Ruru Madrid And Bianca Umali Are Now Filipino Martial Arts Ambassadors And They've Got The Skills To Prove It

Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali have consistently been adding to their #CoupleGoals list, traveling and training together like the ultimate power duo. Now, there's a new goal to check off: being named ambassadors of Filipino martial arts (FMA) for film and TV.

The couple received the honor at the Katipunan ng mga Bagani, a gathering of masters, practitioners, and enthusiasts celebrating FMA. They proved once again that their moves aren't just for the big screen, but a real-life display of technique, focus, and cultural pride.

At the event, Ruru, our Cosmo Crush for February 2025, wowed the audience with his panuntukan demonstrations, a boxing-based FMA style he's been mastering for his upcoming projects. "I started with mga baston, arnis, but eventually ngayon, kahit empty hands, meaning kahit wala kang weapons, pwede na rin. So somehow, para siyang dirty boxing," he shared with 24 Oras Weekend, highlighting his dedication to authentic Filipino combat techniques.

Ruru always been vocal about his love for FMA. In his Cosmo Crush interview, he said, "Currently, nag-Filipino martial arts ako with Lakan Ronnie Royce Base. Actually, advocacy ko rin na maipagmalaki yung sariling atin, so bakit hindi natin gamitin?" That philosophy carries into his action roles, including Lolong and Green Bones, where FMA techniques made every fight scene look seriously legit.

Lakan Ronnie is the founder of the Laraw Kali Pamuok system, an FMA discipline that combines traditional weapon training with empty-hand techniques, emphasizing flow and practical self-defense. He personally trains Ruru and Bianca in the technique, history, and purpose behind each FMA move.

Meanwhile, Bianca showed off her precision in knife-handling, mastering the balisong (butterfly knife) for self-defense. ICYMI, she's got the same precision she brought to Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre, only now it's off-screen and with even more finesse. 

Bianca explained, "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."

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

The two also shared that training under the guidance of Lakan Ronnie has turned every session into a lesson in patience, respect, and focus. "It is also our responsibility to be able to carry this to the next generation that we are representing," Bianca said.

Ruru and Bianca make a strong case for the action-ready couple, living their craft with heart and a proud nod to Filipino tradition—and making it look cool while they're at it.