FITT 04: Arnis

• Arnis


  A system of skirmish using sword, stick and empty hands used by Filipinos during the 18th century Spanish colonial period
• Arnis is also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote and other names in various regional languages
• Arnis


  • A stick made of rattan, bahi, yantok, yakal or kamagong, used in Philippine stick fighting
  • An indigenous Filipino martial arts and sports characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense
  • Usually done with the use of 1 or 2 sticks or any similar implements or with bare hands and feet also used for striking, blocking, locking and grappling, with the use of the same principle as that with the canes
• Kali


  The oldest term of arnis, originated from the southern part of the Philippines where the locals speak the native dialect, Cebuano. Kali comes from the name itself "Ka" stands for kamot which means "hand," and "Li" stands for lihok, which means "movement"
• Eskrima


  Originated from the central part of the Philippines, the name comes from a Spanish term "esgrima," which means "fencing". Eskrima involved the use of sticks as weapons
• Arnis


  The third form, came about because of this attempt to keep Filipino culture alive
• The Spaniards were impressed by the Kali-infused dances and skillful movement of the hands
• History and origin of Arnis

  1. Spaniards encountered local Filipino martial arts during the colonial period

  2. In the early years, Eskrima was well regarded by the Spaniards, but by 1596, it was banned as it was thought to be too dangerous

  3. By 1764, the practice was entirely forbidden

  4. Spanish attempted to destroy the Philippine culture by burning books and banning the use of the native alphabet, Baybayin

  5. Filipinos found a way to keep their culture alive by incorporating Kali movements into the religious Moro-Moro dances and weaving Baybayin into artistic needlework
• Moro-moro


  Religious dances that incorporated Kali movements
• In other regions of the country, arnis is known as eskrima, baston, garrote and estocada. Nowadays, arnis is the popular name used by practitioners and school teachers among Tagalog regions and some Visayan provinces
• Republic Act 9850


  The Law Decelerating Arnis as National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines, defined it as the Filipino martial art of using impact, bladed weapons and empty hands
• Three forms of arnis practices

  • Solo Baston
  • Doble Baston or "Sinawali"
  • Espada y Daga (sword and dagger) ("mano-mano at buno")
• Three methods of teaching arnis

  1. Pandalag - demonstrating the skill (muestracion) of swinging and stroking in offensive and defensive maneuvers, with the students imitating the movements, followed by repetitive drills

  2. Sangga at Patama - students perform prearranged or choreographed sequence of movements in pair in which one act as attacker while the other is responding

  3. Labanan - (sparring) where two students using all the skills they have mastered engage in free play whether in full contact (todo juego) or controlled way
• Some of the grandmasters responsible for promoting arnis in the country and abroad

  • GM Remy Amador Presas - Founder of modern Arnis
  • GM Ernesto Presas - Founder of Kombatan
  • GM Ciriaco "Cocoy" Canete of Doce Pares
  • GM Benjamin Lema of Lighting Scientific Arnis
  • GM Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo of Kalis Ilustrisimo
  • GM Angel Cabales of Cabales Cerrada Eskrima
• Arnis as Physical Education and Sport

  1. DECS Order No. 25, s. 1975 - allowed exhibition and demonstration of arnis in the Palarong Pambansa (National Games)

  2. DECS Order No. 58 (1990) - known as the Guidelines and Standards for College Service Physical Education which in effect, included arnis in the "dual sport" category

  3. DECS Memo No. 294, s. 1995 - issued instructors' training to PE teachers for teaching arnis in physical education

  4. NARAPHIL (National Arnis Association of the Philippines) formed under the initiation of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos to unite the various clubs and arnisadores throughout the country

  5. Republic Act 9850 during the administration of then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, arnis was declared as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines

  6. Philippine Eskrima, Kali, and Arnis Federation (PEKAP) organized to unite most of the arnis practitioners in the country
• The new K-12 program included arnis as one of the combative sports to be taught in junior and senior high school physical education subject, and in the tertiary educational level for the course of Bachelor of Physical Education major in School Physical Education, arnis is one of the options for combative sport to be taken
• Significance of Arnis


  • It can be used as self-defense
  • You can use your stick as a weapon
  • Arnis teaches us discipline and self-control
  • It provides a full body workout
  • It gives you a healthy lifestyle
  • It gives you positive encouragement and respect for values in martial arts
• Values of Training Arnis

  • The execution of various skills in arnis involves vigorous movements of different muscle groups, thus provide training for muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance
  • Agility, reaction time, balance and coordination are also developed through Arnis training
  • As a sport, arnis develops quickness and coordination in execution of offensive & defensive skills
  • Thrills of accomplishment provided by competition
  • Desirable traits such as self-confidence, fortitude and self-discipline are developed in the practice of arnis
  • Creativity by putting all learned basic combination into a self demonstration of skills
  • National Identity as Filipino. Arnis can develop the sense of being a proud Filipino
• Gears & Equipment for Basic Arnis Training

  • Arnis Stick - made of rattan, flexible and lighter compared to hardwood
  • Training Uniform - a typical PE uniform or comfortable shirt and training pants
  • Wooden or Rubberized Dummy Knife - for practicing self defense drills on disarming and knife taking techniques
  • Wooden Replica of a Bladed Weapon - ethnic Filipino in origin, not less than 24 inches and not more than 36 inches in full length
  • Head Protector - impact worthy facemask, color-coded to match the player's stick
  • Body Armor - body protector and groin protectors, color-coded to match the player
  • Hand Gloves - to protect from strikes and maintain a stable grip
  • Arm Guards - for upper arm and forearm protection
  • Leg Guards - for leg protection
  • Groin Guard - to protect the groin region