Foreigners steal the show in Doce Pares Hall of Fame

Some local members of Cacoy Doce Pares World Eskrima Federation have some glorious moments, but they were overshadowed and outnumbered by the foreign eskrimadors who reaped honors in the 2008 Doce Pares Hall of Fame awards ceremony the other night at the Holiday Plaza Hotel.

Each of the honorees received a miniature trophy that is a replica of Cebuano hero Lapu-Lapu holding two clubs or “olisi” in both hands.

Some prominent eskrimadors who were inducted into the Hall of Fame were Richard Bustillo, Vince Palumbo, Anthony Clemons, Dr. Carlos Patalinghug Sr. and Carlos Jr., Florencio Caunteverio, Jan Mac, Chuck Cañete and spiritual leader Nonito “Dodong” Limchua, the owner of the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN), to name a few of the almost 100 awardees.

The main highlight of the grandiose awards night was the handing out of posthumous awards to Eulogio “Yoling” Cañete and Felimon “Momoy” Cañete, the co-founders of the Doce Pares in 1932.

Not to be outshone, Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Cañete, incumbent and president for life of Doce Pares, was enshrined into the Hall of Fame as well.

In his brief but meaningful message, Noy Cacoy quoted a phrase in the Bible which reads “many are called but few are chosen”.

In saying that, Noy Cacoy implied that many eskrima practitioners and aficionados have helped in propagating the sports, but only few among the rest deserve the awards. (GGM)