BULLYING is a sad reality in schools these days, and it could happen to any child, whether big or small.
With that in mind, Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu founder and chief executive officer Master Benigno "Ekin" Caniga wants to instill discipline to prevent children from bullying and at the same time equip them to stand up to bullies as a last resort.
"We want to teach children discipline through martial arts, and also we want them to be bully-proof," said Caniga.
It will be Caniga's aim in this year's Yaw-Yan Summer Clinic, which kicks off today, April 1, at the Coast Pacific Downtown Center along Sanciangko Street.
"We are not encouraging them to pick a fight, but at least they have a set of skills to use just in case they are getting harassed or hurt by bullies," said Caniga.
Bullying got into the national consciousness a few months ago when a video of a taekwondo practicioner bullying another student spread on social media. The student has since been expelled by the school and was also suspended by the Philippine Taekwondo Association.
Another goal of Caniga is to instill in the minds of the children the adverse effects of illegal drugs.
Other courses that are offered in the summer clinic are arnis, MMA fundamentals and combat self-defense.
Yaw-Yan is a full contact martial art that uses the body as a weapon. The students are trained in various facets in the martial art like punching, kicking, the use of elbows and knees, and ground fighting.
Yaw-Yan or "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" is an original Filipino martial art that was created by the late Grandmaster Nap Fernandez. (EKA)