Click Here - FMA Informative

Publisher
Steven K. Dowd
Contributing Writers
Zena Sultana Babao
Catherine “Kitty” Canete Knight
Gabby G. Malagar
Manuel M. Francisco, Jr.
Tom Meadows
Anton St’James
Chuck Cañete
Contents
From the Publishers Desk
Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco ‘Cacoy’ Cañete
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s San Diego Seminar
And Pre-Birthday BBQ Party
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete the Father as I Know Him
Tribute to a Living Legend & Martial Arts Icon
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Turns 90
90 Years Young and Still Laughing!
The First 90 Years in the Life and Training of:
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
A Living Legend
A Role Model
Still Fighting at 90
Filipino Martial Arts Digest is published and distributed by:
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The FMAdigest is published quarterly. Each issue features practitioners of martial
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and technical articles; reflections, Filipino martial arts, healing arts and other related
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The ideas and opinions expressed in this digest are those of the authors or
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From the Publishers Desk
Kumusta
No matter what age a person turns, to celebrate with family, friends and in the
case of Filipino martial arts practitioner’s students, it is memorable and most satisfying.
And when the practitioner has accomplished so much in their life, and is
continuously improving their style and has also continuously continued to travel and
teach spreading their knowledge, this is a giving, motivated, professional individual.
One such person who is admired, loved by family, friends and students is
Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco ‘Cacoy’ Cañete. Here is an icon that has spent his life
dedicated to the Filipino martial arts, Doce Pares Eskrima, then, he refined and added
Pangamot (Barehanded Techniques), continuing to finally penning down Eskribo (a
combination of Eskrima, Jujitsu, Judo, and Aikido). And he has not stopped, Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy Cañete still strong, very active continues to build and improve his
art.
The FMAdigest would like to thank Catherine “Kitty” Canete Knight and Zena
Sultana Babao in their support, and contacting others to contribute to this Special Issue.
Maraming Salamat Po
Learn more about Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco ‘Cacoy’ Cañete. Download his Special Edition.
Download
Kitty and Alex presented their Dad a birthday cake with "90" lighted candles on top. (90 Candles2)
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy blew on the lighted candles. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's amazing
chi power knocked down the "9" candle. So Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy is back to zero.
Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco ‘Cacoy’ Cañete
He is today the best known of the Canete brothers
(Filemon, Eulogio, Tirso, Ciriaco, Rufino and Silvestre), prime
movers in the preservation and promotion of the indigenous
Filipino martial art of stick fighting (Eskrima-Arnis).
Ciriaco Cañete, or 'Cacoy' as he is known by his
Filipino nickname, was born
in August 1919 in San
Fernando approximately 30 kilometers south of Cebu
City, on Cebu Island, in the Visayas region of the
Philippines into a family for whom Eskrima was
already a tradition. He was the youngest of twelve
children. At the early age of seven he was initiated
into Eskrima, learning from his brother Filemon or
"Momoy" who had in turn learned Eskrima from his
father Gregorio and uncles Gavino, Pedro (from his
fathers’ family) and Juancho (from his mothers’
family). In the 1920's his brothers were already
involved in teaching stick fighting. Interest in Filipino
martial arts led to the formation by Visayan martial
arts practitioners of the Doce Pares Association in
Cebu. In 1939, Cacoy's elder brother, Eulogio
"Yoling" Canete became president of Doce Pares, the oldest and longest standing martial
arts organization in the Philippines and a driving force behind the popularization of
Filipino martial arts. Yoling was president of Doce Pares until his death in 1988.
Because of his open mindedness and desire for knowledge,
he has trained in many different styles of Martial Arts. Some of the
styles he has learnt include Ju Jitsu, Boxing, Kodokan Judo, free
style wrestling, Shorin Karate and Aikido. With his acknowledged
spectrum of skills through his lifetime of training, he has gained a
deep insight and a broad understanding, with mastery of the
concepts of self-defense and combat. The culmination of years of
learning fused into the style that he teaches which is called
'Eskrido'. This style combines the refined essential elements of
every martial art he has learned through his life.
Cacoy served with the USAFFE in the war years and
stayed in the army service until 1947. He studied at the University
of Southern Philippines and taught martial arts in various Cebu
schools. In 1979 he was champion in both the First Open Arnis
Tournament in Cebu City and the First National Invitational Arnis
Tournament in Manila, both events sponsored by the National
Arnis Association of the Philippines (NARAPHIL). Another
Canete, Dionisio (Cacoy's nephew) served as president of both NARAPHIL and the
World Kali-Eskrima Arnis Federation (Wekaf), an organization founded much later in the
history of Doce Pares (1987). The remarkable Cacoy Canete has been active in
organizing tournaments, exhibitions and training programs in Eskrima-Arnis in the
Philippines and foreign countries.
The legendary Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete of Cebu Philippines is a prominent,
internationally known martial artist who travels the globe to share, teach and demonstrate
his martial art skills to others. Currently the Grandmaster promotes his art for selfdefense, sport and personal well being. "Cacoy" Canete is the last surviving member and
the only 12th degree black belt and the highest-ranking member of the fame Doce Pares
Eskrima Club. He started Eskrima at age 7 under the oldest of eight, brother "Momoy".
Now 90 years old.
Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation Headquarters - Click Here
Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation - Click Here
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s San Diego Seminar
And Pre-Birthday BBQ Party
Aishinkan Dojo in Alpine, California
July 25, 2009
By Zena Sultana Babao
Two weeks before Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy Canete’s 90th birthday
celebration in Van Nuys, California, he
conducted a seminar in San Diego, Saturday,
July 25, hosted by the Babao Arnis Academy
and organized by Narrison Babao, the eldest son
of Grandmaster Narrie Babao.
