wheatley (Melbourne) Tamiko Ames (Adelaide) As the Tournament continued for four exciting and nerve-wracking days, the players were always to be seen lining up to get Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s autograph for his books that they purchased at the venue. Players eagerly purchased many of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s classic books including Basic Eskrima, Eskrido, Pangamot, Eskrima-Arnis Techniques as well as the recently-released book, The Challenge Fights of Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete: The Greatest Living Eskrimador Paperback By Tom Meadows To Order from Amazon: Click Here The over-all winners of the Tournament were the following: Cacoy Doce Pares Club / Headquarters Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman - USA Derick Duell USA - John More (Adelaide) Kulata Fight USA Master Dan Haney Grandmaster Vince Palumbo (Adelaide) The Challenge Fights of Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete, written by his long-time student, Grandmaster Tom Meadows. This new book, besides covering his many challenge fights also documented many death-defying experiences of guerilla fighter Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy during World War II. Unfortunately Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s fifth and newest book Olisi-Baraw (Stick-Dagger), didn’t make it out of the printing press in time for the Festival which disappointed a lot of attendees who were hoping to purchase a copy before heading home. Felixberto Ybanez John Mac Eula Villahermosa Dayl Fernandez Rachel Sabello Celine Diaz Rhio Musico Dayne Fernandez John Ybanez Rey Carriaga Raphael Marquez Kathleen Recerote Izel Canete Tormis Christopher Badal Marc Abueva Levi Mejorado Danny Serundo Glen Solite Miko Canete Omar Paolo Jules Ylaya Edmar Panes Jhulian Moralde James Apostol Justin Reserva Demo Team Mike Tomson Cejudo Jims Bunn Cejudo Benjo Pardilla Alfred Abarquez Jr. Melchor Dela Sala - 3 Gold - 3 Gold - 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 2 Gold - 2 Gold - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze - 1 Gold - 1 Gold - 1 Gold - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Silver John Mac (CDPHQ) - J.Moore (Adelaide) - 1 Silver - Alex Sua (Sydney) - 1 Silver - 1 Silver - 1 Silver - 3 Bronze - 2 Bronze - 2 Bronze - 1 Bronze - 1 Bronze - 1 Bronze - 1 Bronze Grandmaster Vince Palumbo (Adelaide) - 1 Bronze Ken Rockley (Broome) - 1 Bronze Dan Haney (USA) International Combative Martial Arts Academy/Cacoy Doce Pares Adelaide Vince Palumbo John Moore Tamiko Ames Teresa Collicelli Jason Blunt Daniel Renucci - 3 Gold, 1 Bronze - 2 Gold, 2 Bronze - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Silver - 1 Bronze - 1 Bronze East Coast Doce Pares Institute - Cacoy Doce Pares Sydney/Brisbane Isaac Dean Paul Canham Gary Dean NZ Rao Fu Fight - 3 Gold - 2 Gold - 2 Silvers, 1 Bronze John Anthony Alex Sua Jimmy Dela Cruz - 2 Silvers - 2 Silvers - 1 Silver Doce Pares Fighting Arts System - Cacoy Doce Pares USA Cacoy Doce Pares UK Leonard Lee Anthony Kleeman John Chaney Dan Haney Anh Khoa Ngo Mark Lock Jamie Roe Ricardo Stagg - 2 Gold, 1 Silver - 2 Gold, 1 Bronze - 1 Gold - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Bronze Cacoy Doce Pares Darwin Louie Sayson Patrick McCormick Ingrid Herbert Matthew Kelly Arnis de Caballes Maximo Caballes Jr. Mary Mica Caballes Emilio Cuevas ADC Demo Team Joephet Greno Shane Ericka Fua - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Silver - 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Gold, 1 Silver - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze - 1 Gold - 1 Silver - 2 Bronze Medals - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 2 Bronze - 1 Bronze FMA Academy - Cacoy Doce Pares Canada USA Team Annabelle Alloso Eleanor Obaldo - 2 Silvers - 1 Bronze University of Cebu Arnis Team Cacoy Doce Pares Alice Springs Donie Aguhob - 2 Gold, 1 Silver Noelyn Bargamento - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Meka Grava - 2 Silvers, 1 Bronze Ainy Bastida - 2 Silvers UC Demo Team- 1 Silver John Daryl Dacalos - 1 Silver Vincent Caballes - 1 Silver Judymae Eloira DeCello - 1 Bronze Mark Escasio - 1 Bronze Martin Gardiner Rao Fu Eduardo Salan Tamiko Ames (Adelaide) - Andrea Wheatley (Melbourne) - Teresa Collicelli (Adelaide) - 2 Gold - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze - 1 Bronze - 2 Gold Combined Martial Arts Academy - Cacoy Doce Pares Jakarta/Bali Tom Goldsworthy I Komang Satriawan Drew Lambert Idi Tindianto - 2 Bronze Grandmaster Vince Palumbo (Adelaide) Lalo Palomares (Mexico) - Dominic Lavalle (Wollongong) - 2 Gold, 1 Bronze - 1 Gold, 1 Silver Cacoy Doce