Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali are Filipino martial arts that teach adaptability, respect, and resilience. Rooted in history, these arts emphasize using sticks, blades, and empty hands for self-defense. They symbolize the Filipino warrior spirit, passed down through generations as both a combat system and a way of life.
The Cultural Philosophy Behind the Arts
Introduction
Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali are more than just sticks and strikes. They are fast, effective martial arts known for their deadly efficiency and adaptability in real-world combat. They are part of the Filipino spirit. They are ways of thinking and moving that have helped Filipinos survive and fight for their freedom for centuries. To understand these arts is to understand a part of the heart of the Philippines.
What Are Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali?
Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali are martial arts from the Philippines. They teach how to fight with sticks, knives, swords, and empty hands. The names are often used interchangeably, but they also reflect different regional and cultural traditions. Arnis is more common in Luzon, Eskrima is often heard in the Visayas, and Kali is used more in Mindanao and by some in the West. Practitioners may prefer one name over another, but all these arts share the same roots and warrior spirit.
The Warrior Spirit
Filipinos have always been fighters. Long before Spain came to the islands in the 1500s, Filipinos fought to protect their land and families. They fought with swords like the kampilan and kris, spears, and knives such as the bolo. When the Spanish ruled, they tried to take away Filipino weapons. But the fighting spirit did not die.
Filipinos hid their fighting skills in dances and games. One well-known example is the Sayaw, a traditional dance that mimics combat movements with sticks and blades. They trained with sticks, but in their minds, those sticks were swords. This is the heart of Filipino martial arts: turning what you have into a weapon, using your mind and body together to survive. This blending of creativity and practicality became a key part of their warrior identity.
Adapt and Overcome
One of the most important lessons in Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali is to adapt. Life is not fair. Sometimes you will not have a weapon. Sometimes your enemy will be bigger or stronger. These arts teach that you can still win. You move quickly, find openings, and strike fast. You use what is around you—a stick, a rock, even a piece of cloth.
Flow drills, like sinawali (weaving drills with two sticks), teach practitioners to react without thinking, helping them develop muscle memory for defending against rapid attacks, improving coordination, and swiftly transitioning between offense and defense in real-life combat. Practitioners also develop sensitivity to an opponent’s movements, allowing them to adjust mid-fight. In espada y daga (sword and dagger) practice, students learn to switch between weapons and ranges in an instant. Disarming drills teach how to remove an attacker’s weapon with minimal effort. These techniques show that even if you lose your weapon, you can still gain control.
During World War II, Filipino guerrillas fought Japanese soldiers with bolos. Fighters like the Bolo Battalion became famous for using machetes to ambush and eliminate enemy troops in the dense jungles, demonstrating the lethal effectiveness of Filipino martial arts. Guerrillas relied on preemptive strikes to disable or kill sentries, aiming for arteries, the neck, or the abdomen. After striking, they quickly withdrew into the jungle, employing these tactics to weaken Japanese patrols over time. This hit-and-run style is still reflected in modern Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali.
Filipinos have faced many challenges—typhoons, wars, poverty. But they keep standing. Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali show this same strength. They are skills and ways of life.
Respect and Humility
A true martial artist does not look for fights. These arts teach respect. You respect your teacher, your training partners, and your opponents. You learn that power is not for hurting people but for protecting others. Even in battle, Filipino warriors believed in fighting with honor.
An elder master might demonstrate a simple strike that could end a fight, but he will teach students to walk away from trouble if possible. This balance between skill and restraint is central to Filipino martial arts.
Community and Sharing
Filipino martial arts are often taught in small groups, like a family. Teachers pass down knowledge to students. Older fighters help younger ones. This is how Filipino families work, too. Everyone helps each other. Learning these arts is not just learning to fight; it is learning to work with others and take care of each other.
Even today, students may train in backyards or garages rather than large schools. Instructors often view their students as part of their extended family. The art is shared, not sold.
Filipino Martial Arts Today
Today, Arnis is the national sport and martial art of the Philippines, but Eskrima and Kali are equally celebrated. Recognition as a national sport has led to its inclusion in school curriculums, inspiring younger generations and promoting Filipino martial arts globally. International martial arts communities have also integrated elements of these arts into self-defense and military programs. The US military and law enforcement agencies, for instance, incorporate Filipino knife and stick techniques into their close-quarters combat training. They are practiced around the world. Military and police forces in the Philippines and abroad have adopted their techniques for close-quarters combat. Martial artists from other styles often come to learn FMA’s knife and stick techniques because of their speed and efficiency.
Filipino martial arts are a reminder of history, struggles, and strength. They have proven their effectiveness in both real-world self-defense and battlefield situations.
Conclusion
Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali are the spirit of the Filipino people in motion. They show their bravery, their cleverness, and their heart. Learning these arts is not just about learning to fight. It is about learning what it means to be strong, respectful, and ready for anything. It is a living part of Filipino culture that continues to inspire people across the world.
References and Recommended Reading
Inosanto, Dan. The Filipino Martial Arts, 1980.
Villabrille, Floro and Peralta, Ben. Secrets of Arnis, 1974.
Abella, Reynaldo S. Filipino Combat Systems, 2008.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (Philippines) website: ncca.gov.ph
Online resources from arnisphilippines.com
Conversations with Filipino martial arts instructors and practitioners.
Personal experiences from martial artists practicing Eskrima and Kali in the United States.
