The World Filipino Martial Arts Association - Exposition & Laban Laro was founded by Punong Guro Myrlino P. Hufana in February of 2003. The goal was to develop a unique FMA Brotherhood & Gathering rarely witnessed and experienced by instructors and students throughout the world. Punong Guro Hufana invited a select group of instructors, consisting solely of FMA system founders or the top exponent(s) of a system. The team of Grandmasters, Masters and Guros, which represented a list of highly respected systems and organizations, taught a series of seminars scheduled for 2 days. In the evening, an awards banquet hosted everyone, including guest instructors, families and friends, to a grand welcome and entertainment. It was a time for relaxation, meeting with old friends, talking to some of the FMA legends, listening to laughter and seeing tears of joy and pride. On the third day of the events, students participated in the Laban Laro Tournament. From beginners to the advanced FMA players, they compete against each other, providing a show of power and beauty, skill and artistry, courage and strength, respect and honor. Imagine competing against a variety of fighters, displaying your skill not only in front of your family and friends, but under the watchful eyes of Masters and Grandmasters, Guros and Punong Guros. It was a great challenge, but most importantly, it was the event of a lifetime. It is truly an event for the development of a greater future for all FMA masters and students. We should take pride in its success!
The first WFMAA Gathering was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Bellevue, Washington, on September 2003. It was a great success!The event experienced great success even before the festivities began. A meeting & dinner was provided by Punong Guro Hufana to welcome, show respect and appreciation of the instructors’ involvement and commitment in the propagation of FMA. In fact, Grandmaster Ramiro U. Estalilla, Jr. (the eldest of the TEAM) led the wave of excitement and rejuvenation by praising the event and encouraging others to stay strong in their personal commitment to their systems. Present at the first welcome meeting/dinner were Grandmaster Ramiro U. Estalilla, Jr., Grandmaster Conrad Manaois, Professor Max M. Pallen, Punong Guro Myrlino P. Hufana, Master Ariel F. Mosses, Maestro Elmer Ybanez, Guro Pedro Israel, Guro Arturo "Dino" Flores and Guro Hospecio "Bud" Balani, Jr. Unfortunately, Grandmaster Bobby Taboada, Maestro Jorge V. Penafiel and Ama Maestro Bernardo F. Salinas had not arrived at this time.
The World Filipino Martial Arts Association
The 1st WFMAA Gathering led to the creation and development of the World Filipino Martial Arts Association, an association free of membership fees, politics and egos. The association is built upon trust, respect, honor, unity and loyalty to the development of a stronger FMA family around the world. Awareness and recognition for the Filipino Combative Arts, culture and tradition, must continue for generations to come. The WFMA Association must succeed in its great endeavor to preserve the Filipino fighting arts in its purest form - a legacy given to us by our fathers, grandfathers, and their fathers before them.
