The history of Arnis dates back to before Spanish colonization, when it was known as Kali and focused on bladed weapons fighting. Kali was widely practiced in the Philippines by nobles and commoners. During Spanish colonization in the 1600s, the Spanish banned the practice of Kali but Filipinos continued practicing secretly. In the 1800s, the fighting system was renamed to Arnis. Arnis has been used in battles against foreign invaders like the Spanish and Japanese. It remains an important part of Filipino culture and a symbol of national identity.

1. HISTORY OF ARNIS
The History of Arnis dates back before the colonization of the Spaniards, during those periods it
was called Kali and the techniques of the art is focused on bladed weapons fighting. Kali was
widely practiced throughout the archipelago; both nobleman and commoners were enthusiast and
practitioners of the said art. Also during those days Kali is being taught in a school like training
grounds, which was called Bothoan along with military tactics, Alibata (Native Alphabet), and
herbal medicines.
On the dawn of April 27, 1521 the Portuguese navigator and warrior named
Ferdinand Magellan was defeated by a native warrior chief named Lapu-lapu this
was the recorded incident which Kali was used against foreign invaders. Forty years
after that event, on April of 1564 another warrior navigator from Spain named
Miguel De Legaspi landed in Abuyog Leyte Philippines. He was aware of the
unfortunate fate of Magellan so took a non-hostile approach to avoid battle with the
native. He befriend the warrior chief Malitik, it is at this point he witnessed the
deadly fighting skills of the natives through a demo to entertain them. Afterwards
he traveled to the nearby island of Sugbo and met another warrior chief named
Tupas, he took a non-hostile approach to again avoid confrontation. For the second
time he witnessed the formidable fighting techniques of the natives through a
demo.
Years have passed by Spain was able to colonize the Archipelago thru the use of
religion and what was then regarded as modern weapons such as Muskets and
cannons. The Spaniards claimed the Archipelago and named it “Philippines” in
honor of the King Philip of Spain. This was the start of the dark age of Kali, in the
year 1764 the Spanish overlords banned the practice of Kali to the natives. Using
the alibi that the natives were wasting time practicing it instead of tilling the fields.
However the natives knew too well that their colonizers were just afraid that such
skills would be used in a revolution against them because due to oppression the
revolutionaries were gaining support from the natives.
The natives, hidden from the watchful eyes of their colonizers, practiced Kali
secretly. Due to some cultural influence of the Spaniards the term Escrima, Estoque,
Fraile, and Kaliradman were used to regard the native fighting system. It was also
during these period when the natives were able to develop the stick fighting
techniques of the art, which was proven to be as versatile as the bladed weapons
technique. Even the Moro-Moro stage play to entertain the colonizers was utilized as
an excuse to practice the fighting system.
In 1873 the fighting system was renamed “Arnis” derived from the word Arnes
which means colorful trapping on defensive armors used on the Moro-Moro plays.
Some of the heroes of the Philippine revolution were also practitioners of Arnis
namely Andres Bonifacio, the spouses Diego and Gabriela Silang, and the young
General Gregorio Del Pilar. The National Hero Jose Rizal was also reported to

2. practice the fighting system. As well as the founder of Aglipayan Church Rev.
Gregorio Aglipay was also recorded as a practitioner of the art.
After hundreds of years with Spanish colonization the Japanese invaders took their
place to invade the Philippines during the World War II, again experts of the native
fighting arts were called upon to fight for the country’s freedom. Kali, Escrima or
Arnis whichever term the individual prefer to use was once again employed on the
battlefield. It’s efficiency was put to a test again but this time against the Japanese
invaders.
The Filipinos fought side by side with the Americans. Natives with skills in the
fighting art signed up to be freedom fighters known as “Guerillas”. It is also these
“Guerillas” who were usually front liners during the encounter and they were
usually sent on a commando mission for reconnaissance against the Japanese.
After the war ended and peace took it’s path in 1975 then Major Favian Ver also
noted enthusiast and practitioners of Arnis formed the National Arnis Association of
the Philippines (NARAPHIL) with the objective to unite all Arnis group in the
Philippines, but unfortunately according to records the Generals effort was futile,
some claimed that the association that the General led tends to favor only one
group and ignored the request for recognition of the majority of the existing Arnis
clubs.
After the Historical EDSA revolution General Favian Ver was exiled and NARAPHIL as
a dominant Arnis grouped ceased, eventually another brotherhood of Arnis was
formed by a group of great Masters on Arnis. July of 1986 Arnis Philippines (ARPHI)
was established with the same objective as NARAPHIL, at present time the
government sanctioned groups NARAPHIL and ARPHI exist together with a non-
governmental organization PIGSAI, these organizations share a common goal which
is to promote, preserve, propagate, and regain the popularity of Arnis throughout
the country because economically even though the Filipino Martial Arts be it Arnis,
Escrima, or Kali earned its popularity in the different parts of the world. It is less
popular in the Philippines. Its birthplace, probably due to strong colonial mentality
influence or just plain negligence of the Filipinos to their Cultural Heritage, but these
noble groups are striving to ensure that the next generations of Filipinos will be able
to claim their cultural heritage and once again have these Filipino Martial Arts as
the national system of fighting art.

