Physical Education

History of
Arnis
Miss Jennifer G. Torrejano
History of Arnis
One of the earliest known Filipino stick fighting styles is Arnis the
origin of it is very difficult to trace, because of the many races that
settled and migrated in the Philippines like Spain, India, China and
Indonesia, that influences our culture.

However traces of concerning actual events demonstrate clearly that

ARNIS as act of defending oneself among Filipinos existed even
before the Philippines was colonize by the Spaniards.
History of Arnis
According to the history, Lapu-Lapu was to be the one of the most
advanced experts of Arnis.
It is sated by Don Baltazar Gonzales in his book Delos Delitos (1800),
that it may have been the father of Lapu-Lapu, Datu Mangal conveyed the
stick fighting of Mactan Island to the near small land masses of Cebu.

In 1564, when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived in the Philippines, he

noticed that Filipinos exhibited excellence in the art of stick fighting and
sword fighting, and noted also the expertness as he was amused with an
arnis demonstration.
History of Arnis
When the Spaniards arrived and obtained strongly built authority of the
country Spaniards hindered the practice of arnis, fearful of the exceptional
abilities of the Filipinos in arnis, they defraud an official prohibitation in
exercising the art.

The popularity of Arnis began to resurface among Filipinos in the 9th

century.

Rooted the belief that moro moro play and dances were primarily invented
to give the natives excuse or cover to resume the practice and training of
arnis.
History of Arnis
Arnis de mano was widely extended in the Philippines shortly after the
Spanish occupation. This prompted Jose de Azes to initiate the first school
dedicated to study of arnis and escrima (Tanghalan ng Pananandata) at
Ateneo de Manila.

Marked the first public arena called paaralan for the practice of the
Filipinos wherein social ethics and codes of the true Filipino warrior we
taught.

In 1972, the Philippine government includes Arnis in “Palarong

Pambansa” or National Sports.
Arnis Terminology
Abanico Corto and Abanico Largo – A striking consists of moving the stick in front of the
body in a fanning – like movement, hence the term abanico which means a fan in Spanish.

Anyo – A combined arranged movements in striking, blocking and shifting of body or kata
form in other discipline of martial arts.

Arnis – It is supposed to be based on a Spanish word, arnes with the English equivalent of
harness, means colorful appendages and trappings used by ancient soldiers.

Banda y Banda – It is a technique in striking in which the stick is pointing forward and
shifting quickly flat to the left and right of the body.

Espada y Daga (Sword and Dagger) – A form of fighting wherein a long and short sticks
are used.
Arnis Terminology
Kali - It is an historical Malay term that relates to a long bladed weapon. It is derived
from the word tjakalele which is an Indonesian traditional form of fencing.

Larga Muton or Labanang Totohanan – This refers to a free form of arnis sparring
which is supposed to show and test the skills of the arnis practitioners.

Rompida – they define this as one of the striking techniques. Sangga at Patama – A pre
– arranged or choreographed form of play consisting of striking, thrusting and
parrying.

Sinawali – An intricate technique of striking using two sticks wherein the movement
resemble the woven pattern of the sawali, or split – bamboo matings.

Up and Down –. It is similar to the rompida,

Philosophy of Arnis
THE SEVEN (7) CARDINAL RULES

1. Respect - Galang 5. Ethics - Panuntunan

2. Discipline - Disiplina 6. Sportsmanship

3. Loyalty - Katapatan 7. Control

4. Bravery - Katapangan