From dojo to stage: Robert Seña credits karate for his edge in theater

Seña reflects on how karate training shaped his craft as the country hosts the Karate One Youth League under the Philippine Sports Commission.

For Robert Seña, karate didn’t begin as a grand pursuit. It started with a friend, and a bit of curiosity.

“I don’t even remember exactly when,” he says, tracing it back to his college days in 1981. Introduced by Ricky Lim and his family, longtime practitioners with their own club, Seña stepped onto the mat. Lim would later become president of Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc.

At first, it was about self-defense, says Seña, but that changed. “When I moved to higher belts, I realized the artistry and discipline of the art,” he says.

That mindset carried over to the stage. Now a seasoned singer and theater actor, Seña credits karate for shaping his craft—especially discipline, control under pressure, and mental focus.

“If you’re a newbie, you just follow the director, same thing with your sensei,” he explains. “You listen to their wisdom and experience. No answering back, just trusting the process.”

Strength, stamina, and discipline

Karate also strengthened his stage presence, stamina, and breathing—skills crucial in both performance and martial arts.

“You learn control, balance, and discipline. Sanay ka sa sakit ng katawan,” he says with a laugh. “It helps you endure, especially in theater.”

For Seña, karate is as much an art form as acting. “It’s very artistic. Kata, when done properly, is beautiful. At the same time, it’s great for your body and for self-defense. I would definitely encourage young actors to try it.”

Karate One Youth League

That’s why the upcoming Karate One Youth League, set in the Philippines from May 14 to 17 at the Mall of Asia Arena, feels significant.

“I think it’s about time,” he says. “Usually, it’s other sports like surfing or taekwondo. For karate, I don’t remember the last time we hosted something this big.”

Beyond competition, he sees its wider impact. “It’s good for sports tourism. Our guests get to experience the Philippines—our culture, our food, our places. That helps hotels, restaurants, malls. It’s good for the economy.”

“It’s beneficial for us because we don’t have to go abroad to compete,” he adds. “Sila ang pumunta rito. It’s less expensive, but we still get international exposure.”

Lim agrees, calling the event “a sound investment” for both tourism and the sport.

“Since our participants are children, we expect most of their parents to tag along,” Lim says. “That means even more tourists coming in.”

Among those fielding large contingents are Australia (78), Saudi Arabia (40), Malaysia (47), New Zealand (39), Kazakhstan (27), the US and Uzbekistan (19 each), and the Philippines with 201 athletes from across the country.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick “Pato” Gregorio adds: “Sports tourism, when properly done, can serve as a major source of income while providing sustainable jobs.”

‘The Lotto Winner’

Seña, on the other hand, stays busy on and offstage. “I’m currently part of two new film projects: ‘Rob the Piripins’ by NDM Studios and ‘Little Hope’ by Benedict Mique.”

“I also have another film, ‘The Lotto Winner,’ starring Albert Martinez and Kylie Padilla, coming out on May 28 on Netflix.”

“Aside from film, I’m also working on a concert this October for the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis.”

For Seña, it all comes back to growth, with karate shaping not just the performer, but the person.

 

 

For Seña, karate is as much an art form as acting. ‘It’s very artistic. Kata, when done properly, is beautiful. At the same time, it’s great for your body and for self-defense. I would definitely encourage young actors to try it.’

 

 

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