PED002

COMBATIVE SPORTS: ARNIS

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO

College of Sports, Physical Education & Recreation
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
PED002
MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 0
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Overview

Martial arts are codified systems and tradition of combat practices, which are practiced
for a variety of reasons such as self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness,
entertainment, as well as mental, physical, and spiritual development.

Although “martial art” has become associated with fighting arts of eastern Asia, it
originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived
from Latin, and means ‘arts of Mars”, the Roman god of war (“Martial Arts.”n.d.).

On the other hand, combative sport is a competitive contact sport with one-on-one
combat. Determining the winner depends on the particular contest’s rules and a contestant
wins by scoring more points than the opponent or by disabling the opponent (“Combat
sport,”n.d)

Thus, Arnis is both a stick fighting martial art and a combative sport. According to
Presas (1996), Arnis has a special charm and beauty more than other martial arts. Whereas
Karate or Kung-fu uses hands and feet, Arnis uses more than both hands and feet, and a cane
or club.

Body maneuverability, lightning speed in movement, and wielding of the club are must
in Arnis. This is where the grace of the art lies that surpasses the other martial arts.

Lesson 1: History and Development of Arnis

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Explain the nature and historical background of Arnis in the Philippines.

2. Discuss the important values to be benefited from active participation in Arnis
3. Appreciate Arnis as a martial art and as a sport.

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 1

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Activity 1: “The Guessing Game”

Direction: This is your first activity! Let’s activate your prior knowledge about combative
sports. Your task is to guess the origin of each combative sport below. Students must type
their answers in a Microsoft Word and submit it to our section in Google Classroom. (Note:
Use Times New Roman, size 12).

1. Wushu ______________________
2. Taekwondo __________________
3. Karate ______________________
4. Arnis _______________________
5. Capoeira ____________________
6. Fencing _____________________
7. Boxing ______________________
8. Muay Thai ___________________
9. Judo ________________________
10. Jujitsu _____________________

Historical Background of Arnis

Ancient Period

Arnis, as a martial art was spawned in Philippine soil and was known in the ancient
Philippines as Kali, an ancient Malayan word which implies “a large bladed weapon longer than
a knife.”

Kali according to some historians must have been derived from Tjakalele of Indonesia,
a neighboring country south of the Philippines. Tjakalele is a native Indonesian fencing whose
techniques are closely similar to those of Arnis. According to Scanty records, the ten Bornean
Datus who landed in the island of Panay in the 13th century were subjects of either two of the
ancient empires of Indonesia – the Sri Vishayan and Majapajit empires. During the reign of the
ten Datus in Panay, Kali was taught to children in a school called Bothoan as part of their
education.

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The art of hand to hand combat has always

been an integral part of the Filipino’s turbulent and
bloody history due to the force of necessity, self-
defense and preservation. Moreover, the martial
art was even used to entertain and resolve
conflicts. Even before the introduction of the
bladed weapon, the early Filipinos were already a
fighting people using the bow and arrow or the
longbow. The primitive Negritos, coming from
Central Asia during prehistoric times, were experts
in these weapons.

However, the coming of the Malays in the

Philippines in about 200 B.C. enriched the Filipino
arsenal of fighting arts and became experts in the
bladed weapons and daggers. This is especially true
Kali a.k.a. Kris - a type of double-edged among the Muslims in Mindanao and Sulu who have
Filipino sword, often with a "wavy" section,
a special inclination in the hand-to-hand combat
similar to a keris. The wavy portion of the
kali is said to be meant to facilitate easier with bladed weapons that had proven their
slashing in battle. untarnished history of successes in repelling
foreign invaders in their land – the Spanish,
Americans and the Japanese. As testimony of the Muslims’ love for bladed weapon is their
variety of the styles and types of knives which include the Kalis, Kris, Bolo, Laring, Barong,
Gunong, Kampilan, Gayang, Pira, Punal, Itak, Banjal, Bangkcon, Lahot, and Panabas. Even today,
one can find the most artistic knives in Mindanao and Sulu in different sizes and styles.

Kalis, a bladed weapon in the Muslim fighting art was said to be the forerunner of Arnis of the
Tagalogs in the north linked by the inter-regional contact and influence through trade and
travel. Kali, a term shortened from kalis for convenience, is a fighting art that uses a long-
bladed weapon or knife, stick or cane and dagger.

