PH Embassy in Athens Promotes Arnis as PH National Martial Art through Arnis Introduction, Demonstration 

Coach Arden Poblete with young Arnis participants during demonstration. (Athens PE photo)

ATHENS, 02 February 2023 – In promoting Arnis as the Philippine national martial art and sport, the Philippine Embassy in Athens conducted an introduction and demonstration of Arnis on 29 January 2023 via zoom and in person at the Philippine Embassy.

The event was led online by Philippine-based coach Mr. Ronald Farol, an accredited Technical Official of the Philippine Eskrima, Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) and coach of Cambodia Arnis Team. The in-person participants in the Embassy were guided by Mr. Arden Poblete, an Arnis coach based in Greece and founder/Instructor of the Kalidu International Association Inc. in Greece.

The activity was attended by some members of the Filipino community, Embassy personnel led by Ambassador Giovanni Palec, with First Secretary and Consul Therese Cantada, and PDMW-OWWA personnel led by Labatt Cynthia Cruz. The Greek instructors from Modern Kalidu Arnis guided the in-person participants with the basic moves and techniques of Arnis.

Philippine Ambassador to Athens Giovanni E. Palec welcomed the participants and encouraged them to pursue the sport as it develops self-control and discipline and can also be used for self-defense. It also promotes the culture of the Filipinos.

Arnis is already known to some Greeks through the Kalidu Modern Arnis group which was founded by Mr. Poblete. The Embassy plans to introduce and promote Arnis in forthcoming activities.

The participants enjoyed the session on Arnis. A group photograph with the participants was taken after the demonstration. They were later treated with a simple meal of pancit, chicken and coffee. END

Labatt Cynthia Cruz during group demonstration on basic moves of Arnis. (Athens PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.athenspe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHLinGreece/.