Saturday, 03 January 2009 15:27

To help propagate the martial culture of the Philippines, the articles found on this site were made to recognize a long overlooked art form. There aren't many books and documentation on this well practiced art, especially to the non-practitioners and uninitiated. This website was not intended to be a primary source of information, but to develop a perspective that is fueled by the thirst for knowledge.

Some people think of the martial arts as a doorway for physical as well as mental fitness, however there are some that ache for the beauty and cultural aspect of technique. Which one suits ones need is up to the individual. In essence, this eclectic art form embodies all four of the before mentioned categories. Also keep in mind, as you journey into the ream of the Filipino Martial Arts, let this website empower the hunger for your constant and never ending improvement.

In the world of martial arts, there are its politics. Some styles say they are better than the other and they are not allowed to teach specific techniques to certain people. "This works." or "That doesn't work." Instead, let us focus that evolution is the key.

 

 

 

But what is Filipino Martial Arts?

Filipino martial arts (FMA) are martial arts that originated in the Philippines. They integrate a “system-of-systems” approach to combat readiness.  Of the many names that encompass FMA is Kali, Eskrima and Arnis.  Depending on which region of the Philippines an instructor, practitioner or system is from, it would be called by one of these names.  There have been significant sacrifices to develop this art. Throughout the ages multi-cultural, multi-national invaders of the Philippines imposed new dynamics for human conflict and combat. FMA, the “system-of-systems” transformed itself as a direct result of an appreciation of their ever changing environment and circumstance. The need for self-preservation was paramount as the art form was transformed into what it is today.

FMA consists of different phases of learning.  Traditionally, a student is born into the art by being given two rattan sticks allowing the mind to educate the body’s four limbs so they can coordinate in harmony. It is then translated into the various combinations of weaponry that a practitioner will wield.  From the double sticks, single stick, stick and dagger, double dagger, single dagger and finally the empty hands being part of the last phase of training, one can see the flow that FMA has.  Understanding and using these combinations ultimately translates into any art due to the systems of angles and various footwork that are involved.  FMA is a great collection of arts that are the basis or supplement in today's mixed martial arts culture.  It can have anyone completing a training session feel empowered in the techniques learned and sometimes the opposite. But it is then, when the same person that left training previously scratching their head, returns and discovers the mechanics on another day.  All around, FMA is a practical way to learn a weapon based system and at the same time a way to express oneself artistically through a tool that serves as an extension of the body.