Lesson 1 – Definition and Brief History of

Arnis
PHYSED102- PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES TOWARDS HEALTH AND
FITNESS – 3
 WHAT IS ARNIS?
• Arnis is also known as Kali or Escrima, the national self-defense
martial art of the Philippines that emphasizes weapon-based
fighting.
 BRIEF HISTORY OF ARNIS
• The origin of Arnis can be traced back to native “Pintados” or then
“Tintadus” fighting techniques during conflicts among various
Prehispanic Filipino tribes or kingdoms, through the current form
has Spanish influence from old fencing which originated in Spain in
the 15th century.
 TRADITIONAL ARNIS vs. MODERN ARNIS
• Traditionally, arnis 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, musked-bearing Spanish conquistador forces
when they tried to invade.
 TRADITIONAL ARNIS vs. MODERN ARNIS
• But in the Modern Arnis, it is the system of Filipino Fighting arts
founded by Remy Presas.

• 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.
 REMY PRESAS
• “Father of the Modern Arnis”

• He was born on December 19, 1936 in Hinigiran, Negros Occidental.

• Died on August 28, 2001 due to brain cancer.

 ERNESTO PRESAS
• He used the term modern arnis to described his style of the Filipino
martial arts since 1999, called his system Kombatan.

• It is derived principally from the traditional Presas Family style of the

Bolo (Machete), influence from the other Filipino and Japanese
Martial artist.
 GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
• Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the Republic Act
No. 9850 in 2009 which declared Arnis as the Philippine National
Sport.
 REPUBLIC ACT 9850
• This act mandated the Department of Education to include the sport
of Arnis as a Physical Education Course.
• Arnis is also included among the priority sports in Palarong
Pambansa started in 2010.