Proud Igorot ChriSamuel Delfin won gold medal in the men's arnis competition at the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games. Donned with traditional 'Bahag' to the music from ethnic instruments, Delfin gracefully showed his impressive warrior skills.
Photo credit by Popoy Fajardo via Facebook
Senator Miguel Zubiri, president of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation, admitted Delfin initially encountered issues with his decision to wear the traditional costume.
"He is a proud Igorot and he is proud of his lineage. We had some problems because he wanted to wear his bahag without any brief," Senator Miguel Zubiri told ANC's "Headstart."
"Delfin didn't want to wear anything under the bahag, because it is an insult to wear a brief or something according to their tradition." Zubiri added.
Officials of the said competition denied Delfins request to wear a 'bahag' for fear that wardrobe malfunction could occur during the competition.
"Our coach said, 'It is better to disqualify him than to deny him of his heritage," Zubiri said. He talked to Delfin’s coach not to disqualify him because he is such a good arnis player.
Finally Delfin agreed to wear a small garment underneath. "We bought a thong and we showed it to the judges and they said, OK. He won the gold. It was a great performance,"Zubiri said.
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