A Filipino tradition was broken when
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy started the
seminar fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.
Some of the attendees, who arrived on time,
Zena Sultana, Manong Cacoy and Narrie
were surprised to find that the seminar had
Babao paid their respects to the
already started. Filipino time usually runs later
Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
than the appointed time.
The seminar’s venue, Aishinkan Dojo in Alpine, California, is an Aikido school
owned by Marc Fox, one of Grandmaster Babao’s senior students. Besides being a
practitioner of Philippine martial arts, Sensei Fox, a 5th degree Black Belt in Aikido,
practices Iaido and Jo Do, the Japanese stick fighting art. The dojo’s floor is covered with
authentic tatami mats, and the entire building, which resembles the Kodokan dojo of
Japan, was built personally by Marc and his students.
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy instantly felt at home in the dojo because he himself
spent many years studying Judo under Japanese sensei’s, and had competed in Regional
and National Judo tournaments in the Philippines during the 50’s.
Around forty attendees were
crammed inside the dojo. Most of the
seminar participants were students of
Babao Arnis who are also practitioners of
the Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrido/Eskrima
system of martial arts. Master Manuel
Francisco and five of his students flew in
from San Jose, California. Thomas
Snowden, an 8th degree Aikido Master,
attended with seven of his students from his
Aibukan Dojo in Chula Vista, California.
Fred Grochulski of Richard Bustillo’s
IMB Academy drove in from Riverside,
California. Steve Furbush, however, beat
Overseeing the seminar at Aishinkan
Dojo in Alpine, San Diego County
Grochulski by driving farther. He came all the way from Arizona.
Among the notable persons who attended were retired San Diego Police Captain
Greg Clark, and Deputy Sherriff Chris Cross, the Defensive Tactics Dean of the San
Diego Regional Safety and Law Enforcement Academy. Cross is a student of
Grandmaster Babao.
The Babao Arnis Guros who attended included: San Diego Police Sergeant
Romeo Delos Reyes, his brother Rudy Delos Reyes, DA Investigator Liza Prodigalidad,
retired SDPD SWAT SRT member Dave Bertrand, Narrison Babao, Eric Punsalan and
Rick De Jesus, who flew in from Pittsburg.
Supreme Grandmaster Canete teaching Eskrido techniques
After the seminar, Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy distributed certificates of
promotion to most of the Guros. Narrison Babao was promoted to Master, 6th Grade
Black Belt level. What followed after the seminar and promotion was the Pot Luck
Barbeque party. The celebrant was served with barbecued fish.
After everyone had their fill, a large birthday cake adorned with “9” and “0” lit
candles was presented to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy. The attendees sang “Happy
Birthday” while Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy made his wish and blew out the candles.
When asked what his wish was, the celebrant said, “To do this again next year.” Stories
and jokes followed, as the first-time attendees were curious about the secret of Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy’s longevity.
The San Diego Cacoy Doce Pares
Eskrido/Eskrima Group
Master Manuel Francisco's CDP Group
who flew from San Jose, CA.
The multi-martial arts group of Aikido
Master Tom Snowden
The attendees at Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete's San Diego seminar, the ones seated
include the newly promoted Master Narrison Babao, Grandmaster Narrie Babao, Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy Canete, and Master Manuel Francisco
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete the Father as I Know Him:
A Tribute to his 90th Birthday
By Catherine “Kitty” Canete Knight
Master, Cacoy Doce Pares
My father’s 3 passions: Martial Arts, Music and Mathematics
My father Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
Canete, Founder of Cacoy Doce Pares
Federation was born on Aug. 8, 1919 in Cebu,
Philippines. He just celebrated his 90th
birthday. He is the only surviving original
member of the oldest Eskrima organization,
Doce Pares that was founded by his older
brothers in 1932. So I call him “The last of the
Mohicans”. It is also a fitting title because, like
the famous Mohican Chingachgook, he is a
very brave warrior. He served as a jungle
guerilla fighter for the freedom of the
Philippines in World War II.
My father is the only living legend of
the Art of Eskrima still actively practicing and
promoting this unique Philippine martial art.
Kitty, her father Cacoy, son Alex
Using his extensive knowledge of Boxing and Japanese martial arts including, among
others, Juijitsu, Kodokan Judo, Aikido, he became famous for revolutionizing the old
style of Eskrima. That’s the true origin of Eskrido - Eskrima combined with Japanese and
other martial arts. His innovative combination of techniques resulted in harsh criticism
from some Traditional Eskrimadors. Suffice to say, this has only strengthened his resolve
to progress and improve his style the more. My father has always survived the spread of
falsehoods and distortion of facts about him, his innovative martial arts style and his
historical record of winning countless actual fights in the old times. Much of this slander
has come from begrudging
Traditional Eskrimadors whose
agenda is to minimize or even
erase his name and
contributions from the record
of sports history. I hope they
will someday find peace in their
hearts from the jealousy that
motivates them.
Having a father like
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
Canete who is endowed with
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy with the Canete Girls
L-R: Eva (SGM grandniece), Kitty (SGM's daughter),
extraordinary talent and skill in
Happy (SGM's granddaughter), Dovie (SGM's
martial arts, particularly
grandniece), Marla (SGM's granddaughter) and Annie
Eskrima-Eskrido, is a true
(SGM's daughter-in-law).
blessing. Growing up a Canete, our family’s favorite pastime was to gather around the
dining table listening to my father’s accounts of his many actual combat fights. Every
story ended the same way because my father never lost a challenge or fight. I can still
picture myself with my six siblings, wide-eyed in admiration, listening intently to the
accounts of each fight - some of which we proudly witnessed ourselves.
