History of One Doce Pares
This is a very significant and inspiring story!
It demonstrates the importance of unity, respect, and cooperation in preserving the heritage and traditions of Doce Pares.
After years of disagreements, the three descendants and current leaders of Doce Pares – Grandmaster Gerald Cañete (Multi-Style Doce Pares), Grandmaster Chuck Cañete (Cacoy Doce Pares), and Grandmaster York Cañete (Momoy Cañete San Miguel Eskrima)– came together by invitation of Grandmaster Dirk Jähnke (Momoy Cañete San Miguel Eskrima Europe) and put aside their family feud in July 2024 in Badian, Cebu, together with Senior Master Earl Keane Lopez (Chilla) (Multi-Style Doce Pares), and in the presence of Supreme Grandmaster Cano Cañete (Momoy Cañete San Miguel Eskrima/ Orihinal San Miguel Eskrima). They came together to revive the original spirit of the union and establish „One Doce Pares.“
This event is a powerful symbol of unity and a shared vision to preserve and promote the heritage of the Filipino martial arts. It demonstrates that through dialogue and mutual respect, traditions can be strengthened and the future of Doce Pares can be secured.
One Bloodline. One Doce Pares. One Legacy.
The Founding of One Doce Pares in 2024 – A Historic Unification
In 2024, in the lead-up to the WEKAF World Championships in Badian, Cebu (Philippines), a significant milestone was reached in the history of Filipino martial arts: the founding of One Doce Pares. This initiative not only marked an organizational realignment but, above all, the overcoming of decades of differences within one of the world’s most traditional Arnis organizations.
Under the leadership of Grandmaster Dirk Jähnke (Germany) and Master Earl Keane Lopez, something was achieved that had been considered virtually impossible for decades. The two brought together the three descendants of the legendary founders of Doce Pares – a symbolic reunion that heralded the end of a conflict that had persisted since the late 1980s.
Grandmaster With great diplomatic skill, mutual respect, and the shared goal of preserving and developing the Doce Pares legacy, Jähnke and Lopez initiated a historic reconciliation process. This culminated in a moment of extraordinary significance: the parties involved shook hands and pledged their cooperation.
From this act of unity emerged One Doce Pares – an organization that stands for cohesion, tradition, and a shared future. It unites the diverse lines and perspectives under one roof and sends a powerful message to the international Arnis community.
The founding of One Doce Pares is thus not merely an organizational merger, but a symbol of reconciliation, respect, and the power of shared values. It forms the basis for a new era in which the Doce Pares legacy will be carried forward in unity.
One Bloodline. One Doce Pares. One Legacy.
In April 2025, the three descendants of the main Doce Pares styles jointly signed the Memorandum of Agreement for „One Doce Pares“ at the International European Championships in Eskrima, Kali, and Arnis in Wetzlar, Germany. Important Witnesses such as Grandmaster Dirk Jähnke, Senior Master Earl Keane Lopez, and Grandmaster Michael Korthals (Doce Pares Multi-Style), Senior Master Mike Rottweiler (Doce Pares Multi Style Black Forest) and Senior Master Marcel Van Dongen (Doce Pares Multi Style Netherlands) were also present.
This ceremony marks an important milestone in the history of the system, as it seals the official unification and collaboration of the various styles under the common umbrella of „One Doce Pares.“ It is a strong statement of the desire to preserve traditions, promote exchange, and strengthen the community of martial artists worldwide. Through this agreement, the legacy of Doce Pares is further solidified and secured for future generations.
