Pinoy arnis bets haul in six golds

CEBU – Although the United States hoarded 10 golds, Filipino stickfighters flashed stellar performances carting away six golds in the "sayaw" or form competition yesterday at the kickoff of the eighth World Kali Arnis Eskrima Federation Championships at the SM City-Cebu Entertainment Plaza.

David Chan, a student of Maria Ernestine Montessori, personified poise and grace as he bagged RP’s first gold in the children open singles category (10-11 years old) in this three-day arnisfest organized by WEKAF chairman emeritus lawyer Dionisio Cañete and hosted by the Doce Pares in cooperation with the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau (CVCB), the Cebu government, Casino Filipino-Pagcor Sports-Cebu and USA-made Calmoseptine Ointment.

David’s older brother, Roy Robin Chan, delivered the second gold after upstaging fellow Filipino Ronald Santos in the boys open multiple category where the participant may use either a stick, dagger, sword or a combination of the three.

Jelin Tabayayong copped the gold in the open singles junior (16-17 years old).

The country also got three in the traditional form where participants perform without music being played.

Romeo Santos garnered gold in the traditional men’s masters (50 years old) while Yvonne Trigila showed grace and better form to bag the title in the traditional singles seniors (18-39 years old) against Hanyann Ng and Cheryl Arcigal of the US.