Pares Borbon Club Justin Nepomuceno - 2 Bronze Mindanao Doce Pares Society Red Earth Martial Arts Academy - Cacoy Doce Pares Broome Bianca Hellberg Michael Dale Ken Rockley - 1 Silver NZ Wing Chun - Cacoy Doce Pares New Zealand Cacoy Doce Pares Mexico Lalo Palomares Gerardo Arrechea Bianca Hellberg (Broome) - Annabelle Alloso (Canada) - Ingrid Herbert (Darwin) Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman (USA) Gary Dean (Sydney) - Michael Dale (Broome) - 1 Gold, 1 Bronze - 1 Silver - 1 Silver - 1 Bronze Cacoy Doce Pares Melbourne Andrea Wheatley - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Reflex Centre - Cacoy Doce Pares Wollongong Jaron Ponce Dominic Lavalle Toni Masueci Justin Bernardi - 2 Silvers - 2 Silvers - 1 Silver - 1 Silver Andrea Wheatly (Melbourne) - Tamiko Ames (Adelaide) - Eleanor Obaldo (Canada) Jerry Arrechea (Mexico) winner Lalo Palomares (Mexico) - Darwin Louie Sayson - Danny Serundo (CDPHQ) Isaac Dean (Sydney) - Gold Medal The Awards Ceremony was held on Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s special day, August 8th. Participants lovingly cheered him and sang “Happy Birthday” as he entered the venue. It brought a real big smile to the celebrant’s face and a twinkle to his eyes. Then followed endearing scenes as each winner touched his or her forehead with Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s hand for blessing each time he placed a medal around an awardee’s neck. Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman (USA) Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Hand Blessing Paul Canham (Sydney) Gold Drew Lambert (Indonesia) Silver Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman (USA) Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Placing Medal Grandmaster Vince Palumbo (Adelaide) Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy placing medal CDPHQ - Overall Winners Sydney-Craig Hayward Team 4th Doce Pares Hall of Fame On the eve of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s birthday the 4th Doce Pares Hall of Fame and following formal dinner were held. The evening was filled with a breath-taking sight of many elegantly-dressed Eskrimadors. The good-looking gentlemen donned their best formal attire with majority of them proudly wearing the Filipino “Barong-Tagalog”. The beautiful ladies looked very chic, gorgeous and stunning as they sashayed their way into the ballroom, wearing their lovely formal dresses and gowns. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s 95th Birthday Cake That night more than fifty Eskrimadors were enshrined in the Doce Pares Hall of Fame 2014. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy was again presented with an award entitled “International Martial Arts Legend”. The other inductees included the following: Excellence in the Promotion of Sport Eskrima Joe Parker (USA) Tom Goldsworthy (Australia) Exemplary Dedication to CDP Award Alfred Abarquez Jr. (Philippines) Andrea Wheatley (Australia) Antonio Familari (Australia) Exemplary Dedication to CDP Award Craig Ames (Australia) Diony Tejadillo (Philippines) Fernando Olvera (MEX) Gloria Canete (PHIL) John Moore (Australia) Omar Paolo (Philippines) Rick Morales (USA) Wayne McLean (Australia) Humanitarian Award Michael Barker (Australia) Martial Arts Icon Award Richard Bustillo (USA) Notable Eskrima Competitor Award Dean Michael Canete (Philippines) Notable Law Enforcement Instructor Award Grandmaster Chuck Canete and Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete Gerrardo Arrechea (Mexico) Glen Gardiner (Indonesia) Zach Whitson (USA) Grandmaster Mick Barker DPHOF Humanitarian Award-Typhoon Haiyan Notable / Valuable Martial Arts Instructor Award Grandmaster Catherine “Kitty” Canete-Knight, daughter of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy, gave an overview of a movie project, aptly and simply titled Cacoy, and was followed by a showing of the movie trailer, which proved to be the biggest blast of the evening, as the audience got a glimpse of what the movie is all about. The evening wrapped up with everyone lining-up to have their pictures taken with Supreme Grandmaster sitting in his wheelchair, beaming with pride. Taufik Nandipinto (Indonesia) Anthony Nguyen (USA) David Bertrand (USA) Outstanding Contribution in the Promotion of FMA Award Bob Breen (UK) Dr. Gary Jamison (USA) John Terry (USA) Marie Petery (Australia) Marty Cale (USA) Outstanding Dedication to FMA Award Ernesto Elizondo Jr. (Philippines) Manuel Francisco Jr. (USA) Marcos Rodriguez (USA) Tom Meadows (USA) Zena Babao (USA) Grandmaster Kitty Canete-Knight and he father Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete Outstanding Student Award Seminar and