Arnis and more in ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ trailer

SOUTHEAST Asia is finally having its first Disney Princess, and the global media giant is set to release a new movie called Raya and the last dragon.

The film is inspired by a mix of Southeast Asian cultures. In the first trailer for the film, released yesterday, sharp-eyed Pinoy fans no doubt noticed that his weapons look a lot like arnis sticks.

In the two minute preview, we can see right away that Raya is not your typical prim and proper princess. She is training to be a warrior and guardian of a dragon gem.

As the trailer progresses, we see her carrying two sticks on her back, just like the arnis athletes.

Since 2009, arnis has been designated as the Philippine national sport. In 2017, it also became a mandatory subject to teach in physical education classes in schools. At last year’s Southeast Asian Games, the Arnis National Team of the Philippines took a total of 14 medals in the different events.

The trailer showcased the film’s commitment to honoring the cultures from which it draws its inspiration, beginning with the many dark-skinned characters that inhabit the land of Kumandra.

We can also briefly glimpse a tribe carrying what appears to be a Kalis, a double-edged curved combat weapon that was used in the southern Philippines.

Raya also wears a hat that resembles a salakot, a traditional light headdress among rural Filipinos. Tapered woven hats like these are common throughout the region.

Raya and the last dragon will be released in March 2021.