“Karate is a very good martial art.  It could cater to a whole gamut of needs.  For kids, it provides for that needed self confidence;  for the competitive, a good challenge; for the seniors, exercise.  But whatever need that you think Karate can answer, the most important one is the development of your character.  For when one feels secure and happy with oneself, he will become harmonious to others.  That is what we need in this world.”
- Sensei Lay

Sensei David Lay, a 6th Dan Black belt, is the current coach of the Philippine National Karate Team, the current Chief Instructor of KDA (Karate Development Arts and Sports Association) and Official Country Representative of the International Shotokan Karate Federation.

Sensei Lay started his karate when he got interest with learning the martial art as he saw a karate exhibition in his school, he was still in high school back then. Another motivation why he started karate was because he was bullied around in school before. As a colored belt student, he trained hard and won in many competitions.

He became a member of the Philippine National Karate Team and was an exceptional athlete in the Southeast Asian Games from 1989 to 1993 winning gold, silver and bronze medals in kumite and kata. In 1992, he placed 6th in the overall athletes’ standings in the World Karate Federation Championships in Granada, Spain. He won the gold in the “65 kg and below” men’s weight division in the 1995 Asian Union of Karate Organizations Karate Championships (later becoming the Asian Games karate championships event) and is the only Filipino Asian Karate Champion.

Sensei Lay manages his time well, being a National Team coach, trainer, and KDA club instructor. He trains the athletes is in the morning and in the afternoon he handles karate classes. As a coach, Sensei Lay makes sure that the athletes are in their top shape. He trains them with exercises that will improve their speed, reaction and techniques. “Speed, reaction and technique play a vital role for athletes” and according to Sensei Lay, “improving those areas will definitely take them close to winning every competition”. Being an instructor, he says that “you must know what’s the purpose for your training”, and believes that our athletes have to perform their best and not just win.

For the KDA black belts and students, Sensei Lay focuses on the traditional way of karate. He believes that the key to improving one’s techniques and skills in karate is to practice everyday. At times, He gives emphasis on ikken hisatsu or “to stop the conflict in one strike”, just one of the many principles that are taught of in “budo” or “the way of life of a martial artist”. He says “Training is a tool to further improve not only your character but also your spirit”.