The Filipino martial arts Eskrima, Arnis and Kali are still relatively unknown in Europe compared to popular martial arts such as karate, kung fu or Krav Maga. Nevertheless, they offer a fascinating combination of effective self-defense and traditional martial arts. Let me give you a brief insight into this exciting sport.

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,100 islands in Southeast Asia, has a long tradition of martial arts. Since prehistoric times, indigenous inhabitants developed complex fighting techniques, mainly using machetes and swords. This tradition was influenced by Spanish colonization in the 16th century, when some tribes were trained in Spanish fencing. Although the colonial power issued a ban on all fighting styles in 1764, the art was passed down in secret, often hidden in traditional dances.

Eskrima, Arnis and Kali , modern close combat systems, have their roots in the ancient fighting techniques of the Filipino tribes. However, their modern form only emerged in the 20th century after the end of Spanish colonial rule. Today, training focuses mainly on the use of sticks and knives, although traditional techniques from sword fighting still exist. Since 2010, Filipino Martial Arts have been the official national sport of the Philippines and are taught in physical education classes in all schools in the country.

There are a variety of local styles, often using different names depending on the region. In the north of the country, especially near Manila, people mostly talk about Arnis, while Eskrima or Escrima is more common in the center around Cebu. In the south, Kali is the common name. However, other names such as Estoque or Fraile are also common.

What makes Filipino martial arts special is their ability to transfer the techniques from stick fighting to unarmed combat and the use of everyday objects. This makes them unique compared to other Asian weapon martial arts, which often train with other weapons first. The techniques are usually numbered in training and practiced in the form of drills to improve speed and reaction. Partner exercises with two sticks per person play an important role.

For beginners, Filipino Martial Arts offers a variety of styles to choose from, from modern self-defense to traditional martial arts. Getting started is relatively easy thanks to the natural movements, but the variety and fascination of martial arts mean that you can quickly become addicted to it. There are a seemingly endless number of techniques and variations to discover, which makes martial arts just as diverse and fascinating as the country it comes from.