President declares ‘RP wrestling week’

President Arroyo has issued Proclamation No. 226 declaring the period from Aug. 5-11 as "Philippine wrestling week," in conjunction with the country’s hosting of the IV Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship at the Badminton Hall, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.

The President directed "all heads of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations and instrumentalities of the government, particularly the Philippine Sports Commission,...to give full assistance to the Organizing Committee of the IV Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship."

The President noted that it is an opportune time to remind the Filipino people of its erstwhile strong tradition of indigenous wrestling, especially in the mountain provinces and Panay island.

During the opening rites of the championship sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (major) and Department of Tourism, Philippine Tourism Authority, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee and Tiara Oriental (official hotel) as, athletes of Philippine Indigenous Sports Savers Association, Inc. (PIGSSAI) will demonstrate "dumog", traditional Filipino wrestling.

Meanwhile, GNC is supporting Team Philippines in its bid for top overall honors with multi-vitamins and food supplements.

WAP president and president of the SEAWC organizing committee retired Brig. Gen. Manuel Ribo said, "With President Arroyo’s proclamation which is a big boost to the promotion of wrestling, we have to make the championship a showcase of the Filipino’s organizational savvy and managerial acumen."