Filipino community in Paris celebrates Olympic spirit | ABS-CBN
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Filipino community in Paris celebrates Olympic spirit
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 08, 2024 01:21 PM PHT
Filipino Sports Fest in Stade de la Porte de Muette. Gretchen Malalad
Filipino Sports Fest in Stade de la Porte de Muette. Gretchen Malalad PARIS -- The Olympic spirit was palpable at the Filipino Sports Fest last June 30 at the Stade de la Porte de Muette, where hundreds of Filipinos living in Paris gathered to compete in various sports including basketball, chess, and darts.
PARIS -- The Olympic spirit was palpable at the Filipino Sports Fest last June 30 at the Stade de la Porte de Muette, where hundreds of Filipinos living in Paris gathered to compete in various sports including basketball, chess, and darts.
The excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games was evident, with many pledging their support for the Philippine national team.
The excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games was evident, with many pledging their support for the Philippine national team.
Among the highlights of the event was a self-defense exhibition by a group of martial artists promoting Arnis, the national martial art of the Philippines.
Among the highlights of the event was a self-defense exhibition by a group of martial artists promoting Arnis, the national martial art of the Philippines.
Marcelo Andres from the Red Eskrima Club emphasized the cultural heritage of Arnis, expressing pride in showcasing it in Europe.
Marcelo Andres from the Red Eskrima Club emphasized the cultural heritage of Arnis, expressing pride in showcasing it in Europe.
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"It's very important that we continue the indigenous martial arts from the Philippines. Other nationalities give importance to the sport, so why not us?" said Andres, who hopes that Arnis might one day be included in the Olympic program.
"It's very important that we continue the indigenous martial arts from the Philippines. Other nationalities give importance to the sport, so why not us?" said Andres, who hopes that Arnis might one day be included in the Olympic program.
Among the participants was Violeta Marcial, 55, who demonstrated precise punches and blocks in a knife attack simulation. Having been attacked and robbed twice in Paris, Marcial took up martial arts for self-defense.
Among the participants was Violeta Marcial, 55, who demonstrated precise punches and blocks in a knife attack simulation. Having been attacked and robbed twice in Paris, Marcial took up martial arts for self-defense.
She expressed particular excitement for the Olympic Judo events, eagerly anticipating Kiyomi Watanabe's competition in the women's -63 kg division.
She expressed particular excitement for the Olympic Judo events, eagerly anticipating Kiyomi Watanabe's competition in the women's -63 kg division.
"I'm so excited to watch because I want to see martial arts fights to learn from their techniques. Even if I'm old, thank God I still have the energy," she said.
"I'm so excited to watch because I want to see martial arts fights to learn from their techniques. Even if I'm old, thank God I still have the energy," she said.
Eleven-year-old Elizabeth Ballos, an Arnis gold medalist, captivated the audience with her lightning-fast techniques. Fluent in French, Ballos dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete for either France or the Philippines. She hopes the Philippine team will secure several gold medals at the upcoming Games.
Eleven-year-old Elizabeth Ballos, an Arnis gold medalist, captivated the audience with her lightning-fast techniques. Fluent in French, Ballos dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete for either France or the Philippines. She hopes the Philippine team will secure several gold medals at the upcoming Games.
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The fest also featured booths selling Filipino delicacies such as lechon, dinuguan, and isaw, with halo-halo desserts being particularly popular in the Parisian summer heat.
The fest also featured booths selling Filipino delicacies such as lechon, dinuguan, and isaw, with halo-halo desserts being particularly popular in the Parisian summer heat.
This is the ninth annual sports fest but it feels especially significant due to the upcoming Olympics, according to event organizer Lorna Munnecom.
This is the ninth annual sports fest but it feels especially significant due to the upcoming Olympics, according to event organizer Lorna Munnecom.
"We have tickets to watch the Olympics and, of course, the Filipino community will be watching to cheer our athletes," she said.
"We have tickets to watch the Olympics and, of course, the Filipino community will be watching to cheer our athletes," she said.
Munnecom, owner of Amihan Travel Agency in Paris, shared that many of her employees have volunteered for the Olympics, serving as spectator guides and assisting at various venues. She excused them from work for two weeks, underscoring that volunteering for the Games embodies the true spirit of Olympism. -- report from Gretchen Malalad
Munnecom, owner of Amihan Travel Agency in Paris, shared that many of her employees have volunteered for the Olympics, serving as spectator guides and assisting at various venues. She excused them from work for two weeks, underscoring that volunteering for the Games embodies the true spirit of Olympism. -- report from Gretchen Malalad
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