WEKAF to bestow distinct honor on eskrima legends

CEBU, Philippines - The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (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 on July 18 at the Amnezia Super Club in the north reclamation area.

The first batch of honorees who will be enshrined into the hallowed portals of the newly-built Shrine of Eskrima located at the Doce Pares Mountain Park in Brgy. Malubog, Cebu City is led by WEKAF Chairman Emeritus and Supreme Grandmaster Dionio "Diony" Cañete.

SGM Diony Cañete will be joined by his uncle 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.

To be conferrerd with such great honor from the United States are 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 Order of Datu Lapu-Lapu is the highest honor and title one can receive for his selfless devotion to the Filipino martial art," said SGM Diony Cañete. "These living legends of eskrima will be honored not only for their skills, but also for their undying passion, integrity, values and character that are worth emulating for by the younger generation of martial artists."

The event is among the highlights the 12th WEKAF Championship set on July 18-24 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

At least 700 eskrimadors from 27 countries will see action in the world's biggest and most prestigious arnis tournament.

Aside from host Philippines and defending champion United States, the other participating nations are France, Oman, Iran, Scotland, Ireland, England, Spain, Puerto Rico, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong, Hungary, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, India, Greece, South Korea, Vietnam, Sweden, Poland, and Indonesia.

USA ruled the previous edition of the biennial tilt hosted by Mexico in 2010. Phl, which hosted the inaugural edition of the event on August 11- 13, 1989 at the University of the Visayas (UV)-Main gym, last won the overall championship 2000.

Meanwhile, a Head of State will grace the week-long joust for the first time in the 23-year history of WEKAF Championship. He is no other than the Honorable Didier Robert, president of Reunion Island in France.

Cañete said they have already coordinated with the office of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia considering that Robert and his entourage must be accorded with all the diplomatic courtesy due him as a foreign dignitary.