London-based Cebuano arnis master passes historic Doce Pares dissertation

CEBU, Philippines - Doce Pares master Ermar Alexander passed the historic practical dissertation with flying colors to earn his 6th grade blackbelt last Monday afternoon at the Doce Pares World Headquarters in Sto. Niño Village, Brgy. Banilad, this city.

Alexander, a Cebuano by blood but raised in England, needed more than two hours to convince the panelists consisting of Doce Pares Grandmasters Rodrigo Maranga, Felix Gutang, Andres Cañete, Masters Joe Borces and Rudy Rey, media practitioners Manny Villaruel (sports editor of the Freeman), and Nestor Ramirez (Prime Time Radio Host of DYRC and Department Chairman of Communication and Journalism of the University of San Jose-Recoletos).

The Minglanilla-native Alexander also showcased his achievements in promoting Doce Pares in the United Kingdom, Europe and some parts of Middle East including his decision to leave his work to become a full-time eskrima instructor.

“I have literally lived in a gym 24 hours to promote Doce Pares and Filipino martial arts. Along with my family, we live in a gym to be cost efficient and most importantly train students at any given time,” the London-based Alexander said in convincing the panel to approve his application for a higher rank.

“I presented the panelist a book which included scanned press releases from around the world of all my exploits,” Alexander added.

Doce Pares Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio Cañete, ODL (Order of Datu Lapu-Lapu) was elated with the outcome of the dissertation.

“What we have done was historical. We have had this plan five years ago and now we have successfully executed that all blackbelts aiming to earn 4th grade and above,” said SGM Diony, ODL, “from now on, all Doce Pares blackbelts applying for 4th grade will have to undergo the same stringent process.”

On the other hand, Diana Fauner also had her share of the historical feat as she is the first Doce Pares blackbelt to take two grade level examinations.

Fauner, who hails from Davao and is also now based in London, failed to take her 2nd grade blackbelt application in 2012 when she lost her father. This time, she took 2nd and 3rd grade blackbelt at the same time. (PR)(FREEMAN)