Hispanic Period

When Spain colonized the Philippines, Kali was already a standard fighting art of the
early Filipinos. Native rulers like Lapu-Lapu of Mactan were Kali expert, according to
Magellan’s chronicler and historian, Pegafetta. As recorded on April 27, 1521, one of the men
of Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan with bladed weapon which Kali practitioners used in pre-Spanish
Philippines. Along with bladed weapon is a short-pointed hardwood stick hardened by fire
treatment which natives carried as part of their habiliment (clothing or special equipment).

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This stick must have been the forerunner of muton or baston, as the standard fighting weapon
in Arnis today.

When the country was ultimately conquered and occupied by Spain, their language was
forced upon by the people, and Arnis was known ever since as ESGRIMA or fencing - the
Filipinos were not used to certain Spanish sounds and used “K,” instead of “G” and
pronounced it as ESKRIMA to this day.

During the Philippine Revolution, the first known fighting weapon of Filipino revolt
leaders like Andres Bonifacio was “itak” which he used probably with kali fighting techniques.
Other Filipino revolutionary leaders never actually used kali in fighting the Spanish soldiers
but were said to be experts in this fighting art which they learned in their youth.

The greatest Filipino hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, for instance, studied kali before he left for
Europe. Revolutionary Rev. Fr. Gregorio Aglipay was known to have practiced the art too, and
the acceptance of Arnis becomes so widespread that in 1896 Jose de Azas started school for
the study of Arnis and foil fencing.

How Kali become Arnis was an aftermath of an episode in Philippine history when Kali
was outlawed by the Spanish authorities as one of the precautionary measures taken to
discourage an enslaved people from rising revolution against the Spanish rule in the
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Philippines. The Spaniards also claimed that Filipinos were so engrossed with the art that they
left their land untilled. Kali consequently declined in popularity as early as 1596, and
eventually, the practice of the art was banned in 1764 declaring those who would be caught
practicing it as “tulisanes.” Henceforth, Kali was only practiced in secret.

In 1637, however, Spanish friars, who came to the Philippines, introduced the Moro-
moro. It was a socio-religious play dramatizing the victory of Christian Spaniards over the
Muslim Moros apparently as a visual aid prosecuting the natives to Christianity. The play called
for the use of a sword or any bladed weapon by characters that played the role of Spanish
soldiers.

These soldiers wear colorful trappings worn by medieval soldiers called “Arnes”, a
Spanish word for the English Harness which the early Filipinos cleverly used as the new name
of kali in which techniques were again practiced in their appearance in the Moro-moro plays.
From the word Arnes came the present Arnis, and in 1853, the word Kali was completely
replaced by Arnis.

Modern Period
Arnis today is popularly played with the use of cane, being less lethal than the bladed
weapon like itak or bolo. The cane is assumed to be the extension of the hand so that Arnis is
called in Spanish as Arnis de Mano or Eskrima. It is the best known and the most systematic
fighting art in the Philippines. It is a perfected art after a long historical development from the
kali systems designed to train the student to defend himself against armed or unarmed
attacks.

Among the Tagalog Provinces, Arnis is known as Estocada or Arnis de Mano, and
Estoque or Fraile in other regions; Ibanag’s is to Pagkalikali; Kalirongan to Pangasinense;
Kinaadman to the Visayas (Eskrima or Garrote to the Cebuanos) and Baston to the people of
Panay and Negros Occidental; and Sinawali to the Pampangenos.

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Forms of Play in Arnis

Espada Y Daga Solo Baston ('single Sinawali

('sword and dagger') stick')

A long wooden sword A single long muton or The intricate

and a short wooden baston (wooden stick movements of the
dagger is used. or rattan cane two muton resemble
hardened by drying or the weave of a sawali.
heating) is used.

Traditional Training in Arnis

Muestrasion or Pandalag - Teach the artistic

execution of the swinging movements and
stroking for offense and defence in repetitive drills.

Sangga at Patama or Sombra Tabak - Striking,

tthrusting, and parrying in a prearranged manner is
taught.

Larga Muton or Labanang Totohanan - 2 trainees

are engage in a free practice trying to
outmanuever each other using their skills.

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 6

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The Birth of Modern Arnis

Before it was introduced in Manila, Modern

Arnis had its humble beginnings in Bacolod
City in Visayas where the author first learned
the techniques of the art. Being master of
many martial arts, the author was able to
improvise the antiquated techniques of Arnis
not only for the reasons of pacing with the
time but also for its utmost effectivity. These
improved techniques were then taught for
the first time to the students in that city.
REMY A. PRESAS, In 1969, it was in Manila when the
The Father of Modern Arnis National College of Physical Education,
through the encouragement and patronage
of Col. Arsenio de Borja, director and secretary - treasurer of the Philippine Amateur Athletic
Federation (PAAF), offered Modern Arnis as a regular subject in the Physical Education to the
major students.

The students in the NCPE were mostly teachers from different school in the country
who took PE as a degree or as a special course. This enabled Arnis to gain wider area of
propagation as these teachers in turn taught Arnis to their students. Besides these teachers,
students who enrolled in the Modern Arnis in the school of the author, also help propagate
the art.

In Mindanao State University - Main Campus, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Prof. Ombra
B. Sumndad, a faculty member of the College of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation
was the first person who introduced Modern Arnis in the University.

On December 11, 2009 former president Gloria

Macapagal – Arroyo signed the Republic Act No. 9850
which established Arnis as the Philippines’ National
Martial Art and Sport. This enables Arnis to compete
alongside with its foreign – originated brethren like
Taekwondo, Karate do, Judo and so on.

Amazing, right? 😊

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 7

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Values and Benefits of Arnis

✓ Contributes to the Physical Fitness Development
The execution of the various skills of Arnis involves vigorous movements of the
arms, shoulders, trunk, the abdomen and the lower extremities - the legs and feet. And
since these movements are performed continuously and rhythmically, they provide
excellent training for muscular strength, flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance
which are the 3-basic health-related components of physical fitness namely agility,
balance, reaction time, and coordination are also developed through Arnis.

✓ Develops Special Abilities

Emphasis is placed on quickness and coordination, and in the perfect execution of
the skills. Individuals whose physical attributes and capabilities are limited can find in Arnis
the satisfaction provided by competition and the thrill of accomplishments in skillful
physical activity.

✓ Improves Mental Qualities

Alertness, daringness and precision are necessary, since many techniques call for
quick thinking, and split-seconds timing.

✓ Cultivates Desirable Character Traits

Self-confidence, fortitude, and self-discipline are developed in the practice of
Arnis. Students of Arnis who practice long and hard in order to make progress will also
develop the virtue of perseverance to the highest degree. Self-discipline is necessary to
master self-confidence. The acquisition of skills and desirable traits rest on the individual
himself, for Arnis is a self-testing activity, and the student will progress at his or her own
rate.

✓ Creative Ability has Unlimited Potential in Arnis

The putting together of various possible combinations to come up with an Anyo
or form or sparring routines require imaginative and creative talent. Through this
experience, the Arnis enthusiast develops understanding of symmetry, continuity,
coordination, balance, and timing in the execution of striking and blocking maneuvers.

✓ Awareness on the Cultural Identity

Arnis is a genuine component of our cultural heritage. It is possible that the
Filipino who will take up Arnis will find an answer to what an eminent Filipino scholar
termed, “the search for national identity.”

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 8

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Activity 2: Short Answer Test (30pts) Deadline for submission: September 30, 2021
Direction: Answer the following questions below. Students must type their answer in a
Microsoft Word and submit it to the Google Classroom. (Note: Use Times New Roman, size 12
as your font in encoding your answer.)

1. What makes Arnis different from other martial arts? Explain its unique features. (3pts)
2. Why is it important to study and learn the historical background of Arnis? (5pts)
3. Enumerate and explain at least 3 of the benefits. (6pts)
4. Make at least a four-paragraph summary of the colorful history of Arnis. (16pts)

CLASS GRADING SYSTEM:

1. Written Assignments - 20%
2. Practical Performances
a. Video Presentations - 80%
Total = 100%

CRITERIA FOR THE VIDEO PRESENTATION:

1. Correct Execution = 70%
2. Mastery (Form and Flow) = 10%
3. Intensity (Energy) = 10%
4. Creativity (Videography) = 10%
Total = 100%

Videos to present:
1. Warm up drills = 10%
2. Basic Stances = 10%
3. Classical Strikes = 10%
a. Redonda and Sinawali = 10%
4. 12 Striking Techniques = 10%
5. Blocking Techniques = 10%
6. Anyo or Forms (Kata) = 20%
a. Standard Anyo Total = 80%
b. Personal Choregraphed Anyo

NOTE: To avoid delays in submission of requirements, I suggest that you now start searching on Youtube
the exact videos of the arnis skills and drills required in the class video presentations. This is for advanced
learning and preparations. However, links to those videos are also provided in every video-requiring
Module to be uploaded.

Goodluck and wassalam!

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 9

COMBATIVE SPORTS: ARNIS PED002

MR. JOSEPH GIEWARD B. LAYAO 10