14 Philex bets win in nat’l martial arts games

May 28, 2017 Community Billboard

TUBA, BENGUET – Fostering a holistic development of children, youth, and other residents at its Padcal mine camp, Philex Mining Corp. hosted a national martial-arts games and festival, where 14 of the company’s 33 players were among the winners who will represent the Philippines at an international event in Europe toward the end of the year.
A total of 120 players participated, at least 40 of whom won awards, in the 2nd National Martial Arts Games: An Open Invitational Tournament and Festival of Arnis and Sikaran, held Apr. 29 at the APP Sports Center, in this town’s Sitio Padcal, Brgy. Camp 3.
Stressing that arnis, a Filipino national sport and martial art using a rounded stick of rattan or wood, has gone global, Jonathan Abaya, international president of Arnis Philippines, said his group now has chapters in Japan, the US, Nepal, Australia, Iran, and India.
Roy Mangali, Padcal assistant resident manager, said Philex Mining will continue to support athletic events in line with the company’s initiative to promote a healthy and holistic community built and nurtured through responsible mining.
Joey Gapuz, fielded by Philex Mining in the Arnis Games, clinched the silver medal in the Adult Division, trailing Mico Sagisag, a bet from Mandaluyong City. In the Junior Division, Philex Mining’s Julie Ann Manungod and April Langaoan won gold and bronze, respectively, in the Girls category.
Renie David of the mine’s Central Mechanic Services Dept., also a member of the Philippines’ national arnis team, teaches martial arts at the Padcal mine, free-of-charge. He said with the support of Philex Mining, the international martial-arts games will be held at the Minsk-Arena Complex, a multiuse indoor arena, in Minsk, Belarus, on Nov. 29 to Dec. 4.
Participants fielded by Philex Mining in the Sikaran Games also won big across the events.
Philex Mining’s Jam Tolentino and Arvy Abalos were adjudged champions in the Large category of White Belt Division, while Justin Montino also clinched the championship in the division’s Medium category.
Manungod again won gold in the Girls B category, Junior Division, followed by Ashley Cerna, while Sugar Cabaltera clinched the gold medal in the Girls C category. Gapuz again won the silver medal in the Boys B category of the same division.
In sikaran’s Kids Division, Philex Mining’s Raymond David and Edward Fagto were awarded the gold medal in the Boys A and B categories, respectively, while Mico Mayen got the silver medal (Boys B). Maricar Viernes and Sedin Daquingas won gold in the Kids Division’s Girls A and B categories, respectively, while Rosenda David clinched the silver medal (Girls B). PR / ABN