PHEDN03G – Individual/ Dual Sports (Arnis)

Fourteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand nine.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 9850

AN ACT DECLARING ARNIS AS THE NATIONAL MARTIAL ART AND SPORT OF THE
PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. It is the policy of the State to inculcate patriotism, nationalism and appreciation of the role
of national heroes and symbols in the historical development of the country. Furthermore, the State
must give priority to education, science and technology, arts and culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development.

Section 2. Definition of Arnis. - Arnis, also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote and other names in
various regional languages, such as Pananandata in Tagalog; Pagkalikali, Ibanag; Kabaraon and
Kalirongan, Pangasinan; Kaliradman, Bisaya; and Didja, Ilokano, is an indigenous Filipino martial art
and sport characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking,
thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. This is usually done with the use of one
(1) or two (2) sticks or any similar implements or with bare hands and feet also used for striking,
blocking, locking and grappling, with the use of the same principle as that with the canes.

Section 3. Arnis is hereby declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport.lawphil The
official adoption of arnis as the national martial art and sport shall be promulgated by inscribing the
symbol of arnis in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission and by making it as the first
sport competition to be played by participating teams on the first day in the annual Palarong
Pambansa. The Philippine Sports Commission shall be the lead agency to implement the provisions
of this Act.

Section 4. The Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the
Philippine Sports Commission shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

Section 5. Any provision of law, decree, executive order, rule or regulation in conflict or inconsistent
with the provisions and/or purposes of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,
 PROSPERO C. NOGRALES JUAN PONCE ENRILE
Speaker of the House of Representatives President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3288 and House Bill No. 6516 was finally passed
by the Senate and the House of Representatives on October 14, 2009.

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP EMMA LIRIO-REYES

Secretary General House of Secretary of the Senate
Representatives

Approved: DEC. 11, 2009

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

History

Arnis is said to be one of the oldest systematic martial arts the Filipino created. It was the rajas
and maharlikas (noble man) were the first people who are expert in arnis. The game was patterned to
a bladed weapon originated in Malay known as “Kali” (means a large bladed weapon) and the art was
derived from “tjakalele” (pronounce as yukalala) a nature fencing of Indonesia. As the stick becomes
the extension of the hand, the fighting art become known as “Arnis de Mano”

As a testimony of the muslims’ love for the bladed weapon is their variety of the style and types
of knives which include the kris, bolo, kalis, laring, barong, gunong, kampilan, gayang, pira, punal,
itak, banjal, bangkcon, lahot, and the panabas.

It is also a standard fighting technique in hand to hand combat of the Filipinos when revolted in
Spain. Using the itak and bolo the katiponeros engaged the Spanish soldiers in savage skirmishes.

The popularity of Arnis was clearly observed through dialects in different regions.
 Tagalog - panandata
 Pangasinense - kalirongan
 Ilocanos - dadja or kabaraon
 Ibanags - pagkali-kali
 Pampangueños - sinawali
 Visayans - kaliradman or pagaradman

Its other famous names: eskrima, kali, estoque, tilakada

EQUIPMENTS USED IN ARNIS

 White t-shirt with phil. Flag on the left chest

 Red trouser pants
 Belt’s
  Cane or arnis stick with the standard size of 28 inches of length and 1 inch in diameter
 Competition area: 8 x 8 m equal side for Combat / 10 x 10 for Anyo competition
 Head gear
 Body armor
 Armed guard
 Shin guard
 Groin guard (Male and Female)
 Hand protector

Three Traditional Training Methods:

1. Muestration or pandalag - teaches the artistic execution of swinging movements and stroking
for offense and defense in repetitive drills.
2. Sanga at patama or sombra tabak - wherein striking, thrusting, parrying in a prearranged
manners is thought.
3. Larga muton or labanang totohanan – the two trainees engage in a free practice trying to
outmaneuver each other using all their skills.

Three Forms of Play.

1. Espada y daga (sword and dagger) – they used long wooden sword and a short dagger.
2. Solo baston (single stick) – they used long mutton or baston.
3. Sinawali - a native term applied because the intricate movements of two muton resemble the
wave of the sinawali (criss-cross fashion).
Ex. Single Sinawali, Double Sinawali, Cruzada, Reverse Sinawali, Tersia Cruzada, Singko Teros

2 ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES

1. The physical Principle: the learner must bear in mind - speed in delivering the strokes, speed
with the hand, speed with the feet, and even with the eyes in spotting the weak point of the
opponent. This speed develops in the player’s agility which is the one fine qualities of a good
arnis player.
2. The psychological Principle: The learner must not be unruffled but composed calm so as to
be able to concentrate on his opponent and have full command of the situation.

