THE 4TH FMA FESTIVAL PLAYS OUT
IN THE SANDS OF BORACAY
By Jay de Leon
The 4th FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) Festival took place this year from July 20-25, 2008 at Boracay in the Visayas in the Philippines. This martial arts training camp is hosted by the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP) based in Manila, Philippines, and takes place every two years. Participants come from all over the world, mostly from the United States, western and eastern Europe, the Middle East and neighboring Asian countries like Hong Kong and Japan.
Boracay is a world class beach and favorite tourist destination in the Philippines. Its emerald blue waters, white sandy beaches and tourist-friendly accommodations make it an ideal vacation spot. And as you will see in the accompanying pictures, it was an ideal venue for a training camp for arnis, kali or eskrima, known for its indigenous weapons like the bolo, sticks, knives, balisongs, barongs, etc., as well as more modern weapons like Bram Frank’s tactical folders.
Boracay, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Michael Gubat.
The training camp consisted of many activities, including seminars and training on many different styles of Filipino martial arts, tournaments, conditioning exercises, belt tests and promotions and awarding of certificates. In addition, as the participants came from all over the world, there was plenty of opportunity to socialize, renew friendships, make new acquaintances, eat and drink together, go sightseeing and play tourist on the island.
All in all, it was a successful martial arts event as well as a fun social and cultural event.
On a personal note, due to pressing business engagements, I was not able to go to this event. Jeremiah Stanley, a student and a guro in my Tipunan International organization, was able to attend and provide information, pictures and insights into the Festival. In addition, Jeremiah passed his lakan (black belt) test with flying colors and came home with a certificate signed by the Council of Masters of IMAFP as well as the Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l headed by Master Godofredo Fajardo.
I am also proud to announce that, together with other awardees, I was awarded the Kampilan award for promoting FMA through print and electronic media. For the record, you will find a complete list of the awardees with their corresponding awards at the “Awards” section of this article. My personal congratulations to the other awardees, and my sincere and humble thanks to the Council of Masters and the Secretariat of IMAFP for my award.
Welcome to Boracay.
IMAFP Welcome banner at the resort. Picture courtesy of Michael Gubat.
The IMAFP reception committee right on the beach.
From left to right, Godofredo Fajardo, Salvador Demaisip, Armando Soteco, Nonong Poblacion.
Paolo Motita, Godofredo Fajardo, Romy Ballares, Nonong Poblacion,
Jeremiah Stanley from the USA, and GM Cristino Vasquez of IMAFP.
Godofredo Fajardo, Jeremiah Stanley and GM Cristino Vasquez of the
International Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (IMAFP).
Jimson Dearos, Godofredo Fajardo, Nonong Poblacion
off IMAFP at the 4th FMA Festival in Boracay, Philippines in July 2008.
Roy de Leon, IMAFP Coordinator for Iloilo (extreme right), poses with his posse at the 4th FMA Festival held in Boracay, Philippines on July, 2008.
IMAFP guros Jimson Dearos, Godofredo Fajardo, Panny Nagen,
Nonong Poblacion, with delegates from eastern Europe.
The contingent from IMAFP Bacolod City.
Boracy - Arnis Training - Evening Social
Gallery - Special Events - Awards Night
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