Winnipeg martial arts teacher shares Filipino heritage through kali
Photo from Pamana Kali – Philippine Martial Arts and Culture/Facebook
Many might initially associate being Filipino as simply about adobo and lumpia—though there is certainly nothing wrong with loving these delicious dishes. But one Filipino-Canadian martial arts instructor wants more people to learn the country’s heritage through the Filipino martial arts called kali or arnis.
Alvin Catacutan is a kali guru who’s not just focused on staying fit and teaching self-defense, he’s also aiming to share his Filipino heritage.
Alternating between his hometown of Winnipeg and California where he teaches kali at his studio Pamana Kali, Catacutan’s approach is meant to establish the Filipino martial arts across both sides of North America.
“In Joseph Campbell’s ‘hero’s journey,’ the hero goes out and finds treasure and then brings it back home,” says Catacutan in an interview with CityNews Winnipeg. “I’m not saying I’m a hero, but I do want to bring back the treasures that I’ve found out in my adventures and bring it back home to my family and bring it back home to my community.”
Kali, also known as eskrima or arnis, is a Filipino martial art that uses sticks and knives combined with a whole lot of action. This cultural martial art has gained global recognition for its combat efficiency and practicality.
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“It’s everything. It’s on the ground, it’s standing up, it’s weapons of opportunity for your self-defense, empty hands, kicking… whatever it takes to survive and to thrive, it’s kali,” says Catacutan. “And that’s the Filipino way.”
Catacutan isn’t your average martial arts guru as he has worked with Hollywood elites like the late Chad Boswick and Keanu Reeves for their films “Black Panther” and “John Wick.”
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Beyond kali
Aside from kali, Catacutan also teaches silat, a Southeast Asian martial art with roots in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand, and the Philippines. Silat is renowned for its dynamic movements and focus on self-defense.
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The martial arts guru is also looking to redefine how the world sees the Philippines. “We’re not all lumpia and pancit and tinikling.”
“We are warriors as well. The message that I want to spread through the martial arts is that the Filipino community has been here a long time and we have so much to offer, and this is another big piece of it. We have the gift of self-protection. The gift of resilience and adaptability,” he says.
Meanwhile, on one of his recent ventures, he was featured by Fil-Am artist Carl Angelo on his music video for “Bulosan” from his debut album, which showcased his kali moves.
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So after downing that adobo and lumpia, don’t forget that Filipino culture is more than just food, thanks to this Fil-Canadian warrior with a heart as big as his punches.
