History of Doce Pares

Doce Pares was founded on January 11, 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 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 people all top swordsmen were known to have fought and killed hundreds of enemies in battles. Doce Pares which means 'Twelve pairs' in Spanish, was meant also to honor the twelve people who originally planned to form the organization, and when the membership rose to twenty four at the time of the inauguration, it indeed became more significantly fitting. (None of the founding members are alive today, the last one grandmaster Felimon Cañete died in 1995 at 91 years of age).

Eulogio Cañete held on the presidency of Doce Pares until his death in June, 1988. His second eldest son Eulogio Cañete, Jr succeeded him as president up to the present day. His youngest son, grandmaster Dionisio Cañete, is the Executive Director and Chairman of Doce Pares council of masters. Subsequently, the organization became Doce Pares, Incorporated when it was registered as non-stock, non-profit corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission which issued certificate of registration no. 1373.

Doce Pares Incorporated Officers and Directors are elected in December of each year, as mandated by its by-laws. For the year 2001, the following were duly elected: