Unit 1

I.              Objectives

At the end of the unit, students will be able to:

1.    Acquire a thorough understanding of the history, values and principles of

Arnis.

2.    Execute the proper mechanics of: hand grip, stances, and salutation.

3.    Develop an appreciation of arnis as a form of physical conditioning and self-

defense, and

4.    Actively participate in online class activity.

 
II.            Learning Areas
 
A.   History
B. Values
C. Equipment
D. Cardinal Rules
 
III.           Content

A.   HISTORY OF ARNIS

The History of Arnis dates back before the colonization of the Spaniards,
during those periods it was called Kali and the techniques of the art is focused on
bladed weapons fighting. On the dawn of April 27, 1521 the Portuguese navigator
and warrior named Ferdinand Magellan was defeated by a native warrior chief
named Lapu-lapu this was the recorded incident which Kali was used against
foreign invaders. Forty years after that event, in April of 1564 another warrior
navigator from Spain named Miguel De Legaspi landed in Abuyog Leyte
Philippines. He was aware of the unfortunate fate of Magellan so took a non-hostile
approach to avoid battle with the native. He befriended the warrior chief Malitik, it is
at this point he witnessed the deadly fighting skills of the natives through a demo to
entertain them.

In 1873 the fighting system was renamed “Arnis” derived from the word Arnes
which means colorful trapping on defensive armors used on the Moro-Moro plays.

Arnis, also known as Eskrima and Kali is the National Sport and Martial Art of the
Philippines. It is an umbrella term that refers to a class of Filipino martial arts that
emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, blades and improvised weapons.
 Although training starts with weapons, empty hand techniques, trapping and limb
destruction are core parts of these arts as the weapon is considered merely an
extension of the body.

Professor Remy Amador Presas, the father and founder of Modern Arnis.
Modern Arnis is an eclectic Filipino martial art that blends the best elements of
Filipino jujutsu, karate, judo and various traditional Filipino stick and knife fighting
styles into a brilliantly conceived, versatile, and devastatingly effective martial art.
Modern Arnis is a self defense system and is essentially a stick and empty hand
oriented art, with much emphasis on the concept of “the flow” and “counter for
counter.”

B. VALUES

1. Display a feeling of confidence after learning the skills.

2. Develop proper behavior, self-discipline and self-control.
3. Since Arnis employ the use of two sticks, the less-dominant arm is exercised
and developed, making one almost ambidextrous, and therefore more efficient in
the use of the upper extremities.
4. Prevent using guns in arresting an unarmed attacker.
5. Become closer to the historical teachings of the country and people,
immensely proud of being a Filipino because Arnis is a genuine component of
our cultural heritage and will find an answer to what an eminent Filipino scholar
learned, “ the search for national identity”.
 
Methods in playing arnis:
a. espada y daga (sword and dagger), which employs a long blade and
short dagger;
b. solo baston (single stick); and
c. sinawali (to weave), which uses two sticks of equal length twirled in
“weaving” fashion for blocking and striking (term is derived from sawali,
the bamboo matting woven in the Philippines).  

 
C.  Equipment

1. Protective Gears- (Head Protector, Body Protector)

2.   Jogging pants

3. Cane
        3.a Padded cane

                                3.b Rattan Cane

Dimensions of the cane:

              Length – 71.1 cm

              Weight - 400g

              Diameter – 1.9 cm

Proper Gripping of the Cane
   In modern arnis about 2 inches of cane is left beneath the grip to allow for use as a butt,
 grip is firm as though shaking hands and thumb is folded on top of the first finger, wrist is

relaxed.
Courtesy

              Proper salutation shows respect to the coach or teacher, before starting in
the class, drill or fight the player must execute courtesy:

        Canes down, stand shoulder width stance, on command HANDA (ready)
PUGAY (bow) bring left foot to the right, place right fist over heart and bow head;
after the bow automatically assume initial position by bringing left foot into the
shoulder width stance.

D.  Cardinal Rules or Principles in Arnis

By nature man is never violent. Unless otherwise affected by some physical or
psychological affliction, or forced by outside reasons or provocations, no man will harm a fellow
human being (or animal for that matter) let alone feast on their physical sufferings. Man is an
"institution" of love and kindness.
1). Character - a ruffian has no place in Arnis let alone in sports. Refinement in
character is important. A student must be taught the moral (and religious) values of
everything. It is an obligation of the teacher of Arnis to mold the character of the student in
such a way that his behavioral structure would be motivated by righteous desire. It is what a
man is that counts not the number of trophies he won.
2). Sincerity - sincerity for victory's sake is not the all--consuming end of an Arnis
player. It is the sincerity in him to his fellowman and to his art that makes him shine in the
array of men. The will to win may be inculcated, but such tutelage should never end after the
tick of the ultimate second in the game but beyond the canvass and the arena of
competition. The martial art of Arnis, it should be remembered, is a good medium of
development man's sense of dedication in all his everyday endeavor and involvement.
3). Discipline - Arnis is a molder of discipline. Proper behavior in the sport and in life
itself will be the gauge of success. Personal discipline is important. The kaleidoscopic
invitations and temptations of life should never undermine man in his obligation to his art, to
himself and his fellowman. A student should learn to control himself in the pursuance of his
goal, not only to his art but also to life in general.
4). Self-control - losing one's head means defeat. One should learn to control his
temper if he hopes to achieve success in every endeavor. In Arnis, self-control is important
for without it, life and the good health of another may be lost. The possession of an ability to
kill or maim a person should be handled with extreme caution and prudence. Man's clear
perception of things is anchored on his ability to control the outbursts of his inner self.
Provocation is dishonorable but a hasty reaction to it is just as dishonorable if not
despicable.
 5). Etiquette - etiquette is allied to the main cardinal rules in arnis. One's norm and
standard should never be imposed upon others. One should learn how to respect others.
Giving credence to the standard and ability of another person should or will best prepare
anybody in any endeavor.
6). Student's loyalty - loyalty should be emphasized to the student, loyalty to the art, to
a fellow player, and to his teacher. Ingratitude to one is ingratitude to the other. A student
should be loyal to a fellow player because any disloyalty to him is disloyalty to the art itself.
More important, a student should be loyal to his teacher. Everything one has learned is
owned by him to his teacher. Personal whims should never cause one to be ungrateful to
where he owes everything he knows. Even if the ultimate aim of the art is already achieved
by a student that he can now manage on his own, he should never forget the teacher who
labored for him.