Vitamin brand 'rescues' youth arnis

The manufacturers of a new children’s vitamin brand has stepped into the growing youth sports market by throwing its full support behind the youth arnis movement. SEL-J Pharmaceuticals, known nationwide as the strongest supporter and a unifier of motocross, has found a new advocacy: youth arnis.

“We have been looking for other sports to support, and the timing is perfect for us to back arnis, especially for the youth,” says Noel Fortin of SEL-J Sports, the company’s sports organization and sponsorship arm. “Our company has found the ideal way to support arnis, which is our national sport, through the youth. What better way to promote the positive values associated with sports?”

SEL-J is using its new product Enersel Forte, to banner the cause of the sport by sponsoring the National Youth Arnis Festival to be held at the SM Megamall activity center on May 14 and 15. The event will include competitions in various events in different boys’ and girls’ age groups from 10 to 19 years of age. Solo baston and double baston (single stick and two-stick) sparring will be the showcase event, along with forms or “anyo” competition to highlight the youth’s creativity.

In April of last year, the first staging of this event was held at the SM Sucat for only one day with one competition mat, bringing in over 130 participants. This year, the event will span a whole weekend with two mats and equipment generously provided by Stix, the prime manufacturer of arnis equipment. Stix will also be unveiling its newly modified head gear which allows for greater visibility and breathability and thus, greatest safety, for arnis fighters.

This year, organizers have already received inquiries and confirmation from Valenzuela City, Cainta and Taytay, Rizal, Ateneo de Manila University, Rizal Technological University, Philippine Air Force, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Pasig City, Quezon City, Marikina City, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Tarlac province, Bulacan province, Misamis Oriental and Muntinlupa City. Cacoy Doce Pares, perhaps the largest group of arnis fighters and masters in the country, has also pledged support for the event. The Cebu City Sports Commission and Davao City sports consultant and former Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez has also promised his backing.

Enersel Forte is the only multivitamin preparation that has virgin coconut oil (VCO) and lauric acid, which is both antiviral and antibacterial. It already has CGF (chlorella growth factor) to promote growth, taurine for brain development and better appetite, zinc to hasten healing, Vitamin B complex to boost immune system. Virgin coconut oil is known to increase metabolism, aid in digestion and is a good anti-bacterial agent. Unique to Enersel Forte is the fact that, unlike other brands, it also contains Vitamin C. It is also more affordably priced than other brands. A vast majority of pediatricians surveyed said they would recommend the vitamin preparation to their patients, while half of them said that virgin coconut oil in the product would be more beneficial than what was previously on the market.

Improving on last year’s event, organizers have added lectures and demonstrations for each day of competition, as well as personal appearances by well-known athletes and celebrities from the music field. Rappers Mike Swift and Sly Kane have offered to perform their original songs specially composed to trumpet the sport of arnis.

Enersel Forte made its debut last year, and was a prominent supporter of the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight last November, as it was emblazoned on the uniforms of eight-time world boxing champion Pacquiao’s crew who worked his corner during the fight. Pacquiao’s friend and trainer Buboy Fernandez is an avid motocross rider whose Team Pacquiao motocross squad has been part of many SEL-J Sports events, including last December’s Lanao del Norte International Motocross Championship, the first motocross event featuring riders from other countries.

The Enersel Forte Youth Arnis festival is the first major arnis event of the year. It will be followed by the World Arnis Open in July and a national championship for adults towards the end of the year. Filipino arnis groups in Europe have also been requesting to host international tournaments on their territories, and have been inviting the organizers of this event to observe and support their competitions.

SEL-J Sports is also behind the highly successful motocross series that runs through Metro Manila, Cavite, iloilo and Lanao del Norte.

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Congratulations to TiMUG bar in Binan, Laguna, for the success of its first “Unified Saturdays” celebration last Saturday. The event featured live performances from Mike Swift, J-Hon, F-Dub and DJ champion Skin Kadafi and DJ Magic, and was sponsored by sports apparel manufacturer Amazing Playground and ANC’s sports talk show Hardball. The party series resumes after the Holy Week break.