AT PRESENT where martial arts is shallowly practiced as a self-defense, many still sees it more relevant to promote it as a sport parallel to being a way for physical fitness.
Martial arts started and had come to existence and has become an avenue in promoting and propagating their art to the world.
The need to race consciousness about the beauty of arnis goes hand in hand with promoting Filipino culture and tradition as it tells or speaks greatly of our heritage as a nation and as people. Our stints and struggles in history paved so many in the events of the past that contributed in shaping of the world’s mold today.
This year will be a milestone with the unraveling of arnis as the National Sports Association for Arnis, Arnis Philippines Inc. (ARPI) and Arnis Pederasyong International Inc. (iArnis), the only national sports association recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission in promoting the Philippine National Martial Arts and Sports will be holding its first iArnis World Encounter which will commence on 24 July until the 29th at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. It will be an international event in cooperation with the Rotary Club of New Manila, Quezon City.
Participants from 15 countries such as Jordan, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Korea, Canada, and USA to name a few are expected to grace the momentous event. The world’s best in arnis will be in attendance and competing to what is regarded as a high level competition of an international class.
Prior to the international tournament, there will be an iArnis World Congress to be held on July 24 for officials, referees, judges, athletes and delegates from the participating countries. Agenda for the congress includes The President’s Report: “iArnis and Beyond,” appointment of interim officers, induction of the newly appointed officers, adoption of the international rules and regulations of iArnis and the holding of World Arnis Encounter.
The foreign contingent will also be treated to a city tour of Metro Manila’s tourist destinations and will be catered with Filipino hospitality in a fellowship dinner in the evening.
The Arnis World Encounter aims to provide a unique experience for all Arnisadors from around the globe to come together and compete and get acquainted with their counterparts from different countries.