Sining ng Lahing Maharlika

CELTICS forward Gordon Hayward sent a video message from his hospital bed before heading into surgery on Wednesday night, telling Boston fans at the team’s home opener: “It’s hurting me that I can’t be there.”

The crowd at the TD Garden for the Celtics’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks cheered when Marcus Smart directed fans’ attention to the scoreboard, where Hayward appeared wearing a hospital gown and sitting up in bed. The arena hushed to hear the brief message, then erupted in another cheer when it was over.

“What’s up, everybody? Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who’s had me in their thoughts and prayers,” Hayward said in the 30-second message, which was also sent out by the team on Twitter .

“I’m going to be all right,” Hayward said. “It’s hurting me that I can’t be there for the home opener. I want nothing more than to be with my teammates and walk out on that floor tonight. But I’ll be supporting you guys from here, and wishing you the best of luck.” 16 Teams 250 plus participants graced the just concluded 108th Baguio Day Charter Arnis National Championships 2017 amidst the typhoon that hindered other teams to travel to the City of Pines for the coveted annual arnis event.

The event ushered teams from the Philippine National Police Academy, Muntinlupa-LGU, Munoz Nueva Ecija, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Palayan City Nueva Ecija, Taguig City University, San Rafael Legion Navotas, Neons Isabela, PhilCEA, La Union National High School, Pintados Bataan, Benguet State University, University of the Cordilleras Senior High, Baguio City National High School, Dominican-Mirador National High School, and Sto. Tomas National High School.

The event was originally scheduled September 8-10, 2017 at the Baguio Convention Center but was waived for the staging of the Milo Little Olympics, with the BCC fully booked for rescheduling; the event was transferred to the Baguio City National High School Auditorium.

The event themed; Sining ng Lahing Maharlika” featured full contact fighters aged 13-14 novice and advance, ages 15-17 novice and advance and 18 years old and above novice and advance, this year the event did not feature anyo (forms) due to the foresighted lack of time to cater all would be participants.

The prestigious event was officially sanctioned

After signing with Boston in the offseason as a free agent, Hayward was injured in the sixth minute of his first game for the Celtics, crumpling to the floor Tuesday in Cleveland with a gruesome ankle injury. Players on both teams reacted in horror on at the site of Hayward’s leg bent unnaturally, but coach Brad Stevens said he did not see the injury live and has avoided watching replays.

“Having known him as long as I’ve known him, it’s tough to see him go through this,” said Stevens, who was also Hayward’s college coach at Butler. “We’ll make sure he knows that we’ve got our arms around him.”

Stevens said that doctors diagnosed Hayward with a dislocated left ankle and broken tibia. After the game, which the Celtics lost 108-100 to fall to 02, Stevens said Hayward was headed into surgery as the game was tipping off.

Hayward was expected to make a full recovery, but the coach did not know if it would be this season.

“It’s definitely been tough,” said rookie forward by no less than Raymond S. Velayo Arnis Philippines Inc.-NSA President of the official and authorized National Sports Association (NSA) for Arnis under the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) the soul authority that recognizes and accredits an official NSA for a particular sports graced the event meeting with no less than the Baguio ABC President and Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development Honorable Councilor Michael Lee Lawana who sponsored the beautiful artwork trophies for the event.

The event was made possible by the, City Government of Baguio under Mauricio G Domogan City Mayor, Baguio City Sports Office under Gaudencio Gonzales, Hon. Councilor Michael Lee Lawana, Baguio City National High School, Arnis Philippines Inc.-NSA, STIX Arnis Equipment, BalBacua Urban Kamote and Paotsin Baguio. Team Over-all winners; Juniors Division: 13-14/ 15-17 years old, Novice and Advance, Boys and Girls

Champion –> Muntinlupa LGU = 7 Gold, and1 Silver Medals

1st Runner-up –> Sto. Tomas National High School = 5 Gold, 2 Silver, and 1 Bronze Medals

2nd Runner-up –> University of the Cordilleras - Senior High = 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 12 Bronze Medals

3rd Runner-up –> La Union National High School = 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 4 Bronze Medals

Seniors Division: 18 years old and Above Novice and Advance, Men and Women

Champion –> Philippine National Police Academy = 7 Gold, 5 Silver and 4 Bronze Medals

1st Runner-up –> Taguig City University = 7 Gold, 3 Silver, and 10 Bronze Medals

2nd Runner-up –> PhilCEA = 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals

3rd Runner-up –> Benguet State University = 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medals ing strikes seeking to repeat against Kevin Chung.

Chung is a 24-year-old South Korean martial artist who was born and raised in the United States. He began his amatuer career in his adoptive hometown of Centreville, Virginia, in 2010, and has since impressed with his spectacular performances inside the cage.

Chung turned professional in 2015, and currently holds a perfect professional record of 4-0, with two of his four career wins having come by way of spectacular stoppage as he prides himself on being an exciting competitor, willing to please the crowd by constantly seeking the highlight-reel finish.

Top Filipino women’s martial arts contender Iniong is a six-time national wushu champion and member of the renowned Team Lakay.

Iniong owns a professional martial arts record of 5-2, with three of her five victories coming by thrilling finish, including two highlight-reel submissions and one knockout.

In her last bout, Iniong impressed in her ONE Championship debut, defeating tough competitor Natalie Gonzales Hills by unanimous decision.

The lady fighter will take on Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol of Jakarta, Indonesia, who is a wushu champion an has trained in various striking disciplines such as kickboxing and wushu.

The 29-year-old made her ONE Championship debut against Singapore’s Tiffany Teo at ONE: Throne of Tigers in February, joining a growing list of elite female martial artists in Asia.

Pacio meanwhile guns for a victory after a sorry loss the last time out whose record stands at 9-2.

A rising star in Asian martial arts, Pacio is a wushu practitioner with a solid grappling repertoire. All but one of his career victories have come by spectacular finish, which includes five wins by submission and three by devastating knockout.

A former ONE strawweight world championship title challenger, Pacio is looking to bring himself back to title contention with a victory. A tough task is ahead of Pacio, however, as he is slated to lock horns with countryman Roy Doliguez.

Meanwhile, 35-year-old Doliguez is considered one of the top strawweights in ONE Championship.

Doliguez, a former professional boxing champion with more than 40 pro bouts, made his ONE Championship debut in 2015, vying for the inaugural ONE strawweight world championship against former champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.

In his most recent bout, Doliguez scored the biggest win of his career, stopping Brazilian stalwart Yago Bryan via third-round knockout.