An ordinary office worker gets to demonstrate Aikido in front of Martial Arts Masters

As an ordinary office ‘pen pushing’ worker that works eight to ten hours a day, my escape is to put on my white judogi (pajamas) at the end of the day and practice budo (martial arts).

There was an inter-martial arts demonstration of Sydney Australia and my Sensei invited me to do a martial art Aikido demonstration with him. It was a dream come true.

The martial arts being demonstrated that day were Aikido, Kenjutsu, Jujutsu, Iaido, Karate, Judo and many more.

My Sensei said ‘we are representing Aikido’. Those words echoed in my mind because I never thought I would be part of the team that represents Aikido. ‘Aikido’ the martial art of harmony. Aikido the martial art that came from battle worn Samurai. Aikido the martial art that broke away from her violent Jujutsu mother. Aikido the thinking man’s martial art. Aikido the most ironic martial art of them all.

I started playing all these scenes in my head and I was a bit anxious about it. I believe my Sensei noticed it, he said “Don’t over think it. You’ve trained hard enough. You will be fine”. This reminded me of the old saying ‘Cry in the Dojo. Smile at the battlefield’. I started this Aikido journey in the streets of Manila, now I am going demonstrate in Sydney Australia in front of Martial Art Masters. I took a deep breath and let out my Aikido Storm. Gambate Ne!

As an ordinary Filipino Australian office worker, It was an honour to be part of this event and be part of the team that represented Aikido in front of many masters of budo (martial arts) here in Sydney.

This video was my little contribution.