Arnis group, DepEd join forces to promote Filipino martial arts

IN THE hopes of properly promoting the Filipino martial arts in the country, the Academy of Eskrima Martial Arts Inc. of Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio Cañete took a major step forward as they inked a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) that aims to educate coaches and physical education teachers on the basic fundamentals and right values of the sport.

In a phone call with Cebu Daily News, Grandmaster Gerald Cañete said that the sole purpose of this move is to promote the sport by training the coaches and teachers in the correct way of playing eskrima for free. In turn, those trained will then pass it on to their students in their respective physical education classes.

“Actually the purpose is to properly promote Filipino martial arts in the country,” GM Cañete said. “We are accredited by TESDA and we are willing to share that with DepEd.”

Among the arnis instructors who will be imparting the knowledge to the schools is National team head coach Cesario Perez, who recently led the country in winning the 14th World Eskrima Kali-Arnis Federation Championships held last July.

Cebu City Sports Commission commissioner Allan Borres Delantar said the Academy of Eskrima Martial Arts Inc. has been reaching out to the grassroots talents and are now planning to make daily training sessions during the summer.

Present during the signing were SGM Cañete, GM Cañete, Public Schools Division superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan, CCSC chairman Edward Hayco and CCSC Commissioner Delantar.