Tournaments - FMA Informative

non-Filipinos. For those who still cling to the kali nomenclature, Vincent Palumbo has
only two words to say in Cebuano: “Mga boang!”
The Grandmaster himself no less than Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete, for his
organization’s propagation of the name eskrima was awarded the Hall of Fame certificate
by the Cebu Eskrima Society.
When Vincent finally spotted me among the crowd on the lower bleachers, he
jumped out of the fence towards the seats to greet me.
“Vince I want to introduce you to the officers of the CES,” I told him.
“Oh sure, I’m excited. Common Tinni, introduce me to your Mafia.” Vince quipped.
After the customary introduction to the officers, Vincent hollered at the Australian
team members nearby, “Hey fellas, shoot some pictures, these guys here are the Cebu
Mafia!” he joked. Then Dave de Lara the president pulled out the certificate from the
enveloped and handed it over to Vincent. More photo ops followed, then he ushered us to
the stage to introduce the group to Manoy Cacoy Canete who was beaming proudly at the
conduct of the tournament, which was winding down to a few finalists.
Vincent put his
arms around the
antiquarian Grandmaster
and told him, “Manoy,
these guys are the officers
of the Cebu Eskrima
Society and they’re here to
give you the Hall of Fame
certificate.”
After more photos
with the grand old man of
Cebuano eskrima, Vincent
L - R: Lito Gabuya, Vincent Palumbo,
Cacoy Canete, Al Cuizon and Dave de Lara
CES Officers awarding Hall of Fame to Cacoy Canete
excused himself and went
back to the fight ring to
coach his team. I gently
held Manoy Cacoy’s hand
and put it in my forehead in customary reverence to the elder icon of eskrima.
Before he died my uncle Enrique “Tio Hinying” Macachor, once told me in
private to train with Manoy Cacoy Canete who was once his co-employee at the Pepsi
Cola Bottling Company. Manoy Cacoy made a vow to Tio Hinying to teach anyone that
the latter would recommend. I never had the opportunity to train under Manoy Cacoy,
because shortly after Tio Hinying mentioned Manoy Cacoy’s promise to him, I was
already bound for Mindanao where I worked and lived for 22 years. I’ve trained with one
of the best Bisaya eskrima mentors while in Mindanao, but somehow not being able to
fulfill my pact with Tio Hinying to go to Manoy Cacoy has left a void in my eskrima
quest.
The experience of being up close and personal with probably the greatest
eskrimador on earth is indescribable.