Garbo sa Sugbo 2006: Young Promise

Great faith and prayers spelled the difference for 14-year old Ray Rubin Chan when he conquered the world by winning gold medals in the 9th World Arnis Championships at the Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Orlando Florida, last July 2-8.

The feat not only earned the teenager the respect he deserved in the arnis community of the world but also the prestigious "Garbo sa Sugbo 2006" trophy. He was picked as the youngest awardee last August 5 during the Governor's Night of the 437th Cebu Founding Anniversary held at the Capitol Social Hall.

No less than Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Greg Sanchez Jr. awarded to him the plaque.

Ray Rubin was chosen as the pride of Cebu because the Cebu Provincial Government recognized him as one of eight Cebuanos who have excelled in their fields of endeavor bringing honor and pride to the province and the entire Philippines. They were also chosen because they put Cebu in the national and international map. But unknown to many, Ray Rubin had to pass through the proverbial eye of the needle before he captured the gold medals in the forms and sparring events, as well as the silver medal in the synchronized form during the World Championships.

According to Rubin Chan, he did not expect his grandson to win in the tournament because they arrived at the venue on the very day of the competition last July 2.

At that time, Ray Rubin experienced jetlag and had no proper preparation or conditioning for the match. "But because of great faith and prayers, my grandson made it," explained Chan's grandfather, adding that Ray Rubin brought along with him an image of the Sto. Niño to the competition in Orlando.

Ray Rubin also attended Mass before he went to Florida. Ray Rubin was given the citation as the youngest instructor, at age 13, of the Sto. Niño Doce Pares Club. He got his promotion last December 31, 2005. Interestingly, his efforts and hard work proved fruitful.

Sto. Niño Doce Pares Club is composed of arnis martial arts, headed by its chairman Grand Master Dionisio Cañete and instructor Percival Pableo.

He was also the All-Cebu Sports Awardee of the Sportswriters' Association of Cebu and San Miguel Corporation (SAC-SMC) last March 22, 2005.

He was singled out for the SAC-SMC Award after winning gold medals in the forms and sparring events in the 8th World Eskrima Arnis Tournament held at the SM City Trade Hall lat June 27, 2004. He also topped the First Grandmaster Cup International Arnis Tournament last October 8, 2002, garnering two gold medals in sparring and kata.

Before that, he clinched a gold medal in the forms and sparring during the First International Arnis Tournament held at Ayala Center Cebu last July 23, 2002.

Ray Rubin started practicing arnis and aikido at the age of six, with the Cebu Aikido Center headed by Herbert Boot.

Since the establishment of the Cebu Aikido Center, Ray Rubin has been the youngest aikido member promoted as a black-belter at the age of 10. He got his promotion on July 12, 2003.

"My grandfather inspired me to join arnis at a very young age because he told me that it's nice to practice and to learn the sport," said Ray Rubin, whose father Dennis, is also a martial artist.

It was his father who taught him the basic skills in arnis at a very young age, which gave him the idea and enthusiasm to really pursue mastering the sport.

Ray Rubin is the eldest son of Dennis and Donna May. He has four siblings Noel David (13-year old), Andrey (8) and one-year old sister Denise.

A true-blodded Cebuano born on July 5, 1992, he lives with his family in Doña Rita Village, Talamban. He is a student at Montessori Children's House in Talamban.

This coming summer, Ray Rubin is planning to indulge in community service before he will go to Ireland to pursue his college studies.

He will personally train young children and juveniles the skills in arnis for free at the Banilad Sports Complex.

And what is keeping him busy these days? He is now setting his eyes on the 10th World Arnis championships that will happen in 2008.