Indigenous athletes ready for Asean Tribal Games

MANILA, Philippines—Nine indigenous athletes and three coaches will represent the Philippines in the first Asean Indigenous Tribal Games on Sept. 15 and 16 in Ranau Village, Sabah, Malaysia.   The athletes are Arnulfo Bernardo, Reynaldo Panagsagan, Ryan Pacifico, Marlon Luna, Ricardo Turgo, June Ablong, Manalo Ablong, Dumlao Naval and Jimmy Ablong. Coaches are Conchita Consada, Jerry Manalo and Danilo Tecson.   The Games will feature competitions in boat race, foot race, traditional dancing, spearing, blow gun, and archery in assault courses, like shooters aiming for targets while they’re up in the trees.   “I hope this is the start of something big,” said soft tennis chief and POC board member Col. Jeff Tamayo, who founded the Asean event, during the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.   “These are the grandfathers of the Filipino tribes—the Mangyans of Mindoro, the Aetas of Pampanga and the Dumagats of Sierra Madre,” he added as team members, dressed in their traditional garb, looked on during the sports forum presented by Outlast Battery, Pagcor and Shakey’s.   The two-day event coincides with the Nunuk Ragang World Indigenous People’s Day Celebration.