Fencing for Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Myra Carmelita Cruz remembers the event clearly: “The date was Jan. 11, 2003. It was a Saturday afternoon, and I was extremely nervous. The last time I remember feeling as anxious was when I was about to take the bar exams. The sources of my apprehension were standing a few feet away from me – a girl and a boy of 12 and 13 years. They were my opponents in my first-ever free fencing bout. I was 49 years old.”

Cruz, now a senior citizen, is the first and only female fencer above 50 to compete for the Philippine team.

When you talk of fencing with a lawyer, the first thing that might come to mind is the criminal act punishable under Presidential Decree No. 1612. But Cruz prefers not to enter into any legal discussion where fencing is concerned; instead,she’d rather extol its values and promote it as a sport that any Filipino can take up at any age.

Fencing for Filipinos?

The picture of Richard Gomez in his pristine jacket and breeches immediately emerges. After all, he’s been a huge supporter of the sport of fencing, has competed (and won) in international competitions, and is the president of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA).

In fact, fencing may be just what the Philippines needs to boost its medal standing in international competitions. It does not require height, strength, or incredible speed, and like chess is more of a game of composure, cunning, and strategy.

Developing fencing as a sport for Filipinos is not just ideal, but even promising. The equipment can be borrowed or shared. Competitions can be supported by corporate sponsors or institutionalized with a budget by the government. And since it is as much a mental as a physical exercise, it can be pursued by any person regardless of gender and age, although as in most types of sports, the younger they begin, the better they will be.

“This is what is so extraordinary about the sport. It is possible to play against and actually win over much younger and stronger opponents. It is a game involving perfect timing and mental preparation. And best of all, you can compete in it as long as you can hold a sword. In the World Veteran’s Fencing championships, the oldest category is for 70 year olds and above,” Cruz averred.

She certainly knows what she is talking about. She has beaten much younger and taller opponents in international competitions. She also managed to score against a Chinese gold medalist of the 2012 London Olympic Games, at the 2014 World Cup in Épée in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. No mean feat considering the Chinese girl’s superior height, speed and experience. In August, she will be one of the Philippine representatives to the 2016 Asian Masters Fencing Championships to be held in Perth, Australia, where she hopes to better her medal haul during the Manila leg of the competition in August 2015: one gold, one silver, and two bronzes.

Above all, fencing is a universal sport that which does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, religious or political beliefs, or family status. When practiced by young people, it keeps them off the streets and the bad habits that may go with “hanging out” while at the same time instilling valuable traits like discipline, control, industry, competitiveness, teamwork, and sportsmanship – all of which build character.

It probably is the right time for modern fencing to take flight in the Philippines. And to the rest of the world: En garde!

Philippine Fencing Association is located at the PSC Fencing Center, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. Interested parties may reach PFA through tel. 671-5015, visit www.philippinefencing.com or email [email protected].