Ruru Madrid, Bianca Umali recognized as ambassadors for Filipino martial arts for film and TV

Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali were recognized as ambassadors for Filipino martial arts (FMA) for film and TV.

According to Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras Weekend," the couple attended the Katipunan ng mga Bagani event, a gathering of FMA practitioners, where they received the honors.

Ruru demonstrated panuntukan, which he is focusing on for his future projects.

"I started with, 'yun nga, mga baston, arnis, but eventually ngayon, kahit empty hands, meaning kahit wala kang weapons, puwede na rin. So somehow, para siyang dirty boxing," Ruru said.

Meanwhile, Bianca demonstrated knife-handling. She previously showcased her arnis skills on "Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre."

The couple is also consistent in their training of Laraw Kali Pamuok, founded by Lakan Ronnie Royce Base. They use their training in their action scenes.

"We wanted to learn a new skill, but then as we were going through the process, naging parte na kami ng pamilya ng FMA, how much we've learned and grown as individuals during the study of the system, mas naging purpose-driven na siya ngayon," Bianca said.

As ambassadors, part of their work is to take pride in and spread the story of FMA.

"Gusto natin 'pagmalaki 'yung sariling atin, mahalin 'yung sariling atin, at ito po ay kasama sa ating kultura so gusto po nating i-preserve 'yun," Ruru said.

"It is also our responsibility to be able to carry this to the next generation that we are representing," Bianca added. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA Integrated News