PHL Consulate General in Honolulu Holds Self-Defense Workshop

Professor Steve McLaughlin, instructor of the Kupale Assault Prevention Program, demonstrates self-defense and protection techniques and maneuvers with personnel of the Philippine Consulate General and their family members.

02 April 2018 HONOLULU – “The average woman who gets assaulted in Hawaii is between 18 and 26 years old. And most attacks on women happen at home. The numbers vary from 70 to 80 percent.” These were just two of the statistics shared by Professor Steve McLaughlin during the two-hour Kupale Assault Prevention Workshop for personnel and family members of the Philippine Consulate General at a martial arts studio Prof. McLaughlin runs next to the Daijingu Shinto Temple in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 26.

Said activity, which was organized by the Consulate’s Gender and Development (GAD) Section, was held as one of its activities in celebration of National Women’s Month and in observance of 14^th Women with Disabilities Day.

Considered to be the Hawaii’s Number 1 women’s self-defense and empowerment course, the Kupale workshop, (Kupale is Hawaiian term for “to defend”), was developed and taught by ProfessorSteve McLaughlin, who has over 40 years of women assault prevention and self-defense teaching experience. Aside from holding black belts in several martial arts disciplines which include judo and jujitsu, Professor McLaughlin, or Sensei Steve to his students, is also an acupuncturist, locksmith and a computer expert.

The techniques presented during the session were simple, practical, effective and could be accomplished by anyone with little or no previous training. The workshop consisted of 40% assault prevention lecture and 60% self-defense and self-protection techniques.

The Consulate staff and family members, led by Madame Araceli C. Jimeno, were taught how to assess, avoid and escape many dangerous situations such as kidnapping, attacks and abduction; to settle fear and panic with proper breathing; as well as survival skills and road and vehicle safety. Also included in the workshop were question and answer sessions, and lectures followed by hands-on demonstrations. END

The Philippine Consulate General personnel and family members, led by Madame Araceli C. Jimeno (2^nd row, center), pose with Prof. Steve McLaughlin (2^nd row, 6^th from right) after the two-hour Kupale Assault P revention Workshop by the Daijingu Temple, Honolulu, Hawaii.

For more information, visit www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippineshonolulu.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/.