FORTY grandmasters will converge in Cebu to show unity and promote arnis in the Festival of Eskrima Kali Arnis at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM City Seaside on April 7 to 8.

The two-day event will kick off with a competition on Saturday followed with a free clinic and the demonstration by the grandmasters showcasing different individual styles of arnis.

“This is historical. It will be the first that we will have 40 grandmasters in one event,” said supreme grand master Dionisio “Dionnie” Cañete on a press conference at the La Fortuna Hotel yesterday.

Cañete, who will celebrate his 80th birthday this Sunday, said that gathering the 40 grandmasters was not easy but his rapport with the grandmasters that made it possible.

“Good thing that the grandmasters are my friends that’s why we were able to make this. They will demonstrate the different styles of arnis,” said Cañete, who added that there are more than 100 styles in the country.

For the arnis practitioners and enthusiasts, it will be an opportunity to learn new techniques in the free clinic that will be conducted by the grandmasters on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (Pekaf) president Gerald Cañete, the son of Dionnie, said that this event is part of the unifying process of Eskrima Arnis.

“It’s easy to say bring 40 grandmasters in one event. All the bignames in arnis will be here. I can easily say that this is historical and significant,” stressed the younger Cañete.

He added that it’s the first time that there will be a festival in Eskrima in Cebu

The event, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), will be graced by grandmasters from Cebu, Manila, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Ioilo, Davao and Cotabato.

Also gracing the event are the top practitioners from Korea, Japan and United States.

Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) commissioner Allan Delantar said that they are throwing full support on this event as arnis shows part of the Filipino culture. (RSC)