Allan Fami Combative Martial Arts Center (AFMC)

Whew, finally, Arnis is now our national Sports.

Thanks to all the great men who had been instrumental to the  realization of this dream.

On December 11,2009, Republic Act 9850 ,also known as the Arnis Law, was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. (Can't believe it) After a long time of waiting and hoping that Arnis would also  be recognized as a national sport. For quite long, Arnis has always been on the background,with some of the Oriental Martial Arts  in the limelight. Now,its the time for our very own indigenous art to take the center stage.

What really exciting are the opportunities now open for all true blooded Arnisadors in the country. It is expected that, much attention will be given now to Arnis, including the inclusion of  Arnis as a Physical Education subject  for the Department of Education and also its inclusion on the National Sports Events.

 There are more benefits we would discover upon learning our own art. Not only learning to value our heritage but also we will learn how great  we Filipinos in martial arts. For sure we would be proud of it. Arnis is not merely  sticks, in it are systematic techniques useful for self defense and street fighting. 

Being a recognized sport as it is now, we  expect that more youths would attaend  Arnis schools to avail this very Filipino Martial Arts.

Mabuhay ang Arnis at mabuhay tayong mga Pilipino.

On April 24, 2009, a public hearing was held in the Senate of the Philippines regarding the Arnis bills entitled “An Act Declaring Arnis as the Philippine National Sport”, introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, and “An Act Declaring Arnis as the National Sport of the Philippines”, introduced by Sen. Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid. Present were some Arnis practitioners, Department of Education Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya, National Commission for Culture and Arts representative Ed Robles, Philippine Olympic Committee representative Gen. Mario Tanchanco, and Arnis Natiaonal Sports Association President Mr. Raymond S. Velayo. Other ARPI officers present were Commissioner Mr. Ryan C. Gialogo and Corporate Secretary Ms. Melanie Cayao. Chairman on Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture Senator Mar A. Roxas presided over the meeting. Recommendation for approval of the bills were given, and final discussions, including consolidating the two bills into one comprehensive bill before approval, will be scheduled.

At some point in the discussion, Mr. Velayo contributed by citing that certain words should be withheld from the proposal, such as the word “kali” which has no real and clearly documented or historical basis. Another was to strike out from the bill the word “modern” in connection with the phrase “modern Arnis,” which pertains to a particular Arnis style and club. This is to eliminate bias and misinformation.