CEBU CITY – Over 200 stick-fighters battle for supremacy in the 2nd Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos Handuraw Invitational Arnis Tournament underway on Sunday, Dec. 29  at the Cultural and Sports Center of Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte.

THE rising Dapitan City Arnis Team is one of the participants in the 2nd Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos Handuraw Invitational Arnis Tournament. (File photo)

Cementing Dapitan’s status as a rising hub for the country’s national sport, this year’s tournament attracted 220 participants, nearly doubling last year’s turnout of 128.

“With every strike, every block, and every move, we honor the traditions of arnis, the spirit of camaraderie, and the indomitable pride of Dapitan,” city Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong said during the opening ceremony graced by Dapitan Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos and City Administrator Amalou Tumapon-Monroyo.

Participated by various arnis clubs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Agolong said the tournament has become one of the most-anticipated arnis competition since it started in 2022.

Agolong added that tournament started as an Anyo competition.

It is through the tournament that Dapitan formed its own arnis team through Jalosjos’ “Serbisyo Bilis Para sa mga Bata” program.

Led by playing coach Cris Saldon Hamoy, the Dapitan arnis team  had its baptism of fire when it competed in last March’s Zubiri Cup Kali Eskrima Arnis Tournament in Davao where it collected 10 gold medals, two silvers, and five bronzes.

One of the noted participants in the 2023 edition of the tournament was Italian world champion arnisador Andrea Rollon, who sparred with Jalosjos, an arnis grandmaster. 

“That moment wasn’t just a show. It was a statement, solidifying Dapitan’s status as a rising hub for arnis. From the way we hosted the participants to the warm hospitality extended to our guests, it was clear that Seth Frederick Jalosjos brand of excellence, a ‘GWAPO (Genuine, Working, Active, Politician)’ leader, was being delivered, a true reflection of the leadership and dedication of our city,” Agolong said.