The country’s best arnis athletes converged Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, and Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri believes the Philippines’ next breakout international star could be standing among them. The Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) opened its National Battle of Champions with 358 competitors from across the country, kicking off a biennial national championship running from Aug. 7 to 9 that doubles as a launching pad for the sport’s rising talents.

Joining Zubiri, PEKAF’s president and national chairperson, at the opening were Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and Manila Sports Council Director Dale Evangelista, representing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. The National Battle of Champions serves as PEKAF’s national seeding program, giving top performers a shot at being drafted into the Philippine National Arnis Team training pool.

Eight Athletes, 24 Medals Set the Bar

Zubiri’s comparison to tennis star Alex Eala came on the heels of a stunning showing at the 18th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation World Championship in New Delhi, India, where a lean Philippine contingent of just eight athletes and three coaches hauled in 19 gold, four silver and one bronze medal. Gregorio announced cash incentives for the team members who competed in that tournament, rewarding a performance that far outpaced the size of the delegation.

“Ito na siguro ang mga susunod na Alex Ealas ng arnis. Imagine that: eight athletes, 24 medals. Masarap mangarap what our arnis athletes can achieve if we give more of them the training, exposure and support they deserve,” Zubiri said. He added that the field gathered at Rizal Coliseum represents the next wave of talent that could replicate or even surpass that success. “Hindi lang basta 358 athletes ang nandito ngayon. These are champions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who fought their way here, and some of them may become the next members of our Philippine National Arnis Team,” he stressed.

The tournament brings together gold and silver medalists from the Luzon and National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao qualifying legs, with 92 gold medals up for grabs across the Seniors and Juniors divisions.

Bigger Stage Ahead for the National Sport

Beyond this weekend’s competition, Zubiri and PEKAF are pushing for arnis to gain a permanent foothold on the regional and international stage. He laid out plans for the formation of an Asian Arnis Federation, the staging of an Asian Arnis Championship and a continued campaign to get arnis included in the SEA Games. Gregorio echoed that ambition, voicing support for bringing arnis into more international sporting events and revealing plans to host a Southeast Asian Sports Tourism Summit alongside ASEAN activities in the Philippines this November.

“Our dream is bigger than just one tournament. Gusto nating dumating ang panahon na regular nang nilalaro ang arnis sa SEA Games, may Asian championships tayo, at may Filipino athletes na recognized across the region as the standard in the sport that came from our own country,” Zubiri said.

Angara, the event’s guest speaker, committed to pushing for arnis to be included among the sports offered scholarships at the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, and to expand its presence in the next Palarong Pambansa. “Kung mas maraming kabataan ang mabibigyan ng pagkakataong matuto at lumaban sa arnis, mas marami tayong madi-discover na future champions,” Zubiri pointed out. “Arnis is our national martial art and sport, and our young people should know that they can build a future in a sport that is truly our own.”

The opening ceremony also featured a video message from Sparkle actor and Pinoy Big Brother 2025 second runner-up Heath Jornales, an arnis practitioner who encouraged sportsmanship among the competitors and was unveiled by Zubiri as PEKAF’s new “Arnis Ambassador.” “Arnis was born here. Dapat tayo rin ang manguna sa pagpapalago nito sa buong mundo. The champions we are watching today can be the athletes who will carry our flag tomorrow,” Zubiri said.

Also present at the event were PEKAF EVP Gerard Tongson, Secretary General Rene Tongson, Tournament Director GM Ike Xavier Villaflores, GM Efren Apresto, GM Wilfredo Bacalso, Chairman Patty Jean Caballero, GM Samuel Dulay, Tuhon Vicente Garrucho, GM Danilo Jorquia, GM Generoso Martinada Jr., Doc Paulo Motita, GM Mario Palazuelo, GM Bella Marie Saguin and GM Bernard Sepulveda.