Kyla Nadine M. Gamir
Region XI

“Anyo,” a branch of arnis, is a proudly Filipino sport that focuses on movements and choreographies using batons.

This sport can be played by anyone, given that they pass the physical standards. But a young player from Davao is trumping the norm and starting to carve a name for herself at a tender age.

Julia Cassandra Sarate, a member of the Davao Eagles’ arnis anyo, is the youngest of their team as of this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

“Nine years old ko karon, nine years old pud ko atong sugod ko og tuon (I am nine years old, and I started training at this age),” Sarate explained.

Sarate started training only last year but she has already reached Palarong Pambansa, the national level, representing Davao Region.

Like her favorite player Princess Valdez from Tacurong City, whom she admires for the strength and excellence she possesses, Sarate trains hard with the help of her coach.

Even at a very young age, nine-year-old Julia Cassandra Sarate joins the 2019 Palarong Pambansa arnis anyo as part of the Davao Region team. KUHA NI ANDRE GEORGIA VILLEGAS

With only a few months of training, Sarate, at the age of nine, has already made a name for herself and has represented Region XI,.

WAKAS