Francine Padios of Pencak Silat vows to retain gold medal for SEA Games in Cambodia says mom

KALIBO, Aklan- Francine Padios, the Philippines first gold medalist during the Southeast Asian Games last year, vows to fight for her mother, according to her mother in an interview.

Doneza Padios told Rappler in an interview on May 7 that her daughter was in Cambodia to compete in this year’s leg of the SEA Games.

Padios was the first gold medalist for the Philippines during the SEA Games held last year in Vietnam.

“She trained hard and is in high spirits to retain her crown,” said the mother.

The Padios traces their roots to Kalibo, Aklan.

As this develops Aklanon Shara Julia Jizmundo has won Bronze Sunday in the Pencak Silat-Regu in the 32nd Sea Games hosted by Cambodia.

It could be recalled that Padios was quickly sent to Vietnam to compete to replace her province mates Cherry May Regalado after the latter got injured during the training. Regalado, who earned her moicker Princess Silat, was the bronze medalist during the 2018 Asian Games.

Freddie Jizmundo Sr., founder of the Philippine Lightning Speed in Aklan, said he introduced Pencak Silat here after learning that it is a safe martial art for young people.

The Pencak Silat originated in Indonesia and demonstrates full-body fighting form incorporating strikes, grappling, and throwing in addition to weaponry. Every part of the body is used for physical defense.

Jizmundo Sr. was named on April 25, 2023, as an Outstanding Aklanon Awardee because of his dedication to sports, producing gold medals for Aklanon athletes in the field of martial arts.

“I can say that Aklan province is now widely known as a training ground for Pencak Silat artists,” he said.