Arnis takes first steps

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac, Philippines  – Arnis has taken its first sure steps to being part of the mainstream here, as the provincial government has sponsored a series of clinics for its youth and barangay volunteers throughout the province.

“This is in line with the governor’s sports program, and a pre-event to our hosting the Palarong Pambansa,” says former PBA player Macky Escalona, the executive assistant to Gov. Yap. “The response has been very good so far. And it is very economical for us to hold arnis training in the province.”

Yap initiated the program, which featured students of Tarlac National High School (main and annex) and the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines in its first clinic at Maria Cristina Park in front of the provincial capitol. The next clinics will be held for barangay tanods from 44 barangays in Gerona on Monday, and students from nearby Victoria before the end of the month. Each clinic, conducted by the Philippine Council of Kali, Escrima and Arnis Masters (PCKEAM), involves no less than 150 participants.

The PCKEAM group provided an entertaining program that included extensive warm-ups, basic strikes and single- and double-baton defensive techniques. The intensive class also added an actual “anyo” or forms demonstration from one of the masters, and a realistic combat demonstration.

The provincial government under Yap, who is seeking reelection, has also built the Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP) in neighboring San Jose, a rolling, 70-hectare sprawl that now boasts of an Olympic-size swimming pool, man-made lake, grandstand, two outdoor basketball courts, two soccer fields, and a bike trail. The venue was used in last year’s Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) meet, a leg of the Tour of Luzon, and is the main venue for this year’s Palaro. The provincial government is also planning on purchasing container vans to serve as a dormitory, which will likely be used to house instructors for a permanent training facility for arnis.

“We would like Tarlac to be known for arnis, cycling and a few other sports,” Yap told The Star. “This will give people another reason to visit the province. After all, it’s part of our culture as Filipinos.”

What impressed this writer the most was the enthusiasm shown by the students in yesterday’s clinic, despite the fact that it was held in an open area on a hot summer day. Participants from Tarlac National High even went around in groups during breaks, giving the traditional “pagbibigay-pugay” or salute to their instructors from Metro Manila, a sure sign of maturity in the sport.

“Tarlac is the first local government to have a program in line with the implementation of the arnis law,” says arnis master Rey Dominguez, board director of the PCKEAM, who led the team of instructors. “The students have picked up the instructions very quickly, and they already have good basics. We were very pleased with the reception of the students.”

As far as can be determined, the original document regarding holding of arnis competitions in the Palaro emanated from the Philippine Sports Commission. Since the Palaro is a government project, the PSC years ago deputized Department of Education officials to learn the sport so as to be able to conduct and officiate the competition for students. However, the document can no longer be found. And according to a former technical official of Arnis Philippines who requested anonymity, the national sports association has had internal problems because a former vice-president allegedly has been conducting clinics without upper management’s knowledge or consent. The former vice-president and his associates have also allegedly been interfering in screening and qualification exams of DepEd officials involved in judging Palaro arnis as far south as Koronadal.

Tarlac has already expressed interest in having full-time training for other competitions and next year’s Palarong Pambansa. The local government is intent on making the province the center of the sport’s growth, and ensuring the deepening of its understanding as part of our rich cultural heritage.