Essential Elements to become a Good Fighter

1. Techniques- refers to the fundamental skills and the knowledge of the basic in arnis like strikes,
counter attacks, sparring and disarming.
2. Alertness and Awareness – keenness of the mind and reflexes and sensitivity to one’s
environment or situation.
3. Coordination and Concentration – the body and the mind should harmoniously work together.
4. Speed – showing of quick reaction and total body movement.
5. Power – a way of releasing the reserve energy or a secret weapon in winning.
6. Timing – exact hitting or meeting the target at the exact time without being delayed; anticipation
of movement.
 7. Proper delivery of strikes – it is the effective blows, kicks and contact of the stick towards the
opponents.
8. Endurance and stamina – ability of the individual to withstand from a long period of time without
undue fatigue or with reserve energy for the next activity.
9. Determination – dedication to fight at your best.
10. Confidence – it is the proper way of carrying yourself inside and outside the arena.
11. Yelling – this is an expression of power and courage. It is also the releasing or tense, anger and
fear and it also adds power, strength and courage to fight your enemies.

SALUTATION

Pagpupugay (salutation or bow) is a recent development in Arnis de Mano. In the earlier days
of Arnis de Mano, when the art became a “sport contest”, all the combatants did was face each other
and with an agreed signal start the match. After the fight, the only salutation if there is any, is a polite
salamat po (thank you).

Types of Salutation (Pagpupugay)

1. Standing salutation
2. Kneeling salutation

 Both types of salutation are applicable with weapons or without weapons. The kneeling
salutation is only accorded to the master or the teacher in a formal classroom setting.
 The three step process of standing salutation carries three meanings:

 Strength, humility, and respect.

BREATHING - is simply defined as inhalation and exhalation of air in the body.

Types of Breathing

1. Peaceful (Meditative) Breathing – calms the spirit. This type of breathing is done during the
period of meditation.
2. Dynamic Breathing - strengthens the body. This breathing is normally used during drills and
application of techniques or whenever you exert effort.

WARM UP AND COOL DOWN

To avoid injury and get the maximum benefit of any physical activity, a good warm up and cool
down period is necessary. All parts of the body must be sufficiently warmed up before heavy training.
The body must cool down slowly after a heavy work out to give the muscles enough time to return to
its natural state.

STANCE AND CENTER OF GRAVITY

Stances are the foundation of any techniques; defensive or offensive.

Major Classification of Stance

 1. Knees-straight stance – is better utilized as preparatory stance.
2. Knees-bent stance – a fighting stance or stance of execution.

Components Governing Stance

1. The stance must offer stability so proper traction will be achieved for fast and powerful
techniques.
2. It must be comfortable so one can assume the posture without undue fatigue.
3. It must be flexible to allow excellent mobility.

 The essence that holds these components together is the center of gravity. The center of gravity
is the point where perfect equilibrium is situated.

FOOTWORK – is the process of moving, changing, shifting, progressing, ascending, descending,

evolving, withdrawing, advancing, by stepping, sliding or jumping, or a combination of these three
actions, to attack or to get out of the range of attack.

THE 12 VITAL STRIKING POINTS OF THE BODY

AREA TYPE OF STRIKE USED REACTIONS

Left temple Strike 1 Fatal; it will cause internal
hemorrhage
Right temple Strike 2 Fatal; it will cause internal
hemorrhage
Left shoulder Strike 3 Numbing pain. It may also
cripple the shoulder
Right shoulder Strike 4 Numbing pain. It may also
cripple the shoulder
Stomach Strike 5 Crippling pain and could be
fatal
Left chest Strike 6 It could be fatal
Right chest Strike 7 It could be fatal
Right knee Strike 8 Dislocation or fracture
Left knee Strike 9 Dislocation or fracture
Left eye Strike 10 Serious damage to the eye
Right eye Strike 11 Serious damage to the eye
Crown/ Head Strike 12 Fatal

References:

Lledo, Louelle Jr.. AmaraArkanis, The Fighting Art of the Mandirigma. Indang, Cavite: Amara Arkanis, 2017
Presas, Remy A. Modern Arnis: Philippine Martial Art “Stick Fighting”. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store,
2005

Tulio, Doris D. Physical Education 3 for College. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store, 2008