My favorite account was told to us in the 70s as we sat around the dining table at
our Cebu City home. The chronicler was the one-time challenger himself, the late Mr.
Inting Carin. In Mr. Carin’s recount, it was a common thing in the tough neighborhood
where my dad once lived, to challenge the new kid in the block to a boxing bout.
Mr. Carin, the most feared neighborhood bully, challenged my father to a boxing
bout to “make him a man”. The bully didn’t particularly like my father for being so quiet
and shy like a sissy, Mr. Carin, related. My father quickly accepted the challenge without
conditions.
The afternoon of the challenge boxing bout arrived. Mr. Carin said the first blow
that my father struck felt like being hit by a tornado! The bully immediately surrendered
to the quiet and shy, Grand-Master-to-be and asked my father if he had formal boxing
training. My father calmly said he was a varsity boxer in school! Mr. Carin was humbled.
He later became my father’s friend and student and eventually became an Eskrima master
himself.
Believe it or not, my father loves music even more than Eskrima! He is an avid
fan of classic jazz standards on the piano! My father’s love of music inspired my three
brothers, Alex, Edgar (deceased) and Glenn to become professional pianists. That made
them handy to play the piano for him or accompany him whenever he wants to sing which is almost all the time!
During his recent visit with me
in New Jersey this year, I had the
opportunity to ask him an intriguing
question that has often been on my
mind: If he had been given a choice by
God in the beginning of his life, which
would he rather become - a great
Eskrimador or a great Pianist. His
quick answer with a beaming smile was
“a great Pianist”!!
Not too many people know that
my father is a mathematician. He has a
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, with a
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy with daughter Kitty, major in History and minor in
son Alex, wife Annie and their 2 daughters,
Mathematics. But he has a deeper
Happy and Marla
interest in Mathematics.
I remember when I was a teen that every Sunday my father would cut out
advanced mathematics problems from the Sunday issue of Manila Bulletin, the Philippine
national newspaper at that time. It was his favorite amusement to challenge his colleagues
in Pepsi Cola, engineers and accountants alike, to a math problem-solving contest. To my
father, every math challenge was like an Eskrima in the mind! He would come home very
triumphantly after winning each challenge. That’s my Dad!
Being a mathematician, my father’s innovation of Eskrima has very much
something to do with mathematical analysis. The choice and precision of the angles and
parallel positions of his garrote when maneuvered in an effortless, energy saving motion
are related to principles of geometry. Similarly, his anticipation of the incoming attacks
and speed of his counter attacks are related to laws of motion from physics and scientific
biomechanics. All this diverse knowledge and experience gave birth to the revolutionary
martial art of Eskrido!
My father Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy at 90 years old is not ready to throw in
the towel! Retirement is not yet in my
father’s mind. He wants to continue what he
loves to do, which is teaching the Cacoy
Doce Pares system of Eskrima-Eskrido most especially to his loyal students - and
sharing his funny jokes with them in between
bouts and garrote strikes! Above all he can’t
let go of his many beautiful, endearing
friendships with them that he treasures so much and has for many years. His many
devoted students are like his children. Luckily they get the lion’s share of my father’s
attention since he spends a lot of time teaching them his art. Actually, the whole Canete
family considers them our extended family. As my father loves them, so do all, we
Canetes!
Finally as witnessed by
every attendee at the tribute
celebration of his 90th birthday on
August 8th, 2009 at the House of
Champions hosted by Mark Parra,
my father, Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy Canete is remarkably
beloved, admired and most of all
well-respected by his throng of
loyal supporters. It was a love-fest
in his honor that will stay in our
memories forever.
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Joking with Zach, Dian,
and Narrie Babao
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
signing his books
Seminar at the House of Champions
Sparring with
Anthony Kleeman
Seminar group
Sparring with
Zach Whitson
Tribute to a Living Legend & Martial Arts Icon:
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
By Zena Sultana Babao
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete,
Founder of the Doce Pares Eskrido/Eskrima
System of Martial Arts, was honored with a
tribute-dinner on the occasion of his 90th
birthday by the grandmasters, masters and
practitioners of his martial arts system last
Saturday afternoon, August 8, 2009 in Van
Nuys, California.
The birthday tribute-dinner
celebration was held at the House of
Master Kitty Canete Knight, Supreme
Champions, a martial arts school owned by
Grandmaster Cacoy Canete and Zena
Master Mark Parra. Two of the special guests
were two of the seven children of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy who flew in from the
East Coast: his eldest son Alex Canete, who came with his wife and two daughters; and
one of his two daughters, Master Kitty Canete Knight.
Some of the Grandmasters in attendance were the following: Richard Bustillo,
Anthony Kleeman, Jun Cauteverio, and Narrie Babao. The Masters were: Ron Lew,
Wally Estropia, Manuel Francisco Jr., Ramon Rubia, Eva Canete Rubia, Bruce
Shinagawa, Guy Kinanahan, Dian Tanaka Whitson, Zach Whitson, Mark Parra, Rev.
Rupert Bisquera, and newly-promoted Master Narrison Babao.
Some of the practitioners on hand were: Fred Grouchulski, Sean Inness, Vache
Partamian, Mako Bustillo, Tobias Ricker from Germany, and Angel Postigo’s four
students from Mexico.
Two sets of Doce Pares demos were presented to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy.
The first set was led by Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman, and the other by Master Ramon
Rubia. Most of the tribute was in the form of speeches. My husband and I were two of
those who spoke.
