Compared to well-known martial arts such as karate, kung fu or krav maga, the Filipino styles are still relatively unknown in Europe. This is surprising, because Eskrima, Arnis and Kali offer an exciting mix of effective self-defense and traditional martial arts. Here is a short introduction to this fascinating sport.

Martial arts in the Philippines – a long tradition

The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,100 islands in Southeast Asia and has been inhabited by various rival tribes since prehistoric times. The indigenous inhabitants developed complex martial arts, mainly using machetes and swords. This led to the conqueror Ferdinand Magellan's defeat and death in battle with a local tribal leader named Lapu-Lapu on the island of Mactan in 1521. This victory was short-lived, however, as the Philippines was colonized by the Spanish crown in the 16th century.

Colonization also had an impact on traditional fighting styles. Some tribes fought alongside the conquerors and were trained in Spanish fencing, which had a lasting influence on Filipino martial arts. However, the European colonial rulers began to fear their subjects after consolidating their power and issued a ban on all martial arts in 1764. Nevertheless, the art continued to be practiced, sometimes in secret, and many techniques were hidden in traditional dances and thus passed on to the next generations.

Modern close combat systems: Eskrima, Arnis and Kali

Filipino martial arts have their roots in the martial arts of the ancient tribes. However, they only developed in their modern form in the 20th century, after the end of the Spanish colonial period. Today, the focus is on training with sticks and knives, but traditional sword fighting techniques are still present. Since 2010, Filipino Martial Arts have been the official national sport of the Philippines, and the martial art is taught in physical education classes in all schools in the country. The best athletes compete in the annual Philippine National Games.

There are a variety of local styles, and the names for the martial arts vary, as virtually every region of the Philippines speaks its own language. In the northern region around the capital Manila, people mostly talk about Arnis. In the center around the island of Cebu, Eskrima or Escrima is more common, while in southern regions, Kali is often spoken of. Occasionally, names such as Estoque or Fraile are also used.

What to do if no stock is available?

Although there are weapon fighting arts in other Asian regions, such as Japan or China, the Filipino styles are characterized by the fact that they start by working with sticks. Later, students learn to use the techniques without weapons. The special thing about Eskrima, Arnis and Kali is that the fighting techniques are transferable. Therefore, it is not difficult for experienced stick fighters to defend themselves without weapons or to use everyday objects.

The techniques are usually named numerically during training, which makes it easier to get started, as beginners do not have to learn many Filipino terms. The movement sequences are learned through drills, which are short sequences of individual techniques and improve speed and reaction through repetition. The Sinawali drills, which are carried out in partner training with two sticks per person, play an important role. Eskrima, Arnis and Kali also include throws and leverage techniques to bring the opponent to the ground.

Filipino Martial Arts – More than just stick fighting

There are various styles for beginners to choose from. Some place more emphasis on modern self-defense, while others maintain traditions. Getting started is easy, as the techniques follow natural movements. But be careful: once you've taken a liking to Eskrima, Arnis or Kali, it will be hard to give them up, as there is an almost endless variety of techniques and variations to discover. This martial art is as diverse and fascinating as the island kingdom it comes from.