CEBU CITY – “Sticks over gadgets, exercise over radiation.”

MEMBERS of the PARAK SBB Arnis Team of Dapitan City led by coach Cris Saldon Hamoy pose after their successful campaign in the recent 87th Araw ng Dabaw Zubiri Cup National Invitation Arnis Kali Eskrima Tournament at the UP Sports Complex in Mintal, Davao City. (Contributed photo)

Driven by this advocacy, the city government of Dapitan sent its young arnisadors (practitioners) to the recent 87th Araw ng Dabaw Zubiri Cup National Invitational Arnis Kali Eskrima Tournament held at the University of the Philippines (UP) Sports Complex in Mintal, Davao City.

The PARAK SBB Arnis Team of Dapitan led by coach Cris Saldon Hamoy collected 17 medals – 10 gold, two silvers, and five bronzes.

Competing in the tournament was part of the youth development program of Dapitan Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos, who is an Arnis Grandmaster.

“It was in 2013 when I pushed for the sport of arnis in Dapitan. I was a congressman then. It’s important that we engage our youth in arnis because it was one of the sports that Dr. Jose Rizal taught during his exile in Dapitan,” said Jalosjos.

Dapitan has also hosted an arnis competition in the past but it was only an “anyo” competition.

Apple Marie Agolong, Dapitan tourism officer, said that in 2023, the city launched the SBB or “Serbisyo Bilis ni Bullet.”

“Under the SBB, Dapitanons were able to avail of various programs such as health. Those who needed treatment were sent to Cebu, Manila, or Zamboanga and all expenses were paid by the city under the SBB,” said Agolong.

Another SBB was then launched and this time, it focuses on youth development, said Agolong.

“The Serbisyo Bilis sa mga Bata involves personality development training, workshops, modeling, and various sports such as arnis, basketball, tennis, and volleyball,” said Agolong.

The launching of the SBB for youth paid off when PARAK SBB Arnis Team of Dapitan made its presence felt in the recent Davao competition.

Hamoy led Dapitan’s medal haul after winning a gold in the live stick and a silver in the padded stick masters division.

Giamiel Austin Daguinotas won two golds in the live and padded stick of the boy's extra lightweight category while Elyza Celine Valeras pocketed gold in the live stick and a silver in the padded stick of the girl’s bantamweight class.

John Gasper Laput won a gold in live stick and a bronze in padded stick under the boy's Cadet C beginner and Vanessa Lorein Sabejon added gold in the live stick and bronze in the padded stick of the girl's lightweight.

Maxana Dhave Jumamoy contributed a gold and a bronze in the girl’s extra lightweight while John Leo Cirs Betong Pajaron added gold and a bronze in the boy’s featherweight.

The other gold medalists were Cristyl Neilswind Hamoy in girl’s welterweight and John Kent Pon Vailoces in the senior beginner boy’s lightweight. John Wyne Fernandez donated bronze in the padded stick of the boy’s lightweight beginner.

“We want to thank Mayor Bullet for not hesitating to support us. Our City Administrator Amalou Tumapon Monroyo and tourism officer Apple Marie Agolong really helped us ensure that our stint will go smoothly. We are so blessed that we were given a chance to compete and the kids to train in arnis instead of spending more time on gadgets. I always reminded them that it should ‘sticks over gadgets and exercise over radiation,’” Hamoy said.