Following is my tribute to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy:
“What gave me the courage to speak
here today is my love and admiration for our
birthday boy - Living Legend Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. He is so
amazing! He is, definitely, the most
remarkable martial artist I have ever met. He
is a world-famous martial arts icon. Despite
that, he has no airs or conceit, but remains
humble and gracious.
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy is
known for his incredible speed. His sharp,
deadly fighting style is unmatched. Though
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
lightning fast, he moves with skill and
and Zena
precision. For someone turning 90, he can easily make mincemeat of anyone. Even those
who are much younger than he is! I don’t know how he does it, but he does it!
I have been to some of his seminars, and these seminars are testaments to how
incredible he is. So to me, “S” in Supreme Grandmaster means super, as in Superman. No
doubt he is my hero! He earned his reputation by breaking tradition and by fighting and
winning numerous true-to-life combats. Because of him, the art of Eskrido/Eskrima is
practiced around the world.
Because of his achievements, there are some who are apparently jealous of him
and wanted to destroy and discredit him. But they won’t succeed! Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy has our unending love and support, and we will always stand by him.
The very first time I met him, he had that profound effect on me. I immediately
knew that he has a big, big heart - a heart of gold. He has that special aura around him,
and that twinkle in his eyes than conveys his sense of humor and positive approach to
life.
I will always remember the short anecdote I heard about his interview with BBC.
When he was reportedly asked, “Do you smoke or drink?” His answer was, “I don’t
gamble.” And when asked, “Do you still have sex?” His answer was, “I don’t gamble.”
His answers showed what his values are. He is a man of deep faith and deep
conviction, and he lives by it day by day. Not only is he a living legend in martial arts,
he is also a philosopher. When I am in his presence, I’m at the feet of the master.
Every time I see him, I get a warm feeling all over me. He always puts a smile on
my face, because he never tires of sharing his jokes. And when he does that, for a
moment, I forget that he is as deadly as hell.
His legacy to the world is undisputed. And will live on forever. This generation,
and the generations to come, owes him a debt of gratitude. All of you here are carrying
on that legacy, especially his beautiful and talented daughter, Master Kitty Canete
Knight.
I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity and distinct privilege of writing
about him. And, I also had the utmost pleasure and privilege of writing about his
daughter and my friend, Master Kitty. What can I say, like father like daughter!
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy,
thank you for staying with us in our
humble place in San Diego during
the San Diego seminars. We had so
much fun with you around. Thank
you for sharing with us your dreams
and goals for the future. And thank
you for treating us just like we are
your children.
May you live to be as old as
Methuselah so that the entire world
Zena presenting her tribute speech to
can profit more from your vision,
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
wisdom and knowledge of the
Filipino martial arts.
Happy birthday, Manong Cacoy, and many, many more!
Following is Grandmaster Narrie’s tribute:
“The first time I heard the name Cacoy
Canete was during the middle part of the 1950’s.
The most popular name in America at that time
was Elvis Presley, while in Cebu, it was Cacoy
Canete.
I was just a small boy back then. I was born
in Davao City, which is in the Southern part of the
Philippines, but my mother was from Cebu. Every
year, I would accompany her in attending the town
fiesta in Dalaguete, Cebu, which was about 60
miles south of Cebu City.
It was during the long bus ride to Dalaguete
when I heard about Manong Cacoy’s name. It
Grandmaster Babao with his parodies
came from the men who were talking behind my
back, or should I say, the men who were seated behind me. They talked about fighting
and about Eskrima. Whenever the term Eskrima was mentioned, it was synonymous with
Manong Cacoy. They mention his name with such adoration and awe. In my young mind,
I imagined Manong Cacoy to be a giant and indestructible fighter.
On another occasion, the men in the bus
would argue as to who would be the better
fighter. Would it be Cacoy Canete or another
Eskrimador from Dalaguete named Inting
Carin?
I finally met the man with the legendary
name in the spring of 1981. The venue was the
Filipino Kali Academy in Torrance, which was
owned by Danny Inosanto and Richard Bustillo.
Grandmaster Narrie Babao, Zena,
Immediately, I was captivated by the
Master Kitty Canete Knight
tremendous speed how Manong Cacoy would
handle his olisi stick. One moment I could see the stick, and suddenly it will disappear,
only to reappear next to the face of his partner. His partners at the time were Bonifacio
Uy and Dodong Cuesta. From that day onward, I became a student of Manong Cacoy.
Mako Bustillo, son of Grandmaster Richard
Bustillo, and Master Narrison Babao
The Canete girls with Zena
Happy birthday, Manong Cacoy, and many, many more!
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Turns 90
By Gabby G. Malagar
For a 90 year old Eskrima living legend, it is nearly implausible that Supreme
Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Cañete still makes regular visit to the United States and
other European countries annually to propagate the martial arts of "stick-fighting" or
Eskrima the Cañete siblings treasured for a
lifetime.
He turned 90 years old unnoticed by
most of his peers in the Philippines
particularly to his family here in Cebu City
where the headquarters of the worldrenowned Doce Pares Eskrima Arnis
Federation is located and is frequently
visited by folks who try to learn Eskrima in
the early stage for the purpose of selfdefense. It was August 8, 2009 when
Supreme Grandmaster Cañete celebrated
another milestone and he was joined
Zack Whitson, Diane Tanaka, Grandmaster
cherishing his finest moments by his
Richard
Bustillo Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
friends in Los Angeles, California,
Canete
Grandmaster Richard Bustillo and students
Mark Parra and Anthony Kleeman, among others.
