Arnis: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{About||the small town in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany|Arnis, Germany}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=MayDecember 20202023}}

{{Multiple issues|{{More citations needed|date=July 2019}}

{{MoreOriginal citations neededresearch|date=July 2019}}}}

{{Original research|date=July 2019}}

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{{Infobox martial art

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* [[Bruce Lee]]<ref name="fmaPulseBruce">{{cite web|title=Bruce Lee and Escrima|url=http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-bruce-lee-and-escrima|author=Perry Gil S. Mallari|date=November 28, 2011|publisher=FMA Pulse|access-date=August 11, 2015|archive-date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073536/http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-bruce-lee-and-escrima|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[Terry Lim]]

* Mark Mikita

* Doug Marcaida

* John Hutchinson

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* Ernesto Presas, Jr

* [https://fmapulse.com/fma-legends/grandmaster-jose-mena-1917-2005/ Jose Mena]

* [[Juan Miguel Zubiri|Juan Miguel (Migz) Zubiri]]<ref name="Spin.ph">{{cite web|title=To help cope with twin bouts of COVID-19, Migz Zubiri turned to arnis

|url=https://www.spin.ph/life/people/to-cope-with-twin-bouts-of-covid-19-migz-zubiri-turned-to-arnis-a1017-20201122|author=Leon Mangubat|date=November 22, 2020|publisher=Spin.ph|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=|archive-url=|url-status=}}</ref>

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'''Arnis''', also known as '''Kalikali''' or '''Eskrimaeskrima'''/'''Escrimaescrima''', is the national [[martial art]] of the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Pangilinan | first=Leon Jr. | title = In Focus: 9 Facts You May Not Know About Philippine National Symbols | url = http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/9-facts-you-may-not-know-about-philippine-national-symbols/ | date = October 3, 2014 | access-date = January 8, 2019 | publisher = [[National Commission for Culture and the Arts]] | archive-date = November 26, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161126154959/http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/9-facts-you-may-not-know-about-philippine-national-symbols/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> TheThese three terms are, roughlysometimes, interchangeable umbrellain termsreferring for theto traditional [[martial arts]] of the [[Philippines]] ("[[Filipino Martial Arts]]", or FMA), which emphasize [[martial arts weapons|weapon-based fighting]] with [[stick fighting|sticks]], [[knife fighting|knives]], [[bladed weapon]]s, and various [[improvised weapon]]s, as well as "open hand" techniques without weapons.

There have beenwere campaigns for arnis along with other Philippine martial arts to be nominated in the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists]],; alongand with other Philippine martial arts. Asas of 2018, [[UNESCO]] has inscribed nine martial-arts–relatedarts-related intangible heritages.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?text=&6term%5B%5D%3Dvocabulary_ich-125&multinational=3&display1=inscriptionID#tabs |title=Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices |date= |website=[[UNESCO]]}}</ref>

==Name==

'''Arnis''' comes from ''arnés'',<ref name= Wiley>{{cite book| last =Wiley| first =Mark V. |title =Filipino Fighting Arts: Theory and Practice| publisher =[[Tuttle Publishing]]| year =2000| pages = 1–15| isbn =0-86568-180-5}}</ref> the [[Old Spanish]] for "armour" (''harness'' is an archaic English term from same root). It is said to derive from the armour costumes used in traditional ''[[Moros y Cristianos|Moro-moro]]'' stage plays, where actors fought mock battles with wooden swords.<ref>{{cite book| title=The Secrets of Arnis| author=[[Edgar Sulite]]}}{{Page needed|date=June 2011}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2011}} ''Arnes'' is also an archaic Spanish term for weapon, used as early as 1712.<ref name="destrezaIndiana">{{cite book| title=Ilustracion de la Destreza Indiana| last=Santos de la Paz| first=Francisco| page=[https://archive.org/details/ilustraciondelad00sant/page/167 167]| date=1712| url=https://archive.org/details/ilustraciondelad00sant}}</ref>

'''Eskrima''' (also spelled '''Escrimaescrima''') is a derived from the Spanish word for [[fencing]], ''esgrima''.<ref>{{cite web | title=History of Filipino Martial Arts | url=http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Modules/Modules/escrima/eskrima.htm | website=Seasite.niu.edu | access-date = November 11, 2009 | archive-date=July 25, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725010011/http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Modules/Modules/escrima/eskrima.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Warriors Eskrima&nbsp;– Worcestershire | url =http://www.warriorseskrima.com/info1.htm | website =Warriorseskrima.com | access-date =November 11, 2009 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090519091155/http://www.warriorseskrima.com/info1.htm | archive-date =May 19, 2009 | url-status =dead }}</ref> Their [[cognate]] in French is ''escrime'' and is related to the English term 'skirmish'.

