MODERN ARNIS MASTER GODOFREDO FAJARDO
JOURNEYS TO JORDAN
By Jay de Leon

In 2007, Master Godofredo Fajardo journeyed to Jordan, a land steeped in biblical history but very much a part of present-day history in the Middle East.

Master Godofredo Fajardo is the Commissioner of the Middle East for the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Phil. (IMAFP), as well as the Founder of Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI). Although based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his sphere of influence in Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) has spread to numerous countries and states in the Middle East, including Jordan.

His twin organizations both of which are headquartered in Manila, Philippines--the International Modern Arnis Federation of the Phil. (IMAFP) and the Filipino Fighting Arts Int’l (FFAI)-- have been recognized and sanctioned, and his martial arts prowess and hard work praised, by the Jordan Arnis Committee headed by Dr. Basel Al-Shair.

During this particular trip, he gave numerous demonstrations and seminars in Modern Arnis under the auspices of the Jordan Arnis Committee, as well as training sessions with students of his organization in Jordan.

He also took this opportunity to play tourist, and among other scenic places journeyed into southwestern Jordan, past the historic city of Aqaba and the Dead Sea, to the Petra Rock and its many existing structures.

Petra, meaning rock in Greek, is an archaeological site in southwestern Jordan. It is renowned for its rock-cut architecture. UNESCO has described it as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage. In 1985, it was designated a World Heritage Site. It is considered one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” and is a popular site and tourist destination.

Shrouded in mystery and forbidden and lost to the modern world for many years, Petra is hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains. You have to pass through a long narrow gorge whose steep sides almost obliterate the sun. The gorge then opens into a natural square whose centerpiece is Petra’s most well-known monument, the Khasneh, whose imposing façade is intricately carved into the rock.

In addition to the natural phenomenon at Petra are many extraordinary man-made contributions, including the Roman Theatre. The Roman Theatre was built in typical Roman style. It was a 3,000 seat amphitheatre carved out of the side of a mountain near the city center, complete with stage buildings and side tunnels.

Master Godo was met and escorted by members of his organization in Jordan. Where appropriate and as allowed by authorities, they performed exciting Modern Arnis demonstrations, to the delight of many tourists and locals.

All of the pictures here were provided courtesy of Master Godo himself. Some of the pictures portray breathtaking scenes of the country of Jordan, and look like postcards worthy of publication in the National Geographic.

This article and pictures are copyrighted by the author in the United States. This article including pictures therein may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the author.

You may contact Master Godo or the author through their website at www.filipinofightingartsintl.com.

Aqaba

Master Godofredo Fajardo of the International Modern Arnis
Federation of the Phil. (IMAFP) in Aqaba, Jordan.

Petra Rock

Roman Theatre, Petra Rock, Jordan