Parra is the instructor of the The House of Champions Eskrima club. It was during
that day Supreme Grandmaster Cañete received another Hall of Fame award making him
the most decorated Eskrima master in the entire planet.
Cañete was brought forth into the earth on August 8, 1919 in the serene
municipality of San Fernando; Cebu which people thrives on fishing and farming. He is
the youngest of a dozen family members composed of eight males and four females and
he is the youngest among 12 broods.
He is also the lone survivor and is groomed as the President for life of Doce Pares
their family Founded in 1932 with his older brother Eulogio becoming the first President
for life before his demise two decades had passed.
All of his seven brothers were into Eskrima but it was only he and Eulogio who
devoted most of their time to preserve the sport. His deceased brothers are Floretino,
Eulogio, Filemon, Silvestre, Tirso, Rufino and Andres.
Despite of his incredible exploits in Eskrima, Supreme Grandmaster Cañete is not
resting on his laurels so to speak. The harvests are bounty out of his many successes and
the recent 14th Hall of Fame awards could manifest to that. The special award was
handed to him in Tennessee by the prestigious International Martial Arts Council of
America (IMACA).
Jeff, Supreme Grandmaster Canete,
and Grandmaster Bustillo
Grandmaster Bustillo and Supreme Grandmaster Canete
His trophies, plaques and certificates of appreciation are myriad, but Cañete still
does not have plans yet to retire. This health-conscious Supreme Grandmaster is the most
travelled stick-wielding martial arts expert compared to others and even if he is now
aided with a walking crane, he still refused to cease disseminating the principles of
Eskrima until perhaps it reaches into perfection.
If he is not travelling abroad, Supreme Grandmaster Cañete is writing a book on
Eskrima that fills up his lulls. By the time he is in Cebu, his disciples from foreign places
come over to the Doce Pares Headquarters for a refreshers course, that's why his legacy
still lives on even without his physical presence in a particular place.
He is scheduled to return to his beloved hometown in Cebu in October 2009 soon
after his seminars in the key cities of the United States are finished. He left the country
this last May.
Upon his return, he will be preparing for the annual Doce Pares election in
December 2009 and the induction of officers for next year 2010.
90 Years Young and Still Laughing!
By Master Manuel M. Francisco, Jr.
Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy”
Canete turned 90 years old on August 8, 2009.
Every year when he comes to the U.S., I always tell
my students to make sure they go to his seminar
because who knows if he’ll make it back for another
one due to his age. I stopped saying that comment
over 10 years ago. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
just gets younger and younger and continues to
amaze people. His youthful approach to training and
his perspective to living life to the fullest are his
secrets to a long and healthy life. Amidst the
festive surroundings, demonstrations of his students
Master Manuel Francisco, Jr. with
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
such as Grandmaster Anthony Kleeman and his group, and speeches, one can see the
happiness in Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s eyes and smile. The birthday celebration was
held at the House of Champion in Van Nuys, California and hosted by House of
Champions… Master Marc Parra.
I first met Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete when he was 71 years old at a
Doce Pares Eskrima seminar in San Jose, California. After over 25 years training in
TaeKwonDo, I had the opportunity to learn more of my culture through the Filipino
martial arts. I first started training Arnis in San Diego, California under the guidance of
Grandmaster Narrie Babao. When I moved back to San Jose, California, I needed to
continue my training but had challenges finding the right instructor until I met Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy. It’s a Blessing to be Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s personal student
for the past 19 years. I was Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s personal assistant for the first
2 years of my training with him. I’ve learned more about his philosophy on life and how
he lives it. I cherish the jokes,
the war stories, the legendary
eskrima challenges, and the
stories of life. In our years
together, we spent time traveling
the Bay Area visiting his many
friends, relatives, and students. I
remember going to the San Jose
Flea Market under a sunny day.
We both bought rainbow
umbrella hats. It’s funny
picturing Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy wearing that bright
looking umbrella hat while
walking around the Flea Market.
The Cacoy Doce Pares P.A.M.A. Group of San Jose, California.
L-R: Anthony Nguyen, Chris Belen, Duy Hoang, Master Manuel
He is more than a legendary
Francisco, Jr., Master Marcos Rodriguez, Huan Hoang, and Ben
Eskrimador but a down to earth
Talagtag.
person. Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy was not just my Eskrima instructor but has become a very close friend and a
Grandfather image to me. It’s his character that makes his students love and respect him.
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy exemplifies the love of the art. He started training at
the age of eight and still continues to enjoy and refine his art. Every one of his students
has heard his trademark laughter after feeling the pain of his olisi on one’s head or body.
It is that laughter that is truly the lesson that a student must learn. It is the enjoyment and
passion of training in Eskrima that will refine and drive students to fulfillment and
longevity. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s discipline and training regiment is one that
must be duplicated and passed down to the next generation. As an instructor under
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy, I make sure my students have ample opportunity to
experience Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy’s Eskrima and Eskrido and truly absorb his rich
personality. The Pacific Alliance of Martial Arts (P.A.M.A.) Cacoy Doce Pares Group of
San Jose, California is composed of my senior students. We have traveled to Cebu,
Philippines several times and spent memorable moments with Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy and his senior students at the Historical Cacoy Doce Pares Headquarters. We all
trained very hard and enjoyed the Cebu lechon (roast pig).
