Perez, Jailouise A.

PED 0033-15 - ARNIS

BSN 1-6 Prof. Rogelio S. Angco

HISTORY OF ARNIS

Aside from culture, heritage, and, history, sports is one of the most numerous
representations of the Philippines. Arnis is included in this extensive representation. Many
Filipinos are familiar with the sport, but they are unsure where it originated or why it is still
played. Knowing Arnis makes it easy for everyone to understand and appreciate this national
sport.

Arnis was established by the Philippines' indigenous peoples for battle and self-defense with
a variety of weapons. In order to protect oneself from attacks, these weapons included hand-to-
hand combat, grappling, and weapon disarming in weapon-based conflicts. A baton-like cane is
used in sanctioned arnis contests as an alternative to bladed weapons and sticks.

Arnis became a combat sport in the Philippines and is now referred to as the Philippine
martial art as it is the country's official national sport.

Chosen Era and its 5 Major Events (in paragraph form)

Modern Era

Major Favian Ver founded the National Arnis Association of the Philippines
(NARAPHIL) in 1975. After the EDSA Revolution, NARAPHIL was disbanded, and Major
Favian Var was exiled. Arnis Philippines (ARPHI) was founded in July 1986 with similar
goals to NARAPHIL. It was sanctioned to partner with PIGSAI, a non-governmental group,
in place of this. This was done in order to reintroduce Arnis to the Philippines and establish it
as the country's national martial art. Furthermore, modern Arnis evolved into a self-defense
technique, with Remy Presas establishing it as a Filipino combat arts style. President
Macapagal Arroyo passed a Republic Act in 2009 declaring Arnis to be the national martial
art and sport of the Philippines.

Corresponding 4 Eras and its 5 Major Events (in sentence form)

A. Tribal
a. A native warrior named Lapu-Lapu defeated the Portuguese navigator and
warrior, Ferdinand Magellan.
b. In the 27th of April, 1521, Kali was first used against foreign invaders.
c. Miguel De Legaspi who is also a navigatopr and warrior landed in Abuyog, Leyte,
Philippines.
d. Miguel De Legaspi took a non-hostile approach and befriended the warrior Chief
Malitik.
e. De Legaspi witnessed the brutal fighting skills of the natives through a demo as a
form of entertainment.
B. Spanish
a. The beginning of the dark age of Kali.
b. The practice of Kali was banned in 1764.
c. Kali was practiced in secret by the natives.
d. Era where Kali was stick fighting techniques were used.

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 e. In order to continuously practice Kali, Moro-Moro used stage plays to entertain
the colonizers.
C. American
a. From the word “Arnes,” the fighting system was named “Arnis” in 1873.
b. Andres Bonifacio, General Gregorio Del Pilar, and other Philippine revolution
heroes were practitioners of arnis.
c. During the World War II, the Japanese invaded the Philippines.
d. Arnis was put to test against the Japanese invaders as it was to fight for the
country’s freedom.
e. With the skills of sighting brought about by arnis, Filipinos fought side by side
with the Americans.
D. Present
a. Arnis is still well-known as an art form.
b. Arnis is still practiced by different kinds of people, especially students.
c. Arnis is now seen and practiced as a sport.
d. Relied on the use of the cane as a self-defense weapon.
e. Arnis has been modernized to avoid injury to students.

TERMS OF ARNIS (1-50, terms are in Filipino, definition in Filipino/English)

1. Ganting - "scissors", traumatic block, defense with one hand and a strike to the attacking
limb with the other
2. Palis - accompaniment of the opponent's attack
3. Plum - reverse block with an "umbrella"
4. Sanga block Patama - oncoming strike to the attacking limb
5. Santik - snapping strike to the attacking limb
6. Sombrad ( Batangenya) - block with the "umbrella"
7. Tapi - parrying with the "live" hand of
8. Xavi - accompaniment with the "live" hand
9. Retrada - retreat
10. Hakban pubalik - step back
11. Hakban payvas - "side step", side step with a turn on the front leg
12. Hakban pakaliva - step to the left
13. Hakban pakanan - step to the right
14. Hakban pasulon - step forward
15. Hakban tatsulog - steps along the triangle
16. Abierta - open position
17. Serrada - closed position
18. Tatsada - position with arms pressed forward
19. Corto - malapit
20. Largo - malayo
21. Medio - gitna
22. Tircia (Tirsha) - "one third of the distance", intermediate between middle and near
23. Abaniko - fan strike
24. Vitik - snapping strike
25. Doblad - double strong strikes
26. Crossada's stick- diagonal movement
27. Labtik - forward strike
28. Ocho-ocho (Otso-otso) - strikes on the "eight"
29. Planchad stick (Banda-i-Banda) - horizontal movements

