On 22 October 2016, representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Berne joined a seminar-workshop on Arnis/Eskrima/Kali at the Mixed Martial Arts Academy Martinez in Winterthur, Switzerland organized by the Network of Integrated Pinoys (Noi-P), a network of second generation Swiss-Filipino youth and professionals based in Switzerland.

The seminar-workshop was attended by Filipino youth and their Swiss friends, and second generation Filipino-Swiss.

Guro (teacher) Juan Luis Martinez, a Spanish-Swiss national who learned Kali from Filipino Martial Arts Master Dan Inosanto, opened his academy for the workshop participants and introduced them to the Philippine national martial art/sport.

Filipina-Swiss Ms. Michelle Santiago Käser of Noi-P, who also trained under the Doce Pares Eskrima school in Cebu, joined Mr. Martinez in teaching the basics to the participants.

Through the seminar, the participants learned about the traditional Filipino martial art and the variations of its names Arnis (for northern Philippines), Eskrima (for the Visayas area), and Kali (for southern Philippines).

For three hours, the participants were taught the Filipino martial art’s greeting ritual, the different points of attack, and the essential footwork to develop skills in Arnis. This was followed by a practical demonstration and exercise on basic self-defense using Filipino Panantukan, the fist-related component of Filipino martial arts also known as Street Boxing or Mano-Mano.

Ultimately, they learned that in Filipino martial arts, not only technique, footwork and attack-defense angles are essential, but personal attitude must be likewise right.

The event was a vital opportunity to promote the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship by familiarizing the participants with the Filipino martial art Arnis, which has been designated as the national martial art and sport of the Philippines under Republic Act No. 9850.

Through the Filipino Arnis/Eskrima/Kali, it is hoped that the second generation Filipinos in Switzerland and their Swiss friends will gain insight into the resilient but determined character of Filipinos.  Through sports diplomacy, Filipinos and Swiss can be brought together to further promote friendship, respect and cultural understanding between the two countries.

###