The name '''Kalikali''' is most likely derived from the [[History of the Philippines (900–1565)|pre-Hispanic]] Filipino term for blades and fencing, ''[[Kaliskalis]]'' ([[Spanish orthography|Spanish spelling]]: "''Caliscalis''"),<ref name="lascoKalis">{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/7785019|title=Kalis – The Precolonial Fighting Art of the Philippines|author=Lorenz Lasco|date=2011|publisher=Dalumat Ejournal}}</ref> documented by [[Ferdinand Magellan]]'s expedition chronicler [[Antonio Pigafetta]] during their journey through the Visayas and in old Spanish to Filipino Mother Tongue dictionaries and vocabulary books dating from 1612 to the late 1800s, such as in [[Tomas Pinpin#Books printed|''Vocabulario de Lengua Tagala'']] by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura.<ref name="mallariEtymologyKali">{{cite web |url=http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-etymology-basis-usage-term-kali |title=Etymology as the Basis of Usage of the Term Kali |author=Perry Gil Mallari |date=May 10, 2011 |publisher=FMA Pulse |access-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-date=August 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819190226/http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-etymology-basis-usage-term-kali |url-status=dead }}</ref> The term ''calis'' in various forms was present in these old Spanish documents in Ilocano,<ref name="ilocanoCarro">{{cite book|title=Vocabulario de la lengua Ilocana|last=Carro|first=Andres|page=75|date=1849|url=https://archive.org/details/rosettaproject_ilo_vocab-1}}</ref> Ibanag (''calli-t''; pronounced as kal-lî),<ref name="bugarinRodriguezYbanag">{{cite book|title=Diccionario Ybanag-Español |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=npJkAAAAMAAJ |last1=Bugarin |first1=Jose |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Ramon |date=1854}}</ref> Kapampangan,<ref name="bergano">{{cite book|title=Vocabulario de la lengua Pampanga en Romance |last=Bergaño|first=Fr. Diego|date=1732|page=[https://archive.org/details/aqn8189.0001.001.umich.edu/page/73 73]|url=https://archive.org/details/aqn8189.0001.001.umich.edu}}</ref> Tagalog,<ref name="sanbuenaventura">{{cite book |title=Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala |last=de San Buenaventura |first=Fr. Pedrio |date=1613 |url=http://sb.tagalogstudies.org/2010/10/18.html |websitevia=Sb.tagalogstudies.org |access-date=November 30, 2015 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112202155/http://sb.tagalogstudies.org/2010/10/18.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bicolano (''caris''),<ref name="deMarcosBicol">{{cite book |title=Vocabulario de la lengua Bicol |url=https://archive.org/details/aqa2025.0001.001.umich.edu |last=de Marcos |first=Lisboa |date=1865}}</ref> Waray (''caris''),<ref name="deLaRosaWaray">{{cite book |title=Diccionario español-bisaya para las provincias de Sámar y Leyte |url=http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/AQH5491.0001.001?view=toc|last=de la Rosa |first=Sanchez |date=1914}}</ref> Hiligaynon,<ref name="mentridaPanay">{{cite book |title=Diccionario de la lengua Bisaya Hiligueina y Haraya de la Isla de Panay|last=de Mentrida|first=Alonso|date=1841}}</ref> Cebuano (''calix, baladao''<ref name="pigafettaPrimoViaggio">{{cite book|title=Primo viaggio intorno al mondo|last=Pigafetta|first=Antonio|date=1525|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42884/42884-h/42884-h.htm}}</ref> – "''kalis balaraw''/dagger" and ''cales''<ref name="bisayaEncarnacion">{{cite book |title=Diccionario Español-Bisaya |last=de la Encarnacion |first=Fr. Juan Felis |date=1866 |url=https://archive.org/details/diccionarioespa00unkngoog}}</ref>), and Moro-Maguindanao in Mindanao (''calis'' – the kris, weapon).<ref name="moroMaguindanaoEspanol">{{cite book |last1=Juanmarti |first1=P. Jacinto |title=Diccionario Moro-Maguindanao-Español |date=1892 |publisher=Tipografía "Amigos del país" |location=[[Manila]] |url=https://archive.org/details/afu8736.0001.001.umich.edu/page/n45 |access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> In some of these dictionaries, the term calis refers to a sword or knife [[Kris|kris or keris]], while in others it refers to both swords and knives and their usage as well as a form of ''esgrima'' [[Baston (weapon)|stick fighting]].<ref name="bergano" /><ref name="sanbuenaventura" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=de Mentrida |first=Alonso |url=https://digital.soas.ac.uk/AA00001460/00001/4x |title=Vocabulario de la lengua bisaya, hiligueina y hara de la isla de Panay y Sugbú y para las demás islas |year=1637 |pages=70 |quote=Esgrimir = Naquigcalis}}</ref> While Mirafuente posits that the original term was "Kali"''kali'' and that the letter "S" was added later, the late Grandmaster [[Remy Presas]] suggests that the "S" was dropped in modern times and became presently more known as "Kali"''kali'' in FMA circles.

There exist numerous similar terms of reference for martial arts such as ''kalirongan'', ''kaliradman'', and ''pagkalikali''.<ref name="arnisAPatling">{{cite web|url=http://www.ina.fr/video/CPF04006871/arnis-a-patling-video.html |title=Arnis à Patling |author=Institut National de l'Audiovisuel |website=Ina.fr |access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> These may be the origin of the term ''kali'' or they may have evolved from it.<ref name="ReferenceA">[[Remy Presas]], 1974, ''Modern Arnis'', pp. 10–12, {{ISBN|971-08-6041-0}}.</ref>

In their book ''Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth'' however, Dr. Ned Nepangue and Celestino Macachor contend that the term ''Kalikali'' in reference to [[Filipino martial arts]] did not exist until the Buenaventura Mirafuente wrote in the preface of the first known published book on Arnisarnis, ''Mga Karunungan sa Larong Arnis'' by Placido Yambao, the term ''Kalikali'' as the native mother fighting art of the Philippine islands.<ref name="CebuanoEskrima">{{cite book |last1=Nepangue|first1=Ned R., MD |last2=Macachor|first2=Celestino C. |title=Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth |publisher=Clinton |isbn=978-1-4257-4621-6 |date=2007}}</ref>

<!--:* One theory is that the word comes from ''tjakalele'',<ref name="ReferenceA">[[Remy Presas]], 1974, ''Modern Arnis'', pp. 10–12, {{ISBN|971-08-6041-0}}.</ref> a tribal style of stick-fencing from Indonesia. This is supported by the similarities between tjakalele and eskrima techniques, as well as Mindanao's proximity to Indonesia.

:* According to Guro [[Dan Inosanto]], Kali is a [[portmanteau]] of the [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]] words "kamot", meaning hand, and "lihok", meaning motion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-z7QkYP3Xw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/N-z7QkYP3Xw| archive-date=2021-12-December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Bladed Hand: The Global Impact of Filipino Martial Arts|last=Ignacio|first=Jay|date=April 15, 2010|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="blackeaglehistory">{{cite web |url=http://www.black-eagle.org/history.htm|title=Black Eagle (Detailed history of Eskrima) |website=Black-eagle.org |access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref>

:* In the [[Ilocano people|Ilocano]] language, ''kali'' means "to dig" and "to stab".<ref name="KaliChanged">Federico Lazo, "Kali Caused the Change of the Word Kali to the Words Arnis and Escrima", 2008, ''Filipino Martial Arts Digest''</ref>

:* According to Grandmaster [[Vic Sanchez]], the [[Pangasinan language|Pangasinense]] term ''Kalirongan'' means "Karunungan ng Lihim" or "Wisdom of (the) Secret (fighting arts)" or "Wisdom of Kali".

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Practitioners of the arts are called ''arnisador'' (male, [[plural]] ''arnisadores'') and ''arnisadora'' (female, plural ''arnisadoras'') for those who call theirs ''arnis'', ''eskrimador'' (male, plural ''eskrimadores'') or ''eskrimadora'' (female, plural ''eskrimadoras'') for those who call their art ''eskrima'', and ''kalista'' or ''mangangali'' for those who practise ''kali''.

It is also known as ''Estoqueestoque'' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for [[rapier]]), ''Estocadaestocada'' (Spanish for thrust or stab) and ''Garrotegarrote'' (Spanish for club). In [[Luzon]] it may go by the name of ''Arnisarnis de Manomano'' or ''Arnesarnes de Manomano''.

The indigenous martial art that the Spanish encountered in 1610 was not yet called "Eskrimaeskrima" at that time. During those times, this martial art was known as ''Paccalicalipaccalicali-t'' (pronounced as ''pakkali-kalî'') to the [[Ibanags]],<ref name="epanolIbanag">{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6WE2AQAAIAAJ&pg=GBS.PA223|title=Diccionario español-ibanag o sea Tesauro Hispano- Cagayán sacado de los manuscritos antiguos |author=Ramirez y Giraudier |date=1867|page=223}}</ref> ''Didyadid ya'' (later changed to ''Kabaroankabaroan'') to the [[Ilocano people|Ilokanos]], ''Sitbatansitbatan'' or ''Kalirongankalirongan'' to [[Pangasinan people|Pangasinenses]], ''Sinawalisinawali'' ("to weave") to the [[Kapampangans]], ''Caliscalis'' or ''Pananandatapananandata'' ("use of weapons") to the [[Tagalogs]], ''Pagaradmanpagaradman'' to the [[Hiligaynon people|Ilonggos]] and ''Kaliradmankaliradman'' to the [[Cebuano people|Cebuanos]]{{Source?|date=May 2024}}. [[Kuntao|Kuntaw]] and [[Silat]] are separate martial arts that are also practisedpracticed in the Philippine Archipelagoarchipelago{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}.

