The origin of Eskrima cannot be determined. Certainly when the famous explorer Magellan encountered the chief Lap Lapu and his warriors on 27th April 1521 Eskrima was noticed. Magellan lost his life that day and the well equipped Spanish force were defeated. Through periods of occupation (the Spanish and then the Americans) the Filipino Eskrimador found continued use for their fighting art which constantly evolved. During the World War II (after the formation of Doce Pares) many Doce Pares officers fought against the Japanese and lost their lives. The Philippines is what can only be described a a ‘bladed culture’ and the required practicality if Eskrima (sometimes known as Arnis or Kali) has lead the art to become famous  throughout the Martial Art world as the most effective bladed system in existence. Even Hollywood film directors seek out Eskrimadors for their advice on big movie knife fighting scenes.

Doce Pares was founded on the 11th January 1932 by a small group of Eskrima Masters spearheaded by Eulogio Cañete, Lorenzo Saavedra and Teodoro Saavedra. Twelve of them originally conceptualized it but shortly after its inauguration on January 21 that year, the membership rose to twenty four. Eulogio Cañete and Teodoro Saavedra were elected as President and Vice President respectively. Other elected officers and original members were, Fortunato Peñalosa (secretary), Marcelo Verano, Deogracias Nadela, Strong Tupas, Rodolfo Quijano, Pio Deiparine, Florentino Cañete, Felimon Cañete, Juanito Lauron, Federico Saavedra, Cecilio Dela Victoria, Lorenzo Saavedra, Margarito Revilles and Anastacio Deiparine.

The name Doce Pares was adopted in reference to the famous twelve bodyguards of Emperor Charlemagne of France (AD 768-814). These twelve swordsmen fought and killed hundreds of enemies in battles. Doce Pares, which means "twelve pairs" in Spanish, was also meant to honor the twelve people who originally planned to form the organization.

Eulogio Cañete held on the presidency of Doce Pares until his death in June 1988. His second eldest son Eulogio, jr. succeeded him as President up to the present. His youngest son, Grandmaster Diony is the Executive Director and Chairman of Doce Pares Council of Masters. (None of the founding members are alive today, the last Grand Master Felimon Cañete died in 1995 aged 91 years)

Current Officers and Directors

President Eulogio Cañete, Jr.

VP Paterno B. Ganzon

Secretary Valentin B. Suan

Treasurer Michael R. Cañete

Executive Director Supreme Grand Master Dionisio Cañete

Dean, Instructional Staff Arnulfo "Dong" Cuesta

The components of the "Multi-Style" system

The Close range style (corto) of Lorenzo and Teodoro Saavendra Corto Linear (the traditional linear striking or a blade oriented type of striking)

Corto Kurbada (the wrist-twisting or snap-wrist,curving strike)

Corto Orihinal (featuring low,deep bent knee and wide stance which highly characterized the original Doce Pares close range style)

The Medium range style of Jesus Cui

The Espada y Daga and Corto Orihinal style of Felimon Canete

The Long Range style of Yoling Canete and Vincent Carin

TOPICS

MANO MANO (empty hand)

SOLO OLISI (single stick)

DOBLE OLISI (double stick)

BARAW (knife)

BANGKAW (staff / spear)

ESPADA Y DAGA (stick & knife / sword & knife)

CORTO (close quarter combat)

ALL DOCE PARES SCHOOLS CAN READILY BE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE SEAL AND LOGO WHICH BEAR THE ORIGINAL SIGN OF DOCE PARES. ONLY THROUGH THE DOCE PARES SCHOOLS CAN ONE LEARN ALL THE ORIGINAL STYLES OF THE FOUNDING MASTERS OF DOCE PARES.

Steve continued teaching Toru’s students in Lordswood and aligned with Masufumi Shiomitsu Hanshi (second only to Grand Master Ohtsuka). It was at this time that Steve Haley and Ian Forster met. Shiomitsu attended the Lordswood school regularly and renamed the school ‘Kobukan’ (meaning ‘to teach Martial Art’) Both Steve and Ian were 2nd Dan black belts in Shotokan Karate under the late Sensei Enoida and although training under Shiomitsu in Wado Ryu Karte Steve showed Ian the style of Toru. Steve was elevated to 4th Dan black belt in Wado Ryu Karate and Ian to 3rd Dan.

Steve was also a Dan grade in Taekwondo and Ian in Wing Chun Kung Fu. This aside Steve and Ian’s hearts lay elsewhere in Martial Art. Steve was training in Sumatran Pencak Silat whilst Ian was training in Filipino Eskrima.

In 2005 Ian set up ‘The Kobukan Institute of Warrior Arts’. He kept the name ‘Kobukan’ in honour of Shiomitsu and used the word ‘Institute’ I the memory of the great Toru Takamizawa. Ian kept the school located at Lordswood in Medway although has invested considerable finances into the training hall ensuring that the students have all the required equipment for their training. The Institute became an umbrella for the late Toru’s Wado Ryu Karate school and Doce Pares Eskrima. Ian dedicates his teachings now to the Filipino Martial Art under the watchful eye of his teacher, the amazing Grand Master Danny Guba, answerable only to Supreme Grand Master Dionisio Canete. As well as teaching Ian personally Grand Master Guba attends the school to teach on a regular basis.

The Institute has gone from strength to strength over the years and practitioners continue to make their mark on the seminar and tournament scene ensuring the reputation of the Institute remains held in the highest esteem. To this day Ian and Steve are still close friends as without their meeting of chance this institute would not be.