Filipino Martial Art Pekiti Tersia Kali Gains Growing Following in China

Italian PTK Exponent Mr. Dati demonstrates the finer points of some PTK moves to clinic participants. (Shanghai PCG photos)

SHANGHAI 16 January 2024 – The Filipino martial art of Pekiti Tersia Kali (PTK) is alive and kicking in Shanghai, as local and foreign practitioners revive clinics and training sessions that were halted during the peak of the COVID pandemic.

Leading the revival is the discipline’s chief local exponent group, Pekiti Tersia Kali (PTK)-Shanghai, which has been propagating the system in Shanghai and even other areas in China since 2016.

PTK is a Filipino close-quarter style of martial arts with heavy emphasis on blade skills. Officials from the Consulate General, accompanied by FMA advocate and local Filipino entrepreneur Mr. Joe Santiago, visited a training session on 10 January 2023 in Jing’an District. 

They were enthusiastically received by Shanghai-based Italian martial artist, trainer, and part-time stunt actor and fight choreographer Mr. Diego Dati. Both sides agreed to consider cooperation in future activities, including demonstrations during major Filipino events.

Mr. Dati and other PTK stalwarts frequent the Philippines to train under various leading practitioners and masters (“Tuhon”) of the art.

“We at PCG are grateful to PTK-Shanghai for their work to propagate Filipino martial arts in this city and China at large. They contribute an important new dimension to raising cultural appreciation and awareness of our Filipino heritage”, said Consul General Ignacio. He vowed the PCG’s support in PTK-Shanghai’s effort to promote the discipline. END

Left photo: PCG Officials with PTK-Shanghai members. Right photo: Mr. Dati with CG Ignacio. (Shanghai PCG photos)

For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.