THE Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 is seeking the support of the agency’s Tourism Promotion Board (TPB) to market arnis as a cultural product of Cebu.
DOT 7 Director Shalimar Tamano said he has already met with TBP officer-in-charge Arnold Gonzales during the latter’s visit to include arnis in its promotional tools when marketing Cebu locally and abroad.
“We’ve already reached out to the TPB to support the promotion of arnis as one of Cebu’s cultural products,” said Tamano.
He believes the promotion of arnis will contribute to Cebu and the region’s tourism growth if marketed aggressively, especially during travel shows abroad.
“Arnis has become an international product but has not received proper attention (here),” he said. “It is absurd that is Hollywood that promotes arnis.” This sport also often showcased in foreign action films such as in Bruce Lee’s movies and the series of Bourne films.
Arnis, also known as kali or eskrima, is originally known as arnis de mano or “harness of the hand.” It is the art of incorporating empty-handed fighting as well as techniques with a variety of weapons specializing in short sticks and knife techniques.
It was declared in 2010, as a national martial art and sport. The law was authored by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.
In June this year, Tamano announced that DOT 7 will bid for Cebu’s hosting for the 2019 International Arnis Competition as a way to globally introduce arnis as one of Cebu’s pride.
He urged local tourism stakeholders to help the agency promote arnis, commonly known as stick fighting, to lure more sports enthusiasts to visit the province and know more about its culture.
“For me, arnis is a culture at the same time sport,” said Tamano.
Despite the sport’s roots the Philippines, arnis has gained little attention locally but is gaining popularity in Hollywood.
“It is about time that we take it back. We insist that all kali, arnis, eskrima practitioners around the world visit Cebu and Mactan for a pilgrimage to see the real arnis masters and grandmasters who are Cebuanos,” said Tamano. (KOC)