Bongbong shootfest cup set in Paoay

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte (Nov.24)–Hailed as the hub of the Practical Shooting Sports in Northwestern Luzon, the Province of Ilocos Norte will host this year’s Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA) Nationals: Senator Bongbong Marcos Cup on November 26- December 2, 2012 to be held at the Marcos Combat Shooting Firing Range in Brgy Suba, this town.

A total of 600 shooting champions and aficionados will come from the United Kingdom, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Guam, the United States, Hawaii and also from Davao, General Santos City, Manila, and Bukidnon in the Philippines.

Local shooters and members of gun clubs based in the province like the Marcos Combat Shooters Inc. will also participate to compete against the top shooters.

This year’s version of Sen. Bongbong Marcos Cup shall have 20 stages, including Level III which presents varying degrees of difficulties and obstacles designed to cover all the principles observed by PPSA’s umbrella organization, the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC).

Since its inception, the Cup has drawn shooting personalities who visited the province, including the proclaimed winners of 2011, namely Edward Rivera of Speed Edge and Jethro “The Jet” Dionisio of Armscor, both known to have multiple championship titles from various IPSC matches.

Practical Shooting is the fastest growing shooting sports in the world to date. It was introduced in the Philippines by Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile who founded the PPSA in 1982.  Sen. Bongbong Marcos, being a practical shooting sport enthusiast, became one of the competitors during the first ever PPSA Nationals.

Aside from developing and testing an individual’s shooting skills in a controlled environment, the said competition advocates peace through sports, particularly responsible gun handling and ownership.—Grazielle Mae A. Sales, PGIN-CMO