The Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) Arnis Team proudly clinched the title of Overall Champion in the Senior Division Category at the 2nd Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos Handuraw Invitational Arnis Tournament. The event was held on December 29–30, 2024, at the Cultural and Sports Center in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.
Guided by Dr. Samson L. Molao, University President, and supported by their dedicated coaches—Dr. Mohammad Isa S. Usman, Mr. James G. Batoampo, and Ms. Mary Joy Marullano-Zerudo—the team delivered an outstanding performance. The SKSU athletes secured an impressive haul of 10 golds, 5 silvers, and 4 bronzes across various categories.
This year’s tournament underscored Dapitan City’s growing reputation as a hub for arnis, the Philippines’ national martial art and sport. Participation surged compared to the inaugural event, with 220 arnisadors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, a significant increase from last year’s 128 participants.
Here are the outstanding student stick-fighters and their respective achievements:
- JC GEORGE VILLARUEL
- Gold- Live Stick, Bantamweight
- MELVIN DELOS SANTOS
- Gold-Live Stick, Featherweight
- Silver- Padded Stick, Featherweight
- CARL CLACIO
- Gold- Live Stick, Lightweight
- Gold- Padded Stick, Lightweight
- CHARLES PENIÉRO
- Gold- Live Stick, Lightweight
- Gold- Padded Stick, Lightweight
- CHARA GENEROSO
- Gold- Live Stick, Featherweight
- Gold- Padded Stick, Featherweight
- CRISTEL ARTIZONA
- Gold- Live Stick, Lightweight
- Silver- Padded Stick, Lightweight
- ELLAINE LIM
- Silver: Live Stick, Featherweight
- Bronze: Padded Stick, Featherweight
- NICOLLE LUMACTOD
- Silver- Live Stick, Lightweight
- Gold- Padded Stick, Lightweight
- NECOLE SENDICO
- Bronze- Live Stick, Bantamweight
- Silver- Padded Stick, Bantamweight
- MHARJOHANNE DIAZ
- Bronze- Live Stick, Bantamweight
- Bronze- Padded Stick, Bantamweight
With its main campus, the ACCESS Campus, located in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, SKSU continues to uphold its reputation and that of Tacurong City as a home of champions, consistently excelling in national sports competitions.
Arnis was officially declared the national martial art and sport of the Philippines under Republic Act No. 9850, signed into law on December 11, 2009. The law underscores the significance of arnis as a vital part of Filipino heritage and promotes its preservation through education and practice.
