By Edward Cadiz

During my Martial Arts journey I was “awakened” in 1999 when I started training in the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) under Guro Dan Inosanto. Up until I started training in FMA, when I would train in other Martial Arts I would first bow to the flags then to my instructor. FMA was the first one, in my experience, where we Honored God FIRST before acknowledging anything or anyone else. One of the meanings of the FMA bow of always growing Spiritually, mentally, and physically under Divine guidance embraced the journey in my Life Mission in the Christian Faith.

     Originally, I was asked to write an article about my accolades during my 25 years of Martial Arts training. But after a recent mission trip to New York I realized that my students are my greatest accolade as a Martial Artist. My Guro–Guro Dan Inosanto told me, “the best way to learn is to teach”. And I have learned a lot from having the honor of teaching these young students at BKC. Watching them perform an FMA demonstration at an International Festival for the Maryknoll Sisters in Ossining, NY made me proud. The students gave demonstrations with the single stick, double stick, the sword, and assisted in the self defense application of using one’s training with the resources at hand; from a scarf, to a book, to an umbrella, we even demonstrated with a back scratcher, and to the empty hand. As their Guro, I noticed every detail. Yes, there were small mistakes, but they never stopped moving. And Life is like that; you make a mistake, you learn, and keep moving because God’s Word teaches us we are not promised tomorrow so let’s make the most of today or the moment. I was a proud teacher because my students, David, Daniel, and Marcella, were not there performing for themselves, but for the love of God, their Family, and their Filipino Culture. There was no trophy or medal to be handed out. It was about sharing not receiving. After their performance I was asked so many questions about our culture: “I didn’t know the Philippines had a Martial Arts?’, “I didn’t know FMA was hidden in many of the Filipino Folk dances?”, etc. It’s the stirring of these questions that gave us another wonderful opportunity to share the Beauty of our culture.

     Not only did the FMA students perform, they had the opportunity to meet with many of the Sisters (Nuns) at Maryknoll, and more importantly, they had the opportunity to learn about the Maryknoll Missions throughout the world. They met these amazing Sisters who showed “their mission”, not just around the world, but in their everyday life; Honoring God through selfless giving. To me, that’s what it’s truly all about in my training of the Filipino Martial Arts. If you Honor God, you will obey what he commands; take care of our bodies so we can care for others, treat others as you want to be treated, honor thy mother and father, protect the weak, be humble, be quick to listen and slow to anger, etc. I can keep going on. All these Biblical lessons lead to selflessness or as Jesus has taught us, sacrificial love.

     In order to give sacrificial love to our loved ones, we have to pray & train. I use the oxygen on a plane as an example. As we flew out of JFK airport, before Hurricane Sandy struck, the flight attendants instruct us in a case of emergency, to place our oxygen mask on first before putting it on our loved ones. In my opinion, Honoring God and Martial Arts are like the oxygen masks. The Bible teaches us to breathe in the Breath of Life and Martial Arts teaches us to breathe and train properly so we can protect our life and the life of others. We don’t pray and train for if an emergency happens, but for when an emergency happens; from a family emergency to an attack on the street. On the same note, if we humble ourselves and “…treat people the same way you want them to treat you,” (Matthew 7:12 NASB) how many conflicts can be avoided. The Bible teaches, “’God is opposed to the proud, gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him , because He cares for you..” (1 Peter 5:5-7 NASB). Reading scripture like this in my daily prayer before my duties as a Papa, a Pediatric ICU RN, as a Guro, and as a Family man gives purpose to my Life Mission. In essence, the amount of time I can live without oxygen is longer than the amount time I can live without God.

“In all you do, Breathe and Believe”, ~Guro Ed Cadiz RN

How was your Valentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day, or whatever you call it these days? Understandably, this day is either loved or hated.  This “holiday” definitely has some pressures attached to it, and yet it still manages to create excitement, anticipation, love and other warm, fuzzy feelings.  A wife worries about what to plan for her husband who always gives the best Valentine cards and gifts every year… A boyfriend worries about having enough cash to buy gifts and flowers for his date, and take her out to an impressive restaurant… An eight year-old girl worries about ordering enough Valentine grams for her friends at school… A mom worries about baking enough cookies for her kid’s class and finding a gift for the teacher… A single person isn’t very amused that he or she is, in fact, single during this “couples” holiday.

It doesn’t really matter how you feel about this holiday.  The hope is that it is welcomed by all with happiness and cheer.  What emotions did you encounter this Valentine’s Day?  How will you receive it next year?  We’d like to share some comments, quotes, poems and Facebook statuses contributed by the friends and family of Bahay Kubo Center.

“Happiness is not only having one valentine on Valentine’s day, it’s having THREE valentines! Love to my hubby and my boys! —Donna Adalin

“A Valentine is very fine,
But something is more true:
Each day becomes a Valentine
When I spend it with you.” —Keith Hall, Jr. (Contributed by Melissa Santos)

“My daughter wanted to send Valentine grams to three boys in her class, and ended up getting grams for the entire class so that they don’t think she likes them or anything… LOL” —Anonymous parent

“February 14 is my ‘Valentirthday’. It’s when I receive a great gift for  2 occasions, or 2 gifts for one important day.” —Malou Villacisneros

“Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife, MaryAnn Alejandro. It’s been a great 11 years being married to you and I look forward to more years to come.  Happy Valentine’s Day !!!   I  Love You.” —Glenn Alejandro

“To the boy who gave me a Valentine card in the 4th (or 5th) grade many years ago:  Please forgive me for tearing it apart.  I was just mean, stupid and didn’t like boys!  It wasn’t you at all–you were very nice!!!” —A.M.S.

“For all of my single peeps out there…Happy Singles Awareness Day!!!!  For those of my married and coupled peeps…Happy Valentine’s Day.  But for everyone, just remember you’re supposed to show people you love them every day, not just one day a year.” —Michele Hoebink

“Will never forget the first Valentine’s Day date with my first boyfriend– when he sent his parents and siblings out of their house to cook for me and be alone with me. He’s now my hubby.  12 years and going strong.  I’m still waiting for a repeat of that night.” —J. Lagdameo

“I love it when single people embrace Valentine’s Day.  It’s not about your relationship status, it’s about expressing your love for people you…well, love! Parents, brothers, sisters, best friends, your pets…love, love, love all around. So HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO EVERYONE!” —Patricia Anngelene Esguerra

“I enjoy Valentine’s Day because my daughter leaves love notes for me and her dad everywhere—the bathroom, fridge, car and on my keyboard.  She does this for a few days before February 14^th.  But on Valentine’s Day, I get to watch her enjoy every minute of the day, from selecting her outfit, the Valentine cards and candy she brings to school and takes home,  where we go for dinner, to opening the present we got for her.  All I know is that she’s gotta meet one heck of a guy when she grows up…someone who will be able to make Valentine’s Day just as special as she is, and as special as she makes this day to be.” —Anna Soriano

“Pag-ibig pag ibinuhos, dumadami; pag kinamot, kumakati.  Pag pinigil, nanggigigil; habang tumatagal, lalong lumalakas; habang naluluma, sumasarap; umuusbong, kapag ginagapas.” —Percival Campoamor Cruz

“My first Valentine with my friend was February of 1981.  That friend is my husband of 21 years now… Thanks for loving me just the way I am.” —M.A.D.

(Dedicated to all the friends and family members of Bahay Kubo Center:  Let the radiance of your friendship and love pour through me like a light through a prism.  Together, we can create a rainbow that the world would not otherwise know. —Marie Anne Diamond, President of BKC.)

By Anna Soriano

Happy Holidays from your friends at Bahay Kubo Center!!!