=015935894036391----0943-8549054=5920659081--320r048860--0540-50-940420-903136-0-9-3409330-340-413{}{95902245]\

==Historical accounts==

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==Origins==

Tracing the origin of ''arnis'' is as of now still in the process of research. As ''Arnisarnis'' was an art usually practisedpracticed by the poor or commoner class (as opposed to [[nobility]] or [[warrior]] classes), most practitioners lacked the scholarly education to create any kind of written record. While the same can be said of many martial arts, this is especially true for Arnisarnis because almost all of its history is anecdotal, oral or promotional. The origin of Arnisarnis can be traced back to native "[[Pintados]]" or then "Tintadus" fighting techniques during [[Military history of the Philippines|conflicts among the various Prehispanic Filipino tribes or kingdomssettlements]], though the current form has Spanish influence from old [[fencing]] which originated in Spain in the 15th century. It has other influences as well, as settlers and traders travelling through the Malay Archipelago brought the influence of [[silat]] as well as [[Chinese martial arts|Chinese]] and [[Indian martial arts]].<ref>Mark V. Wiley (1997). ''Filipino Martial Culture''. Tuttle Publishing. {{ISBN|0-8048-2088-0}}.</ref>{{Page needed|date=July 2022}}<ref>Sam Buot (1991–2009) 'Eskrima-Arnis, Martial Arts of the Philippines.</ref>{{Page needed|date=July 2022}} Some of the population still practise localized Chinese fighting methods known as [[kuntao|kuntaw]].▼

{{More citations needed|date=June 2017}}

▲As ''Arnis'' was an art usually practised by the poor or commoner class (as opposed to [[nobility]] or [[warrior]] classes), most practitioners lacked the scholarly education to create any kind of written record. While the same can be said of many martial arts, this is especially true for Arnis because almost all of its history is anecdotal, oral or promotional. The origin of Arnis can be traced back to native "[[Pintados]]" or then "Tintadus" fighting techniques during [[Military history of the Philippines|conflicts among the various Prehispanic Filipino tribes or kingdoms]], though the current form has Spanish influence from old [[fencing]] which originated in Spain in the 15th century. It has other influences as well, as settlers and traders travelling through the Malay Archipelago brought the influence of [[silat]] as well as [[Chinese martial arts|Chinese]] and [[Indian martial arts]].<ref>Mark V. Wiley (1997). ''Filipino Martial Culture''. Tuttle Publishing. {{ISBN|0-8048-2088-0}}.</ref>{{Page needed|date=July 2022}}<ref>Sam Buot (1991–2009) 'Eskrima-Arnis, Martial Arts of the Philippines.</ref>{{Page needed|date=July 2022}} Some of the population still practise localized Chinese fighting methods known as [[kuntao|kuntaw]].

It has also been theorized that the Filipino art of Arnisarnis may have roots in [[India]] and came to the Philippines via people who traveled through [[Indonesia]] and [[Malaysia]] to the Philippine islands. [[Silambam]], a stick/staff-based ancient martial art of [[India]] influenced many martial arts in Asia like [[Silatsilat]]. As such, Arnisarnis may share ancestry with these systems&nbsp;–systems– some Arnisarnis moves are similar to the short stick (kali or kaji) and other weapon based fighting styles of Silambam{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}.

When the Spaniards first arrived in the Philippines, they already observed weapons-based martial arts practisedpracticed by the natives, which may or may not be related to present-day Arnis. The earliest written records of Filipino culture and life, including martial arts, come from the first Spanish explorers. Some early expeditions fought native tribesmen armed with sticks and knives.<ref name="Draeger">{{cite book |last =[[Donn F. Draeger]] & Robert W. Smith |title = Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts |year = 1969 |publisher = Kodansha International |isbn =978-0-87011-436-6 }}</ref> In 1521, [[Ferdinand Magellan]] was killed in [[Cebu]] at the [[Battle of Mactan]] by the forces of [[Datu]] [[Lapulapu]], the chief of Mactan. Some Arnisadors hold that Lapulapu's men killed Magellan in a sword-fight, though historical evidence proves otherwise. The only eyewitness account of the battle by chronicler, [[Antonio Pigafetta]], tells that Magellan was stabbed in the face and the arm with spears and overwhelmed by multiple warriors who hacked and stabbed at him:

<blockquote>The natives continued to pursue us, and picking up the same spear four or six times, hurled it at us again and again. Recognizing the captain, so many turned upon him that they knocked his helmet off his head twice, but he always stood firmly like a good knight, together with some others. Thus did we fight for more than one hour, refusing to retire farther. ''An Indian hurled a bamboo spear into the captain's face'', but the latter immediately killed him with his lance, which he left in the Indian's body. Then, trying to lay hand on sword, he could draw it out but halfway, because he had been wounded in the arm with a bamboo spear. When the natives saw that, they all hurled themselves upon him. One of them wounded him on the left leg with a large cutlass, which resembles a scimitar, only being larger. That caused the captain to fall face downward, when immediately they rushed upon him with iron and bamboo spears and with their cutlasses, until they killed our mirror, our light, our comfort, and our true guide. ''When they wounded him, he turned back many times to see whether we were all in the boats.'' Thereupon, beholding him dead, we, wounded, retreated, as best we could, to the boats, which were already pulling off.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/magellan.htm |title=The Death of Magellan, 1521 |publisher=Eyewitness to History.com}}</ref></blockquote>

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[[File:Katipuneros.jpg|thumb|285x285px|[[Katipunan]]]]

Due to the conflict-ridden nature of the Philippine archipelago, where [[Military history of the Philippines|port-kingdomssettlements (Kedatuans, Rajahnates and Sultanates) were often at war with one another or raiding each other]], warriors were forged in the many wars in the islands, thus during the precolonial era, the geographical area acquired a reputation for its capable mercenaries, which were soon employed all across South, Southeast and East Asia. [[Lucoes]] (warriors from [[Luzon]]) aided the Burmese king in his invasion of [[Siam]] in 1547 AD. At the same time, Lusung warriors fought alongside the Siamese king and faced the same elephant army of the [[Toungoo Dynasty|Burmese]] king in the defense of the Siamese capital at Ayuthaya{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}.<ref name="Pigafetta">{{Cite journal

| last = Pigafetta

| first = Antonio

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| orig-year = 1524

}}</ref>

The former [[Sultanate of Malacca|sultan]] of [[Sultanate of Malacca|Malacca]] decided to retake his city from the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] with a fleet of ships from Lusung in 1525 AD.<ref name="AD. SOURCE 1777, page 194">The former sultan of Malacca decided to retake his city from the Portuguese with a fleet of ships from Lusung in 1525 AD. SOURCE: Barros, Joao de, Decada terciera de Asia de Ioano de Barros dos feitos que os Portugueses fezarao no descubrimiento dos mares e terras de Oriente [1628], Lisbon, 1777, courtesy of William Henry Scott, Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994, page 194.</ref> Lucoes influence even manifested in East Asia at [[Japan]] where Lucoes sailors initially guided Portuguese ships to the Shogunate<ref>Bayao, Bras, Letter to the king dated Goa 1 November 1, 1540, Archivo Nacional de Torre de Tombo: Corpo Cronologico, parte 1, maco 68, doc. 63, courtesy of William Henry Scott, Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994, page 194.</ref> and even South Asia in [[Sri Lanka]] where Lungshanoid pottery from Luzon were found in burials there.<ref>"Quest of the Dragon and Bird Clan; The Golden Age (Volume III)" -Lungshanoid (Glossary)- By Paul Kekai Manansala</ref>

