The 1st Mayor Albee Benitez Archery Cup organized by the United Negrense Archery Club (UNAC) in partnership with World Archery Philippines (WAP) and Yuhum Foundation concluded its three-day competition from October 7-9, held at The Upper East Bacolod Grounds.
Jose Blaire Ejercito, president of United Negrense Archery Club, said in an interview that the main goal of the event was to bring the City of Smiles back to the map of archery in the country as it has been decades since the city has had active organizations and activities related to the sport.
The event was conceptualized after a conversation with WAP Secretary General, Don Sombrio at the Philippine Archery Cup last July and it was decided that the perfect time to hold the event was during the Masskara Festival, he said in a press release.
More than 70 archers from various clubs coming all the way from Barotac Viejo, Antique, Iloilo City, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Dumaguete City, Bayawan, Butuan City, with old and new archers from Bacolod City participated in the cup that is in line with this year’s Masskara Festival Sports events.
The finals were held on October 9, covering qualifying and Olympic rounds.
In the men’s Compound category, Niño Maandig defeated Jon Allen Tabuada and Benny Casana to win the gold medal. During the Olympic Round, Casana clinched the gold medal, winning over Maandig and Tabuada.
Other Gold medalists were: Olympic Round (Recurve) – Jaden Jarbonido (Boys U-10), Miska Blu Ejercito (Girls U-10), Lance Reuben Mikhail Yu (Boys U-13), Isabella Unna Ejercito (Girls U-13), Rapha Eliel Velasquez (Boys U-15), Penelope Juli Aldiano (Girls U-15), Shawn Michael Sumagaysay (Boys U-18), Micaela Manaloto (Girls U-18), Dollyn Grace Llaguno (Girls U-21), Hernan Mervyn Veñegas (Men’s Barebow), Christian Caresosa (Men’s Open Recurve) Gabrielle Monica Bidaure (Women’s Open Recurve); Olympic Round (Compound Men) – Daryl Eslita; Olympic Round (Compound Women) Kesia Ferraris.
Ejercito expressed his gratitude towards Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and Yuhum Foundation headed by Atty. Pinky Mirano Ocampo for their support in the event.
“We are hoping that this will not be the first and last but a regular and yearly event for archers in our city. We will grow archery here through the development of the grassroots. With the massive success of the event, I can definitely feel that Archery is back in Bacolod,” he added.*
