The Ordinizas of Hollister keep in touch with their heritage
through the art of Filipino stick fighting
Hollister – For the Ordinizas of Hollister, the martial art of Filipino stick fighting is a lifelong commitment as well as a link to their heritage and culture.
It’s more about respect, discipline, courage and family than it is about being able to beat someone senseless with a stick.
But Filipino stick fighting is most definitely a sport, one that you could be seeing a lot of when the 2008 Olympics come to Beijing, China as the sports leaders are currently lobbying hard to get Filipino stick fighting added to the long list of martial arts that are currently included in the Olympic Games.
Anthony Anuk Ordiniza, Ban Duyao and Felix Bebo Ordiniza are working off of the assumption that the Olympics will bring Filipino stick fighting into the fold for 2008. And the trio of martial artists are taking their preparation very seriously as they will all be virtually guaranteed a spot in the games under the tutelage of not only their grandfather Felix, but of Grandmaster Alfredo Bandalan as well.
Bandalan is the only Filipino in America who has been granted permission to teach the Doce Pares, or 12 Strikes, style of stick fighting in this country and also internationally.
Anthony, who will be competing in the Vallejo International Martial Arts Competition this weekend, has been progressing quickly in the world of competitive stick fighting. He recently took first place in the Tri-County Championships in Oxnard competing in the novice men’s middleweight division. Anthony fought three matches, each consisting of nine one-minute rounds, and won them all to take the gold medal.
“The highlight from that event was when I disarmed the guy in my final round,” Anthony said. “That move gave me the points I needed to win the match.”
All three of the young martial artists subject themselves to brutal training as they prepare for a possible Olympic appearance in 2008. In addition to long hours working in the family’s outdoor studio, Anthony is currently getting his wind up by running laps around the family’s six acres with a tire tied around his waist.
The intense workouts prove invaluable from an endurance standpoint when it comes time for competition in full body armor.
But, with or without Olympic glory, Filipino stick fighting will always be a part of the Ordiniza family.
“It’s my culture, my heritage,” Anthony said. “It started with my ancestors, my grandfather was a stick fighter. I’m just trying to keep it alive for our generation. It’s about our heritage, all of that other stuff is just perks.”
Anthony’s humble take on the sport that could eventually land him on the largest of international sports stages is one that is shared by all in his family.
“We just want to help our culture stay alive here in the United States,” said Ban Duyao.
“It does my heart good to hear them talk like that,” said a smiling Felix Ordiniza. “That’s what this is all about, it comes from having confidence in yourself. I want other people to see the good things, the beautiful things about Filipino culture. The love and respect for it has to come from inside of you and that’s what these young men here have.”
