Rayl Joel G.

Oyami
BSN 1-3

Brief History of Arnis and How Arnis evovled during time

The native Filipino were first introduced to the long bladed weapon by the migrating
Malays in 200B.C. From this initial encounter, the Filipinos began utilizing the long blade
not only for its effectiveness as a farming tool, but for combat as well. This devised
method of knife fighting was known as kalis (later reduced to kali); a combative art
specializing in all manners of bladed weaponry.
Passed down only to certain Filipino classes, similar to that of the Samurai in
Japan, kali was a highly effective weaponized fighting system that helped aid the Filipino
people in many defences against foreign invaders. Historically, it can be said that in
1521, during the landing of Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu, the greatest kali warrior of the
time, Raja (chief) Lapu Lapu, displayed the true effectiveness of kali when he struck
down Magellan with two fatal blows — one to the knee and one to the neck — warding
off the impending Spanish invasion.
43 years later, in 1564, the Spanish returned to the Philippines; this time landing in
Abuyog, Leyte. Led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the conquistadors expected another
violent encounter. However, they were met by the island chief, Malitik, and his son,
Kamutunan, who excitedly welcomed the conquistadors with great hospitality, inviting
Legaspi and his men to dine with them and witness a display of the might of kali. During
this time, kali had transitioned from a purely martial system to becoming a performance
art, complete with choreographed arrangement designed to impress royalty. However,
these displays were often very dangerous, with most accidents resulting in death.
Building upon this relationship with the natives, the Spanish eventually colonized a large
majority of the Philippines, leaving the art of kali to be mostly used for entertainment
purposes; commonly referring to it as 'the sport of kings'. During Philippines' rule by the
Spanish, the art of kali became highly influenced by its culture, taking on a more
fencing-like style and expanding into a derivative known as Espada y daga (sword and
dagger). 
It should be noted, however, that although most of the Philippines was colonized and
occupied by many different cultures (from the Japanese to the Americans) the people of
Mindanao and Sulu in the Philippines have remained true experts in the original art
of kali, able to ward off all attempts at invasion through the use of the art; alluding to
why these two regions are the only areas of the Philippines still predominantly Muslim —
the first religion spread throughout the Philippines by the migrating Malays who
introduced the long bladed weapon to the Filipinos.
As time progressed, the Spanish became overly concerned with the potential for revolt
by the Filipino people; resulting in the ban of all practice and performance of kali with
bladed weapons in 1764. This was likely established as a measure to keep the majority
of Filipino people unskilled in the art of combat, as kali had become a highly popularized
pastime across the country. Due to this ban, Filipino people began trading in their bladed
weapons for the rattan (a type of vine with a weight lighter than most wood and a
density thicker than bone). Kali exhibitions were then performed with a stick and
colourful armour was implemented to protect performers during shows. These colourful
pieces of armour were known as arnes, the Spanish word for harness, which later
became the new name for the style; marking its transition from kali (knife
fighting) to arnes (stick fighting). Additionally, due to the widespread outlaw of bladed
weapons for kali practice and performances, the Filipino people began carrying
concealed weapons, mostly daggers, leading to the development of the style Olisi y
baraw (stick and dagger).
Eventually, performers ended up doing away with the harness altogether, and by 1853
the word kali was completely replaced by the new term, Arnis (or Eskrima), a
modification of the term arnes. 
Many years afterward, during various attempts at propagating the new style while both
losing and gaining favour within the Filipino community, it wasn’t until 1969 when Remy
Amador Presas established Arnis within the physical education system of the Philippines
as a viable means for military practice and maintaining cultural identity; leading to what
is now known as Modern Arnis— a style more based on competition and performances.
Typically, Modern Arnis is practiced with two rattan, one in each hand, and involves
many intricate partner arrangements known as sinawali (weaving).
Though the style has flourished within the educational system of today's contemporary
Philippines, many practitioners of the original art of Arnis have derived their own
expressions of the style — from Balintawak, to Tapi Tapi, to Doce Pares — though made
most-popular, combatively, by the Cañete family in Cebu. However, these are stories for
another time…
Arnis Terminologies
Eskrima, Kali & Arnis – Terminology
This page lists Eskrima terminology (Eskrima is also known as Kali & Arnis). This martial
arts style often uses the Philippines language of Tagalog and some Spanish. For other
martial arts words & commands, please visit the main Martial Arts Terminology section.
Eskrima, Kali & Arnis Numbers – How to Count
One – Isa
Two – Dalawa
Three – Tatlo
Four – Apat
Five – Lima
Six – Anim
Seven – Pito
Eight – Walo
Nine – Siyam
Ten – Sampu
Eskrima, Kali & Arnis – Terminology
Dagger – Daga
Distance (Long Range) – Largo
Distance (Medium Range) – Medio
Distance (Short Range) – Corto
Goodbye – Paalam
Grappling or Wrestling – Dumog
Handle/grip of weapon – Puño
Hello – Mabuhay (or) Kumusta
How are you? – Kumusta?
Instructor – Guro
Machete – Bolo
Poke – Tusok
Respect – Pugay (form of salutation/greeting between practitioners)
Stab or Thrust – Saksak
Stick (Single) – Solo Baston
Stick (Double) – Doble Baston
Stick Weapon – Yantok
Sword – Espada
Sword and Dagger – Espada y Daga
Thank You – Salamat
Unarmed Combat – Mano Y Mano
You Are Welcome – Walang Anuman
Weaving (Weapon Movement) – Sinawali