It was a feeling of bonding and
camaraderie at Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy’s 90th Birthday Celebration. The
gathering of Grandmasters, Masters,
students, family, and friends was one of
everlasting memories. The speeches from
his students and children were insightful,
emotional, and very loving for Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy. The jokes from
Grandmaster Richard Bustillo and
Grandmaster Narrie Babao made everyone
Well-wishers for Supreme Grandmaster
laugh hysterically and blush. It was a
Cacoy’s 90th Birthday Celebration.
gathering of prominent martial artists
L-R: Master Wally Estropia, Grandmaster
from all over the world. Representatives
Narrie Babao, Master Ron Lew.
from Mexico and Germany gave honors
and wishes. Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy once said that he has not reached the peak of
the mountain he is climbing. He continues to grow strong, contribute and accomplish
more in the Filipino Martial Arts and its history. With much respect and gratitude,
Happiest 90th Birthday and God Bless Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete!
About the Author: Manuel M. Francisco, Jr., MBA is a Master Instructor under Supreme
Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete in San Jose, California. He holds the ranks of 7th Grade
Black Belt in Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima/Eskrido, 6th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo, 5th
Grade Black Belt in Cacoy Doce Pares Pangamot, and the Founder of P.A.M.A.
The First 90 years in the Life and Training of
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
By Tom Meadows
Senior Master in Cacoy Doce Pares
Editorial assistant to Supreme Grandmaster Canete for his books on Doce Pares
In the world of fine wines when a wine reaches 90 years of age it is considered a
priceless vintage. In the world of martial arts, the only thing that can truly compare to this
is the living legacy of the Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. As Supreme Grandmaster
Cacoy turns the pages in the book of the first 90 years of his life, he can look back on a
lifetime of Eskrima training, his WWII guerrilla fighting, his loving wife Herminia, and
of utmost importance to him, his brothers, his family, and the legions of Eskrima students
who practice his style, and who have dedicated their lives to studying his art.
The core of the art of Supreme Grandmaster Canete can be traced back to his early
training with his brother Filemon “Momoy” Canete. Momoy imparted to the young
Cacoy one of the most important lessons he would ever learn: Momoy told him that he
would never help him in a fight that he would always be on his own, and must learn to
defend himself at all costs. This important lesson kept Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy alive
during his three years behind enemy lines as a guerrilla fighter, through his capture by the
Japanese, and ultimately created the undefeated warrior who embodies everything that is
core to the Filipino culture and their martial arts.
We who have trained with him over the years, can testify to the power of his
techniques, the personal inspiration to push us always to seek to improve ourselves, the
value of humor in everyday life and training, and the strength he gains from his religious
commitment.
Thus we found ourselves, his friends, closest family, and students, gathered
together to celebrate his 90th birthday. Many people, upon turning 90 years of age, would
be asked “How do you want to spend your Birthday? With Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
there was no need to ask, as we knew that we would be training, sharing food, good
stories and of course, Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's favorite jokes.
His birthday celebration opened with a seminar held at Mark Parra's “House of
Champions” in Van Nuys, California. This seminar was tailored for the Black Belts in
Doce Pares Eskrima who had personally trained with Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy over
the years. These personalized training sessions have consistently proven Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy's ability to tailor specific instruction and techniques to each
instructor's needs as their growth in the art of Doce Pares Eskrima developed.
Senior Master Wally Estropia, who has trained extensively with Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy, remarked about the fact of Supreme Grandmaster being 90 years old;
“If you saw him walking down the street, you would see someone who moves like the
typical elderly person or natural man in their 80's, but then when he steps on the mat, a
metamorphosis happens; He turns into a different breed of cat, whose teaching is the
product of a crystal clear mind, and whose movement is transformed into that of a much
younger man”.
Supreme Grandmaster Canete has based his seminar program for many years out of
Master Ron Lew's school in San Jose, California. Donald Burlingame, who attended
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's most recent seminar there, commented that Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy must have been the model Steven Spielberg used for the “Yoda”
character in the Star Wars series; Who else, but Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy, could have
provided the inspiration for the wit, the humor, the unwillingness to bend to the aging
process, and the faultless technique that Yoda, the grandmaster of the Jedi knights,
embodied in the Star Wars series?
No training at any of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's seminars would be complete
without a sparring demonstration, and for this event Doce Pares Master Zach Whitson
was the chosen “dummy” for sparring. Zach is a very well known professional knife
maker, and husband of Doce Pares Master Dian Tanaka. Dian observed, after the sparring
“Supreme Grandmaster Canete is still growing, still finding new things to learn, and
continues to openly share his new experiences and developments with his students”
The pace of the sparring then picked up with the introduction of Eskrido throwing
techniques and Zach handed off the role of being the “dummy” to Grandmaster Anthony
Kleeman and Grandmaster “Junior” Cauteverio, both favorite sparring and demonstration
partners of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy over the years.
Grandmaster Cauteverio commented that he was honored to be training with
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy and that Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's combination hitting,
his ability to deliver multiple hits between his opponent's strikes, and his hand trapping
continues to amaze him. He commented “Most men retire at the age of 60, but at the age
of 90, Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy can still throw me with great power, using only his
technique”.
Grandmaster Cauteverio, who studied his family's espada y daga style from his
father, has an extensive background in many martial art styles and summarized his many
years of training with Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy like this, “He is uncanny and
dangerous at the same time, to train with. I am always at the tail end of being hit. He is
proficient with stick and gun disarming, and I still can't predict his movement. He is
totally unique as a martial artist and is one of the greatest, if not the greatest martial artist
to come out of the Pan- Asian rim”.
Master Ron Lew also commented “He has not succumbed to aging, he is trim, he
is very fit, and if anything, he is faster than he ever was”.
After a day of intensive training, the House of Champions hosted a Chinese buffet
dinner for the masters and Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's family and friends. The only
thing that can bring a smile to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's face faster than good
technique is when he sees a member of his family enter a room. His son Alex, a
professional piano player, made a surprise appearance from Virginia with his family, and
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy's daughter Catherine “Kitty” Knight, who is a Master level
practitioner in Eskrima, was also there to help fill the family circle.
