Although many pinoys have heard about the sports called Darts only a handful knew that it has been here since the 70's. The earliest recorded by Darts Council of the Philippines (DCP) in their unmaintained website was on 1978 which was won by Bumbi Veloso. Personally, I've come to know darts when I was in sixth grade(1989) when dart boards are everywhere in my Honetown in Cagayan de Oro City. Two prominent dart personalities from our place once dominated Philippines darts scene - Estoy "The Maestro" Densing and Ricky Villanueva. They were so prominent that darters nowadays still utter their names. Ricky has now stopped playing darts (as my source told me) but who would have thought that he will be ranked in the US and was even a member of America's National Darts Hall of Fame. Try googling his name and you'll be surprised to know the many dart high profile stints he had in the US. "The Maestro",on the other hand, is now coming back after resting for several years because of an accident. I had the rare opportunity to play with him back home and boy, he still got it! Maybe not as good as he was in his prime but his DART still speaks English!
Another man whose name is carved in Philippines darts history is the late Freedie Deen. I don't know if many of the youngsters today know that once we had a Unicorn signature player in the person of Freedie Deen - the first Asian and a Filipino at that! Until now,some pinoy darters still use his signature dart pins --- a priceless possession I dearly want to have. He also managed to publish a dart book which I am one of those who are fortunate to have a copy.
Those names I mentioned above were just few of the many pinoys who,in one way or another,contributed to today's success of Philippines Darts. Just last year, darts in Philippines is rising once again. Events with prizes ranging from 1M(20,000USD) to 2M (40,000 USD) were
participated by locals and some international darters. Darts in the Philippines has climbed to a greater heights and is now gaining massive national support. And with our national boxing hero (Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao)supporting this sport, there is no doubt that Philippine Darts will be propelled to a level at par with world's best. Soon enough, pinoy darters will be as known as our great billiards players. Soon enough,pinoy darters will let the world know that their dart speaks English!
im also a dart player here in al-khobar and im fun of playing & getting some awards... but at this time our dart organization collapse because they cant get a rigth venue for it...now im playing alone at home...if ill going vacation this june , may i have a request, where do i get to know can i participate to competition in our country?
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my site! It's sad that you're group has ceased...Keep on playing though...Yes,sir, you are most welcome to participate in the tournaments here...If you wish, you may visit this website ndfpdarts.com. Tournaments schedules are posted there. You may also want to drop me an e-mail if you wish. Happy darting! God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI never really have the opportunity to join a real tournament. Hope someday i can join :). Been playing for more than year & was rank # 2 here in the company i work in.
ReplyDeleteHi Ericson! Joining a real tournament is a lot more fun. Hope you'll have a chance to join one. If you're in the Philippines, I'm sure there are a lot to choose from. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteYeah i'm here in the Phil.I still need more practice before joining real tournament.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Eric
Hello fellow darters,
ReplyDeleteI've been playing street dart (on saturdays and sundays) that was during my college days and I was thinking of equipments very expensive for a student and so no chance of going onto the next level. After graduation, I forgot darting and busy with the job until I found a group this year for almost ten years. Three months ago i am back practicing at least in the house. I am looking for a company to join in a tournament.