The Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF), which is engaged in the development of Philippine martial arts, is a very young organization, but with very ambitious goals. On March 27, 2019, PEKAF officially became a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee and is recognized as a national sport.
Led by Senator Miguel Zubiri, the Federation in such a short time managed to unite the most influential masters of Philippine martial arts and adequately prepare for its debut at the world level. In November 2019, the Philippines hosted the 30th SEA Games in Clark City, Pampanga Province, where the national sport of the Philippines made its debut and brought 14 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals to the country’s treasury.
In October 2019, the founder of one of the oldest and most developed schools around the world, Dose Pares, Dionisio “Doni” Cañete, came to Moscow along with his son Gerald. Being the President of the world Federation “Eskrima Kali Arnis”, “Doni” officially visited the Russian Federation of Martial Arts.
WEKAF (World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation) is the largest and most widespread organization in the world dedicated to the development of Philippine martial arts in the world. Officially, this organization includes 40 countries.
On October 12, 2019, the All-Russian Physical Culture and Sports Public Organization for the Development of Filipino Martial Arts officially joined the world organization WEKAF (World Organization of Eskrima Kali Arnis) and became a full member and participant in all official events.
In July-August of this year, after a long lockdown, we managed to organize a trip to Manila to resume the progressive development of Philippine martial arts in Russia and congratulate PEKAF President Senator Miguel Zubiri on his election as President of the Senate of the Philippines.
As part of the meetings, a work plan for the next year was developed
On the national holiday of the Philippines – Independence Day, which is held annually on June 12 and coincides with the Russian holiday – Russia Day, it was decided to hold the Philippine Martial Arts Festival in Moscow. Senator Miguel Zubiri assured that he will send a worthy team to represent Filipino martial arts in Moscow.
In January-February it is planned to hold the annual “Russian sports camp on the island of Cebu”. In addition to practicing Filipino martial arts on a tropical beach, getting acquainted with the traditional Filipino massage “hilot” and the national cuisine of the Philippines, camp participants will get acquainted with the sights of the amazing Visayas region. Local municipalities will provide assistance in organizing these tourist routes.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines Mr. Pavlov M.I. also supported this initiative and expressed a desire to take part in this event.
The first mission after the pandemic was successful.
Upon arrival in Moscow, a meeting is expected with the new Ambassador of the Philippines to the Russian Federation, Mr. Igor Baylen, who will be informed about the agreements reached and the interaction plan.
