The art of balisong showcased in San Francisco | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
![dpo-dps-seal](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/Seal_Image_OD.png)
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
The art of balisong showcased in San Francisco
The art of balisong showcased in San Francisco
Rommel Conclara | TFC News San Francisco
Published Dec 09, 2022 09:17 AM PHT
![Clipboard](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/ClipboardNews.png)
Those who recently gathered at the Filipino Cultural Center in Downtown San Francisco not only got to see classic, authentic balisongs. They were also given an up close presentation of how these blades are handled.
Those who recently gathered at the Filipino Cultural Center in Downtown San Francisco not only got to see classic, authentic balisongs. They were also given an up close presentation of how these blades are handled.
The demonstration was organized by Ron Carino and his non-profit organization, Kultura ng Balisong, as part of their efforts to promote and preserve the art and culture of the Filipino hand-made weapons.
The demonstration was organized by Ron Carino and his non-profit organization, Kultura ng Balisong, as part of their efforts to promote and preserve the art and culture of the Filipino hand-made weapons.
"Every single one of them is hand forged by someone. There's no machine involved. And it just shows the history, past, present, and future," Martin Lee of Kultura ng Balisong noted.
"Every single one of them is hand forged by someone. There's no machine involved. And it just shows the history, past, present, and future," Martin Lee of Kultura ng Balisong noted.
The balisong is more commonly known in the United States as a butterfly knife. It is illegal in most states, especially in California.
The balisong is more commonly known in the United States as a butterfly knife. It is illegal in most states, especially in California.
ADVERTISEMENT
But these balisong practitioners, who have years of experience with this type of weapon, were willing to share their knowledge. Kultura ng Balisong aims to raise awareness that the blade can be used for other things besides it being a weapon.
But these balisong practitioners, who have years of experience with this type of weapon, were willing to share their knowledge. Kultura ng Balisong aims to raise awareness that the blade can be used for other things besides it being a weapon.
"Everyone sees it as a violence tool but what we’ve done is we’re trying to show that these type of tools are actually used for meditation, dancing, mental health, and for actual tactical self-defense in areas where you can legally carry them," Lee said.
Kultura ng Balisong is in the process of having weekly classes taught at the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center as well as live webinar classes.
"Everyone sees it as a violence tool but what we’ve done is we’re trying to show that these type of tools are actually used for meditation, dancing, mental health, and for actual tactical self-defense in areas where you can legally carry them," Lee said.
Kultura ng Balisong is in the process of having weekly classes taught at the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center as well as live webinar classes.
ADVERTISEMENT
China, Philippines quarrel over South China Sea row in Munich conference
China, Philippines quarrel over South China Sea row in Munich conference
David Dizon,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 17, 2025 10:18 AM PHT
![Clipboard](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/ClipboardNews.png)
Representatives from the Philippines and China quarreled Sunday over the South China Sea during a roundtable discussion at the 61st Munich Security Conference.
Representatives from the Philippines and China quarreled Sunday over the South China Sea during a roundtable discussion at the 61st Munich Security Conference.
Speaking at the “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific” roundtable, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo asserted the Philippines remains steadfast in defending the rules-based international order and the rule of law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Speaking at the “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific” roundtable, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo asserted the Philippines remains steadfast in defending the rules-based international order and the rule of law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"The basic issue here is that we are following international law. Whenever the Philippines undertakes any kind of activity within our exclusive economic zone, as defined by UNCLOS, we feel we are within our rights. But when another country, let's say, applies its own domestic laws to certain areas within our [exclusive economic zone], then it really does create the kind of tension that we have been experiencing, especially over the last two years,” Manalo said during the roundtable.
"The basic issue here is that we are following international law. Whenever the Philippines undertakes any kind of activity within our exclusive economic zone, as defined by UNCLOS, we feel we are within our rights. But when another country, let's say, applies its own domestic laws to certain areas within our [exclusive economic zone], then it really does create the kind of tension that we have been experiencing, especially over the last two years,” Manalo said during the roundtable.
He said countries who have signed agreements such as UNCLOS should abide by these agreements. “If this is not the case, then the rich, the powerful, who will actually be in a position to assert their own laws against the weaker countries, I believe then we're in for a period of even greater tension,” he noted.
He said countries who have signed agreements such as UNCLOS should abide by these agreements. “If this is not the case, then the rich, the powerful, who will actually be in a position to assert their own laws against the weaker countries, I believe then we're in for a period of even greater tension,” he noted.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, former Chinese vice-foreign minister Fu Ying said China cannot agree for the Philippines to occupy Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal “because that is a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”
However, former Chinese vice-foreign minister Fu Ying said China cannot agree for the Philippines to occupy Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal “because that is a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”
“Everybody signed to it. I remember that language, not to make more moves, that language was watered down with the Filipino request in order for the Philippines to also sign up,” she said.
“Everybody signed to it. I remember that language, not to make more moves, that language was watered down with the Filipino request in order for the Philippines to also sign up,” she said.
“So we all agreed, if the Philippines can take new rocks, how can you stop others? How can you stop China from taking more? We are capable, there is no problem. But we are exercising constraints because we are committed to this DOC. So that's a red line no one should be allowed to cross.”
“So we all agreed, if the Philippines can take new rocks, how can you stop others? How can you stop China from taking more? We are capable, there is no problem. But we are exercising constraints because we are committed to this DOC. So that's a red line no one should be allowed to cross.”
For his part, Singapore Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen noted that Chinese Coast Guard patrols have gone up to “about 2,000 ships a day, about a 20 per cent increase from last year to the previous.”
For his part, Singapore Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen noted that Chinese Coast Guard patrols have gone up to “about 2,000 ships a day, about a 20 per cent increase from last year to the previous.”
This is apart from the 200 Chinese militia vessels around disputed features, which is a 35 per cent increase from 2022, he said.
This is apart from the 200 Chinese militia vessels around disputed features, which is a 35 per cent increase from 2022, he said.
He noted that in 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping said matters in Asia “ultimately must be resolved by Asians, and Asia's security ultimately must be protected by Asians”, which is a Monroe Doctrine.
He noted that in 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping said matters in Asia “ultimately must be resolved by Asians, and Asia's security ultimately must be protected by Asians”, which is a Monroe Doctrine.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT