DEVELOPMENT OF ARNIS IN THE PHILIPPINES
BACKGROUND
ARNIS Arnis was invented by the indigenous populations of the Philippines, who used
a variety of weaponry for warfare and self-defense.
The Philippine government’s In 1521, equipped with nothing more than bladed weapons and their fearsome
declaration of arnis as the Arnis abilities, Filipino islanders defeated Ferdinand Magellan’s armored,
national sport has codified a
clear martial culture. This
musket-bearing Spanish conquistador forces when they tried to invade.
should begin to develop an When the Spanish eventually returned and successfully conquered parts of the
accessible story of Filipino Philippines, the traditions of arnis were preserved, despite its prohibition, in
cultural heritage that the the forms of ritual dance, performance and mock battles.
outside world can grasp, like
Japan did during the Edo
period (1603-1868) and as
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
post-cultural revolution China Arnis also known as kali, eskrima and baston is a complete martial art system,
has done with Wushu.
encompassing weapons training and empty -hand self- defense. It is
characterized by “swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking,
thrusting, and parrying techniques for defense and offense.
It used rattan, swords, daggers and spears as well as basic impact and edge
weapons.
Competitive Arnis generally takes one of two forms: the performance-based
anyo model or the combative leban.
Anyo competitions are judged on the basis of the overall choreography of the
performances, including the gracefulness, strength and force employed.
Leban form tests participants’ agility and reactions, as competitions are
judged based on the number of strikes inflicted. Although most leban
History states that Bonifacio competitions exclude body contact, such as grappling, blocks and disarming an
brandished a bolo, a opponent using the hands or feet, there are some exceptions where full contact
standard weapon in kali in is permitted.
his famous "Cry of Arnis has three forms of play. They are the espada y daga ("sword and dagger")
Balintawak" and Katipuneros in which a long wooden sword and a short wooden dagger is used; the solo
engaged the Spanish
baston (single stick) in a single long muton or baston (wooden stick or rattan
soldiers in savage
skirmishes. cane hardened by drying or heating) is used; and the sinawali, a native term
applied because the intricate movements of the two muton resemble the
weave of a sawali (criss-cross fashion), the bamboo splits weave pattern used
in walling and matting.
The lives of Filipino heroes are linked with the awesome power of the martial
art of Arnis. They triumphantly waged their heroic battles for freedom and
liberty as a testimony of the power and effectiveness of Arnis.
Arnis today has experienced changes in the weapons used. Arnis is engaged in
more as a sport.
Facilities and Equipment
COMPETATION AREA
The area by which the competition shall be set
or held including the free zone around it.
The playing area is a a square measuring 8.0
meters by 8.0 meters with a two meters
minimum free zone around it.
All lines of the playing surface are 5.08 cm.
MATCH LINES
The horizontal match line is drawn 3
meters from the boundary lines that run
perpendicularly to the official’s table.
WEAPONS
The padded stick shall be the official
weapon of the player and should be
accordance in the i-Arnis standard.
FLAGS
Two sets of red flag and blue flags, the size
of which is 30 cm by 25 cm, are used by the
judges in declaring decisions or asking for
consultations.
Facilities and Equipment
HEAD PROTECTOR
Refers to a pair of protective head gear to include an impact worthy face mask, the specifications of
which shall be in accordance to i-Arnis standard.
BODY PROTECTOR
A protective body protectors, properly cushioned and the specifications should be accordance to the i-
Arnis standard.
SCOREBOARDS
Two score boards per contest area shall be
placed diagonally opposite at corners
outside the playing area.