Fundamental Skills in Arnis

1.Hold the stick with one hand fis away from the punyo of the stick.
Close the grip with the thumb.
2.Basic Stance and Salutation
a. Handa
-Feet arepositioned shoulder width apart.
-Stick is held in front of the body.
b.Pugay
-Place the weapon hand across the chest
-bow bending at the waist
c. Fighting Stance
-One foot in front ( fot the same as the weapon hand). The other foot in the rear
-Keep feet apart, distance of one foot
-Both knees slightly bend
-Toes facing forward
-Weight is evenly distributed on both feet

d. Forward Stance
-Distance of 5 steps between the feet
-Back leg kept straight, rear foot is held at 45 degree angle
-Keep the front knee bent
- Weight is evenly distributed on both feet
e. Backward Stance
-Distance of 4 steps between the feet
-Both knees slightly bend
-Rear foot held at a 90 degree angle
- 70% of the body weight on the rear foot 30%placed on the front foot

Equipments used in Arnis aside from the stick

12 striking techniques in Arnis:

#1 - Left side of the head attack

From the fighting stance, the warrior will hold the stick with one hand at 1 o’clock.
He will then move the stick in a slashing action while keeping the free hand on the chest.
This is a diagonal downward forehand swing to the left temple.

#2 - Right side of the head attack

Like the left temple strike the warrior assumes fighting stance, this time with the stick
held at 11 o’clock and the free hand kept on the chest.
The strike to the right temple is then done in a diagonal downward backhand swing.

#3 - Left side of the body or torso

In this strike, the practitioner will extend the weapon hand.
Then he will proceed to strike any part of the trunk located between the shoulder and
the hips. The stick will be held in a diagonal forehand slashing swing.
This is the way to deliver the maximum amount of damage.

#4 - Right side of the body or torso

Again the practitioner will extend the weapon hand to strike any part of the body located
on the right side between the shoulder and the hips.
The weapon of choice will be moved in a backhand slashing swing.

#5 - Thrust To The Stomach

This is a strong thrust to the solar plexus or the stomach and can cause fatal damage to
the vital organs in the abdomen.
In this strike, the practitioner will thrust the weapon hand to the target point, which is
the solar plexus.
It is then followed by an upward motion that will cut through the opponent’s body.

#6 - Left Chest Stab

In this strike, the practitioner will assume the fighting stance with the weapon of choice
in his hands.
The weapon hand is then extended to the front with the palm facing outward and the
elbow kept up. This strike can cause real damage to the rib cage.
A weapon like a knife, spear or sword will end your opponent’s life immediately as it
punctures the lungs and the heart.

#7 - Right Chest Stab

After assuming fighting stance, the practitioner will practice the scooping action.
The weapon hand is then extended forward with the palm facing outward.
The elbow should be kept up in order to deliver an efficient strike to the right lung that
will puncture it and end your opponent’s life immediately.

#8 - Left Lower Leg

A practitioner here will try to deliver a powerful strike to the lower leg, targeting the
knee, the shin or the ankle.
The aim of the strike is to throw your opponent off balance and immobilize him.
Using the right weapon, you might be able to break a bone or even cut a limb.
The warrior is supposed to lower his body while extending the weapon arm.
He should hold the palm upward and hit any part of the lower leg.

