History
Philip Sensei was born in October 1954. His life in martial arts started at the tender age of of nine when he took up Chinese Wushu, Lion and Dragon dance. This was followed by four years of Judo in secondary school and five years of Tai Chi while studying at the Singapore Polytechnic where he graduated in Architecture Draughtsmanship. Sensei also learnt Karate under Shihan Peter Chong (8th Dan) of Kyukushin Karate and was the instructor of the Physical Training Department in his service with the Voluntary Special Constabulary of the Singapore Police Force (1985 - 2001).

In the early 1980's Philip Lee Sensei started Kodachi Goshindo (an art of defence against short weapon attacks). He was awarded a teaching certificate in April 1989, his 4th Dan in 1991 and he also won a Kodachi Goshindo Open Championship held in Yokohama, Japan in November 1990. In June 2004, Philip Sensei was awarded 7th Dan by the Founder Tetsundo Tanabe (International Sports Chanbara Association, Japan) and has been appointed to be the official representative from Singapore in all tournaments and world meets.

The art is now known as Sport Chanbara and Philip Sensei is currently the Founder/ President of Sports Chanbara Association (Singapore).

Along with these achievements, Sensei also founded and run his interior and construction companies, Feili Design & Construction and FDC Contracts Pte Ltd. It is sometimes hard to believe that the description above only constitutes a portion of his life. The true passion of his life lies in what he is sharing with us today. Philip Sensei gave up his contruction business in Jan 2003 and concentrate full time to promote Aikido.

Aikido
When he started Aikido, Sensei never thought that one day he would become an instructor. His foray into Aikido was borne out curiousity to try another form of martial arts. What started off as a hobby turned into a passion that occupied the greater part of his life for the past 36 years.

1971 - 1979: The Early Days
Sensei started learning Aikido in 1971. The training was conducted twice a week in Metropolitan YMCA, Stevens Road. The training venue changed several times during that period; from Anglo Chinese Primary School to MYMCA Palmer Road, to YMCA Orchard Road. He was made an Instructor in 1979 and was actively involved in the development of Aikido in Singapore.

1980 - 1987: Pre-Aikido Shinju-kai
In 1981, Philip Sensei made an extended visit to Japan for Aikido training. He was one of the first Singaporeans to be allowed to live in and train at Hombu Dojo under the 2nd Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and many other illustrious teachers, many whom he still maintains a close relationship with till today. He also followed Doshu on a trip to Iwama Aiki shrine and visited Morihiro Saito Shihan. On other occasions, he visited and trained in Seiseki Abe Sensei's classes in Suita Dojo, Osaka.(also a well known calligraphy teacher in japan)

In 1982, Sensei founded the first permanent Aikido dojo at SAFRA Bukit Merah. He was one of the founding members of Aikikai (Singapore) in 1987 and held the positions of Secretary General (till December 1999) and member of Board of Supervisors (till September 2002).