Dubai, UAE – Arnis, the traditional Filipino martial art, is becoming a big hit in the UAE – not just with Filipinos, but with local Arabs, too! Filipinos who learned arnis in school might be surprised to see an Emirati, Wael Al-Sayegh, leading the movement to promote it in Dubai.
Al-Sayegh, 50, who has practiced arnis for 12 years, runs AlAreen Martial Arts Training, also called the “Dubai home of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA).” He loves how complete arnis is, from weapons to hand techniques, kicks, and self-defense moves. His goal? To make arnis popular across the UAE, maybe even adding it to police and army training someday.
Alongside Al-Sayegh, Filipino arnis experts like Ginalyn Relos, Louie Rempillo, and Eliseo Cañete are working to bring the sport to a global stage, even hoping to get it into the Olympics. They recently held a unity event called “Ang Pagkakaisa” to bring arnis to more people in Dubai, including Filipinos, Arabs, and even guests from Saudi Arabia.
Relos, who’s been teaching arnis for two years, wants to show the world its beauty and effectiveness, especially to fellow Filipinos abroad. Cañete also wants Filipinos to see arnis as a proud part of their culture.
In the UAE, arnis has already been featured in big events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge, and these arnis masters hope it will soon be recognized by the UAE Sports Committee.
As arnis gains momentum, enthusiasts hope it will continue to grow, bringing together people from different backgrounds through this unique Filipino martial art.