Workshops Bianca Hellberg (Australia) Jimmy Dela Cruz (Australia) Ken Rockley (Australia) Mike Harris (USA) Posthumous Award Narrie Babao (USA) DPHOF-USA Team Valuable CDP Blackbelt-holder Award Mark Lock (UK) Valuable CDP Grandmaster Award Anton St. James (UK) Craig Hayward (Australia) James Gibbons (Australia) Levi Mejorado (Philippines) Ted Sotelo (USA) On August 9th, the last day of the Festival, the top Grandmasters of Cacoy Doce Pares conducted simultaneous seminar/workshops on Eskrima, Eskrido, Pangamot, and Dumog. The Grandmasters included Vince Palumbo and Craig Hayward of Australia; Anthony Kleeman, Ron Lew, Vatche Partamian and Rommel Jimenez of USA; Anton St. James from the United Kingdom; John Mac, Levi Mejorado and Chuck Canete from the Philippines; and Master Gerardo Arre-chea from Mexico. It was a successful activity attended by numerous Tournament participants, who wanted to improve their craft, and receive advanced training. Valuable Cacoy Doce Pares Master Award Eduardo Palomares (Mexico) Mark Parra (USA) Mike Casto (USA) Narrison Babao (USA) Rommel Jimenez (USA) Jerry Arrechea - Lalo Palomares-Kitty Canete Knight Ken Rockley - Bianca Hellberg,et al Valuable Contribution in the Promotion of Cacoy Doce Pares Award Anthony Kleeman (USA) Catherine Canete-Knight Chuck Canete (Philippines) John Mac (Philippines) Martin Gardiner (Australia) Ron Lew (USA) Vince Palumbo (Australia) Grandmaster John Mac - Grandmaster Levi Mejorado Grandmaster Chuck Canete Grandmaster Ron Lew - Grandmaster Rommel Jimenez Farewell Party Evening of the last day brought an exciting farewell party. CDP Headquarters was again throb-bing with life, ablazed with multi-colored lights, and pulsing with the beat of the songs and mu-sic provided by a live band, with Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s youngest son, Glenn, on the keyboards and vocals. The warmth of the Filipino hospitality exuded once again, as Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy capped the strenuous week-long Festival with another get-together party but this time, in a more relaxed atmos-phere. A strong spirit of camaraderie was shared by the revelers as they enjoyed dancing the night away. Some attendees even challenged themselves to eat “balut”, a Filipino delicacy, which was really a joy to watch. The happy occasion was tinged though with a little sadness. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy and all the participants realized that the Festival had finally reached its end. There were many promises made though to come back soon to the beautiful Island of Cebu and the hospitality of CDP Headquarters. The farewell party was certainly a fitting culmination for a truly memorable Festival. The excit-ing week-long event not only showcased the expertise and skills of every participant but also deepened and strengthened the relationship between Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy and his world-wide legion of ever-loyal students… his friends…his inspiration…his extended family! The Eskrimador There are life changing events that present themselves at the most unexpected times. Standing in a ring facing an opponent ready to do battle at the 2014 Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima World Championship in Cebu on Aug. 5th can be viewed as unusual in my circumstance. Less than ten minutes before I found myself in this situation, I had officially begun training in the particular martial art of Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima in which I was about to engage. But I was ready - ready to pay tribute to an art and to the great man who inspired me to be here, right now in this ring… to show respect, to honor the history and the many years of commitment to his martial art, and to the greatness of a man like no other. A true legend is Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. I had visited the Visayan island of Cebu many years ago. At the time I didn’t have the chance to immerse myself in the history or culture of this beautiful Philippine island. As I was a member of the US Navy, I was always in recovery mode trying to recuperate from long sea voyages. I always stayed at a resort, relaxed on the beautiful beaches and ate as much local cuisine as possible. This time it was different. I was in Cebu to help document, photograph and record on video a historic event. There have been many such events before, but this one was very special. The 2014 Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete FMA Festival was organized by Grandmaster Chuck Canete, the Director of Operations for Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation, to honor his grandfather Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. This would not only be an FMA festival, a tournament of the great Philippine martial arts, but a celebration of the 95th birthday of our great Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. We had all come to Cebu to celebrate the life and achievements of a living legend. Amazing! The venerable Supreme Grandmaster will be turning 95! What an accomplishment! When I first arrived in Cebu I had the pleasure of being introduced to the team - Team USA - with which I would later train, document and support Mitchell Langon and Jhoanna Trias with Team USA during this event. The great leader of this fine team is a man for whom I have the greatest respect, Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman. He has such a great heart and is an extraordinary instructor. His charisma and humor make him well-suited to be a Grandmaster. It is easy to see that he has achieved a surpassing level of skill in this unique martial art. This team of men from the USA is a fine example of what the Filipino martial arts is all about. All its members have deep commitment, dedication and respect for the Philippine martial arts. They join their fellow martial artists at this event in bringing a passion for this great sport and Philippine cultural art. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete opened the 2014 Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima World Championship and announced the beginning of the tournament to a standing ovation. All in attendance in the large sports center were there in Cebu to make history. It was time! We were excited to begin! This Filipino martial arts Festival takes place every two years. But the 95th birthday of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Cenete takes place once in a lifetime. Yes, this was the opening of a very special event. Four separate fighting rings were centered in the middle of the sport center. The event staff and the Canete family were situated along the front of the main rings looking out over the whole event. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete had the best seat in the house, front and center, to overview and watch the tournament and enjoy this great event. The walls of the sport center were decorated with banners representing the Filipino martial arts tournament and with banners sporting images of the great Supreme Grandmaster, Cacoy Canete, himself. All the teams representing the various countries were situated along the back bleacher seats facing the four rings in the middle of the sports center. Each team had its own area, but in keeping with the great spirit of this event, we all ended up sitting together. No country or culture divided us. We all were brothers and sisters here to honor this great martial art. The amazing forms that the various teams represented inspired awe! The precision, the balance and jumps were spectacular. The exotic costumes and knife and sword presentations were magnificent! Every team was so talented! When the matches began I was so excited to participate as a member of Team USA. Between videography and photo-taking I assisted ringside with my team, providing support and cheering them on. Watching and participating in these matches I saw the true sport and heart that everyone brought to the tournament. It was then I began to understand the event in which I was participating. I began to meet individuals from many countries, to learn their stories and journeys from their homelands. I found myself with many new friends and established new connections in the world of martial arts. I found I no longer represented only my own home country the U.S.A. Now I represented and supported new friends and fellow Eskrimadors from the world over. I stayed ringside ensuring all my new friends properly cooled down, had water and were cheered on with all the support I could give. I am very proud of all the Eskrimadors I met at this event and all their achievement in the rings. I support everyone with my friendship and heart. With the new friendships I made and the heart I saw in the matches, I was greatly inspired. I had to do more than I ever thought I could. I would aspire to the model set by the man I greatly respected. I would aspire to the ethic he has always set for himself: Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete has always said he has never backed away from a challenge. So neither would I. I would fight. As I approached my new brother (as he has come to call me), Master Dan Haney from Doce Pares Fighting Arts Oregon was smiling. Even though we met just a short while before, he seemed to know what I wanted. I asked, “Master Dan, what would it take for me to compete in the ring, in the tournament, single