#9 - Right Lower Leg

This strike is just like the previous one.
The practitioner will extend the weapon hand and lower his body to hit the knee, the shin
or the ankle.
This time the palm should face downward.

#10 - Left Eye Poke

A targeted thrust to the eye socket will not just blind your opponent, but will also deliver
real damage to the brain.
Using a sharp weapon like a sibat or the right baston can end your opponent’s life right
there.
The practitioner should assume fighting stance then extend the weapon hand forward
with the palm facing outward and the elbow kept down.

#11 - Right Eye Poke

This thrust is similar to the previous one except that the practitioner will have to hold his
elbow down.
This will allow him to hit the eye precisely with the right weapon penetrating all the way
through to the brain.

#12 - Strike to the crown/top of head.

This is a straight downward overhead swing directed towards the crown of the head.
Hitting the top of the head can immobilize your opponent, deliver damage to the brain
and throw him off balance.
Using a real sharp or powerful weapon can even shatter the skull bones ending the fight
to your favor in a matter of seconds.

Blocks of Arnis:

#1 - Blocking an attack to the left side

Practitioners use this block to stop strikes number 1, 3 and 6.
This is where Arnis fighters aim to attack the left side of the body.
We can’t really list down all the vital and important organs and spots on your left side.
Your temple, your heart, your left arm….need we say more? The damage can be real,
even if your opponent is using a peaceful innocent looking stick.

Remember: While keeping the left hand behind the stick, you should turn your body
inward while holding it vertically.
The right foot should be kept forward while maintaining the position of the right elbow
close to the body.

#2 - Blocking an attack to the right side

In this block, the body is turned outward while the right foot is pulled back to protect
against strikes number 2, 4 and 7.
Again, it is very important to keep the elbow close to the body while keeping your left
hand behind the cane.
Although, there are very low chances that anybody could develop fatal injury
during modern Arnis, there would still be some pain.
Also, it makes sense that you will not just stand there waiting for your opponent to
shower you with strikes.

#3 - Blocking an attack to the solar plexus or chest

Strike number 5 is a serious one that can cause serious damage to the fatal organs.
Historically speaking, fighters used strike 5 to kill their opponents in a glimpse of an eye.
By powerfully thrusting the weapon hand towards the chest, the sword would puncture
the abdomen and any vital organs located in the area.
This movement was usually followed by an upward motion that would cut through the
body all the way to the head…sounds scary, right?
Today things are so much less violent, but this strike would still cause a lot of pain.
In best case scenario, using the stick to practice strike number 5, can use to internal
damage.
So the practitioner should use his stick to stop the motion of the other weapon to stop it
before it hits where it hurts.
The stick is held vertically to stop the upward motion of the weapon.

#4 - Blocking an attack to the stomach

This block is mainly used to protect the body against a lower hit or strike directed
towards the stomach.
Even using the practicing baton, a very strong strike can lead to internal bleeding.
Since you are mainly practicing modern Arnis to stay in shape or simple for the love of
the ancient Filipino arts, protecting your body becomes a necessity.
By blocking your opponent’s movement, you are simply stopping the stick from hitting
the lower part of your abdomen, saving you a lot of pain and time spent thinking about
quitting Arnis altogether.

#5 - Blocking an attack to the Lower Body

A strong strike to your legs or knees can throw you off balance.
Strikes number 8 and 9 are seriously annoying, simply because you will immediately
fall under your opponent’s mercy.
Literally speaking, once you fall to the ground what would stop your ruthless opponent
from decapitating you, cutting off a limb or standing on your chest?
Don’t worry, it never gets that gruesome on the training arena, but if we are
talking ancient Arnis then you definitely know that this could happen on any given day.
Don’t worry, it never gets that gruesome on the training arena, but if we are talking
ancient Arnis then you definitely know that this could happen on any given day.
In this block, you should use your stick to stop the opponent’s weapon from reaching
your leg or knee.

The downward block is either practiced outward or inward depending on the direction of
the hit and which side of the body your opponent aims to target.

#6 - Blocking to the attack at the center of the head

In the good old days, the overhead shield block would protect your skull from being
shattered into a thousand pieces.
A strong strike from your opponent’s sword can set the line between life and death.
Don’t start celebrating just yet. Although no sharp weapons are used in the training
arena, this block is still essential to save your life.
Strike number 12 is a serious one. Your opponent would do it to throw you off balance
and turn the fight to their favor. Using your stick and the right technique you can stop
this from happening.