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AUSSIE STICK FIGHTERS IN CEBU FOR SEMINAR!
By Grand Master Vince Palumbo
A dozen nations including Australia, England, Poland, United States, Germany, Indonesia, New Zealand, Mexico and the Philippines, gathered to “cross sticks” with those fortunate enough to attend the seminar in Cebu united by dedication, passion and Eskrima.
Nearly twenty proud Australian delegates this month (March, 2008) embarked upon a diverse cultural and marital arts experience to Cebu City in the Philippines to train and celebrate the art of Eskrima.
Stick fighting may not have the profile of some more common forms of marital arts, but is recognised by the best-of-the-best in all fields of self defense and combat, as a key ingredient in the ultimate fighter formula.
This is perhaps best demonstrated by the Grandmasters who lead the seminar group over the weekend of March 7 to 9.
Los Angeles based Grand Master Richard Bustillo actor, movie star, and student of the great Bruce Lee, taught Lee’s own form of Jeet Kune Do to the 70 delegates who gathered at the Cebu Sports Club from all around the globe.
Australia’s own Grand Master Vince Palumbo of Adelaide, tackled the teaching of Pangamot Boxing, which is a Filipino self defence method devised by Supreme Grand Master Ciriaco 'Cacoy' Canete of Cebu City.
Far from a mere theorist of combative sports, the man nick-named “GMV” by his students, has stepped into the full-contact combat arena on many occassions to talley up over 200 full-contact fights in Karate, Jujitsu, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Boxing, and Stick fighting tournaments.
Aussie Ex-pat Anthony Kleeman demonstrated, and broke-down, the techniques of kick-boxing for those present showing surprising agility for his 6”4 frame. His patriotism not waning, Kleeman claimed an award at the Hall of Fame Dinner on behalf of Australia, but the Grand Master’s Australian accent was not so unaffected from a decade of residing in the United States.
(This is a flaw easily forgiven in the seminar’s rich cultural melting pot).
But is was the eldest man there who stood the highest in the opinions of all privileged enough to see him practice with grace and precision in the art of Eskrima/Eskrido/Pangamot that he himself created.
Supreme Grand Master Ciriaco “Cacoy” Cañete a 12 degree black belt, headed the seminar teaching many  of his own techniques from the Filipino arts of Eskrima, Eskrido and Pangamot Jutitsu.
The 88 year old Supreme Grand Master Ciriaco 'Cacoy' Cañete is world famous for surviving over 100 bloody duels of no rules, no armour stick fights from the 1940’s to 1960’s.
The Supreme Grand Master impressively “dropped” men a quarter of his age at the seminar using the rattan stick , followed by a cheeky smile and the words “You try again!” – a challenge to his awestruck students.
It was the second International Martial Arts Seminar organized by the Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima but for many Aussies it was their first trip to the country.
The humidity and heat in the third basement level of the Cebu Sports Club added to the challenge.
Starting at nine every morning for three days the delegates would tackle four gruelling sessions, one with each of the Grand Masters listed above, and then after a one hour lunch break return to build on the lessons of the morning sessions.
The highlight of the Friday to Sunday seminar/workshop was the emotion filled Hall of Fame Ceremony for members of the Cacoy Doce pares Eskrima World Federation, held at the Holiday Plaza Hotel in Cebu.
The men scrubbed up for the evening and dressed in traditional formal attire, wearing the “barong” shirt, but this was the night that the women of the sport had their chance to shine.
There were only six female delegates at the seminar, a duo of fast-fisted sisters from the USA, and four Australian women; two from New South Wales and another pair from South Australian.
64 people from across the globe were that night inducted into the Hall of Fame, 13 of them Aussies (See a full list of inductees in table)
The calibre of those in attendance, and passion for the Doce Pares in the Philippines attracted plenty of media attention for the delegates. The INTV powered by CCTN Channel 47 conducted interviews during the seminar the SPORTS WORLD program and recorded full coverage of the Hall of Fame Ceremony for their SPECIAL EVENTS program, and UNTV 37 recorded the Ceremony coverage for Sports News.
Several newspapers and radio stations also covered the event.
Posthumously the men who define Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima were acknowledged as real legends of this Filipino martial art/sport.
The survivor of his more than 100 “No Rules” Stick Fighting era, Supreme Grand Master Cacoy Cañete was recognised in a moving ceremony serenaded by his daughter inlaw, Mrs Gloria Canete.
The dozen nations including Australia, United States, Germany, England, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Philippines, Latvia, and Malaysia, gathered to “cross sticks” those fortunate enough to attend united by dedication, passion and the challenge of Eskrima.
Grand Master Vince Palumbo, a 9th degree black belt - 'Most Notable Martial Arts Competitor of the year.'
His students from the International Combative Martial Arts Academy also recognised were:
Andrea Wheatley- 'Most Notable Eskrima Competitor of the year'
Kevin Seskis, Chris Nasilowski, Maris Lukasevics, Lyndon Kemp- Exemplary Dedication to Doce Pares
John Moore- 'Eskrimador of the year'
Vickie Simos- 'Most Notable Female Martial Arts Competitor of the year'
Grand Master Vince’s student, Master Dominic Lavalle, a 4th degree black belt in Martial Arts, was awarded a trophy for Excellence in the promotion of Sports Eskrima at tournaments, and he received certification from the Supreme Grand Master to teach Cacoy Doce Pares at REFLEX MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE there in Wollongong, New South Wales.
And other awards on the evening went to members of the East Coast Doce Pares Institute in Sydney- Master Craig Bajraktarevic-Hayward was awarded 'Exemplary Dedication to Doce Pares' Dorota Skibinski recognised as 'Most Valuable Student of the year.'
To find instructors in your area please contact:
Grand Master Vince Palumbo
International Combative Martial Arts Academy
96a Grange Road WELLAND SA
gurovince@gmail.com or check out his web site- www.grandmastervincentpalumbo.com
PHONE (08) 83404588
http://www.jaxtr.com/gmvince
GOD BLESS!
Yours Faithfully,
Grand Master Vincent Palumbo 9th Degree Black Belt
CACOY DOCE PARES ESKRIMA WORLD FEDERATION
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