An interesting concept that society has towards violence, that it is ok for a woman to be violent towards a man, and even maybe even funny or amusing. Violence is wrong no matter who uses it. 40% of domestic violence in relationships is towards men, who often feel not able to reach out for help because of embarrassment. We need to change as a society that any violence is unacceptable, and lay down the foundation, where men of all ages including young teens, can approach and be supported  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3PgH86OyEM. .

A project (Sea of Fusion) that started almost 18 Months ago, is now just a few days away. When I started my Silat journey, just under 30 years ago, the idea was to develop an Association, where people of all ages and ability could come together to train and learn the South East Asian Arts of Silat and Kali. We have never turn anyone away from attending our classes, and everyone no matter their skill level or ability to pay, were always welcome and help. That is something which a few students in the past should remember, there were accepted openly by me, when they ask to join, and given every opportunity to learn, and I along with the other teachers always tried our best. I have always believe the art should be open to all, and everyone treated equally. We now have the largest silat kali group in Ireland with just under 300 members of all ages training weekly at one our classes. We have introduce Silat and Kali to just over 4,000 teenagers in the past year In schools, and youth clubs, giving them their first taste of these beautiful arts. We have programs where age no matter what it is, is not a barrier to learn, nor is money. And yet all of this was done, without receiving any Government or fellow club support. This is a testimony to the great students and teachers in our group.

The Sea of Fusion Festival was my concluding gift to the South East Asian Arts and Community in Ireland, before I move to my new role inside the Association (which I'm very excited to be doing, and allowing others to take up my existing role) I wanted to give a gift to the community in Ireland who claim to teach these art. An opportunity to come together, share, train and experience these Arts together in an open brotherhood. The festival was open to all teachers, who wanted to teach, the door was open to all students who wanted to train. From my own expense, I paid and invited over some of the best teachers in Europe and America, teachers who have never taught here before, so that the festival would have something for everyone. I would love to been able to bring more for this festival, but I was limited, in money available. The festival has been share in the media continuously since Sept 2013. The event has now students coming from 3 corners of the World, well wishes and beautiful messages of best wishes from teachers of different styles from over 40 countries have pour in, wishing us the best for next weekend. Mail like this are heart warming. So it was sad to see at different stages over past couple of months(and this will be my only negative moment) to see Irish students who were attending the festival, being contacted and being asked not to go, and encourage to go to other seminars, and other students calling me, saying they love to go, but their teacher would be offended if they went. I call this small group of guys now the ABL (Anything But Liam) lol To tell a student they can't go, is putting your ego ahead of the students benefit. At the end of the day I have always kept an open door. My goal is for the art to survive for the next generation.

Anyway that enough negativity, as the Event is happening and its going to be a fantastic weekend of Martial and Brotherhood fun. I'm so looking forward to meeting some new brothers in the Art and to train with great teachers. I would like to thank the various Martial Arts groups who are attending. I do want to thank Alan Walsh and Paul Nally for the help over past couple months in Lucan and Paul Casey in Firhouse, who all help take the class work load off me, so I could focus on getting the Festival organised. I like to thank Paul Byrne for his work on the festival website. I like to thank deeply Domhnall MacAodha, Robert Scott and Denny Hughes for the great help they giving me in their support of this Festival, without these 3 it simply would not have happen. Finally my good wife and son, who share my joy, but also hear me moan, but most of all sacrificing the time with me, so I could make this happen, and believing in me and giving 100% from the start. Nothing like this has ever been done before in Ireland, and I glad I had all of you guys to make this happen.

Now my final demand, for all of you attending the Warrior camp and Festival and Culture Evenings, you simply have to do one more thing.. Have Fun.. Laugh... Share.. create new friends and develop a little bit more as a Warrior and don't forget the chair for Denny lol See you all next week !!!