Pinto noted that there were a number of them in the Islamic fleets that went to battle with the Portuguese in the Philippines during the 16th century. The Sultan of Aceh as well as Suleiman, the Ottoman Commander who was brother of the Viceroy of Cairo, gave one of them (Sapetu Diraja) the task of ruling and holding Aru (northeast Sumatra) in 1540. Pinto also says one was named leader of the Malays remaining in the Moluccas Islands after the Portuguese conquest in 1511.<ref name="Pinto">{{Cite document

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What is certain is that the Spaniards brought with them and used their [[Historical European martial arts#Renaissance|bladed weapon arts]] (including the system of [[Destreza]] developed by [[Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza|Carranza]]) when they started colonizing the archipelago in the 16th century. What is also known is that the Spaniards recruited soldiers from [[Mexican settlement in the Philippines|Mexico]]<ref>"In 1637 the military force maintained in the islands consisted of one thousand seven hundred and two Spaniards and one hundred and forty Indians." ~''Memorial de D. Juan Grau y Monfalcon, Procurador General de las Islas Filipinas, Docs. Inéditos del Archivo de Indias, vi, p. 425.'' "In 1787 ''the garrison at Manila consisted of one regiment of Mexicans comprising one thousand three hundred men, two artillery companies of eighty men each, three cavalry companies of fifty men each.''" ''La Pérouse, ii, p. 368.''</ref> and [[Peru]]<ref>[http://www.zamboanga.com/html/history_1634_moro_attacks.htm "SECOND BOOK OF THE SECOND PART OF THE CONQUESTS OF THE FILIPINAS ISLANDS, AND CHRONICLE OF THE RELIGIOUS OF OUR FATHER, ST. AUGUSTINE"] (Zamboanga City History)

"He (Governor Don Sebastían Hurtado de Corcuera) brought a great reënforcements of soldiers, many of them from [[Peru]], as he made his voyage to [[Acapulco]] from that kingdom."</ref> and sent them to fortify the Philippines and they had also trained mercenaries and warriors from local people like the [[Pangasinan people|Pangasinenses]], [[Kapampangan people|Kapampangans]], [[Tagalog people|Tagalogs]], [[Ilonggo people|Ilonggos]], [[Cebuano people|Cebuanos]] and [[Waray people|Warays]] to pacify regions and put down revolts, thereby positing the possible cross-training between Arnis de Mano and the [[Venezuela]]n Martial Art of [[Juego del garrote]]. Of the Kapampangans, [[Casimiro Díaz|Fray Casimiro Díaz]] relates in 1718:

<blockquote><poem>''Los primeros que se decidieron á experimentar fortuna fueron los pampangos, nación la más belicosa y noble de estas Islas, y cercana á Manila. Y era lo peor hallarse ejercitada en el arte militar en nuestras escuelas en los presidios de Ternate, Zamboanga, Joló, Caraga y otras partes, donde se conoció bien su valor; pero este necesita del abrigo del nuestro, y así decían que un español y tres pampangos, valían por cuatro españoles.''<ref name="revistaAgustinianaVolumenXI">{{cite journal |url=https://archive.org/details/laciudaddedios11madruoft|title=Ciudad de Dios – Revista agustiniana dedicada al Santo Obispo de Hipona en su admirable conversión á la fe.|volume= XI|location=Valladolid |publisher=Colegio de Agustinos Filipinos |date=1886}}</ref>

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The first who decided to experiment with their fortune (revolt) were the Pampangos, the most warlike and prominent people of these islands, and close to Manila. And it was all the worse because these people had been trained in the military art in our own schools in the [[presidio]]s (fortified outposts) of [[Ternate]], [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]], [[Jolo]], [[Caraga]] and other places where their valor was well known; but this needs the help of ours, and so they say that a Spaniard plus three Pampangos equal four Spaniards.<ref name="WarriorMercenaryMacabebes">{{cite news |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/macabebes-as-warriors-and-mercenaries/109319/ |title=MACABEBES as WARRIORS and MERCENARIES |author=Perry Gil S. Mallari |newspaper=The Manila Times |date=July 5, 2014}}</ref></poem></blockquote>

LogicIt dictatesis likely then that these native warriors and foreign soldiers would have passed on to very close friends and family members these newly learned skills to augment already existing and effective local ones. They would have also shared tactics and techniques with each other when placed in the same military group and fighting on the same side in foreign regions such as [[Spanish Formosa|Formosa]], [[Mindanao]], the [[Maluku Islands|Moluccas]]<ref name="revistaAgustinianaVolumenXI" /> and the [[Mariana Islands|Marianas]].<ref name="micronesianPampangosMarianas">{{cite journal|title=The Pampangos in the Mariana Mission 1668–1684|url=http://marshall.csu.edu.au/MJHSS/Issue2005/MJHSS2005_101.pdf|last=de Viana|first=Augusto V. |journal=Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences |volume= 4|issue= 1, Dry Season Issue |publisher=[[Charles Sturt University]], Australia|date=June 2005|location=[[National Historical Institute]], Manila |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514021845/http://marshall.csu.edu.au/MJHSS/Issue2005/MJHSS2005_101.pdf |archive-date=May 14, 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref>

One of the more prominent features of Arnis that point to possible Spanish influence is the ''Espada y Daga'' (Spanish for "sword and dagger") method, a term also used in Spanish fencing. Filipino ''espada y daga'' differs somewhat from European [[rapier]] and dagger techniques; the stances are different as weapons used in Arnis are typically shorter than European swords.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fencingclassics.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/eskrima-spanish-rapier-and-the-lost-continent-of-mu/ | title=Eskrima, Spanish rapier, and the Lost Continent of Mu | author=J. Christoph Amberger| date=December 8, 2008 }}</ref> According to Grandmaster Federico Lazo† (1938–2010), unlike in European [[historical fencing]], there is no lunging in the Northern Ilocano ''Kabaroan'' style of Arnis&nbsp;– it is more of an evasive art. On the other hand, it is present in some Visayan styles documented by FMA researchers Celestino Macachor and Ned Nepangue such as ''Yasay Sable Estocada'' from [[Bago, Negros Occidental|Bago]].<ref name="yaysaySableVid1">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-QO5xr4Efc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/h-QO5xr4Efc| archive-date=2021-12-December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Yasay Sable sparring |author=Lapulapu Viñas Arnis Huck Combat System |publisher=YouTube |date=December 8, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Having done comparative studies, [[Kalis Ilustrisimo]] archivist Romeo Macapagal also estimates that 40% of the blade-oriented style of [[Antonio Ilustrisimo|Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo]]† (1904–1997) descends from European styles, brought by the Spanish.<ref name="musingsMacapagal">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.realfighting.com/issue7/romyframe.html |title= ?|website=Real Fighting |date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=December 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221002253/http://www.realfighting.com/issue7/romyframe.html |archive-date=February 21, 2008 }}</ref> Some authors state that these Filipino Martial Arts were also cross-trained with martial arts brought over by Spanish soldiers and Jesuit priests.<ref>[https://public-history-weekly.degruyter.com/9-2021-3/history-capoeira-eskrima/#_ftnen13 Nepangue and Macachor, Cebuano Eskrima, 67-78.]</ref>

