Filipino eskrimadors seek redemption in WEKAF tilt

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippines last won the overall championship of the world's biggest and most prestigious arnis tournament in 2000. When it hosted the biennial sports conclave four years ago at Ayala Center Cebu, Team Phl barely clinched the title, losing by just one gold to powerhouse United States.

During the last edition of the event held in Mexico in 2010, Phl sent only 13 players who delivered six gold medals.

Now that the country will again host the competition, WEKAF President Master Gerald Cañete expressed confidence on Phl's chances of breaking its 12-year title drought gleaned on the extensive selection process and rigid training of the Pinoy stick-fighters.

“This time we made a lot of preparations. The composition of the Philippine team is now broader because our players went through an extensive selection process. We're training the guys hard and we will try our best to win the overall championship,” said Master Gerald Cañete.

"I would like the Cebuanos to come and support this event. This is our own martial art and it's the biggest gathering of the top eskrimadors all over the world. This is something that we can truly be proud of," added Master Gerald.

Interestingly, Gerald's father, WEKAF Chairman Emeritus and Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio Cañete, is among the 20 eskrima grandmasters who will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame, a first in the 23-year history of WEKAF.

The enshrinement ceremony coincides with the formal blessing and inauguration of the Eskrima Temple on July 18 at the Doce Pares Mountain Training Park in Brgy. Malubog, Cebu City. It's the second martial arts temple in Asia after the renowed Kung Fu Temple in China.

In another first for WEKAF, a Head of State will grace the week-long joust. He is no other than the Honorable Didier Robert, president of Reunion Island in France.

Cañete said they have already coordinated with the office of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia considering that Robert and his entourage must be accorded with all the diplomatic courtesy due him as a foreign dignitary.

The WEKAF Congress, on the other hand, is set on July 19 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ritchie Garcia as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

At least 700 eskrimadors from 29 countries around the globe will converge in the Queen City of the South for the WEKAF joust. - THE FREEMAN