The newly-promoted Doce Pares black belt arnisadors and Grand Masters (GMs) pose for a group photo during the Doce Pares Training Camp 2023 at the Bayfront Hotel on October 21, 2023. | Glendale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Renowned arnisador, Grand Master (GM) Erwin Mosqueda dedicated their recently concluded and highly-successful Doce Pares Training Camp 2023 to the late Supreme Grand Master (SGM) Dionisio “Diony” Cañete.
The three-day international Doce Pares traning camp capped off on Saturday evening, October 21, 2023. Over 50 high-ranking arnisadors from Hungary, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the Philippines took part in this rare gathering.
During the three-day training camp at the Bayfront Hotel, the participants underwent intensive training of the Doce Pares Multi-Style System.
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It taught them the artistic style and techniques of arnis, rather its combat-style. It also aimed to strengthen Doce Pares’ curriculum that follows a unified system which the late SGM Cañete envisioned.
“In 2020 we’re already planning with SGM Dioni (Cañete), before the pandemic. I’m supposed to come with my group, with my students to train with him. We’re also planning to improve the system and this “Tapok-tapok sa Doce Pares, this was his plan,” said Mosqueda who founded Doce Pares Los Angeles in 2004.
The training camp also coincided with the 19th anniversary celebration of Doce Pares LA.
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“Now that SGM Dioni is not here with us anymore, I have to continue his plans. That’s why I called everyone, including my students who want to join this event. We had a positive result because this was a sentimental event for us since we’re having a get-together without SGM Dioni for the first time. It’s for his memories, sentimental kaayo (It is so sentimental), we owe him a lot,” added Mosqueda.
In addition, Mosqueda revealed that the event also served as a “loyalty check” among their members here in Cebu. Mosqueda was glad that Doce Pares remained strong despite their adversities including the passing of SGM Cañete in 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the rise of new groups who want to lead Doce Pares.
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“There are different groups that came up recently, and if Doce Pares won’t stay active, basin maapsan sa uban groups nga kusog na ug active na sad. Mao na mag plan ta para maka get-together para makita nato nga kinsa pa to ang loyal sa Doce Pares, ug nalipay kaayo ko nga pirti pa diay daghana loyal nato,” Mosqueda said.
(There are different groups that came up recently, and if Doce Pares won’t stay active, perhaps we will be overtaken by other groups who are strong and active already. That is why we are planning so that we can get together so that we can see who the are still loyal to the Doces Pares and I am happy that there are still a lot of them.)
The Doce Pares Training Camp 2023 was also co-organized by Doce Pares President, Supreme Grandmaster Arnulfo “Dong” Cuesta, vice president Grandmaster Eric Mosqueda and Philippine Eskrima Kali-Arnis Federation (PEKAF) Vice President Master Gerald Cañete.
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