After the Spanish colonized the Philippines, a decree was set that prohibited civilians from carrying full-sized swords (such as the [[Kris]] and the [[Kampilan]]). Despite this, the practitioners found ways to maintain and keep the arts alive, using sticks made out of rattan rather than swords, as well as small knives wielded like swords. Some of the arts were passed down from one generation to the other. Sometimes the art took the form choreographed dances such as the ''Sakuting'' stick dance<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sakuting |title=sakuting |publisher=YouTube |access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> or during mock battles at ''Moro-moro'' (''[[Moros y Cristianos]]'') stage plays. Also as a result, a unique and complex stick-based technique evolved in the [[Visayas]] and [[Luzon]] regions. The southern [[Mindanao]] retains almost exclusively blade-oriented techniques, as the Spaniards and Americans never fully conquered the southern parts of this island.<ref>{{cite book| last = Wiley| first = Mark V.| title = Filipino Martial Culture| publisher = Tuttle Publishing| year = 1997| location = Vermont| isbn = 0-8048-2088-0}}</ref>

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==Modern history==

[[Image:Filipino knives.jpg|thumb|Various Filipino knives.]]

The Philippines has what is known as a ''blade culture''.<ref name="EnduringKnifeCulture">{{cite web|url=http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-enduring-knife-culture-philippines|title=The Enduring Knife Culture in the Philippines|author=Perry Gil S. Mallari|publisher=FMA Pulse|date=July 14, 2009|access-date=April 18, 2014|archive-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414031405/http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-enduring-knife-culture-philippines|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BladeCultureFirearms">{{cite web|url=http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-filipino-blade-culture-and-advent-firearms|title=Filipino Blade Culture and the Advent of Firearms|author=Perry Gil S. Mallari|publisher=FMA Pulse|date=June 8, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2014|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113141535/http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-filipino-blade-culture-and-advent-firearms|url-status=dead}}</ref> Unlike in the West where [[Middle Ages|Medieval]] and [[Renaissance]] combative and self-defense [[Historical European martial arts|blade arts]] have gone almost extinct (having devolved into [[Fencing|sport fencing]] with the advent of firearms),<ref name="reclaimingTheBlade">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0961079/|title=Reclaiming the Blade documentary|author=Daniel McNicoll|publisher=Galatia Films}}</ref> blade fighting in the Philippines is a living art. Local folk in the Philippines are much more likely to carry knives than guns. They are commonly carried as tools by farmers, used by street vendors to prepare coconuts, pineapples, watermelons, other fruits and meats, and [[Balisong (knife)|balisongs]] are cheap to procure in the streets as well as being easily concealed. In fact, in some areas in the countryside, carrying a farming knife like the ''itak'' or [[Bolo knife|''bolo'']] was a sign that one was making a living because of the nature of work in those areas.<ref name="espera1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdEif2otFMs&feature=player_detailpage#t=288s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/DdEif2otFMs| archive-date=2021-12-December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=GM Henry Espera Talks About How He Started Out With Kali|author=Isagani Gabriel Jr|date=April 16, 2012|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In the country of [[Palau]], the local term for [[Filipino people|Filipino]] is ''chad ra oles'', which literally means "people of the knife" because of Filipinos' reputation for carrying knives and using them in fights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marshall.csu.edu.au/MJHSS/Issue2006/MJHSS2006_148.pdf|title=From Soul to Somnelence: The Palau Community Association of Guam, 1948 To 1997|author=Francesca K. Remengesau, Dirk Anthony Ballendorf|publisher=Micronesial Journal of The Humanities and Social Sciences|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908122319/http://marshall.csu.edu.au/MJHSS/Issue2006/MJHSS2006_148.pdf|archive-date=September 8, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Asia-Pacific and the Americas ===

Soldiers and mercenaries trained in the Philippines which were recruited by France which was then in an alliance with Spain, had fought in [[Cambodia]] and [[Vietnam]] justified by defending newly converted Catholic populations from persecutions and had assisted France in establishing [[French Cochinchina]] centered in [[Saigon]].<ref>{{Citation

|url=http://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Spanish/Cochinchina/cochinchina.htm|title=Filipino Involvement in the French-Spanish Campaign in Indochina|author=Nigel Gooding|access-date=July 4, 2008}}</ref> Also in Asia, at China, during the Taiping Rebellion, Filipinos who were described as Manilamen and were ‘Reputed'Reputed to be brave and fierce fighters’fighters' and ‘were'were plentiful in Shanghai and always eager for action’action' were employed by the Foreign forces as mercenaries to successfully quell the Taiping Rebellion.<ref>Caleb Carr, The devil soldier: the story of Frederick Townsend Ward, New York: Random House, 1992, p. 91.</ref><ref name="Smith p. 29">Smith, Mercenaries and mandarins, p. 29.</ref><ref>

Bryna Goodman, Native place, city, and nation: regional networks and identities in Shanghai, 1853–1937, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1995, pp. 72–83.</ref><ref>Carr, Devil soldier, p. 107</ref> In the opposite side of the world at the Americas, descendants of Filipinos were active in the Anti-Imperialist Wars in the Americas. Filipinos living in Louisiana at the independent settlement of Saint Malo were recruited to be soldiers commanded by Jean Lafitte in the defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812 against a Britain attempting to reconquer a rebel America.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rudi |last=Williams |title=DoD's Personnel Chief Gives Asian-Pacific American History Lesson |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=16498 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615091238/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=16498|archive-date=June 15, 2007|work=American Forces Press Service |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |date=June 3, 2005 |access-date=August 26, 2009}}</ref> "Manilamen" recruited from San Blas together with the Argentinian of French descent, Hypolite Bouchard, joined other nationalities living nearby such as Frenchmen, Mexicans and Americans in the assault of Spanish California during the Argentinian War of Independence.<ref>Delgado de Cantú, Gloria M. (2006). Historia de México. México, D. F.: Pearson Educación.</ref><ref>Mercene, Manila men, p. 52.</ref>

Mexicans of Filipino descent being led by Filipino-Mexican General [[Isidoro Montes de Oca]] assisted [[Vicente Guerrero]] in the Mexican war of independence against Spain. Isidoro Montes de Oca was a celebrated war hero famous for the battle action of the Treasury of Tamo, in Michoacán on September 15, 1818, in which the opposing forces numbered four times greater, yet they were totally destroyed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Guevarra |first1=Rudy P. Jr. |title=Filipinos in Nueva España: Filipino-Mexican Relations, Mestizaje, and Identity in Colonial and Contemporary Mexico |journal=Journal of Asian American Studies |date=2011 |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=389–416 |id={{Project MUSE|456194}} |doi=10.1353/jaas.2011.0029 |s2cid=144426711 }}</ref>

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=== Philippine Revolution ===

Contrary to the view of some modern historians{{Who|date=April 2024}} that it was only guns that won the Philippine revolutionaries [[Philippine Revolution|against the Spaniards]], blades also played a large part.

During the 1898 [[Battle of Manila (1898)|Battle of Manila]], a report from ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' went:<ref name="cincinnatiKnifeWounds">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2676841/the_cincinnati_enquirer/|title=Parang, Bolo, Kris, Kampilan, are The Malay Names for the Big Knives with which Natives Slash the Spanish Soldiers|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=July 23, 1898|newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|access-date=June 24, 2015|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|page=9|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{Open access}}</ref>

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During [[World War II]], many Filipinos fought the Japanese hand to hand with their blades as guerilla fighters or as military units under the [[USAFFE]] like the Bolo Battalion (now known as the [[1st Infantry Division (Philippines)|Tabak Division]]).

Some of the grandmasters who are known to have used their skills in World War II are [[Antonio Ilustrisimo]], Benjamin Luna-Lema, Leo Giron,<ref name="giron">{{cite web|url=http://www.bahalana.org/gme-leo-giron|title=Biography of Grand Master Emeritus Leo M. Giron|website=Bahalana.org|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name="insosantogiron">{{cite web|url=http://inosanto.com/?p=258|title=Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts Instructor Profiles, Leo Giron|date=July 23, 2008|website=Inosanto.com|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> [[Doce Pares|Teodoro "Doring" Saavedra]],<ref name="atillo">{{cite web|url=http://atillobalintawak.com/History/atillo-balintawak_history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809171544/http://atillobalintawak.com/History/atillo-balintawak_history.html|url-status=dead|title=Atillo Balintawak History|last=David|first=Paolo|website=Atillobalintawak.com|archive-date=August 9, 2015|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> brothers [[Doce Pares|Eulogio and Cacoy Cañete]],<ref name="doceParesWW2">{{cite web|url=http://docepares.com/doce-pares-history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909231932/http://docepares.com/doce-pares-history/|url-status=dead|title=History of Doce Pares|website=Docepares.com|archive-date=September 9, 2014|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> Timoteo "Timor" Maranga, Sr,<ref name="timor1">{{cite web|url=http://www.maranga.8m.net/custom.html|title=GM Timor Maranga bio|website=Maranga.8m.net|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> Jesus Bayas<ref name="suanico1">{{cite web|url=http://www.kaliacademy.net/Academy/bio_suanico.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105122548/http://www.kaliacademy.net/Academy/bio_suanico.htm|url-status=dead|title=Master Norman Z. Suanico bio|website=Kaliacademy.net|archive-date=November 5, 2016|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> and [[Pekiti Tirsia|Balbino Tortal Bonganciso]].<ref name="balbino">{{cite web|url=http://www.ptkgo.com/PTKGO/HISTORY.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717013534/http://www.ptkgo.com/PTKGO/HISTORY.html|url-status=dead|title=History of Pekiti Tirsia Kali|website=Pekiti-tirsia Kali system Global Organization|publisher=Ptkgo.com|archive-date=July 17, 2014|access-date=November 30, 2015}}</ref> The Philippines was the bloodiest theatre of the Pacific War for the invading Japanese Empire, incurring the most Japanese deaths in World War II with at least 498,600 Japanese troops killed in fighting the combined Filipino resistance and American soldiers, a larger number of soldiers killed compared to the second-placed theater, the entirety of China, which caused the Japanese about 455,700 casualties.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dispositions and deaths |url=http://ajrp.awm.gov.au/ajrp/AJRP2.nsf/530e35f7e2ae7707ca2571e3001a112d/e7daa03b9084ad56ca257209000a85f7?OpenDocument |website=Australia-Japan Research Project |access-date=April 21, 2020 }}</ref> The guerrilla warfare practised by the Arnisadors was so effective, the Japanese Empire managed to control only 12 out of 48 provinces of the Philippines.<ref>{{cite book |first=Dominic J. |last=Caraccilo |title=Surviving Bataan And Beyond: Colonel Irvin Alexander's Odyssey As A Japanese Prisoner Of War |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=aWfqFW_OFmQC |year=2005 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=978-0-8117-3248-2 |page= [https://books.google.com/books?id=aWfqFW_OFmQC&pg=PA287 287]}}</ref>

=== Spread ===

[[File:Kali seminar 2.jpg|thumb|Kali stick seminar group at Ben Poon's Riseup Crossfit center, by [[Terry Lim]], in [[Melbourne]], (Australia)]]▼

{{More citations needed|date=June 2017}}

▲[[File:Kali seminar 2.jpg|thumb|Kali stick seminar group at Ben Poon's Riseup Crossfit center by [[Terry Lim]] in [[Melbourne]] (Australia)]]

The arts had no traditional belting or grading systems as they were taught informally. It was said that to proclaim a student a "master" was considered ridiculous and a virtual death warrant as the individual would become challenged left and right to potentially lethal duels by other Arnisadores looking to make names for themselves. Belt ranking was a recent addition adopted from Japanese arts such as [[karate]] and [[judo]], which had become more popular with Filipinos. They were added to give structure to the systems, and to be able to compete for the attention of students.

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==Organization==

After decades of lobbying and overdue recognition, Arnis/Eskrima/Kali was [[#The Arnis Law|proclaimed]] as the official National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines in January 2010.

There are two main types of Arnis practised as a sport. The most common system used internationally is that of the WEKAF ([[World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation]]), established 1989. The earlier Arnis Philippines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arnisphilippines.com/|title=Arnis Philippines&nbsp;– HOME|website=Arnisphilippines.com|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703130445/http://www.arnisphilippines.com/|archive-date=July 3, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> (ARPI) system, established in 1986, was most prominently used during the [[Arnis at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Southeast Asian Games]].

===WEKAF===

The WEKAF system works on a [[10-point must system]] similar to boxing where participants spar with live sticks while wearing a long padded vest with skirt and sleeves and a helmet similar to [[Kendo]] headgear. Hitting below the thigh is prohibited. This format has sometimes been criticized because it emphasizes a heavy offense at the expense of defensive techniques sometimes with players raining blows on each other without defending, giving rise to the impression that combatants are merely hitting each other in a disorganized way. This has been tackled by introducing a "four second rule"{{clarify|date=November 2017}}, to prevent constant and unrealistic attacks, and judges do not to score the same strike if the fighter uses it more than twice in succession. Judges warn fighters and remove points if they continue after two warnings. However, fights can easily come down to an unrealistic attack from an unskilled fighter who impresses judges with many body hits after taking two or three clear, strong hits to the hands and head.

