1. What is Sport Arnis?

Arnis is the national martial art sport of Philippines. It is also known as Eskrima and Kali.
This sport actually emphasizes weapon based fighting which is done using knives, bladed
weapons, sticks and various improvised weapons. It also includes hand to hand combat,
grappling and weapon disarming methods. Arnis is also known as Kali or Eskrima and is a
martial art known for its use of weaponry, hand to hand combat and self-defense mechanisms.
Believed to have been developed by indigenous people from various methods brought to the
islands over time, this can be seen in the way the martial art name has developed. Arnis was
known as Kali by the native people up until 1873 when it was renamed while under Spanish rule.
Kali is the origin and can be translated to long knife or sword. Eskrima is derived from a Spanish
word that means fencing and Arnis is also derived from a Spanish word that means armor. Even
though the words mean different things it is all referring to the same martial art just different
periods of time.

2. What is the History of Sport Arnis?

Arnis was developed by the indigenous populations of the Philippines, who used an
assorted range of weaponry for combat and self-defense. Encompassing both simple impact and
edged weapons, arnis traditionally involved rattan, swords, daggers and spears. In 1521,
equipped with nothing more than bladed weapons and their fearsome arnis abilities, Filipino
islanders defeated Ferdinand Magellan’s armored, musket-bearing Spanish conquistador forces
when they tried to invade.

When the Spanish eventually returned and successfully conquered parts of the
Philippines, the traditions of arnis were preserved, despite its prohibition, in the forms of ritual
dance, performance and mock battles. While earlier Filipino martial arts were influenced by
Spanish colonization, the modern forms have been affected by the country’s contact with both
the United States and Japan after gaining independence in 1898. Just over a century later, in
2009, the government of the Philippines declared arnis to be the martial art and national sport of
the Philippines.

3. Who is the founder of Sport Arnis?

Remy Amador Presas (December 19, 1936 – August 28, 2001) was the founder of Modern
Arnis, a popular Filipino martial art. Born in the Philippines, he moved to the United States in
1974, where he taught his art via seminars and camps. In 1982 he was inducted into the Black
Belt Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year. He published several books and videos on Modern
Arnis and is recognised as the "Father of Modern Arnis".

4. What is the equipment used in Sport Arnis?

* Padded stick / yantok

* Headgear

* Arm guards

* Armor

* Hand glove

* Groin guard

* Leg guards

5. Is Sport Arnis our National Sport? Explain your answer

Even before Ferdinand Magellan made it to the Philippines in April 1521, martial arts and
combat had already made it to the islands. In fact, Magellan was soon slain by a Filipino sword
under chief Raja LapuLapu during battle. Martial arts in the Philippines has evolved from
traditional indigenous fighters and other various fighting methods transplanted to the islands into
a popular combat sport today. Known for their heavy use of weaponry, the Philippines formed
their own fighting styles and techniques practiced throughout the world for various combat
training. Fighting is such an essential part of the culture that in 2009, the Republican Act 9850
declared Arnis the national sport and martial art of the Philippines.