CEBU HOSTS PEKAF INVITATIONAL EVENT

200 arnisadors join Pekaf’s first invitational tournament in Cebu City

Pekaf president Sen. Zubiri says event will be first of many in the Philippines

Cebu winners will face other qualifiers for spot in national team

About 200 stick fighters signed up for the 1st Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation ( Pekaf ) Invitational Tournament yesterday at the SM City Seaside.

The event was attended by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, an arnis grandmaster, who is also the president of Pekaf.

“This is the start of many good things. This tournament will be one of the many. I’m very happy that this first Pekaf has started here in Cebu,” Zubiri said in Cebuano.

The Visayas tournament is one of the qualifying rounds for the national competition. Luzon and Mindanao will also stage their qualifiers after Cebu. Zubiri said that the winners in the national competition will comprise the national team.

“Let’s give our best to win so we can join the national and international competitions,” Zubiri, a three- time national champion and the 1989 World Eskirami Kali Arnis Federation Champion, told the up- andcoming stick fighters on his speech.

Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio Cañete said that he’s very happy with this tournament and support coming from the government.

“Finally, I feel fulfilled kay for 31 years we were ignored and practically taken for grant- ed. Finally the government have recognized us now,” said Cañete.

Cebu City deputy mayor for sports Eugenio “Jun” Gabuya Jr. said that the city supports arnis and will help to make the sport popular in Cebu.

The competing teams in the tournament are Abellana National School, City Central School, CMACI, Momoy Canete- San Miguel Eskrima, Cacoy Doce Pares, San Fernando Chapter-World Eskrido Federation, Gothong Arnis, Cordero Martial Arts, Exceed Eskrima, Cobaco Martial Arts, KSDB, University of Southern Philippines- Federation and MCEC. /