IMAFP International News - Switzerland and Europe

Guro Edessa Ramos recently concluded a 3-month Modern Arnis course in Fight World Zurich, which served to formally launch the IMAFP Switzerland / EU.

Guro Ramos founded  Modern Arnis Switzerland as a club in 2000  when she started teaching the art to friends and supporters. Modern Arnis Switzerland  later developed from a training club into a coordinating body for the promotion of Modern Arnis in Europe. A number of seminars and demo activities were propagated in the southern part of the country, particularly in Locarno. These were led by Guro Stefano Muras, who later became Guro Ramos' partner in the promotion of Modern Arnis in Switzerland. Since then, the club was appointed by IMAFP to become its Commission for Switzerland and EU. Guro Ramos continued to teach private lessons and conduct weapons seminars in various kung fu and karate clubs in Zurich.

The IMAFP Commission for Switzerland and Europe is responsible for bringing Modern Arnis into the limelight by participation in high-profile martial arts shows and events.

Recent  highlights include the Swiss Budo Masters Gala 2004 in Berne, where Master Bambit Dulay and Edessa Ramos gave a high-energy multi-weapons demonstration that left the martial arts community holding its breath.

Dayang Edessa Ramos demonstrates a takedown with the Sangot with Master Dulay
Dayand Edessa Ramos woking with Master Vasquez

IMAFP Switzerland / EU has also been active in supporting other Modern Arnis organizations and martial arts groups that place emphasis on self-defense through weapons. Starting in 2005, a close alliance with the Common Sense Self Defense Street Combat (CSSDSC), led by Master Bram Frank, produced more opportunities for high-profile promotion of the art in the international arena.

The recently-concluded course in Fight World Zurich was held 2x a week and attracted a small but very committed multicultural group of martial artists (Croatian, Greek, Filipino, Swiss).  It was just one of many courses conducted this year by Guro Ramos in the name of IMAFP. Representing IMAFP Switzerland/EU, she taught classes in the following places in 2005:

• International Modern Arnis Seminar in Huajuapan, Oaxaca, Mexico
• International Modern Arnis Seminar in San Luis Potosi, Mexico
• Tipunan Modern Arnis Camp, Los Angeles
• Expo 2005 of the World Filipino Martial Arts Association, Los Angeles
• Modern Arnis Camp by Dan Anderson, Brevard, North Carolina (assisting Master Dulay)
• Special Modern Arnisclass with CSSDSC Tel Aviv
• Special Modern Arnisclass with CSSDSC London
• Modern Arnis Instructors Course at Asia Budo Center, Zurich
• Modern Arnis Course at Chin Woo Kung Fu Centre, Zurich

Another major contribution of IMAFP Switzerland/EU is assisting in the establishment of more IMAFP chapters, such as: 

• IMAFP Italy in 2005
• IMAFP Mexico in 2004
• IMAFP Switzerland and Europe in 2004
• Modern Arnis Switzerland in  2000

The lack of financial and manpower resources has not deterred IMAFP Switzerland/EU from its main goal: to heighten international recognition for Modern Arnis and the Filipino Martial Arts, and to achieve international renown for Modern Arnis masters particularly those in the Philippines.