stick? Could I?” He smiled and said “give me a minute I’ll be right back, I’ll go see.” A few minutes later he returned and said “You’re in!” I was shocked! Not really about getting in, but I that I had actually just entered myself, with Master Dan’s help, into a life changing experience. Master Dan Haney began my first official training on the bleachers of the sports center in the middle of the Filipino martial arts festival. Grandmaster Vince Palumbo from Australia also took me aside and offered his expert knowledge to help me. To be instructed by legends like Grandmaster Vince is awe inspiring. Little did Master Dan and I know that ten minutes later I would be in ring three, facing my first opponent in this historic Filipino martial arts Tournament. The announcement came over the loudspeaker and my team began to suit me up and prep me for the match. Master Dan Haney gave me his last instruction and in an instant I was in the center of the ring. The referee faced me and my Mitchell Langon prepped by Master Dan Haney opponent. Our sticks were at the ready... Fight! It was on! I fought with everything I had! I swung with speed and aggressiveness. I tried to recall what Master Dan taught me. I used the technique I had watched my new friends use in their matches. I went for combinations, body – head - body back and forth. Check, then combinations again. My opponent was tough and seasoned. I continued to give it all. After the first round I noticed another person whom I highly respected was next to the ring cheering me and giving Mitchell Langon fight support. It was Grandmaster Kitty Canete-Knight. Wow! She was actually watching my match! What an honor. She, of course, is Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete’s daughter. She is so special and was so kind to me. As I glanced around I began to see my new friends watching and supporting my match. Knowing that my friends, my team, and legends like Grand Master Kitty Canete-Knight, Grandmaster Vince from Australia, Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman, Master Dan Haney and the rest of team USA were watching and pulling for me was a source of encouragement and determination to do my best. All were supporting me and coaching me. What an honor of a lifetime! The match ended. I was tired, I gave all I had. What a fight! The referee, my opponent and I waited for the official results from the judges. The referee held both our arms and the announcement came. Black! My opponent won. But I knew that. I was red, but I came out fighting like a bull seeing red! I did it. I had held my own and put up a great fight. Master Dan said to me “Mitch, you just fought in a match in Cebu at the Filipino martial arts tournament! Can you believe it”! Yes I did! My mind quickly cleared of what I just accomplished and I knew what I had to do. I walked over to pay tribute to the living legend. I approached Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. I bowed and touched my forehead to his hand and with Grandmaster Kitty’s help told him what I had just accomplished. I did what I had set out to do. I received a huge Wooow! And a great smile from the Supreme Grandmaster. I told him what an honor it was for me to be there and to participate in such an historic event. I told him the reason I wanted to fight was to pay tribute and honor his legend and legacy. The best way to show my respect to him was to get in the ring and accept the challenge -the challenge I gave myself - and fight. I had done it. I just wanted to see his big smile and hear his inimitable laugh and show this great man the honor that he deserves. I had come to Cebu to document, photograph and video this historic event. I had no idea of the adventure in which I would participate. Grandmaster Kitty told me it was the first time in tournament history that anyone had participated and fought in the tournament with no prior training in the Filipino martial arts. So I guess I’ve made some history on my own! What a life changing event! The many kind and generous people I have met at the Filipino martial arts festival in Cebu, Philippines speaks volumes of the greatness that marks the family of Filipino martial arts. This tournaMitchell Langon after the fight ment, the people who with Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete participate, the teams that compete, the whole Canete family, embody the great history, culture and honor of the Philippines and the Filipino people. The medal ceremony was a time to reflect how skilled and talented were all those who participated in the event. You didn’t need to receive a medal to understand how special this event was. The recognition conveyed a medal is an abiding honor to take home to