I know this is quite a tangent from the regular martial arts posts. However, I'll tell you why I think it's related. I am a Filipino and like most Filipinos who were born and raised in the Philippines, we don't have much good to say about our country, government, culture etc. In fact, Filipino bashing is common amongst most Filipinos as a result of hundreds of years of opression, colonialism and corruption. We have been an insecure people.
Until I came accross a movement called Gawad Kalinga
http://www.gawadkalinga.org ("To Give Care"). I can go on and on about the project of building homes, teaching livelihood, giving healthcare to the poorest of the poor but the website can elaborate better than I could. Now, as a result, peace is not only in talks in Mindanao but in action. There's something in the Philippines to be proud of after all!
Check this amazing video:
http://gawadkalinga.org/videos/mindanao_hope.wmvBecause of this, I found myself rediscovering my heritage, history, culture and it just so happened that there is a Filipino martial art that I can be most proud of as well! I have a new found passion for my kind and I would like to thank those who have adopted Kali, Escrima, Arnis, etc. in doing so, you have inspired a new generation of Filipinos into rediscovering their own culture and become proud of their own identity.
Much LOVE and RESPECT to all of you (Woof Crafty!)
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