Allow me to re-introduce to you my martial arts —Wushu.
A great part of my life has been dedicated to the sports since I was seven years old. I can still vividly recall that a demonstration by the Philippine Wushu Team took place in my school when I was in Elementary. I was amazed by the movements of the martial artists in their colorful uniforms and weapons! The moment was like a realization for me that I could also be like them when I grew up. At that very young age, it was love at first sight! I love the sport since then and decided to pursue it no matter what.
Philippine Wushu Team
Wushu is a martial arts that originated in China. Most of us are not familiar with Wushu but we often see it in action films and popularized movies by Jet Li, Chow Yun Fat, and Donnie Yen among other martial artists and actors in Hollywood.
It could be practiced with or without weapons. By weapons I mean swords, spears, staff, cudgels, and a lot more. I happen to own some of these weapons. I have used them when I was still active in competitions. That’s why they have high sentimental values. I would gladly describe and demo each weapon in a separate blog.
Personally, I seldom watch movies in theaters but the ones I did watch involve Wushu and action scenes. Personally, my favorites include a lot of Jet Li's movies. He is also a Wushu champion.
Kungfu Panda used Wushu in this film.
I like also “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
The wushu stunts here are amazing! Back then I wished I could also fly over trees in the forest. Guess what? It happened in one of my commercials.
Oh. With Donnie Yen, a world Wushu champion, I love how he portrayed the teacher of Bruce Lee in “Ip Man.” By the way, the real Ip Man was the grandmaster of Wing Chun.
Jet Li and Donnie Yen are martial arts champion par excellence. What I notice though is that they have spectacular careers after retirement. I must admit that I had a dilemma as to what would happen to me after I left the Philippine team. Like anybody else I have thought if there was life after sports. What would I do? Where would I go? or Where will I be? Would I become a coach? What careers would be open for me? It’s a nerve wracking moment! But I knew at the back of my head, deep down my heart that I have a higher calling.
To continue, I am proud to claim that Wushu changed my life and made my dreams come true. But it was not all that easy. There were lots of challenges but I was able to overcome them all, one by one. Although most of my early involvements in Wushu were competitions and after-school trainings, honestly I never thought how it could help me fulfill my dreams.
Where I am now, I owe it to my Wushu trainings. It’s fun and I appreciate the support that I’m getting whenever opportunities come. I could be an actor, commercial model, and host! Most Importantly I was able to bring Wushu in a different level performing it to diverse communities and various platforms.
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But outside the glitz and glamor, I find satisfaction in paying it forward.
Years ago, I started a foundation that would serve as my vehicle for social advocacies. With the help of some friends, I was able to reach out with my community through programs that involve Wushu. Voila! With "Wushu Kids,” I was able to teach Wushu and help kids learn the value of a healthy lifestyle and sports.
My Wushu Scholars
My other grander advocacy is UDEFEND Project where I started to teach self defense to more kids and women to different public schools and communities.
UDEFEND Project is a a self-defense training program that aims to educate and empower women and children.
Our goal is to improve the quality and safety of our communities by providing practical and accessible self-defense training with martial arts values to the venerable sectors of society. According to a United Nations report in 2006, “women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.”
UDEFEND was launched last September 29, 2017 at Payatas Elementary School.
More than 400 beneficiaries.
They learned the A,B,C's of Self Defense.
It's great to see that these kids learn so fast.
Actual Self Defense Training.
UDEFEND is so extensive that it deserves a separate blog. I hope I was able to inspire you how I find my purpose in Wushu.
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