“Cacoy Doce Pares Melbourne” is a renowned martial arts school located in Moorabbin, Australia. The school specialises in Eskrima (also known as Arnis/Kali), full-contact stick fighting, and Pangamot. The school is led by Master Andrea, an experienced and highly skilled instructor, along with her partner, Justin Manong Cacoy.
The school takes its name from the legendary Supreme Grand Master Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete (August 8th, 1919 – February 5th, 2016), who was born and raised in San Fernando, Cebu, in the Visayas region of the Philippines. He was the youngest of twelve siblings and was introduced to the martial art of Eskrima at a young age by his brother Filemon “Momoy” Caete, who learned it from their father and uncles.
Cacoy Canete was not only trained in Eskrima but also in various other martial arts such as ju-jitsu, boxing, judo, free-style wrestling, Shorin-ryu karate, and aikido. He became famous for his participation in over 100 no-rules Eskrima matches. Cacoy emerged as the preeminent Doce Pares warrior and remained undefeated throughout his career.
In August 1988, Cacoy was the only Filipino martial artist invited to join other martial artists from different Asian countries in the World Ancient Martial Arts Festival in Adelaide, South Australia. Besides his expertise in Eskrima, he held high ranks in numerous martial arts disciplines, including Eskrima (12th Grade Black Belt), Eskrido (12th Grade Black Belt), Pangamot (12th Grade Black Belt), Judo (8th Degree Black Belt), Ju-Jitsu (8th Degree Black Belt), Aikido (6th Degree Black Belt), and Shorin-ryu Karate (6th Degree Black Belt).
Cacoy's lifelong dedication and contribution to the martial arts community were remarkable. He began practising Eskrima at the age of seven and expanded his skills to include Ju-Jitsu and other related throwing arts at the age of fourteen. Cacoy also received extensive training in freestyle wrestling and served as the Chief Instructor in Defence Tactics for the 38th Military Police Company during World War II.
The Doce Pares association, a prominent martial arts organisation in the Philippines, was formed in Cebu, and Cacoy's elder brother, Eulogio “Yoling” Caete, became its president in 1939. It became the longest-lasting martial arts organisation in the Philippines and played a significant role in popularising Filipino martial arts. Cacoy himself was a senior single Olisi (stick) instructor and taught pangamot (empty hand versus weapons) at the Doce Pares club.
Cacoy's passion for martial arts education extended beyond his own practise. He served as a Kodokan Judo instructor at the University of San Carlos and taught martial arts in various Cebu schools, including the University of Visayas College of Criminology and the Cebu Central Colleges.
The “Cacoy Doce Pares Melbourne” martial arts school continues Cacoy Canete's legacy, promoting and teaching the unique techniques and principles of Eskrima, full-contact stick fighting, and Pangamot. Under the guidance of Master Andrea and Justin Manong Cacoy, the school provides a welcoming and supportive environment for students of all ages and skill levels to learn and train in these Filipino martial arts. With a team of dedicated and experienced instructors, the school aims to foster discipline, respect, and self-confidence, while also promoting physical fitness and self-defence skills among its students.
For those unable to attend in-person classes, the school also offers online training, allowing individuals to learn and practise the techniques from the comfort of their own homes. Whether for personal development, physical fitness, or self-defence, “Cacoy Doce Pares Melbourne” provides an authentic and enriching martial arts experience rooted in the esteemed traditions of Eskrima.