the country that you represent. I would like to personally thank Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. You inspire greatness in me. I would like to thank you for all the dedication and honor you have given to the traditional Philippine martial art of Eskrima. I must also remember to honor the service you gave to protect and defend the people of the great country of the Philippines and (as a special officer of the US Armed Forces in the Far East-USAFE, the USA as well) during WWII. Thank you so much for your kindness and inspiration. You are truly a living legend. I will return to the Philippines. Hopefully, it will be soon. I will continue to document this great culture and, of course, study and train in the Filipino martial art of Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima. I would like to thank all my new Filipino friends whom I now consider family. I would also like to thank someone special in my life, Jhoanna Trias, the person who introduced me to the Filipino martial arts and introduced me to this great network of people. She introduced me to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete, Grandmaster Kitty Canete-Knight, Grandmaster Chuck Canete and the whole Canete family including Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman, Grandmaster Ron Lew, Master Dan Mitchell Langon and Jhoanna Trias and Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete Haney, and team USA. Jhoanna, you were a part of my whole experience with my new friends from Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the Philippines. Thank you Jhoanna, without your help and introduction to this great experience none of this would have happened. We worked tirelessly together to record, photograph and document this historic event. Special thanks go to Master Dan Haney. You have great humor and are a very talented Master. Special thanks to Team Australia, Big John Moore and Grandmaster Vince Palumbo who showed me true greatness. Respectful thanks to Grandmaster John Mac, the chief instructor of Cacoy Doce Pares HQ, your talent is amazing. Thank you Grandmaster Kitty. You have been so kind to me and you always make me smile. You are proof of what I have always told people. The most talented and beautiful women in the world are from Cebu! Thank you so much. I came to Cebu, Philippines as a man searching for adventure and history. I left this great country as a new Eskrimador. Cacoy Doce Pares Headquaters (CDPHQ) 81-A C. Padilla St. Cebu City, Philippines. Mitchell Langon and Jhoanna Trias in Phililppine formal attire at the Hall of Fame Grandmaster Chuck Canete takes the calls regarding the CDPHQ operations. Home Phone: 261-5387 (011-63-32 Intl. area code) Email: [email protected] He is just a step away from the CDPHQ as well as from Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete residence. (Phone: 261-1352 (011-63-32 Intl. area code) Visit and Join the following FaceBook pages to find out more about Cacoy Doce Pares Cacoy Doce Pares Headquarters: Click Here Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation: Click Here Cacoy Doce Pares USA: Click Here SGM Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete Fan Page: Click Here Catherine Kitty Canete-Knight: Click Here School Submission The schools listed teach Filipino martial arts, either as the main curriculum or an added curriculum. If you have a school that teaches Filipino martial arts, or you are an instructor that teaches, but does not have a school, list the school or style so individuals who wish to experience, learn and gain knowledge have the opportunity. Be Professional; keep your contact information current. - Click Here Event Submission Submit your event whether - Seminar, Workshop, Training Camp, tournament, or Gathering - Click Here Advertisement Submission Advertising in the FMA Informative Website is FREE. 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We reserve the right to use articles or parts of articles that are given and approved from time to time as needed to promote the Filipino martial arts and the Culture of the Philippines. Physical manuscripts should be typed in black, double spaced, and set to 1-1/2 margins (right and left). Emailed manuscripts should be typed in Ariel or Times Roman, on programs such as Notepad, Wordpad, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect and can be sent as an attachment. Photo(s) can be sent as a .jpg, .gif, .bmp, or .tiff - to submit material for either the FMA Informative Newspaper or an Issue Click Here We welcome your article, ideas and suggestions, and look forward to working with you in the future. www.FMAinformative.info
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