“I love practicing Filipino Martial Arts, which many people don’t know about. It started in 8th grade when my mom suggested I try a class at Rising Sun Martial Arts in Abacoa over Labor Day weekend. I was so eager, I wanted to sign up before even trying the trial class! Filipino Martial Arts is different from the more common taekwondo or karate. We mainly train with wooden sticks, padded sticks, and knives, plus empty hand techniques, boxing, and kicking. My coach, Neil, a veteran, leads 8-week training cycles followed by belt tests. It takes about 4 years to get a black belt—I’m currently a junior red belt and hope to earn my black belt by senior year.
The program emphasizes respect, integrity, confidence, grit, teamwork, and a “Yes, I can” attitude. I’ve improved a lot in coordination and skills like takedowns, stick drills, and disarms. The training requires discipline, focus, and respect, especially since we use sticks, and injuries, like getting hit in the head once, can happen. My favorite training is with sticks, especially double sticks.
Recently, Coach Neil started a Communication and Life Skills Program to help students become instructors and build leadership skills. The program includes public speaking, leadership drills, and extra classes called SWAT. I took part in my first tournament this year, winning a gold medal in flag sparring and a bronze medal in stick sparring. The instructor manual we use is highly regarded—even compared to training manuals at the Ritz Carlton. This program has boosted my confidence and communication skills. I’m excited to meet the requirements to become an instructor by summer. Overall, Rising Sun feels like a welcoming community that I truly love being part of.”