No birthday is complete without a birthday cake, and Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy,
using his years of breathing training, successfully blew out every candle on his cake: All
nine of them. He actively disputes being 90 years of age, and claims to be only ten years
old , for in his own words “I am now counting my birthdays backwards from 100”.
Anyone who has trained with Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy can attest to his sense of
humor, and no seminar is complete without some of his latest jokes. His daughter
Catherine Knight recalls one of her favorite jokes of her father's; there was an Eskrima
expert who was asked to prove that he is really an expert. The Eskrima expert said “Try
to pour water over me”. Amazingly, the expert didn't get any water on himself because of
the speed of his garrote stick moving through the water pouring down on him. Then he
was asked “How come there is a fresh bump on your forehead?” The Eskrima expert said
“Oh, I got hit by the bucket when water was poured over me"!
What martial arts instructor in the whole world can compete with his jokes, which
are truly funny in Spanish, English and Tagalog? Therein lies the heart of a true master.
We have all learned to be wary when we are promised promotions in Eskrido. Many
Eskrido students have been proudly waiting to receive their new rank, only to find out
they have been promoted to “Floor manager”.
The accolades at the dinner were spearheaded by Grandmaster Narrie Babao, who
is a professional Elvis impersonator, a highly respected Eskrimador and a long time
student of Supreme Grandmaster Canete. Each person at the dinner in turn honored
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy with their favorite joke of his, their favorite joke about his
jokes, or simply to say “Thank You” for the many years of training with him. With the
dinner over, everyone headed home to prepare for the day after the 90th birthday party,
which, to no one's surprise, included another full day of training.
This is how Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete, surrounded by
family, friends and students, celebrated 90 years of an astonishingly rich life.
A Living Legend
By Anton St’James
My first introduction to Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Canete
was watching the BBC series “Way of the Warrior” in 1982. Having
seen this I vowed to one day travel to the Philippines and train under
this man.
It was some years later that I finally had the opportunity to
travel to Cebu. Ironically, as I left the UK and arrived in Cebu
Manong Cacoy was in the UK conducting a seminar! This didn’t
deter me and I continued my training at the HQ for almost three
months.
I did eventually get to Manong Cacoy the following year
when I returned to Cebu. Here, finally was the man I had seen in the
BBC series and who had inspired me to travel the 7,000 miles and
train in his system of close quarter Eskrima and Eskrido.
Training in the presence of Manong is an awe inspiring experience, his ability to
control his opponent is amazing, you know immediately that the next move you make
will be your undoing as he looks you in the eye and smiles then, “Pow!” too late, he has
you and all you can do is laugh and accept defeat. It's like playing chess at 100 miles an
hour.
Laughter features heavily in your training with Manong Cacoy, you have no
choice, his ready humor and ability to make you feel like a beginner no matter what your
rank reminds us about humility, when training under Cacoy Canete rank becomes in
material you will always be the consummate beginner.
Over the 16 plus years that I have been a student of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
I have witnessed many of Manong’s family difficulties and celebrations, I have seen him
teach with a rare and infectious passion and have seen him spar with the usual glint in his
eye, a glint that reflects a wealth of knowledge and confidence gathered over a long life
time of both conflict and joy.
When you look into the eyes
of Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
Canete you look at the reflection of
90 years experience and you see
Cacoy the man, the husband, the
father, the teacher, the Supreme
Master, the Eskrimador, you see a
man who has lived a life with
dignity, honor and passion, a man
Anton St’James receiving his Masters Degree
who has truly earned the accolade of "Living Legend".
Happy 90th Birthday Manong Cacoy: From all your students here in the United
Kingdom.
Cacoy Doce Pares UK
Master St'James Black Belt Academy
Upper Floor - 174, Rendle S.
Plymouth, PL1 1TP, England
(0175) 226-2233
www.martialartsplymouth.co.uk
A Role Model
Master Dan Haney has been bringing Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy Canete to his school for a 2 day seminar for
the last 7 years straight. In 2002, a local martial arts Master
asked him if he could use his school to host Supreme
Grandmaster for his seminar because his school was not big
enough. Master Haney didn’t really know who Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy was at the time and did it as a favor to the
other Master. Master Haney took the seminar that year and was
hooked. Master Haney loved the curriculum and Supreme
Grandmaster’s teaching style and personality. Master Haney has
been practicing Cacoy Doce Pares ever since. Supreme
Grandmaster Cacoy stays at Master Haney’s house every year for
3 days and he even takes him to the local Catholic Church every Sunday. Over the years
he has really gotten to know him through his stories and experiences.
Supreme Grandmaster is one of the healthiest people that Master Haney has ever
met. He always preaches to him to drink water and to eat fish. He told Master Haney the
reason he has lived so long and is still touring the world teaching and practicing his art is
because he eats fish everyday and does not each or drink junk food.
One of Master Haney favorite things about Supreme Grandmaster is that he is a
jokester. He has written over 600 jokes (that he knows of) in his little joke journal. When
he’s not teaching you can probably bet that he’s telling jokes, and even then, sometimes
he’s telling jokes when he teaches too. It has been an honor spending time with Supreme
Grandmaster for the past 7 years and Master Haney is looking forward to more.
From Master Haney: Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy, if you are reading this, I just want
to tell you how much I appreciate and love you. You have made an enormous impact in
my life and my students out here in Oregon. I will continue to train in Cacoy Doce Pares
for life and will strive to live up to your name and be like you. You are one of the greatest
role models in the world, for all martial artists. Happy 90th birthday Supreme
Grandmaster! See you next year!
