Name: MATIS, Anesda A.

Date: April 04, 2022

Course & Section: BSN1B

1. Identify at least 5 highlights of ARNIS history.

 Arnis is the official national sport and the martial art of the Philippines. It is also
known as "Kali" or "Eskrima". These two terms are used for the traditional martial art
of the Philippines (“Filipino Martial Arts”, or “FMA”) that focuses on weapon-
based fighting with knives, sticks, bladed weapons and some improvised weapons.
Arnis is a combat sport to defend oneself from attacks using hand to hand
combat, grappling and weapon disarming in weapon-based fights. The
word Arnis got originated from the old Spanish term, arnés,
meant “armor”and Eskrima is a Filipinization of the Spanish
word, esgrima for fencing. Whereas the name ‘Kali’ was derived from the pre-
Hispanic Filipano term ‘Kalis’ which meant Blades and Fencing.
Practitioners of the sportcalled “arnisador” for male and “arnisadora” for female in
Arnis and “eskrimador” for male and “eskrimadora” for female in
the Eskrima and Kali Art. Moreover, all the three, Arnis, Eskrima and Kali belong to
the same family of Filipino weapon-based martial arts and fighting systems.

 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. Initially, the sport was practiced by peasants or by commoner
class people.  But these practitioners lacked the scholarly knowledge due to which
this sport has no written records. The origin of Arnis can be traced back to native
fighting techniques during the conflicts among the various Pre-Hispanic Filipino
tribes or kingdoms. Whereas, another form of Spanish fencing dating back to
the 15th Century, also influenced the current form of Arnis, moreover it also has
the impact of Chinese, Arab and Indian martial arts.
 
 It is also believed by some people of Philippines that the Filipino art of Arnis has
some roots connected to India as the people who traveled
through Indonesia and Malaysia to the Philippine islands had brought this art with
them. Silambam, a stick based ancient martial art of Tamil Nadu, India, has
influenced many martial art forms in Asia like Silat among which it is also believed
that the Filipino Martial art sport, Arnis, also shares ancestry with India’s Martial art,
Silambam, as it has some similar moves with the short stick (kali or kaji) and other
weapon-based styles of Silambam.

 Eventually, it was the Filipinos who provided the art with a systematic structure. It

was brought to Hawaii and California in the 1920s. The teaching was kept within
the Filipino communities until the 1960s after which Master Angel Cabales and
others began teaching it to others. It took almost two decades to make the art
known to all around the world and in January 2010; it was officially recognized as
the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines.

 Depending upon the use of weapons and sticks; Arnis is differentiated into two
styles: the Classic Arnis that is all about the use of blades and weapons whereas
the Modern Arnis deals with the art of sticks and everyday objects. The Modern
Arnis is the system of the Filipino fighting arts founded by Remy Presas as a self-
defense system. His goal was to create an injury-free training method as well as
an effective self-defense system to carry forward the older Arnis systems.
2. Who started arnis? 
 Modern Arnis is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Remy Presas
as a self-defense system.  His goal was to create an injury-free training method as
well as an effective self-defense system in order to preserve the older Arnis
systems.  It is derived principally from the traditional Presas family style of the Bolo
(machete) and the stick-dueling art of Balintawak Eskrima, with influences from
other Filipino and Japanese martial arts.
 Remy Presas studied his family’s system from an early age.  He went on to study
the Japanese systems of Shotokan Karate and Judo, achieving high rank in each;
but he simultaneously studied a variety of other Filipino systems, most notably
Venancio Bacon’s Balintawak .  Beginning with a small gymnasium in Bacolod in the
1950s, he attempted to spread the art to the local youth as both a cultural legacy
and a form of physical development or sport.  He taught the art at the University of
Negros Occidental-Recoletos.  His desire to reinvigorate interest in his country’s
traditional martial art grew over time, and he began making modifications and
improvements to what he had learned.  In 1969 he moved to Manila at the request
of a government official, and formed the Modern Arnis Federation of the
Philippines.  He continued to develop and spread his art, including via books, until
political considerations forced him to relocate to North America.
 There he met Wally Jay, George Dillman, and other martial artists who influenced
his development of the art of Modern Arnis.  In particular, many locks from Small
Circle Jujitsu were added to Modern Arnis.  The art continued to grow and change,
in technique and in emphasis, though it always retained a focus on the single stick
and on general self-defense.   Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he traveled
extensively for seminars – the principal form of instruction in the system was
through weekend training camps held around the world but especially in the U.S.  –
and produced books and videos.  The International Modern Arnis Federation
Philippines would come to be the lead Modern Arnis organization in the Philippines,
and the Deutschen Arnis Verband of Germany would be the lead organization in
Europe.  In the United States, the International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF) was
the principal organization.

