Filipino Martial Arts Festival

The aim of this meeting was to present all the Filipino Martial Arts and their different styles in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

In Europe, the pioneering DAV Germany has invested much in its propagation, as evidenced by two successful FMA festivals held in Germany in February 2002 and March 2004 headed by Alfred Plath and Dieter Knuttel.

A new organization came into existence to further propagate the art, unifying different clubs. The National Filipino Martial Arts Organizing Committee, which was conceived in December 2005 by a group of martial artist from different clubs, spearheaded by Samuel Dulay.

On May 6 and 7, 2006, the Department of Tourism, in cooperation with IMAFP and the FMA Organizing Committee, launched a National FMA Festival in support of the nationwide Arnis Awareness Campaign Program.

Their first project is a festival of Filipino martial arts held at Clam Shell 2 in Intramuros. In the morning of the first day, there were also games which all originated in the Philippines. Some walk in foreigners happily participated in games like sack race, Patintero and egg catching, and right after lunch, an arnis clinic were conducted by different masters. The event showcased different styles of sticks and knife fighting, coupled with other forms of defense and offense. A cultural presentation was held in the evening, and highlighting the event was the demonstration of different clubs of their styles and techniques. 

The culmination of the event was the awarding and recognition for grand masters on the second day, where certificates were also given in appreciation to different clubs that participated in the festival. 

It is a prelude to the World Festival as planned.

As a regular preference the convergence of FMAers is held every 2 years with the Philippines as the traditional host.

The 3rd World FMA was on 2006 held in the mountain at Tagaytay City at 2,000 feet above sea level overlooking Lake Taal- the world`s smallest volcano. The 4th FMA camp is held on the resorts and beaches like the famous white sand of Boracay Island in July 2008, and this time July 25, 2010 it will be held in Puerto Princesa City and Palawan Island – known for its spectacular sceneries, crocodile farm, beaches and world heritage “Subterranean River” of 7 km. paddle boat ride in underground clear sea water. 

Ironically, not every Filipino is aware that Arnis is the legacy of our ancestors, the hidden wealth that our forefathers had left for us to nurture and develop. 

It was a big leap to uncover one of the hidden treasures of our country when started the campaign awareness of the FMA. The British FMA Festival has went into their 5th event since 2006 spearheaded by Pat O’Malley.

Now ARNIS was recognized and declared as the Philippine National Sport and Philippine National Sport Martial Art. 

We should be grateful to all the Instructors and the organizer of FMA.

 — with Ello Edward, Ed Kwan, David Devore, Danilo Aquino Huertas, Edwin Peregrino, Ferdinand Misko, Nancy Jay Genzola, Mikhail Galaktionov, Mario Mendones Gajo, Panto Canete Flores, Daniel Arola, Massimiliano Amanita La Croce, Alex Ercia, Adriel Domingo, Jun Pueblos, Felipe P. Jocano Jr., Bram Frank, Jemn Baxafra, Marcial Chavez, Guro Caloy A, Cecille Estrada-Tubera, Andrey Baklanov, Hans Karrer, Kali Istukada Miranda, Rachel Villegas, Mon Rivera, Robert F Quinn, Alexander Plaksin, Rebecca Kanes Academies, Rey Dominguez, Peachie Baron Saguin, Vicente Yanong Jr,Rodolfo Espinosa, Ronaldo Serrano Baxafra, Robas Otsotiros, Pat O'Malley, Leo Andro Valencia, Jörg Karpa, Janfel Villahermosa, Jan Knudsen Jensen, Rey Langit FullAcct, Alan Mahinay, Oliver Formaran Garduce, Nadine Filograna, Nate Defensor,Narrison Babao and Rodelo Cariquitan Ubaldo.