This is, to some, an antithesis to traditional training methods, where training in footwork and arm/weapon movements are intricate and precise and any part of an opponent's body is fair game. As a consequence, WEKAF tournaments may be seen as not promoting the original art. Moreover, participants have been known to suffer broken bones and injured tendons due to the fact that live sticks are used, so the older system is considered more 'hardcore' and less safe. Another complaint about the WEKAF system is that it uses the [[10-point must system]], which is more subjective depending on who is judging.

Since the WEKAF system is more risky, it is preferred by many practitioners who want to test themselves. The WEKAF system is the most widely used format internationally

===ARPI===

[[Image:Arnis Tournament Safety Equipment.png|thumb|left|300px|Safety equipment used in Arnis tournaments with padded vests, sticks, headgear and groin guards]]

Arnis competitions uses foam-padded sticks about an inch in diameter with thin rattan cores roughly a centimeter in diameter. These sticks are meant to break before serious injury occurs. For protection, the same headgear used in the WEKAF system, and a large groin guard is required for males. Vests (optional for men, required for women), optional armguards, shinguards and leg wraps are used. Scoring is more similar to fencing where fighters are separated after solid clean hits are made (observed by multiple judges stationed at different positions to observe if hits were clean and unblocked, and determine the strength of the strike by the loudness of the impact). Alternative ways to score are to disarm one's opponent or to force him to step outside the ring.

Any part of the body, from head to toe, is fair game as a target&nbsp;– except for the back of the head, which the headgear does not protect. Stabs to the face are not allowed, because the thin rattan core may penetrate the padding and slip through the grills of the headgear into the player's eye. Thrusts to the body score points, but are harder to present to judges for scoring because they make less noise and it is difficult to determine impact.

Punches, kicks and throws are not allowed. Prolonged clinching to prevent the opponent from striking is not allowed (similar to Western Boxing) to keep the game moving and more interesting for audience that may not appreciate the fine and practical aspects of grappling. Disarms must be performed quickly and cleanly to count. Because the legs are fair targets, in lighter weight divisions, complex evasion and deep lunges where players lie horizontal with the torso almost touching the floor to extend reach are often seen.

The emphasis of the ARPI system is on player safety, as proponents are applying to become a recognized Olympic sport like [[judo]], [[karate]], [[taekwondo]], [[wrestling]], [[boxing]], and [[fencing]].

Even though padded sticks are used in the sport, players regularly retain large bruises that last for weeks and sometimes minor injuries to joints and because of the sheer amount of force generated by conditioned practitioners. Sometimes the stuffing commonly comes off from the harder hitting players and one cause of injury is when a player is struck by the exposed rattan core. Still, these are relatively minor as compared to injuries sustained when practitioners spar with live sticks.

One major problem with the ARPI system is that because the padded sticks with light rattan cores are used, they tend to flex and "lag", thus making the experience significantly different from using a live stick and in that sense, lessens the "realism" of this system. This is acceptable though as again, the emphasis is on safety.

Like the sayaw (meaning "dance") in the WEKAF system, the ARPI system has a separate single and team choreographed division called ''Anyo'' (Tagalog for 'forms'). Aside from the visual appeal, practical combative applications must be clearly seen so as to avoid looking like just [[Majorette (dancer)|majorettes]] in marching bands who just twirl batons and dance (a concept similar to the ''Floreio'' ("flourish") aspect of [[Capoeira]] and to [[Tricking (martial arts)|Tricking]] which are more for show than practicality).

IMAFP Standard Equipment is being used in the international Arena.

===Others===

In another variation that simulates knife fights, competitors use false blades edged with lipstick to mark where an opponent has been struck. These matches are considered more similar to traditional duels than the WEKAF point-system.

==Weapons==

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To control the range, and for numerous other purposes, good footwork is essential. Most eskrima systems explain their footwork in terms of triangles: normally when moving in any direction two feet occupy two corners of the triangle and the step is to the third corner such that no leg crosses the other at any time. The shape and size of the triangle must be adapted to the particular situation. The style of footwork and the standing position vary greatly from school to school and from practitioner to practitioner. For a very traditional school, conscious of battlefield necessities, stances are usually very low, often with one knee on the ground, and footwork is complex, involving many careful cross-steps to allow practitioners to cope with multiple opponents. The Villabrille and San Miguel styles are usually taught in this way. Systems that have been adapted to duels or sporting matches generally employ simpler footwork, focusing on a single opponent. North American schools tend to use much more upright stances, as this puts less stress on the legs, but there are some exceptions.

Many systems, including the Inosanto/Lacosta system of escrima/kali recognize and teach 3 basic ranges: long range (largo), medium range (medio) and short range (corto). The long range is typically defined as being able to hit the opponents lead/weapon hand with your weapon/stick only. Medium range is where you are able to strike the opponent's body/head with your weapon/stick while also checking/monitoring the opponent's lead hand with your rear/live hand. And the short range is when you can strike the opponent's body/head with your rear/live hand or being able to strike the opponent's head/body with the hilt/punyo end of the weapon/stick. Some styles or systems may also define a closer range for elbows to the head or body, or grappling.

===Strikes===

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Older styles gave each angle a name, but more recent systems tend to simply number them. Many systems have twelve standard angles, though some have as few as 5, and others as many as 72. Although the exact angles, the order they are numbered in (numerado), and the way the player executes moves vary from system to system, most are based upon Filipino cosmology. These standard angles describe exercises. To aid memorization, player often practise a standard series of strikes from these angles, called an '''abecedario''' (Spanish for "alphabet"). These are beginner strikes or the "ABC's" of Arnis.

While most systems do incorporate a numbering system for the ''angles of attack'', not all use the same numbering system, so always get clarification before training in a new system or style. Additionally, while the angles are numbered for ease of discussion, the numbers do not generally define how the attack is thrown. That is to say, usually (excluding thrusts) a #1 angle, means an attack that starts on the right side of the practitioner and comes down at about a 45° from right to left. But, it does not matter whether this is done with the right or left hand (forehand or backhand) or if the hit continues through the target or returns back along the same line.

Some angles of attack and some strikes have characteristic names:

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* '''Sinawalì''' – the double-stick weaving movement most associated with Arnis, it is named for woven coconut or palm leaves called ''sawalì'' that are used as walls of [[nipa hut]]s. It is commonly seen in double-stick continuous attack-parry partner demonstrations.

* '''Redonda''' – a continuous, circular downward-striking, double-stick twirling technique. It whips in a circle to return to its point of origin. This is especially useful when using sticks rather than swords; it enables extremely fast strikes, but needs constant practice.

* '''Lobtik or Laptik''' – a through hit (forehand or backhand) where the weapon/stick swings through the target, coming from one side of the practitioners body and ending on the other side. Note: many systems do not allow the elbow to cross center (centerline) even though the stick or weapon is.

* '''Abanico''' or '''witik''' – from the Spanish for “fan”, it is done by flicking the wrist 180° in a fan-shaped motion. This kind of strike can be very quick and arrive from unexpected angles.▼

* '''Witik''' – a returning hit (forehand or backhand) in which the strike "bounces" off the target and comes back or returns to the same side as it started.

