SORSOGON CITY – The founder of the Bicol martial arts locally known as "Rapandapanan," also called “solefighting,” has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to include the sport as one of the events in the annual Palarong Pambansa.

During the 3rd Solefighters National League at SM City Sorsogon here, founder Capt. Henry Bio said that he wrote a letter to the DepEd to include Rapandapanan in the physical education program as well in the district, division, provincial, regional, and national meets.

SOLEFIGHTERS from Sorsogon and Laguna compete in the 3rd Solefighters National League at SM City Sorsogon during the Kasanggayahan Festival celebration. (Photo via Nino Luces)

"In January 19, 2023, a letter of communication was sent to different government offices in various areas with solefighter chapters. The purpose of the letters was basically requesting these government officials from areas with solefighter chapters to support the World Solefighters Inc. in its quest for the inclusion of solefighting or Rapandapanan to the DepEd in their physical education program. The purpose is to have solefighting as part of the Palarong Bayan, Palarong Panlalawigan, Palarong Panrehiyon, and Palarong Pambansa," Bio said.

Solefighting is a martial art using the sole of the foot or "talampakan" or “rapandapan” in Bicolano.

Like boxing, solefighting could be played in the ring by round and by weight.

However, the difference between the two sports is solefighting uses the sole of the foot instead of the fist.

"Unlike boxing, solefighting is a martial art. As a matter of standard, solefighting adopts the universal martial arts belting system such as white belt, green belt, brown belt, black belt, and red belt. Each belt or level has its corresponding lessons. In the teaching of solefighting, weapons are taught with separate standard lesson. Most common weapon used are arnis or kampilan in the advance levels," Bio said.

Bio said that solefighting has gained popularity not only in the Bicol region but also in some areas in the country like Laguna, Region 3 (Central Luzon), and Visayas, and even in the United States since it was founded in 1995.

He said that World Solefighters Inc. has already more 2,000 members with uniform, not counting new recruits.

Bio said he started developing solefighting in the 1960s in Barangay San Rafael, Castilla, Sorsogon.

"I was fortunate to have studied different martial arts styles and systems. At an early age of six, I started learning boxing and combat martial arts from my older brothers, Arturo Bernas, a boxer, and Crispin Bernas Jr., a combat martial artist. I have studied judo with Motoharu Susuki, an agriculturist assigned in Barangay San Rafael. I have also studied during same period karate from the instructors of Black Secret Groups of Sorsogon," he added.

Bio, a retired Philippine Army captain, is a world champion in several martial arts such as “Sikaran” and arnis.He was once an instructor of martial arts in the Philippine Army.

Bio said that he and members of the World Solefighters Inc. will help DepEd train coaches, referees, judges, coordinators, umpires, and other individuals that may be involved in the holding of tournaments or competitions.

Bio said it is high time to promote local and original contemporary martial arts.

He said solefighting has six basic tenets – discipline, self-confidence, self-defense, physical fitness, sports, and arts.