Master Dan Haney owns and operates a mixed martial arts school in Hillsboro, Oregon in
the Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts Association.
Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts
Master Dan Haney
Hillsboro, Oregon
(503) 642-1500
Still fighting at 90
By Chuck Cañete
Many questioned his expertise, but they were all
shamed. Many challenged his ability but they all failed. His
achievements made them bitter. But he answered them with a
smile. That’s my grandpa. That’s Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy
Cañete.
I started learning Eskrima when I was 9 years old. I
earned my first Black Belt at 18, and presently holding the
position as the Operations Director for Cacoy Doce Pares World
Federation.
My involvement in various activities for Cacoy Doce
Pares opened my eyes and witnessed how my grandpa worked
hard for the promotion of Filipino martial arts here in the
Philippines and abroad.
I have helped organized World Championships,
International Mixed Martial Arts seminars and International
Taken during the 2008
Hall of Fame, which were attended by hundreds of participants
Shinju Festival in
from abroad. They all come to our country just for the love of
Broome, Australia
Eskrima.
All of them admired my grandpa for his dedication and passion for the Filipino
martial arts. I wish the same thing would happen here in our own country, I wish they
haven’t forgotten his hard work, his contribution in Martial Arts.
“There’s no retirement in Eskrima” that’s what he always say to us. I watched his
seminar videos last week, amazingly, at 90 years old, his hands are still quick as lighting,
and can still execute a technique with perfection
Supreme Grandmaster Cacoy Cañete is truly a legend. His name is synonymous
to Eskrima.
If anyone tries to pull him down, it’s simply because they are all… at the bottom!!!
Cacoy Cañete Book on Eskrima-Arnis Techniques
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
CEBU, Philippines - Supreme Grandmaster Ciriaco “Noy
Cacoy” Cañete formally launched his newest work of art, the
“Eskrima-Arnis Techniques” - a book, which according to
United States Martial Arts Association (USMA) Founder Philip
S. Porter, should be in the library of every martial artist.
“This book is based on my experience as an Eskrima
practitioner for over 80 years now,” said Cañete during
yesterday’s grand launch at the Cebu Parklane International
Hotel. “This book is really unique because it covers all ranges
of Eskrima techniques,” added the Founder and President
emeritus of the Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima World Federation.
The “Eskrima-Arnis Techniques” is the fourth installment of Cañete’s series of
books on Eskrima that commenced with the publication of Doce Pares Eskrima in 1988.
In 2001, he authored Pangamot (Barehanded Techniques), before penning down Eskribo
(a combination of Eskrima, Jujitsu, Judo, and Aikido) in 2004.
Cañete’s latest book contains 128 pages replete with
illustrations so the readers and aspiring martial artists could better
understand all the components of Eskrima and the foundation by
which it is being founded. It takes up a brief history of Eskrima,
its fundamentals going into the different kinds of attacks and
defenses, sparring ranges (close, medium and long), strikes and
targets as well as form movements.
“Everytime I look back (at the past), there’s a big
improvement in Eskrima. It keeps on improving every year,” said
the 89-year-old Cañete.
Cañete said the study of Eskrima is essential as it provides
several benefits such as physical conditioning, mental training,
sports development, cultural appreciation, and practical self-defense. It is for these
reasons that Cañete dreamed of integrating his book into the Department of Education
(DepEd) curriculum as part of its instructional materials in Physical Education (PE)
classes.
“We have a highly developed Eskrima here and we should propagate it all over
the world. We should be proud of it because it is an indigenous Filipino martial
arts that even started in Cebu,” said Cañete, who at 12 years old, became the
youngest founding member of Doce Pares when it was formed in 1932.
“This book contains instructions that are very easy to
understand especially to the students. Eskrima doesn’t only
cover physical and mental aspect, it also helps maintain a
Filipino culture,” added the legendary stick-fighter whose various
awards here and abroad are long enough to be enumerated.
Noy Cacoy, as he is fondly called by close friends, was enshrined
into the hallowed portals of Cebu Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 for his
selfless dedication in spreading the gospel of Eskrima in both
hemispheres of the globe. Armed with an indomitable passion for the
art, he had been conducting seminars and demonstrations in the United States, Germany,
Poland, England, Mexico, Indonesia, and Pakistan - where he was honored as “Supreme
Grandmaster of the Year” in 2007.
Cañete’s latest book gained positive reviews and earned him praise and adulations
from international grandmasters.
“I believe this volume will become the standard, definitive text on Eskrima,
against which all other books on the subject will be measured,” said Porter, who
describes Noy Cacoy’s teaching ability, techniques and friendly attitude as legendary. “I
believe his book should be in the library of every martial artist,” added Porter.
Australian Grandmaster Vincent C. Palumbo, for his part, said that “we, the
students of Cacoy Doce Pares Eskrima, can use this fine book on basic Eskrima as a
reference point for our training in order to refine our skills.”
“Ciriaco “Cacoy” Cañete is a creative genius for developing the art of Eskrido
techniques which resulted from his experiences, vision and combative courage. “This
book is an unforgettable true story of basic Eskrima techniques. I absolutely love it,” said
Grandmaster Richard S. Bustillo, president and chief instructor of the US-based IMB
Academy, Inc.
Cañete said he has 5,000 copies of his book on hand. Those who are willing to
buy a copy of it may call Cacoy Doce Pares operations director Master Chuck Anthony
Cañete at: 261-1352.
www.houseofchampions.com
House of Champions
Academy of Martial Arts
17228 Saticoy St
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 996-7180
Rapid Journal
Filipino Martial Arts Digest
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