Cebu eyes Guinness record in arnis

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from hosting the national finals of the Philippine National Youth Games or simply Batang Pinoy, Cebuanos also gear up for another Guinness World Record attempt, this time for the largest arnis demonstration.

The actual attempt will be done on December 2, right after the closing ceremony of the week-long athletic meet at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Arnis has been declared the country's national sport and martial art a few years back via Republic Act 6850.

Arnis is already a regular sport in the Palarong Pambansa, yet only a few Cebuanos have excelled so far under this DepEd-organized event.

With this, the Cebu City Sports Commission was challenged to put up a program for arnis and not only for the sake of another world mark.

Before the training proper, a group for trainors and coaches was formed to support the training of the participants.

The actual presentation is expected to attract 7,000 entries, mainly from the Abellana National School.

ANS is also instrumental for the country's Guinness record for the world's largest dance class and chess tournament.

There is no existing arnis-related record, giving the organizers less pressure  in terms of coming up with the desired number.

However, CCSC wants to establish a good record so that it cannot easily be broken.

The upcoming attempt is  patter ed after Cebu City's world record in largest dance class, which is purely presentation of forms unlike in chess and archery that include a tournament.

The oganizers are basing their presentation on the guidelines set by the Department of Education in the Palarong Pambansa to avoid any conflict with other existing arnis groups in terms of style. (FREEMAN)