The History of Arnis: A Legacy of Filipino Martial Arts

Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima, is the national martial art of the Philippines, a
testament to the rich fighting heritage of the archipelago [1]. It encompasses a
diverse range of traditional Filipino martial arts (FMA) that emphasize weapon-based
combat, primarily using sticks, knives, and improvised weapons, alongside unarmed
combat techniques [1].

Early Origins and Influences:

The precise origins of Arnis are shrouded in the mists of time, but it is believed to
have evolved from indigenous fighting techniques practiced by pre-Hispanic Filipino
tribes [3]. These early forms likely involved simple weapons like sticks and stones,
reflecting the natural environment and resources available. The arrival of Malay
migrants in 200 B.C. introduced the long bladed weapon, significantly influencing the
development of Kalis (later shortened to Kali), a combat art specializing in bladed
weaponry [2].

Spanish Colonization and the Rise of Arnis:

During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Kali proved to be a formidable

fighting system used by Filipinos against foreign invaders [2]. However, fearing
potential uprisings, the Spanish government banned the practice of Kali with bladed
weapons in 1764, forcing a shift in focus [2]. [2]. Despite the ban, Arnis
continued to be practiced in secret, passed down through generations as a vital part
of Filipino culture and identity.

The Modern Era and Key Figures:

The 20th century saw a resurgence of interest in Arnis, with several pivotal figures
contributing to its development and spread:

● Remy Presas: A highly respected Arnis master, he played a crucial role in

establishing Arnis within the Philippine physical education system in 1969,
promoting it as a viable means for military practice and cultural preservation
[2]. He is credited with developing Modern Arnis, a composite style that
incorporates elements from various classical and modern Arnis systems,
making it more accessible and adaptable for modern practitioners.
● Ernesto Presas: Remy's brother, who founded Filipino Mano-Mano, a system
that focuses on unarmed combat techniques, emphasizing the importance of
close-quarters fighting and the use of leverage and body mechanics [8].
 ● Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo: A highly influential Arnis master, he founded
Kalis Ilustrisimo, a system known for its emphasis on speed, power, and
adaptability, influencing many modern Arnis styles [7].
● Venancio "An Ciong" Bacon: Founder of Balintawak Eskrima, a popular
Arnis style known for its fast and fluid movements, emphasizing a rapid and
aggressive approach to combat [7].

Arnis Today:

Today, Arnis continues to thrive in the Philippines and around the world, enjoying a
resurgence in popularity. It is recognized as the national sport and martial art of the
Philippines, reflecting its cultural significance and national pride [10]. It has gained
international recognition as a dynamic and effective martial art system, with
practitioners from various backgrounds embracing its rich history and unique
techniques. Arnis continues to evolve, with modern practitioners adapting its
principles to contemporary contexts, ensuring its continued relevance and growth in
the 21st century.

HISTORY TIMELINE ABOUT ARNIS (BOWMAN)

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
- Arnis origins: Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima, is a form of martial art that
originated in the Philippines. Its origins can be traced back to the pre-colonial
period, long before the arrival of the Spanish in 1521. The art was developed
as a means of self-defense against rival tribes and foreign invaders. It was
also used for hunting and everyday activities such as chopping wood and
farming.

1521
- Spanish colonization: The arrival of the Spanish in 1521 marked a significant
turning point in the history of Arnis. The Spanish conquistadors banned the
practice of Arnis, viewing it as a threat to their rule. Despite this, the art
continued to be practiced in secret by the Filipino people. The Spanish also
introduced their own martial arts, such as fencing, which would later influence
the development of Arnis.
LATE 1800S
- Revival of Arnis: In the late 1800s, Arnis experienced a revival thanks to the
efforts of Filipino martial artists such as Jose Rizal and Juan Luna. They
helped to preserve and promote the art, which had been in danger of being
lost forever. Arnis was also taught to soldiers in the Philippine Revolution,
where it was used to great effect against the Spanish.

