PH Embassy Champions Women’s Safety through Arnis Workshop in Lisbon
Lisbon, 02 December 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon marked the nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence against Women with a self-defense arnis workshop held on 01 December 2025 at the Embassy.
Led by Master Eduardo Wu, an Atillo Balintawak Arnis-Eskrima-trained martial artist, the workshop welcomed Filipina women, teenage girls, children, and Chinese participants for an engaging introduction to Arnis. The session aimed to build confidence, enhance situational awareness, and provide practical self-defense skills, reflecting the Embassy’s commitment to upholding women’s rights and fostering a community where violence is neither tolerated nor normalized.
Vice Consul Lou Bryan R. Macabodbod, the Embassy’s Gender and Development Focal Person, highlighted the importance of safe spaces where women and girls can assert their dignity and personal safety. He also provided an overview of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act, emphasizing that abuse extends beyond physical harm to include verbal, emotional, social, and economic forms.
Two mothers shared why they brought their children to the workshop. Ms. Evangeline Caviteño said she encouraged her two teenage daughters to join so they could learn to protect themselves, especially when unaccompanied. s. Analyn Alexandre stressed that such programs cultivate confidence, awareness, and the ability to challenge cultural norms that often compel women to endure mistreatment. “Women must learn to protect themselves physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, rather than silently tolerating harm,” she said.
Master Wu taught the participants basic Arnis, guiding them through warm-up exercises that involved handling and manipulating the weapon, as well as practicing paired drills to anticipate possible attackers’ movements. A Chinese martial artist who has deeply immersed himself in Filipino culture, Master Wu has devoted years to studying and promoting Arnis. His participation exemplified the spirit of cultural exchange, where Filipino martial traditions are embraced, respected, and shared by practitioners from diverse communities.
The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to community programs that empower Filipino women and youth, promote awareness of VAWC, and encourage dialogue on protection, dignity, and equality. The Philippine 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women runs annually from 25 November to 12 December, mobilizing government and civil society in the fight against gender-based violence. END