@cassandraclare I don't know if you'll able to see this but I just want to thank you for your books. I've been a fan since TMI, and you have no idea how much your book inspired me and influenced me for some reason. I was able to write few songs inspired by your amazing characters. And recently, because of your book, I was able to discover(by accident) a certain art, an art that I've heard and seen, but not really gave thoughts about it. It is our own indigenous art of stick fighting. We call it Arnis/Kali/Escrima.
Last year when i read Chain of Gold there was a chapter where Cordelia performed a dance in Hotel Ruelle, everyone was blown away by her performance so i was curious if there really such dance. I tried searching about it but can't find any. I typed all possible keywords that i can think of including her dancing with her blade. As i was getting farther and farther away and saw videos about Filipino Martial Art. I saw sticks and blade drill videos. I watched it and did some research about it and I was stunned and drawn with its rich history. A history that's so familiar as it was taught in school, but It was somehow in a warrior's perspective. I was able to discover a combative art that our ancestors used to protect themselves, their family and their community from invaders and enemies. I never thought that we have a rich Bladed Culture, and it's very much alive till today. Unfortunately, this is a very underrated art. It is our National Sport and Martial Art, however, despite being taught in schools under P.E subject, only Filipinos are really interested in it, even fewer women are into it.
I fell in love with it. It's been a year now, I've met amazing people who helped me learning this art. There still long way to go, and I'm very motivated and excited. It's becoming my lifestyle now.
And one more thing, just recently, my mom told me that my late grandfather, a war veteran, was a stick fighter and was very good practitioner of this art. He died when I was very young. None of his children was interested in learning it. For some reason, they also didn't tell it to us grandchildren it. The art died with him. She was extremely surprised when she knew my interest in it. It must be fate i guess.
If not because of your book, if not because of Cordelia's dance, I'll not discover this beautiful art. I'll not discover my family history. Thank you Cassie! All the best to your book! I will always be your fan!
PUGAY!!!
