Seven ASEAN member countries witnessed the three-day Arnis Expo held in Manila and hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez welcomed the delegates personally last Wednesday during the simple opening rites, saying “we have to group together and dare to dream for ASEAN.”
He cited the role of Arnis in history and why it is important to preserve and propagate our national sport.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was also present and opened his speech by acknowledging the “leadership of the CDM” referring to Ramirez who is also Chef de Mission of the Philippine team to the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Zubiri is President of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation.
The event is part of the activities that SOMS-Philippines has included in the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports. The country serves as host this year.
It was held in partnership with the PEKAF and the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation, the International Federation of Arnis.
Zubiri promised his support to the development of Arnis and indigenous martial art forms and informed the ASEAN representatives that “we would like to support you and the development of your local martial arts. You can count on PEKAF to organize delegations to your country.”
Delegates from the ASEAN-member states of Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the expo from July 17 to 19 at the PICC and witnessed top-notch Arnis stylings from the national team.