Arnis Phils.-BaNeg 13-9-1 in Mayor Treñas Cup By: James U. Sy Jr., PIO, Arnis Phils.-BaNeg

Arnis Philippines (ArPi)-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter under Commissioner Grandmaster Atty. Col. Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., took home a 13-9-1 medal haul during the Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Regional Arnis Cup 2009 Regional Arnis Tournament held by the Arnis Philippines (ArPi)-Iloilo City Chapter under Commissioner Bonnie A. Celendro with the full support of the Iloilo City Government under Hon. Mayor Jerry P. Treñas last May 29, 2009 at the Robinson’s Place, Iloilo City , Panay .

The Negros Occidental contingent was represented by the Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres-sponsored Bago City Team/ Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) of Founder/Grandmaster Jose “Joe” B. Mancesa and its President Eliseo Yanong Sr. and the Bacolod Team/KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Founder/Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal. Official Coach was GM Cardinal with GM Mancesa and Master Gualberto Dajao as Second Coach and assistant Coaches respectively.

Gold medalists for the Labanana (Full Contact) Division were Danny John Cardinal of Bacolod and John Mark Cabayao, Edgardo Doctora, Audi Mancesa, Francis Marfil, and Jerel Sombilla of Bago City (Juniors Category), Ramonito Armijado, John Carlos Bagatila, Romulus Jude Ballentes, Stevie John Doctora, and Raffy Yanong of Bago City (Seniors Men Category), and Vina Mancesa and Realou de los Santos of Bago City (Seniors Women Category).

Silver medalists for the Labanana (Full Contact) Division were Mark Anthony Bandoquillo, Ande Christopher Jabat, John Kevin Guiking, and Herman Sinugbuhan of Bacolod City and Johnny Jolito J. of Bago City (Juniors Category),, and Elizalde Aspan of Bacolod City and Harold Jalbuena of Bago City (Seniors Men Category).

Double silver medalist for the Anyo (Forms) Division was Vina Mancesa of Bago City (Women Solo and Doble Baston Category). Bronze medalist for the Labanana (Full Contact) Division was Ivy Mogello of bago City (Seniors Women).

Vina Mancesa was the only triple medalist for negros Occidental in the event which was attended by not less than 260 players from various parts of Western Visayas .

Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres, ever since he took office, had whole heartedly organized, supported, nurtured, and sustained Bago City’s quest to dominate the Arnis scene as it had in the Boxing arena in the past. The honorable mayor had sponsored a number of Arnis tournaments which were held in Bago City and as well as sent its players to local and regional level as well as DepEd tournaments. The Bago City Arnis Team expresses its graditude to their mayor.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod Arnis Team was self-financed by its players who had to look for private sponsors to bring honor to the City of Smiles .