LESSON 1

Arnis
(Individual/ Dual Sports)

What is Arnis?
➢ Arnis is the national martial art sport of the 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.
➢ The word “Arnis” which was derived from a form of the term “Arnes” refers to the attractive harnesses
utilized by the actors of the moro-moro stage displays. “Demano” just means “hands”. Arnis de Mano is
therefore, a literal translation of the phrase harness of hand.
➢ “Eskrima” is another inclusive term. The word originated from the term “Escrima”, which, again, originated
from the Spanish word “Esgrima”, a term used for fencing. It is also believed to be interpreted as “to
skirmish” although there is no evidence for such a claim.

History
❖ The Philippines has a grand Arnis history that stretches way back to 900 AD. Filipino Stick Fighting has made
a huge difference in Filipino society.
❖ Arnis was developed by the indigenous populations of the Philippines, who used an assorted range of weapons
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.

SPANISH SPENCING
❖ Fencing derives from the Latin word “defensa”, which means “protection”. When the word moved into Old
French, it transformed into “defens”, again meaning to protect. During the 15th century, the English shortened
it to “fens”
❖ FRENCH – Escrime “Escremie” ; “Combat”
❖ SPANISH – Esgrima ; meaning to protect or cover

ARNIS DURING THE SPANISH COLONIAL ERA

❖ Esrima was subsequently outlawed, but the techniques did not disappear. They were preserved in secret,
sometimes under the very noses of the conquerors, in the form of dances or mock battles staged in religious
plays known as “moromoro”.

FOUNDER OF MODERN ARNIS

(Remy Amador Presas)

● Remy 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.
● He published several books and videos on Modern Arnis and is recognized as the
"Father of Modern Arnis”

REPUBLIC ACT 9850

❖ Arnis was declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport on December 11, 2009 through
Republic Act 9850 signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
❖ As per R.A. 9850, the official adoption of arnis as the national martial art and sport shall be promulgated by
inscribing the symbol of arnis in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission and by making it as the
first competition to be played by participating teams on the first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa. The
Philippine Sports Commission is the lead agency to implement the provisions of this Act.
❖ The arnis tournament at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games was held on December 1, 2005 to December 4,
2005 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gymnasium in Ermita, Manila. This is also the same venue as the
wushu events. This is the first time since 1991 that the sport was introduced in the SEA Games, although in
1991 it was played as a demonstration sport.

TWO TYPES OF ARNIS

1. Anyo- athletes perform sequences of movements using 2 batons, gracefulness combined with strength and
force needed to execute properly
2. Laban- Combat sports.

KINDS OF WEAPONS

1. Baston- Batons, or Arnis sticks, is the most basic weapon used in the Arnis. It is
made from rattan that doesn’t shred like wood and is by far more durable.

2. Espada y Daga(Sword & Knife set) - The focus of this method of

fighting is to be able to go in and out of long, middle and close ranges to trap up
the enemy and kill.

3. Balisong (Butterfly Knife) - This knife has two pieces of handles

that attach together in the middle and fold to close the blade. It is a
serious weapon that requires a lot of practice.

4. Karambit- This is an Indo-Malay claw shaped knife that is

held by warriors by inserting the finger into a hole at the top of
the handle.

5. Spear (Sibat) - This is a spear that is held to defend against

close range attacks. It can also be used to attack enemies at a
distance if it is thrown at the right speed and angle.