Mitz Jalandoni and Shara Jizmundo brought home three medals from the recently concluded 9th Asian Pencak Silat Championships in Ha Tinh, Vietnam.

Pencak Silat is a traditional Indonesian martial art that includes a variety of styles, movements, and a combination of striking, grappling, and weaponry techniques.

According to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the term ‘pencak’ is better known in Java, while the term ‘silat’ is better known in West Sumatra, describing a group of martial arts with many similarities.

The Iloilo City native Jalandoni delivered the lone gold for the Philippines after topping the Female Bebas (Solo Creative) category.

“Very overwhelmed kasi hindi ko inaasahan na makukuha ko yung gold,” Jalandoni told GMA Regional TV News.

Meanwhile, Malay, Aklan’s Shara Jizmundo settled for a silver finish against Malaysia in the Tunggal female category.

Jalandoni and Jizmundo paired up in the Ganda double female category and secured another silver for the Philippines.

The duo worked on their familiarity in the build-up of their preparations to synchronize their movements.

“Yung goal talaga namin is tutukan yung doubles namin, which is yung ganda. Bagong tandem lang kami so we need to practice talaga and extra para ma-timing namin lahat ng galaw,” Jalandoni said.

Jizmundo said their chemistry off the court made their training easier and made the difference in their successful campaign.

“I would say na compatible yung tandem namin. Sa event po kasi namin na double category important yung compatibility… to build the chemistry madali na lang kasi close naman po kami before nag-start,” Jizmundo shared.

Minor injuries and accidents did not help the medalists during their preparations.

“Nung nakaraan sa doubles namin, nasagi yung mata ko ng ‘gulok,’ so one week akong hindi naka-all-out sa training. Kinakabahan ako nung nakaraan kasi baka hindi kami maka-execute ng proper,” Jalandoni shared.

‘Gulok’ is a short, heavy machete or sword-like weapon used in pencak silat and for combat and self-defense traditionally in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Two other pesilats from Panay snatched a medal in the competition.

Mary Justine Acat of Barangay Tanza Sur in Panay, Capiz took home the bronze in the Tanding open weight class 1 female category while Stephen Suazo of Sara, Iloilo managed to grab a bronze in Tanding Class I male category.

According to Philsilat Sports Association, the Philippine delegation won a total of 18 medals and 17 out of 26 athletes made the podium finish.