Hungary and Europe Fuel Rising Passion for the Philippines’ Arnis/Eskrima
BUDAPEST 14 August 2025 — Philippine Ambassador Maria Elena Algabre met with participants in the Tapok-Tapok Eskrimador International Camp on 07 August 2025 in Debrecen. The international camp was a three-day workshop, from 07 to 09 August 2025, and brought together athletes, grandmasters and masters from Hungary and other European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Serbia. It was organized by Grandmaster Ferenc Danko, founder and leader of the Eastern European and Hungarian Doce Pares Eskrima Organizations.
The Tapok Tapok Eskrimador (Arnis) International Camp was the third international camp organized by Doce Pares. The first two were held in Cebu, Philippines in 2023 and 2024. Next year’s event is again being planned to be held in the Philippines.
The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Maria Elena P. Algabre, visited the international camp on its first day. Also participating from the Philippines were Grandmaster Gerald Cañete, the Vice President of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation or PEKAF, and Grandmaster Erwin Mosqueda.
In her remarks, Ambassador Algabre noted the significance of arnis (or eskrima) in Philippine history and culture, as well as its increasing recognition in international sports events. She expressed appreciation for the interest of enthusiasts from different European countries in learning and practicing the century-old martial art from the Philippines.
The Philippine National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) identifies arnis as the indigenous Filipino martial art and sport, “characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. This is usually done with the use of one (1) or two (2) sticks or any similar implements or with bare hands and feet also used for striking, blocking, locking and grappling, with the use of the same principle as that with the canes.”
Arnis is also known as eskrima, kali, garrote and other names in various Philippine regional languages. Arnis was declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport on 11 December 2009 through Republic Act 9850. END
For more information, visit https://www.budapestpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHungary/.