“Fencing is a game that develops intelligence, athleticism, honour, discipline and fitness. It is a game that can be played in our old age. It is a game we love, and we want to be able to share it with as many people as are interested. “ 

–Nicholas Marco Galan, Co-founder/Chairman

Whenever I think about the sport Fencing, I usually imagine what I see on films, two guys arguing in English accents fencing in a garden, then later on swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies. I always think that it is a sport for the elite, fighting swords with poise.

Republic Fencing is a fledgling fencing club offering instructional programs in foil, épée and sabre in the Philippines. It is the first ever fencing club in the country with a permanent situated fencing hall which was launched last November 8, 2015.

Republic Fencing already hosted their first tournament last October 25, 2015 at Philsports Arena in Pasig which was participated by over 197 fencers from different schools!

The Fencing Hall

It was actually the first time I have ever heard of a fencing club here in the Philippines (okay this is how much I am not aware of a lot of things in my country) and so I got interested to try fencing upon hearing it. Little did I know that fencing was introduced in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era and that some of the country’s famous personalities such as the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, General Antonio Luna and artist-activist Juan Luna were known to be fencers. The Philippines also started to participate in fencing at the Southeast Asian Games since 1992.

Fencing is also a recognized sport in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).  Top universities in the country are now offering athletic scholarships for fencers such as, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, University of the East, University of Sto. Tomas, and Far Eastern University.

Coaches Alex, Fritz, Eric and Assistant Coach Louis

Fencing is regarded to as an upper class sport (it’s truly expensive!), but good thing passionate fencer Nicholas Galan, together with the UE Red Warriors Fencing Team alumnus , Fritz Gutierrez and Alex Ragot believed that Filipino fencing enthusiasts can further develop and excel in such sport by making fencing equipment more accessible and affordable.

Eric, Fritz and Alex are also the club’s coaches, Eric on Sabre, Fritz on Foil and Alex on Épée. They all started fencing in their teenage years and were University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions. They have been training nationally and internationally ranked athletes from different schools for years. Also, assistant coach Louis Teves was Far Eastern University’s top sabre medalist in UAAP.

With a certified international fencing coaches and accessible fencing equipment, fencing at Republic Fencing is really worth a try.

My cousin and I in a duel

Coach Fritz, instructed us in our first ever session of fencing. Before the duel, he introduced us the fencing gears: the swords (sabre, épée, and foil), fencing mask, gloves, chest guard (for women) and the “bad ass” jacket.

(L-R) Épée , Sabre and Foil

Épée has a stiff, triangular blade and large guard to protect the hand. Points can only be scored with a tip.

Sabre is a flexible triangular blade with a blunt point. The point and cutting edges can be used to score touches made above the waist.

The foil is a modern version of the court sword, with a flexible blade.  Touches are scored with the tip on torso only.

The first to score either 5 or 15 touches (depending on the scoring system of the bout) against an opponent is the winner.

Fencing masks and jackets

The gray colored jackets is a metallic jacket which are called Lamé, it is electrically conductive in order to define the scoring area.

Footwork is crucial to fencing. You can have the fastest hands in the world, but without footwork, you are a sitting duck! To condition our body, Coach Fritz gave us some warm up exercises. The warm up exercise is focused on the footwork.

Then we were asked to do the rest position where knees are together and feet are in L-position. From there, we were taught the first thing every fencer should know, the defensive position En garde or “on guard” in French.

En garde is not just a defensive position but also a basic form to be ready to perform offense and defense. So while on En garde position we did some drills on stepping forward and backward.

(L-R) Fencers in positions of Defending, Attacking and En garde

After which, coach Fritz taught us the attacking movement in modern fencing which is called Lunge and a simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack called Parry.

Lastly, we were taught how to do the fencing salute.

Me doing the salute 

Before the duel, I am kind of nervous of getting hurt. I keep reminding my cousin to not hit me too hard. But fencing is really a safe sport, mainly due to the protective fencing uniforms and flexible blades. Republic Fencing even has an 8 year old student!

Republic Fencing’s youngest student is this little cutie, Venice Villenas!

Prêt.. allez!

The sport of fencing is fast and athletic. The movement is so fast the touches are scored electrically. It is recommended to wear athletic attire that permits you to move easily and comfortably during the training.

The electronic scoring machine lights up when the tip of the blade touches the target.

A score from my opponent

Hand shake after the duel

“We don’t just teach fencing. We have a culture and values that molded our lives during our journey in the sports” 

-Fritz Gutierrez, Co-owner/President

I didn’t expected fencing to be much more interesting, fun and tiring! For one and a half hour, we actually learned a lot. Playing the sport fencing is really challenging and needs a lot of discipline. Fencing does not only makes you physically healthy and active but also develop your mental skills such as logic, strategy, tactics, and self control. I would definitely give it another try.

A session will only cost you ₱800.00 for 1 to 1.5hour inclusion of coaching fee and rental of fencing gear. You can also avail their fencing classes:

Group Classes: ₱5000.00 for 8 sessions (2hours) where fun and fitness meet!

Private Lessons: ₱6000.00 for 8 sessions (1 hour) for much more focused and intense lesson.

Also, if you want to benefit from a range of third-party offers and services to assist you in your fencing career. Be a member of the Republic Fencing for as low as ₱2000.00!

Inclusions and benefits:

• Member kit: Republic Fencing T-shirt, car sticker and training towel per package, use of the facilities without ongoing class and free fixing of equipment.
• The right to enter any competition as a condition of entry requires that competing clubs are affiliated to the Association.
• The right for Members of the club to enter any competition which as a condition of entry requires that the individuals competing are Members of an Affiliated Club.

Republic Fencing is located at Basement 1 Makati Square, Don Chino Roces Avenue, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

For further details and inquiries, check out their website republicfencing.com or e-mail them at admin@republicfencing.com or call/text Republic Fencing’s Marketing Head,  Kim Sia at +639173224607

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