NATIONAL CITY (KGTV) — Orihinal Doce Pares is a group that showcases Filipino martial arts throughout Southern California.
Part of what makes the martial arts unique is the use of sticks.
“The weapon-based training itself teaches the body mechanics, efficiency of motion, to really translate down to empty hand movement and combativeness,” said Master Jonathan Teopaco, who teaches this art to others.
The name "Doce Pares" represents the 12 original founding members with history dating back to the 1930s in Cebu City, Philippines. "It does have a lot of historical context," Teopaco said.
The group performs all over Southern California. "Our goal is really to propagate this art," Teopaco said.
"People aren't really aware of all the different value that Filipino culture has to offer," he added. "They talk a lot about the food, they talk a lot about the people, the hospitality, but one thing people overlook is their martial culture... their system of fighting."
"It's just really cool and I really encourage other kids to do it," said 13-year-old Nico Quintos. "It's really fun."
The classes are open to people of all backgrounds and kids as young as eight-years-old.
"It's just traditional self-defense in the best way possible," Teopaco told ABC 10News.
To learn more about the group, click on this link.