3.  What are the rules in arnis (enumerate - bulleted)

 Opponents will begin and end all matches with a salute or bow to each other and
the judges.
 Referee will position fighters beyond largo range at the start of every round.
 Only attacks with the stick and feet are allowed.
 Hits, slashes, and witticks are all legal. Punots, pokes and stabs are all illegal.
 Target areas are: 1) front and sides of the body, 2) arms and hands, 3) top, front
and sides of the helmet.
 Kicks are allowed below the neck and above the waist only.
 In single stick competition, it is NOT legal to block a stick with your free hand.
However, “arm stopping” at quarto range or arm checking is allowed.
 Fighters are required to exhibit a realistic defense (movement, parrying, intelligent
blocking…)
 No takedowns. No grappling, wrestling or hooking.
 No pushing or striking with any part of your body.
 No foot sweeps or throws, thrusting or butt strikes, 2 handed strikes.
 No strikes or kicks below the waistline or direct strikes to the back.
 No kicks below the waist or above the neck.
 No knee strikes or elbow strikes.
 Checks may be used to create distance but may NOT be directed to the face.
Checks are allowed below the neck and above the waist free hand or two hands on
weapon (AKA rifle checking).
 Trapping and parrying are allowed. Locking and holding are not.
 An instantaneous “Hold and Hit” with immediate release is allowed.
 In the event inaction or ineffective action in the clinch, referee will call time and
break clinch.
 Disarms must be immediate, or have an immediate release (1 – 2 rule applies).
 Joints may not be locked or twisted for a disarm.
 You may use the ring to control the action. You may not use it to avoid action.
 To signal surrender or stop action for an injury, equipment failure, etc., raise both
hands and back up. Do not turn away.

4. Equipment?
 Like all martial arts, arnis is primarily defensive, encompassing hand-to-hand
combat, grappling and disarming techniques. However, the fighting style also
includes the use of bladed weapons and sticks, in addition to improvised weapons.
A baton-like cane is the primary melee tool employed and the weapon used in
officiated arnis competitions.
 Arnis / Kali / Eskrima are all part of the same art depending on the location,
dialect and type of training. The one interpretation common to all of them is
that Kali is the mother art of Arnis and Eskrima. Moreover, Arnis focuses on
the knife, including the dagger, sword, and any other form of bladed weapon
whereas Eskrima is based on the ‘baston’ or stick. Therefore, the equipment used in
Arnis is:
1) Impact Weapon:
Baston: This is the most basic and common weapon in Arnis. Traditional common
materials used for wooden bastons are usually rattan, kamagong, and bahi wood. It
is also available in modern materials such as fiberglass and plastics and in metals
like aluminum.
Rattan: This is usually constructed from a stem of Southeast Asian vine. This stem
is hard and durable yet lightweight that makes the weapon useful for defense
against blades. At present, fighters use padded Bastons. The Baston (Baton) is
about 28 inches (71 cm) in length.
Kamagong (also known as Mabolo): This is a dark, dense, expensive type of wood
known for its hardness and weight. Kamagong is also an endangered species of
ebony wood.
Bahi: Bahi is a type of wood made from the heart of a palm tree. It is similar to
kamagong but is made of a porous material in weight and density.
 
2) Edged Weapons: Knife, dagger, spear, etc. are edged weapons used throughout
the history for combat, hunting and ceremonies.
 
3) Head Gear: It is a necessity in Arnis combat. It is covered with high-grade
leatherette and vinyl that is printed with ethnic art. Its materials provide
vital protection from head strikes and a multi-thickness metal frame is developed.

4) Body Armor: It is designed specially to provide complete upper body

protection while allowing mobility and protection. The armor is usually made
of hard plastic and vinyl for lightness and the lower panels are extended
downwards to provide extra coverage.
 5) Leg Guard: These guards can be used to protect both thigh and the shin
area and are not only designed for protection but also for comfort and practicality.

6) Groin: It is a special padding for the lower abdomen. It has a groin cup to provide

complete protection to the groin area.

7) Hand Gloves: It is a thick rubber protection which serves as a protection

from strikes as the stick is held in hand. Its open palm design ensures a stable
grip and finger flexibility for impact absorption.

8) Arnis Clothing: The basic Arnis Uniform is made from twill fabric, which maintains

durability and comfort. It is specially designed after the classic Arnis
uniform with Velcro straps to close the flaps easily.

5. What's your perception of Arnis?

 As previously said, Arnis is not just a sport but also a cultural emblem in the
Philippines. Historical events, like those in every other country, can have a
significant impact on a country's culture, economy, and government. The Spaniards
influenced the culture of the Philippines in this situation. The Philippines were under
Spanish dominion at the time, which allowed for the development of what is now
known as Arnis. Due to a scarcity of resources and firearms, Arnis was founded to
employ self-defense and battle to protect themselves. Arnis evolved from a warfare
tool to a growing sport that is now practiced all over the world. Moreover, Arnis can
teach us self-control and discipline. Arnis, like other martial arts, may be used to
train and teach self-control and discipline. It also allows us to think quickly and
strengthens our bodies because we will be moving a lot. Martial arts training
improves your capacity to self-discipline and focus on realistic goals, which helps
you excel in all aspects of life. Discipline is the ability to do what needs to be done.It
enables us also to focus on our goals and regulate our emotions by helping us train
our minds and bodies. It contributes to the peace and order of society. Maintaining
discipline and a strong resolve to achieve those goals creates self-confidence and
develops the personality. Practice not only enables one to build a positive action.