Klester Kim S.

Zita 2019-01167 BSBA FM 2 Irregular Shifter

PED 0033 – 5 ARNIS

History of Arnis
Arnis is originally an art that was practiced by the commoner or peasant class. Because of this,
most practitioners of the system lacked the necessary education to create any form of written record or
documentation. While the same can be stated of numerous martial arts, this is particularly true for Arnis
martial arts since nearly all of its Arnis history is merely anecdotal, promotional, or oral.
Arnis can be originally traced back to native combat techniques during battles among the
different pre-Hispanic Filipino kingdoms or tribes, though the present form has some Spanish influence
from fencing which originally was practiced in Spain.

Influence of other Martial Arts Styles in Arnis History

It also has other influences, as traders and settlers travelling through the Malay Region brought
the silat as well as Arab, Indian, and Chinese martial arts. A few of the people still localized Chinese
combat methods called the kuntaw.
Moreover, it has been theorized that Arnis Kali Eskrima may have Indian roots and came to the
Philippines through the people who traveled through Malaysia and Indonesia to the Philippines.
Silambam, a stick-staff-based, ancient, Indian martial art influenced numerous martial arts in Asia such
as silat. Arnis may share ancestry with the said systems – several Arnis movements resemble the short
stick (kaji or kali) and other weapon-based combat styles techniques of silambam [ CITATION Lou18 \l
1033 ].
When the Spanish colonizers first came to the Philippines, they observed weapons-based
combat arts practiced by the Filipino natives, which are likely not related to the modern-day Arnis. The
earliest written records of the Philippines and the Filipino life and culture were documented by the first
Spanish explorers. 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 [ CITATION Rua17 \l 1033 ].
 Terminologies in Arnis
Filipino English
Abanico lit. “fan,” lateral (side to side) motions performed with a straightened arm as a
blocking maneuver,

Arko Series of circular strikes, also referred as sirkulo

Arnis Lit. “harnass,” terms used in the Northern Phillipines for FMA, synonymous with
the middle- Phiilipines term, “escrima,” or the southern term, “kali”
Banda y Banda Back & Forth. side to side slashes or strikes.

Baston Stick or baton used in FMA

Bolo A type of machete (usually with a leaf shaped blade) used throughout the
Phillipines.

Cardena Lit. “chaining,” linking one technique with another in rapid succession.

Corto Kurbada Close range sparring applying kurbada strikes & counter attacks

Crossada “Crossing”; maneuver used to block an incoming attack by forming an X- pattern

with ones baton, arms, or bladed weapon.

Daga. Knife or dagger Doble – “double;” two strikes delivered in rapid succession

Doce Pares Twelve Pairs

Dos-ekis 2 reverse butterflies

Dulo- Dulo Palm stick (dulo), spoken twice to indicate style of fighting with said weapon.

Dumog “Grappling,” either in a clinch or on the ground. Escrima – (alt. eskrima) –

synonymous with arnis (above).
Filipino English
Ekis X- strikes

Eskrido The term Eskrido has been derived from three martial arts: Eskrima, Jiu- Jitsu
and Judo. The most common self-defense techniques can be used in Eskrido
such as: stances, hand & arm holds, leg locks, foot sweep, leg reaping, arm,
shoulder & hip throws, disarms, hand strikes, arm strikes, elbow strikes, finger
thrust, palm heel strikes, wrist twist, pushing & pulling methods (for balance
breaking), finger grips, olisi hooks, olisi thrust, butt strikes, punches and
takedowns. (reference: Eskrido book, 2004)

Espada y Daga Sword (espada) and dagger (daga) used together. Sometimes also connotes the
use of baton and knife in tandem.

Flywheel Series of backhand arkos

Garrote Another name for olisi

Kuntaw (alt. Kuntao) (Chinese) “fist way,” a system of Kung- Fu adopted by Filipinos and shared in
common with Indonesia.

Kurbada Curving strikes such as pronating or supinating strikes

Labai Cross arm throw

Langka “Footwork”

Largo Long distance

Mano y Mano “Hand to hand” combat

Medio Medium range

Olisi Baston, Cebuano term for stick

Olisi y baraw Is another term for espada y daga or punta y daga

Filipino English

Pangagaw Referring to disarming techniques

Pangamot Is a complete bare-handed defense system. The Cebuano term which was
derived from the word “kamot”, meaning hand. "Pangamot" calls for the full
coordinated & rhythmic movements of the defender's hands, arms, body,
shoulders, leg and feet mainly to bring about the opponent's defeat through
 disarms as well as throws. (reference: Pangamot, the Bare-Handed Defense
System)
Pangandam On guard or ready. Handa in Tagalog.

Panukad Stance. Tayo in Tagalog.

Plancha Back & forward horizontal strikes to midsection

Puk-pok or punyo Applying butt strikes

Punyo “Pommel” of a sword, knife, or baton.

Redonda Continuous drill employing two batons continuously.

Redondo A circular power- strike.

Rompida And upward and downward slash or strike delivered in an x pattern.

Salamat. A greeting derived from the Muslim “salaam” (or peace) and connoting
gratitude
Saludo Salutation

Serrada Close quarters combat executed at corto (close) range. Also a style of escrima,
popularized in the U.S. by Angel Cabales.
Sikaran Generally “sticking with the legs.”

Sinulog Form or dance, traditionally dedicated to the Infant Jesus.

Sirkulo Series of curving strikes such as witik, abanico, media, arko, bartikal
redouble etc.
Sungkiti Hooking thrust.

Equipments of Arnis

1. Cane or Club/Arnis Stick

Is the standard equipment used in Arnis. However, the most common type of cane is
made of rattan, dried, rounded from the point and at the base of the cane (Rattan Stick). The
length of the cane shall be 28 to 30 inches, and about three-quarters to one inch in diameter.
Padded Sticks preferably for Sports Arnis, Kamagong Sticks, and Iron Wood Sticks for Anyo or
Form are the other types of Cane.
 Fig. 2

2. Other Equipment - Arnis can use assorted canes or bladed weapons with the length of an itak or
bolo, truncheon, swagger stick, dagger or knife or a long pole.

Fig. 3a Fig. 3b

3. White T-shirt (short sleeves), Red Loose Pants, and Shoes (rubber-soled and dominantly white)

Fig. 4a Fig. 4b

4. Sports Arnis Gears

 Head Protector & Face Mask Hand Guards

Arm Guards Body Protector

Groin Protector Shin Guards

Fig. 5

5. Belts
The rank of an Arnis player is signified by a belt just like in other martial arts. Ranks in
Arnis are earned only after long training. Arnis is an art so intricate that before a player can earn
a rank, he must undergo continuous and scientific training. But the color scheme is different.
The belts used are: white (Likas); brown rimmed with blue (Likha); and black rimmed with red
(Lakan & Dayang). Also, it is knotted at the right side of the player instead of in front.

Fig. 6
Ethics and Etiquette
1. Creed in Arnis

ARNISADOR Creed
Arnis is a tie that binds us
Respect for Masters is our first discipline
Never criticize the style, master or art of another
Integrity is the basis of our character
Show humility in victory and grace in defeat
Anger is a weakness to be mastered
Develop your inner self as well as your outward
skills
Open your mind to learn from anyone at anytime
Remember – Arnis has its origin as a fighting art
—Radcliffe (2011)

2. Cardinal Rules and Principles

Arnis as an art has cardinal rules to be observed and followed, and has its own principles to
be inculcated in the students. The cardinal principle in Arnis is respect for one’s opponent as a person
and as a fighter, and as sportsman. It should always be remembered that an opponent is a human
being with dignity as you have and worthy of respect. Sportsmanship on the other hand is the measure
of a fighter or player. The laurels of victory should never be worn with superiority but with humility.
Besides these cardinal principles, there are other principles in Arnis that the students must
remember, these are:
 Character- a student must be taught the moral (and religious) values of everything. It is an
obligation of the teacher of Arnis to mold the character of the student in such a way that his
behavioral structure would be motivated by righteous desire.

 Sincerity- sincerity for victory’s sake is not the all—consuming end of an Arnis player. The
martial art of Arnis, it should be remembered, is a good medium of developing man’s sense
of dedication in all his everyday endeavor and involvement. Sincerity, is the mother of trust
and trust makes an institution of what has been shattered by doubts.
 Discipline- Arnis is a molder of discipline. It is the responsibility of the teacher of the art to
guide the students to this end. Strict compliance to rules and conduct is an athlete’s
obligation. Proper behavior in the sport and in life itself will be gauge of success. Personal
 discipline is important, and a student should learn to control himself in the pursuance of his
goal, not only to his art but also to life in general.

 Self-Control- losing one’s head means defeat. One should learn to control his temper if he
hopes to achieve success in every endeavor. In Arnis, self-control is important for without it,
life and the good health of another may be lost. The possession of an ability to kill or injure a
person should be handled with extreme caution and prudence.

 Etiquette- etiquette is allied to the main cardinal rules in Arnis. One’s norm and standard
should never be imposed upon others. One should learn how to respect others. Giving
credence to the standard and ability of another person should or will best prepare anybody in
any endeavor.

 Student’s Loyalty- loyalty should be emphasized to the student, loyalty to the art, to a fellow
player, and to his teacher. Ingratitude to one is ingratitude to the other. A student should be
loyal to a fellow player because any disloyalty to him is disloyalty to the art itself. More
important, a student should be loyal to his teacher. Everything one has learned is owed by
him to his teacher. Personal whims should never cause one to be ungrateful to where he owes
everything he knows. In the skirmishes of things, the student should be always loyal to him.

The 13 Vital Striking Points of the Body

Area Type of Strike Used Reactions
1. Left Temporal Strike Fatal. The least it will cause is internal
hemorrhage in the brain or skull fracture.
2. Right Temporal Strike Same as in No. 1
3. Left Shoulder Strike Numbing pain, It may also cripple the
shoulder.
4. Right Shoulder Strike Same as No. 3
5. Left Eye Thrust Serious damage to the eye.
6. Right Eye Thrust Same as in No. 5
7. Left Knee Strike Dislocation or fracture. May also cripple.
8. Right Knee Strike Same as No. 7
9. Left Chest Thrust Could be fatal.
10. Right Chest Thrust Could be fatal.
11. Stomach Thrust Crippling pain and could be fatal.
12. Crown Head Strike Fatal.
13. Pubic Area Thrust Crippling Pain