3. The 12 Basic Striking Techniques
The 12 basic strikes of United Arnis are a combination of striking, thrusting and
butting techniques.
In today’s practice of Arnis, thrusting and butting techniques are introduced to the
students on their intermediate or advance levels, however, for United Arnis,
thrusting and butting are incorporated in the 12 basic strikes. This exposes the
students to the advantage of training and using it even at an early stage.
The following are the 12 strikes:
Strike 1 strike to the left temple area of the opponent
Strike 2 strike to the left knee area of the opponent
Strike 3 strike to the right temple area of the opponent
Strike 4 strike to the right knee area of the opponent.
Strike 5 strike to the left shoulder area of the opponent.
Strike 6 strike to the right shoulder area of the opponent
Strike 7 thrust or poke to the left chest
Strike 8 thrust or poke to the right chestStrike 9 butt to the left eye
Strike 10 butt to the right eye
Strike 11 center thrust
Strike 12 strike to the crown of the head

4. The most important thing in practising the 12 strikes is to practice it continuously
and repeatedly, being conscious of the target, stance, footwork and body
movements. Repeating the 12 basic strikes helps build retention, muscle memory
and muscle conditioning.
Arnis
The primary weapon is the rattan stick, called a cane or baston (baton), which
varies in size, but is usually about 28 inches (71 cm) in length.
Modern Arnis
Modern Arnis is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Remy Presas as a self-
defense system. 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. The term Modern Arnis was also
used by Remy Presas' younger brother Ernesto Presas to describe his style of Filipino martial
arts; since 1999 Ernesto Presas has called his system Kombatan. It is derived principally from the
traditional Presas family style of the Bolo (machete) and the stick-dueling art of Balintawak
Eskrima, with influences from other Filipino and Japanese martial arts.
Arnis is also the Philippines' national martial art and sport, after President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo signed the Republic Act. No. 9850 in 2009. The Act also mandates the Department of
Education to include the sport as a Physical Education course. Arnis will also be included among
the priority sports in Palarong Pambansa (National Games) beginning 2010.
Training
One of the characteristics of Filipino martial arts is the use of weapons from the
very beginning of training. Modern Arnis is no exception. The primary weapon is the
rattan stick, called a cane or baston (baton), which varies in size, but is usually
about 28 inches (71 cm) in length. Both single and double stick techniques are
taught, with an emphasis on the former; unarmed defenses against the stick and
against bladed weapons (which the stick is sometimes taken to represent) are also
part of the curriculum.
It is said that, originally, the cane was considered sacred by practitioners (Arnisadores), and
therefore an arnis practitioner was expected to hit his cane at the hand or forearm of his sparring
partner and not at the latter's cane. This also had the advantage of being the preferred method in
actual combat, referred to as "defanging the snake", that is, making the opponent drop his
weapon so that he is less of a threat. However, it discouraged many would-be practitioners who
found this training too painful and injury-inducing. The result was that the Filipino martial arts
became in danger of dying out; in most areas of the Philippines, Japanese martial arts such as

5. Karate and Judo were much more popular than the indigenous systems. Remy Presas'
modernization of the training method was intended to help preserve the Filipino martial arts. He
taught the method of hitting cane-on-cane during practice, which attracted more newcomers to
the art and also allowed the art to be taught in the Philippines' school system. "Defanging the
snake" remains a principle of Modern Arnis, however, and in practical application, one would
typically strike the hand or arm. The technique is also used empty-handed, where it is known as
"limb destruction".
Training covers empty-hand self-defense (striking, locking, throwing, etc.) as well as the
trademark single and double stick techniques of the Filipino martial arts. Other aspects of the art
include espada y daga (sword and dagger fighting), sinawali (double stick weaving patterns),
and tapi-tapi (locking drills with the stick). In addition to partner drills, Modern Arnis includes
the use of anyo (kata), solo forms both with and without the stick. Emphasis is placed on fitting
the art in with a student's previous training ("the art within your art"), smoothly reacting to
changing situations in the fight ("the flow"), and countering the opponent's attempt to counter
strikes directed at him ("tapi-tapi"). Practitioners are called arnisadors or Modern Arnis players.
In addition to its Filipino influences, elements of Judo, Shotokan Karate, and Wally Jay's Small
Circle Jujutsu appear in the system.
Belt ranks
Modern Arnis uses a ranking system similar to the Dan ranks used in Karate or other Japanese
systems. There are some minor variations between organizations as to the exact number of belts.
There are 10 or 11 black belt ranks in Modern Arnis , depending on the organization. They are
numbered in Tagalog:
1. Isa (pronounced as i-sah or e-sah; which literally means "one")
2. Dalawa (pronounced dah-la-wah; as literally means "two")
3. Tatlo (pronounced as tat-loh; literally means "three")
4. Apat (pronounced as Ah-pat; literally means "four")
5. Lima (pronounced as li-mah;literally means "five")
6. Anim (pronounced as ah-neem; literally means "six")
7. Pito (pronounced as pi-toh; literally means "seven")
8. Walo (pronounced as "wah-loh"; literally means "eight")
9. Siyam (pronounced as si-yam; literally means "nine")
10.Sampu (pronounced as sam-po; literally means "ten")
11.Labing-isa (in some organizations) (pronounced as lah-bing-i-sah; literally means
"eleven")
Many groups use a "zero-degree" black belt rank as a probationary stage that comes before Isa.
The actual name of the ranks is gender-specific. For men the rank is referred to as Lakan
(Tagalog for male) while for women it is referred to as Dayang (Tagalog for "female").[citation needed]
Thus, a first degree black belt in Modern Arnis would be referred to as either a Lakan Isa or a
Dayang Isa, depending on his or her gender. The "zero-degree" rank, if used, is referred to as

