The Silver That Put Philippine Kendo on the Map
The Philippine Kendo Team has done what once seemed unlikely. At the 13th ASEAN Kendo Tournament in Singapore, they clinched a silver medal in the Men’s Team event — the country’s best finish in the competition since rejoining in 2013.
For a sport that still feels foreign to most Filipinos, this is history.
“This silver medal is our best finish so far in the tournament, since rejoining it in 2013,” says Kristopher Inting, president of the United Kendo Federation of the Philippines (UKFP), in an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR. “We couldn’t place in the 10th and 11th editions, then got 3rd in the 12th. Now, silver. I’m very proud of the team—especially how they adjusted mid-tournament to perform above expectations.”
Philippine Kendo Has Arrived
The men’s squad advanced to the championship bout after surviving grueling pool play and knockout rounds, stunning seasoned contenders from across the region. The only thing standing in their way was host Singapore Kendo Club, who eventually took the gold on home ground. Still, for the Philippines, second place felt like first.
The Men’s Team is composed of Paul Minoza, Robert Carabuena Jr., Steve Cañete, Jan-Raphael Chua, Jhan Alfred Timogtimog, Sebastian Jeane Bangoy, and Aaron Penaco.
Meanwhile, the women’s team received the Fighting Spirit Award (Team) through Melduen Castillon, while Lyndi Mendoza earned the Fighting Spirit Award (Individual).
“No one really expected us to get that far,” Inting admits. “It was a good feeling to surprise everyone. But this also paints a target on our backs, because now we’re seen as serious competitors.”
That pressure, he says, is a good thing. It means Philippine kendo has arrived.
“It is also noteworthy that he Men’s Team was a few seconds away from winning gold at the tournament until Singapore was able to secure a buzzer-beater point against us,” added Ralph Pobre, member of UKFP.
Upcoming Kendo Events in the Philippines
The sport’s roots in the country are still young. The Philippines first joined the ASEAN Kendo Tournament in 2001, then went on a long hiatus before returning in 2013. Since then, the national team has been silently rising, refining their craft in small dojos, often self-funded and driven more by passion than infrastructure.
“Admittedly, this now puts pressure on us to continue the success,” Inting says. “Especially since we are hosting the 14th ASEAN Kendo Tournament in 2028.”
It’s a responsibility they welcome. The UKFP is already laying the groundwork, with Inting eyeing two major events on the horizon: the 7th Philippine National Kendo Tournament (PNKT) this October and the Asia-Oceana Kendo Championships in May 2026.
“The 7th PNKT will showcase the best of local kendo talents gathered together in friendly competition,” Intind told ALL-STAR.
“It’s also our way to scout for talent for the national team. We’ll be watching closely as an initial screening for the PH squad.”
The Sound of Shinai in the Air
There is something almost poetic about this story: a nation of islands, long known for basketball courts and boxing rings, suddenly finding rhythm in the crack of shinai.
Silver is not the end—it is the start of something. And if you listen closely, you can hear it: the sound of Filipino kendoka, stepping forward, fearless, ready to face the world.
And this time around, the world is watching back.
