In the late 1920's, eskrima attained a high level of popularity in Cebu City, the second largest city in the Philippines (Cebu island is located in the center of the Philippine archipelago). In 1932, the most renown eskrimadors, mainly from Cebu, founded Doce Pares as a society to promote the only original native martial art of the Philippines. The name Doce Pares reflects the Spanish influence on the Philippines and signifies "Twelve Pairs," referring to the twelve basic strikes and twelve basic defenses of eskrima.

Since its beginning, Doce Pares has produced many champions in eskrima competitions At the founding of Doce Pares, Lorenzo Saavedra, then recognized as the foremost eskrimador in Cebu City, became its first famous Grandmaster. He was ably supported by three other top-rated masters: Teodoro and Frederico Saavedra - Lorenzo's nephews - and by Filemon Canete. Later, Master Teodoro Saavedra rose to prominence as the best fighter in the Doce Pares society. Master Eulogio Canete, Filemon's older brother, was elected first president of Doce Pares and remained in that position until his death in 1988.

During World War II, Master Teodoro Saavedra, an active guerrilla, was captured and killed by the Japanese occupying forces. Shortly after Teodoro's death, Master Ciriaco Canete, also a resistance fighter, emerged as Doce Pares' foremost fighter and innovator. In the early 1950's, eskrima techniques and tactics were analyzed, devised, modified and systematized by Master Ciriaco Canete, based mostly on actual combat experience with rival eskrimadors belonging to other associations. Among his many contributions to the development of this martial art is eskrido, a combination of Judo and eskrima techniques, as well as the most modern forms of eskrima-offense and eskrima-defense.

NARAPHIL (the National Arnis Association of the Philippines) conducted the First Open Arnis Tournament on March 24, 1979, in Cebu City and the First National Invitational Arnis Tournament on August 19, 1979, in Manila. In both tournaments, Doce Pares, emerged as Champion in the Masters Division and most other divisions as well.

During the Third National Arnis Tournament in Cebu City, March 16, 1985, the Doce Pares contestants made a clean sweep of all championship awards in all categories - Openweight, Heavyweight, Middleweight and Lightweight. Most runner-up honors also went to Doce Pares players.

Such was the reputation of invincibility of Doce Pares contestants that in the Fourth National Arnis Tournament, which took place in Bacolod City, on July 26, 1986, Doce Pares officers and members were invited only as observers and officials - not as contestants!

Since its founding, Doce Pares has enjoyed a special reputation among Philippine martial arts organizations as the developer and innovator of the newest styles and techniques in eskrima. The Doce Pares style is now identified as the modern forms of eskrima and variations of eskrima such as escrido and specialized defenses against knives, pistols, etc.