1930s - 1940s
- Modernization of Arnis: In the 1930s and 1940s, Arnis underwent a period of
modernization. Grandmasters such as Remy Presas and Angel Cabales
introduced new techniques and styles, incorporating elements from other
martial arts such as karate and judo. This helped to make Arnis more
accessible to a wider audience, and it began to gain popularity outside of the
Philippines.
- Beginning with a small gymnasium in Bacolod in the 1950s, Remy Presas
attempted to spread the art to the local youth as both a cultural legacy and a
form of physical development or sport. He taught the art at the University of
Negros Occidental-Recoletos. His desire to reinvigorate interest in his
country’s traditional martial art grew over time, and he began making
modifications and improvements to what he had learned. In 1969 he moved
to Manila at the request of a government official, and formed the Modern
Arnis Federation of the Philippines. He continued to develop and spread his
art, including via books, until political considerations forced him to relocate to
North America.

1970s - 1980s
- Arnis as a sport: In the 1970s and 1980s, Arnis began to be recognized as a
sport. The Philippine government established the Philippine Amateur Arnis
Association (PAAA) to promote and regulate the sport. Arnis was included in
the Southeast Asian Games in 1985 and has since been a regular event.

PRESENT

- Today, Arnis is practiced all over the world and continues to evolve and grow
in popularity.
Arnis | History Timeline. (2023). History Timelines.
Wikipedia (2024) History of Professor Remy Presas and Modern Arnis – IMAF.

ADDITIONAL: ADLAWAN

● Prehistoric

The art of hand-to-hand combat has always been an integral part of the Filipino in
his long, turbulent, and bloody history. By force of necessity and self-preservation he
became an expert in fighting with his hands, either bare or with a stick and a bladed
weapon. Even before the introduction of the bladed weapon, the early Filipinos were
already a fighting people using the bow and arrow or the longbow. The primitive
Negritos, coming from Central Asia during prehistoric times, were experts in these
weapons.

● Technicalities of Arnis

Arnis de mano (Harness of the hand) is the best known and the most systematic
fighting art in the Philippines. It is a perfected art after a long historical development
from the kali systems designed to train the student to defend himself against armed
or unarmed attacks. Arnis, as it is commonly called, has also been known in other
dialects as estacada among the Tagalog provinces and estoque or fraile in other
regions.

As a fighting art, Arnis has three forms of play. They are the espada y daga
("sword and dagger") in which a long wooden sword and a short wooden dagger is
used; the solo baston (single stick) in a single long muton or baston (wooden stick
or rattan 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.

● Involvement of Arnis and Culture

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. Their successful stand against
their superiorly armed adversaries in mortal combat in the arena of battle is now
held in immortal inviolability by history of the 16th century. Kali (Arnis) became so
popular during the early days that it was known as the sport of kings and of the
members of the royal blood. The first and foremost experts of the art were the rajah
and maharlika of the Visayas and Tagalog regions, Amandakwa in Pangasinan, and
Baruwang of the Cagayan Valley region.

The art was not confined to the elite alone. Ordinary Filipinos practiced kali not only
for self-defense but also for entertainment. It was the most awaited entertainment
feature in fiestas and other gatherings. Kali was a standard fighting technique in
hand-to-hand combat of the Filipinos when they revolted against Spain. Using the
itak or bolo the Katipuneros engaged the Spanish soldiers in savage skirmishes.
History states that Bonifacio brandished a bolo, a standard weapon in kali in his
famous "Cry of Balintawak." However, kali declined in popularity as early as 1596
when the Spanish authorities discouraged the practice of the art (it was eventually
banned in 1764). The Spaniards must have considered the art lethal or dangerous
since they decreed that natives found practicing kali would be considered Tulisanes
or outlaws.

● The Opportunity for Revival

In 1637, the friars introduced the moro-moro, a socio-religious play dramatizing the
triumph of the Christian Spaniards over the Muslim Moors of Granada, Spain. The
play called for the use of fighting techniques using a sword or similar bladed
weapon. With the introduction of the moro-moro, the Filipinos again had a chance to
practice their art, thus interest in kaliwas revived. In the play, Spanish soldiers
fighting for Christianity were supposed to wear arnes, a Spanish word for the English
harness, the colorful trappings worn by medieval soldiers. From the word arnes
came the present Arnis. In 1853, the word kali was completely replaced by Arnis.

Arnis History — Harrisburg Kung Fu Center homepage. (n.d.). Harrisburg Kung Fu

Center Homepage. https://www.hbgkungfu.com/arnis-history