SUPREME-GRANDMASTER Dionisio "Diony" Cañete

	Dionisio belongs to the second generation of the famous Martial Art advocates, the Cañete brothers of Cebu City, Philippines. He is the youngest son of GM Eulogio (Ylong) Cañete, the principal organizer of Doce Pares, who headed the organization since its founding in 1932 until his death in June 1988.

Dionisio began his lessons in the Filipino Art in 1946 at the age of eight from his father and brother Iluminado, the eldest of the five children (4 sons and a daughter) of Eulogio and Irenea Aventurado. He studied under GM Felimon "Momoy" Cañete and later with GM Ciriaco "Cacoy" Cañete, both brother of his father. He also trained with GM Vicenter Carin and Maximo Cañete. In 1950, during the Golden age of Boxing in Cebu, he was attracted to the sport and for five years regularly sparred and trained with several good amateur and professional boxers at that time. In 1957, together with his brothers, Diony was introduced to Kodokan Judo. In 1960, immediately upon his election as one of the officers of Doce Pares, rules on the acceptance of students and membership were liberalized. They started to promote and develop Arnis to a wholesome spectator's sporting event In 1975, He initiated the formation of the Cebu Eskrima (Arnis) Association. All major Arnis clubs in Cebu banded together for the first time. In succeeding to organize and band together all the top Arnisadors, Diony, in effect, sort of "Civilized" the fighting-oriented Masters and curbed them to learn to co-exist for the sake of the Filipino Art.

Events he helped organize/Events he participated: March 6-7,1976 First National Arnis Festival University of San Carlos Gym Cebu City, Philippines by National Arnis Association of the Philippines NARAPHIL March 24, 1979 First National Arnis Open Championship Cebu Coliseum Cebu City, Philippines August 19, 1979 First National Invitational Tournament Philippine National College Gymnasium Manila, Philippines October 15, 1988 First National USA Eskrima Kali Arnis Championships San Jose, California First Eastern USA Arnis Championships Jersey City, NJ Note: The two tournaments were made possible through the all-out assistance & initiative of Arnulfo Cuesta, Fred Bandalan, Edward Abinsay, and Leo Fernandez August 11-13, 1989 First World Eskrima Kali Arnis Championships Cebu City, Philippines It was during this tournament that the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) was organized. He was elected Charter President January 25-27, 1992 2nd World Championships & Congress Manila, Philippines

In 1989 He was selected as Sportsman of the Year by the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) During these tournaments he prepared the tournament rules and designed the appropriate protective gear. In 1969 at the age of 22, he passed the Bar Examinations and became a fully-fledged Lawyer. Diony has pruned down his active participation in various activities related to Arnis. His private gym in Cebu, however, remains a popular training place for students and instructors, especially those coming from other countries. He sees to it that the visitors are well attended to and are assured of learning what they want to know about the art. He still makes himself always available to render service to WEKAF and NARAPHIL.