Philippines National Sports

From Arnis Philippines - Online
http://www.arnisphilippines.com

01 May 2009
Update on "An Act Declaring Arnis as the National Sport of the Philippines"

On April 24, 2009, a public hearing was held in the Senate of the Philippines regarding the Arnis bills entitled “An Act Declaring Arnis as the Philippine National Sport”, introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, and “An Act Declaring Arnis as the National Sport of the Philippines”, introduced by Sen. Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid. Present were some Arnis practitioners, Department of Education http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifAssistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya, National Commission for Culture and Arts representative Ed Robles, Philippine Olympic Committee representative Gen. Mario Tanchanco, and Arnis Natiaonal Sports Association President Mr. Raymond S. Velayo. Other ARPI officers present were Commissioner Mr. Ryan C. Gialogo and Corporate Secretary Ms. Melanie Cayao. Chairman on Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture Senator Mar A. Roxas presided over the meeting. Recommendation for approval of the bills were given, and final discussions, including consolidating the two bills into one comprehensive bill before approval, will be scheduled.




At some point in the discussion, Mr. Velayo contributed by citing that certain words should be withheld from the proposal, such as the word “kali” which has no real and clearly documented or historical basis. Another was to strike out from the bill the word “modern” in connection with the phrase “modern Arnis,” which pertains to a particular Arnis style and club. This is to eliminate bias and misinformation.



Also, Mr. Malaya of DepEd cited that there is no existing official national sport. Even though it has been stated in some history books that sipa, and later on sepak takraw is the national sport, this is apparently baseless and incorrect. Furthermore, Mr. Robles of the NCCA seconded Mr. Malaya in stating that the institutions they represent have no qualms about Arnis, our very own martial art and sport, being declared as the official national sport of the Philippines.