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 30. Espada - sword / machete fighting technique
31. Espada and Dag - combined use of a sword and knife
32. Rompid - up and down (vertical)
33. movements Ropilon - circular strikes with a weapon outlining around the head
34. Sonkiti - circular shots
35. Tatsada - straight shots
36. triplets - a triple strike due to carpal rotation
37. Bartical - vertical movement
38. Dikitan - close distance
39. De Kadena - "chain"
40. Caridas - pair exercise in Modern Arnis
41. Laban Laro - a pair exercise in Lameco Eskrima, "play fight"
42. Cruz - pram cross
43. Ekis - oblique cross
44. Daga sa Daga - knife fighting
45. Dole Baston - technique of using two sticks
46. Dumog / Buno - wrestling in a standing position and on the ground Manos
47. Pangamut / Mano-Mano - hand-to-hand combat
48. Sikaran / Sipa / Pananjakman - technique of kicks
49. Dequerdas - a style of fighting with the use of reinforcement of punches and blocks with
the second hand
50. Estilo de salon - a style of fighting at a medium distance with active footwork

CARDINAL RULES IN ARNIS

7 Cardinal Rules

1. Respect – The cardinal principle is respect for one’s opponent as a person

and as a fighter, and as a sportsman. It should always be remembered that
an opponent is a human being with a dignity as you have and worthy of
respect. Also do not under rate his fighting ability. Overconfidence would be
costly, if not fatal, therefore never underestimate the ability of an opponent.
Victory is not a stamp of invulnerability but rather a reason for magnanimity.
2. Character – a ruffian has no place in Arnis let alone in sports. Refinement in
character is important. 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. It is what a man is that counts not the number
of trophies he won. In spite of the abetted fallacies of values of the present
world, it is who you are that will matter in the end.
3. Sincerity – sincerity for victory’s sake is not the all–consuming end of an
Arnis player. It is the sincerity in him to his fellowman and to his art that
makes him shine in the array of men. The will to win maybe inculcated, but
such tutelage should never end after the tick of the ultimate second in the
game but beyond the canvass and the arena of competition. The martial art
of Arnis, it should be remembered, is a good medium of development 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. A man who is not sincere will never have a true friend.

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 4. Discipline – Arnis is a molder of discipline. Proper behavior in the sport and
in life itself will be the gauge of success. Personal discipline is important. The
kaleidoscopic invitations and temptations of life should never undermine man
in his obligation to his art, to himself and his fellowman. A student should
learn to control himself in the pursuance of his goal, not only to his art but
also to life in general.
5. 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 main a person should be handled
with extreme caution and prudence. Man’s clear perception of things is
anchored on his ability to control the outbursts of his inner self. Provocation is
dishonorable but hasty reaction to it is just as dishonorable if not despicable.
6. 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. The pacific waters of
human understanding will stay unruffled if exercise of proper etiquette and
respect whether it be in sporty competition or in life itself is observed.
7. 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 owned by him to his
teacher. Personal whims should never cause one to be ungrateful to where
he owes everything he knows. Even if the ultimate aim of the art is already
achieved by a student that he can now manage on his own, he should never
forget the teacher who labored for him. In the skirmishes of things, the
student should be always loyal to him.

3 Self-made Cardinal Rules

1. Growth – Growth is important in Arnis, since it will assist students not only
grow as individuals, but also benefit others. In arnis, growth is a process in
which, when faced with difficulty in athletics, instead of releasing impetuous
action, one should listen and examine what has happened via full
comprehension and critical thinking. This will help to motivate oneself and the
group to grow. Growth fosters comfort and security, thus true and
wholehearted partnership is crucial to be recognized.
2. Learning – Learning is a lifelong process in which we use what we've
learned to make changes or create new skills. You're eager to learn new
things about Arnis, and you're also willing to learn from your mistakes. Be
eager to understand not only the history and fundamentals of arnis, but also
all that surrounds it in order to convey the sport more effectively.
3. Responsibility – You are responsible for your words and actions before,
during, and after playing arnis, regardless of how the game went or how you
interacted with other people. Make atonement and put down your pride if
something awful has happened to arnis (or your personal life). Also, even
while playing arnis, you do not accept responsibility for how others feel about
you since you respect people enough to apologize and abandon such
expressions for good. Respectfully address arnis' words, techniques, and

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 skills, as well as the people around you. Remember that, as much as you
enjoy bringing joy to yourself and others by playing arnis, you are not
responsible for the feelings of others, just as no one else is responsible for
yours.

BENEFITS OF ARNIS

1. Personal/Emotional Aspect
a. Gives positive perspective and encouragement in life
b. Develop more self-confidence and self-empowerment
c. Regulates mood by the release of dopamine hormone
d. Fight struggles within self through introspection
e. Enhances self-control
2. Spiritual Aspect
a. Great morals and values are impressed on students
b. Forges the Warrior Spirit within
c. Ability to get to know oneself better
d. Provides inner peace through meditation and mindfulness
e. Increases sense of purpose in life
3. Mental Aspect
a. Ability to think fast and critically
b. Enhances a student’s focus and attention to detail
c. Sense danger immediately
d. Inherit mental discipline and focus
e. Quicker reflexes
4. Physical Aspect
a. Holistic functional health, weight, and fitness optimization
b. Improves cardiovascular health
c. Can be used as a self-defense
d. Improves stamina, muscle tone, flexibility, balance, and strength
e. Makes our body stronger
5. Social Aspect
a. Social interaction with different people from the world of Arnis
b. Learn from others
c. Build strong bonds
d. Teaches us to be respectful towards other people
e. Improves social skills

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