6. simply Lakan or Dayang. The black belt is traditionally bordered with red; however, some
groups use a plain black belt.
In addition to rank, titles such as Datu, Commissioner, Master of Tapi-Tapi, Senior Master,
Punong Guro, etc., have occasionally been granted to certain high-ranking individuals. The title
Guro is typically given to all Lakans and Dayangs.
Organizations
Modern Arnis is currently perpetuated by a number of organizations worldwide, with
some of the largest being the DAV of Germany, the International Modern Arnis
Federation (IMAF) under Randi Schea, and the World Modern Arnis Alliance (WMAA).
Countries where the art is most popular include the Philippines, the United States,
Canada, and Germany, but there are practitioners in many other nations.
10 radical truths about arnis
Arnis is an art of empty hand
Arnis is often considered as an art that involves weapons such as
sticks, daggers, bolos, among others. It is generally thought that without
these weapons, arnis cannot be practiced.
Precisely speaking, Arnis is an art of empty hand.
Unlike other arts that first teaches empty hands techniques and then
weapons at a higher belt, Arnis uses weapons training that leads to empty
hand thereby accomplish two things - weapons training and empty hands
training.
This kind of training is effective to prepare the student in both
armed and unarmed real life combat scenario.
Weapons are extension of your hand
Arnis is an art of offense and defense, weapons are just an extension
of the hands and skills of an Arnis player. Arnis has a set of hand patterns
and body movements that the weapons follow through the hands of a
trained Arnis player.
Arnis is convertible art

7. Although Arnis training use sticks such as rattan, kamagong (iron
wood) , and bahi, the patterns and movements used in Arnis for sticks are
also convertible to other weapons even to make shift weapon such as a pen.
Arnis Blocks are Strikes and Arnis Strikes are Blocks
Arnis consolidates strikes and blocks into one. A block can be a
strike by using the technique referred to as “displacement”. By
displacement in Arnis means, striking to the opponents vital points instead of
blocking the stick. In Arnis techniques for strikes can also be used for blocks.
Everything is a setup in Arnis
An Arnis player should know that everything in Arnis is a setup that
could lead to another. A strike could be a setup to a counter and a block can
be a setup for a strike, counter strike can also be a setup for a block or a
strike.
Arnis double sticks develop hand coordination
By training with double sticks, Arnis makes the weaker hands
complement the stronger hand. If you are right handed your right hand is
your stronger hand while the left hand is the weaker hand.
As an example, double sticks trains the left hand to properly block
and parry the opponent the same way he will do using a single stick.
Arnis Sword and Dagger develops punch, push and thrust
In Arnis the left hand are often used to check, parry, and grab the
opponents hands or weapon, however, the left hand can be fully utilized by
training it to punch, push, and thrust.
This realization can be done in Arnis by training with Espada y
Daga or Sword and dagger.

8. Strike at the nearest point
The crown of the head is often the target of an Arnis player, this is
logical since a strike to the head can cause fatal and immediate effect.
However it is important to note that in Arnis the head is also the
most protected area of the body and everybody learns to protect it.
You could strike at the nearest point of the opponent’s body
instead, rather than trying to strike to the head, it may not be as fatal but it
sure will bring damage to the opponent.
Own your Arnis technique
Practice your techniques continuously and repeated until it
becomes your reflex action or your second nature. In real life situation, you
do not have the luxury of thinking twice, by burning the technique into your
muscle memory, your reaction will be an instinct during such situation.
In Arnis, It is not the number of techniques you know, it on how
many techniques you can execute effectively, efficiently and accurately
under stress and pressure.
Arnis Sparring and competition develops you
Participating in arnis sparring sessions and competitions enables
you to test your skills and efficiency level. A cooperative opponent is a
partner who is willing to be hit and allows you to execute your techniques on
him. While the uncooperative opponent, is a partner who is not willing to be
hit and employs every means that his disposal to go against you on a
controlled manner.

9. Training with a dummy or a cooperative opponent is only good for honing
your techniques but it does not give you the benefit of testing your skills
against a moving, engaging and uncooperative opponent.
Remember that the uncooperative opponent is an example of a real-life
combat scenario without the rules.