▲* '''Abanico''' or '''witik''' – from the Spanish for “fan”"fan", it is done by flicking the wrist 180° in a fan-shaped motion. This kind of strike can be very quick and arrive from unexpected angles. This motion is often done in secession hitting targets from opposite sides creating a nearly 360° arc. And can be done in front of the practitioner or over the head.

* '''Pilantík''' – executed by whipping the stick around the wrist over the head in a motion similar to the ''abanico'', but in alternating 360° strikes. It is most useful when fighters are in grappling range and cannot create enough space for normal strikes.

* '''Hakbáng''' – From the Filipino for "step" or “pace”"pace", it is a general term for footwork. For example, ''hakbáng paiwás'' is pivoting footwork, while ''hakbáng tátsulók'' is triangular footwork.

* '''Puño''' – Spanish for "fist", "hilt", or "handle". It uses the butt of a weapon, and often targets a nerve point or soft spot on the opponent. In skilled hands, the ''puño'' strike can be used to break bones.

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Arnis techniques are generally based on the assumption that both student and opponent are very highly trained and well prepared. Thus, Arnis tends to favour extreme caution, always considering the possibility of a failed technique or an unexpected knife. On the other hand, the practitioner is assumed to be capable of quick, precise strikes.

The general principle is that an opponent's ability to attack should be destroyed rather than trying to injure and convince them to stop. Many strikes are therefore aimed at the hands and arms, hoping to break the hand holding the weapon, or cut the nerves and tendons controlling it (the concept of “defanging"defanging the snake”snake"). Strike to the eyes and legs are also important. This is summed up in a popular mnemonic: "Stick seeks bone, blade seeks flesh".

===''Mano Mano''===

{{Main|Suntukan}}

''[[Mano Mano]]'' is the empty-hand component of [[Filipino martial arts]], particularly Arnis. The term translates as "hands" or "hand-[to]-hand" and comes from the Spanish ''mano'' (“hand”). It is also known as ''[[suntukan]]'' or ''panununtukan'' in [[Luzon]] and ''pangamot'' in the [[Visayas]], as well as ''De Cadena'', ''Cadena de Mano'' or ''Arnis de Mano'' in some FMA systems. American colonists referred to it as "combat judo" or “Filipino boxing”.▼

▲''[[Mano Mano]]'' is the empty-hand component of [[Filipino martial arts]], particularly Arnis. The term translates as "hands" or "hand-[to]-hand" and comes from the Spanish ''mano'' (“hand”"hand"). It is also known as ''[[suntukan]]'' or ''panununtukan'' in [[Luzon]] and ''pangamot'' in the [[Visayas]], as well as ''De Cadena'', ''Cadena de Mano'' or ''Arnis de Mano'' in some FMA systems. American colonists referred to it as "combat judo" or “Filipino"Filipino boxing”boxing".

''Mano mano'' moves include [[Sikaran|kicking]], [[Suntukan|punching]], locking, throwing, and ''[[dumog]]'' (grappling). Filipino martial artists regard empty hands as another weapon, and all movements of ''Mano Mano'' are directly based on weapon techniques. In Arnis, weapons are seen as extensions of the body, so training with weapons naturally leads to proficiency in bare-handed combat. For this reason, ''Mano Mano'' is often taught in higher grades after weapons training has been mastered, as advanced students are expected to be able to apply experience with weapons to unarmed fighting. This not always the case though, as some systems of Arnis start with (and at times only consist of) empty hands fighting{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}.

Some notable masters of ''Mano Mano'' include:

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===The live hand===

The ''live hand'' (or alive hand) is the opposite hand of the practitioner that does not contain the main weapon. The heavy usage of the ''live hand'' is an important concept and distinguishing hallmark of eskrima. Even (or especially) when empty, the ''live hand'' can be used as a [[companion weapon]] by eskrima practitioners. As opposed to most weapon systems like [[fencing]] where the off-hand is hidden and not used to prevent it from being hit, eskrima actively uses the ''live hand'' for trapping, locking, supporting weapon blocks, checking, disarming, striking and controlling the opponent.

The usage of the ''live hand'' is one of the most evident examples of how Eskrima's method of starting with weapons training leads to effective empty hand techniques. Because of ''Doble Baston'' (double weapons) or ''Espada y Daga'' (sword and [[parrying dagger]]) ambidextrous weapon muscle memory conditioning, Eskrima practitioners find it easy to use the off-hand actively once they transition from using it with a weapon to an empty hand.

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The Chinese and Malay communities of the Philippines have practiced eskrima together with [[Kuntao|Kuntaw]] and [[Silat]] for centuries, so much so that many North Americans mistakenly believe silat to have originated in the Philippines.

Some of the modern styles, particularly doce[[Doce paresPares]] and [[Modern Arnis]] contain some elements of [[Japanese Martial Arts]] such as joint locks, throws, blocks, strikes, and groundwork, taken from: [[Jujutsu]], [[Judo]], [[Aikido]] and [[Karate]] as some of the founders obtained black belt Dan grades in some of these systems. Some eskrima styles are complementary with Chinese [[Wing Chun]] because of the nervous system conditioning and body mechanics when striking, twirling or swinging sticks.

In Western countries, it is common to practice eskrima in conjunction with other martial arts, particularly [[Wing Chun]], [[Jeet Kune Do]] and silat. As a result, there is some confusion between styles, systems, and lineage, because some people cross-train without giving due credit to the founders or principles of their arts. For example, [[Kenpo#American Kenpō|American Kenpo]] and [[Kajukenbo]] cross-training traces back to the interactions between Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants in territorial/pre-statehood Hawaii, and to a lesser extent in other parts of the United States. In the United States the cross-training between eskrima and Jeet Kune Do Concepts as headed by [[Dan Inosanto]] of the Inosanto Academy in Marina del Rey, California, goes according to the maxim "Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless".

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==Notable styles and practitioners==

{{main|List of Arnis systems and practitioners}}

==Legislation==

In the Philippines, Arnis is recognized as the country's national sport and martial art by virtue of Republic Act No. 9850.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/12/11/republic-act-no-9850/|title=Republic Act No. 9850 &#124; GOVPH|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}</ref> The legislation was approved on December 11, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9850_2009.html|title=R.A. No. 9850|publisher=Lawphil.net|access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> There were many versions of the Arnis Bill but the version chosen was drafted by Richardson Gialogo which was submitted to the Senate. Because of this law, Arnis becomes a pre-requisite for P.E. classes in most colleges in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/sport/martialarts/view/20100122-248713/Govt-sports-officials-hail-Arnis-Law|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212231839/http://sports.inquirer.net/sport/martialarts/view/20100122-248713/Govt-sports-officials-hail-Arnis-Law|url-status=dead|title=Gov't, sports officials hail Arnis Law – Philippine News for Filipinos|last=Tupas|first=Cedelf P.|website=Sports inquirer|publisher=Sports.inquirer.net|archive-date=February 12, 2010|access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==