Top Photo: Some 180 participants take part in the semi-annual Modern Arnis summer camp in Karlsruhe, Germany. Lower Photo: Arnis instructors from different parts of the world join Consul Adrian Cruz (7th from left), Master Sven Barchfeld, DAV President (6th from left), GM Dieter Knüttel (8th from left) and GM Rene R. Tongson (6th from right).
The sunny city of Karlsruhe served as the venue for 15th International Modern Arnis Summer Camp hosted by the Deutcher Arnis Verband e.V. (German Arnis Association). Close to 200 students of modern arnis took part in the week-long event, which featured top-caliber instructors from Germany, the United States and the Philippines. From the Philippines, their guest instructors were Grand Master GM Rene R. Tongson, “caretaker” of Abaniko Tres Puntas, and Master Ginalyn Relos, Secretary General of the International Modern Arnis Federation Philippines.
Left Photo: Grand Master Rene Tongson with Consul Cruz. Right Photo: GM Tongson imparts staff striking skills with Russian student
Arnis, also known as Eskrima or Kali, is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines. It is a weapon-based, hand-to-hand fighting technique characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. Arnis is known abroad as “Filipino Martial Arts” or FMA, and it has gained global prominence through the efforts of FMA instructors overseas.
The Philippines will once again take center stage as it hosts the 9th FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS WORLD FESTIVAL featuring the expertise of local and foreign grand masters. The event will be held in Panglao, Bohol, on 19-23 March 2018. Interested parties may check the Filipino Martial Arts World Festival Community’s FB page, @fmaworldfestival, or they may email them at fmafestival9@yahoo.com
Arnis practitioners from Germany and ten other countries hold FMA training drills. The summer camp not only provides for the learning
of self-defense but also promotes camaraderie and familial bonding and encourages participants to stay in shape.
In his welcome speech, Consul Adrian Cruz expressed his appreciation to the DAV for zealously promoting modern arnis in Europe. The DAV is considered one of the biggest FMA associations in Europe and is part of the WFMA (Worldwide Family of Modern Arnis). To further promote modern arnis, the DAV maintains close contacts with different modern arnis organizations in the Philippines. High ranked Masters from the Philippines are invited regularly to teach Modern Arnis during DAV seminars in Germany. To gain more appreciation of the DAV, please view the following video: http://www.modern-arnis.de/english/index.shtml. (END)
