Arnis Entablado

November 30, 2013 8:58 pm

By Perry Gil S. Mallari

Arnis practitioners in the olden days saw the burgeoning of komedya as a new
opportunity to practice their martial art. The nature of this new form of
entertainment brought by the Spaniards offered the Filipinos a chance to use arnis
within a new environment. Since the other purpose of the komedya is to serve as
propaganda tool for Spain, its storyline was almost always about the triumphs of the
Christians against the Moors.
Robert Mac Micking, one of the early Westerners who have written about the
Philippines recorded his observations of the komedya in his book Recollections of
Manilla and the Philippines During 1848, 1849 and 1850, it reads, Besides the
principal theatre, where Spaniards are the actors, there are two native theatres,
where plays are represented in the Tagalog language, and written to suit their ideas
of the drama; the subjects represented being principally tragedies connected with
their historical traditions, and of their fathers earliest connections with their
European conquerors. But their mode of representing these subjects is scarcely
suitable to any ones taste but their own, as the amount of vociferation, and
drawling singing of the women who take a part in the pieces, are very disagreeable,
and the noise and quantity of fighting with which they are always interlarded, is
tiresome. Yet, strange to say, they themselves are much interested while listening
to these absurd recitatives.
The dramatic battles between Christians and the Moors as portrayed in the
komedya presented endless opportunities for arnisadores to showcase their fighting
prowess. The Columbia encyclopedia of modern drama, Volume 2 by Gabrielle H.
Cody and Evert Sprinchorn cites specific plays employing lengthy fighting scenes,
Komedya scripts might depict the life of a patron saint as in the Play of Saint
Michael (Comedia de San Miguel), written around 1890 and still staged in Iligan City.
Popular stories showed the clash between Muslims and Christians. An example is
the komedya of St. Helena, which is performed in several towns of Nueva Ecija. It
shows St. Helena seeking the true cross, while her son Constantino fights the Moors

as a Moorish princess falls in love with a Christian general. After spectacular

marches and battles, the defeated Moors convert and the lovers unite.
While the komedya has provided the arnisadores of yore a new venue to exhibit
their martial arts, it also surreptitiously, served its original purpose of facilitating the
complete conquest of a new land and its people. Expounding on Nicanor Tiongsons
analysis of Filipino aesthetics via his essay Four Values in Filipino Drama and Film,
Alicia Arrizn in her book Queering Mestizaje: Transculturation and Performance,
wrote, For instance, in the 1609 performance of El martirio de Santa Barbara (The
martyrdom of Saint Barbara), the saints ascension to heaven and the subsequent
destruction of those who had tortured her were aimed at convincing the natives to
burn their amulets and the statues of their ancestral gods. This piece was produced
by the Jesuits in the southern province of Bohol and performed by the natives in
their own language.
The komedya enjoyed unsurpassed popularity during Spanish colonial times. An
entry in Mga Karunungan sa Larong Arnis [A Body of Knowledge in the Sport of
Arnis] by Placido Yambao and Buenaventura Mirafuente, the very first book written
on arnis published by the University of the Philippines Press in 1957, states that
agricultural production declined because of the mens preoccupation with the stage
plays where their prowess in arnis was displayed. A portion of the book translated
by anthropologist and arnis expert Felipe Jocano Jr. reads, Because of the passion
of the indio citizens of the Archipelago as well as some of the Christians to the
pastimes of moro-moro and duplo, they practically devoted all their time night and
day, to the practice and teaching of the participants in the moro-moro and duplo
such that the farmers were neglecting to plow their fields, consequently, the
Spanish Government forbade any form of recreation (Arnis and the Work of History,
Rapid Journal Vol.9 No.2).
While there is effort today in the Philippines to preserve the komedya, it is a rarity
to chance upon plays whose fight scenes were played by skilled arnisadores. There
are some provinces though where this art form is still preserved and practiced. The
province of Laguna, where the countrys National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was born
boasts of rich arnis and komedya traditions. Rizal himself is an expert arnisador who
taught the native martial art to young children during his exile in Dapitan.
Traditional families in Laguna took pride in being komedya actors and arnisadores,
and are responsible for passing these art forms from one generation to another.

Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/arnis-entablado/56956/

Baguio tops arnis, muay thai to rule Batang Pinoys Luzon leg
October 20, 2013 4:52 pm
By FRANK CALAPRE
Baguio City leaned on arnis and muay to clinch the overall title of the 2013 Batang
Pinoy Pinoy Luzon Leg in Iba, Zambales.
Baguio overtook Quezon City for the overall crown after seizing eight gold medals in
arnis and two in muay.
Half of the arnis gold were won by Norielyn Sagun, 14, who won in the girls anyo
synchronized double identical weapon and anyo single weapon, double identical
weapon and sword and dagger events.
Rey Abogadi added a gold of his own with a win over teammate Sheen Pakilan in the
boys anyo sword and dagger event and joined Pakilan and Eza Rai Yalong for the
anyo synchronized double identical weapon and sword and dagger title.
Baguios other golds came from the girls anyo synchronized sword and dagger,
while its muay fighters Ariel Lee Lampacan (boys 14-15 51kgs) and Clyde Drexler
Soriano (14-15 57kg) dominated their events.
Baguio collected a total of 47 gold, 49 silver and 37 bronze medals in the four-day
meet.
Quezon City, which fought gamely in muay and badminton in the last two days,
ended the Luzon games with 44 gold, 28 silver and 35 bronze medals.

Muay specialists Jessa Rivera (girls 14-15 42kg), Joshue Rivera (boys 14-15 42kg),
Lolit Lauron (girls 45kg) and Sean Keith Rollon (boys 45kg) provided Quezon Citys
last ditch effort along with badminton winners Jason Vanzuela (boys 12-under
singles) and Glenn Felix Camillo (boys 15-under singles).
Swimmers Maurice Sacho Ilustre of Manila and Marc Audrey Santos of Malolos,
Bulacan and archer Althea Nasha Dionaldo had four golds each to emerge as the
meets most outstanding athletes along with Sagun.
All medalists in the Luzon qualifying will meet the top performers from Mindanao
and Visayas in the national finals in Bacolod City on Nov.19-23.
Also making it to the national finals were muay gold winners Bernard Dolores (1213-year category, 40-kgs) of Muntinlupa City, Mariz Ambuyoc (12-13-year category,
54-kg), Bulacans Jeremie Yalung (14-15-year category, 40-kgs), Olongapos Alvin
Joseph Clark (12-13-year category, 42-kgs) and Ifugaos Chris Kaizer Monayao (1415-year category, 48-kg) and Robert Balinon (13-14-year category, 54-kg).
Pangasinan, last years regional champion, wound up third (25-25-29). followed by
Laguna (16-20-31) and Manila (16-7-6).

Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/baguio-tops-arnis-muay-thaito-rule-batang-pinoys-luzon-leg/46250/

Baguio City tops arnis, muay to rule Batang Pinoy

October 20, 2013 9:32 pm
By FRANK CALAPRE

BAGUIO City leaned on arnis and muay to bring home the overall title of the 2013
Batang Pinoy Pinoy Luzon Leg in Iba, Zambales.
Promising athletes from the Pines City overtook Quezon City for the overall crown
after siezing eight gold medals in arnis and two in muay, courtesy of Norielyn
Sagun, 14, who accounted for half of those arnis gold medals after winning the girls
anyo synchronized double identical weapon and anyo single weapon, double
identical weapon and sword and dagger events.
Rey Abogadi also contributed to the cause of the Summer capital with a win over
teammate Sheen Pakilan in the boys anyo sword and dagger event and joined
Pakilan and Eza Rai Yalong for the anyo synchronized double identical weapon and
sword and dagger title.
Other gold medals from Baguio came from the girls anyo synchronized sword and
dagger while its muay fighters Ariel Lee Lampacan (boys 14-15 51kgs) and Clyde
Drexler Soriano (14-15 57kg) dominated their respective event to secure a total of
47 gold, 49 silver and 37 bronze medals in the four-day meet.
Quezon City, which fought mightily in muay and badminton in the last two days,
concluded the Luzon games with 44 gold, 28 silver and 35 bronze medals.

Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/baguio-city-tops-arnis-muayto-rule-batang-pinoy/46333/

PANG-ORAN SPORT BLENDS ARNIS AND KICKBOXING

October 12, 2013 9:31 pm

Attacker (in red) delivers a left temple strike using the cane while Punong Lakan
Garitony Nicolas blocks.

Pang-oran is a martial sport founded by Punong Lakan Garitony Nicolas that

combines the elements of arnis and kickboxing. Nicolas said that the etymology of
pang-oran is Ilocano and connotes striking or exchanging blows with a stick. Nicolas
said that there are three levels of tournaments in sport pang-oran: amateur,
professional-amateur and professional. Participants in the amateur level are
required to wear prescribed body armor and gloves. The punches are restricted to
body-level, which is not above the shoulder or below the belt. The empty hand hits
are followed by stick strikes. In professional-amateur, the contestant can punch or
kick to the face with follow-up strikes with the stick. In the professional level,

sweeping and throwing were allowed in addition to the barehanded and stick
strikes.
Training in pang-oran, Nicolas attested, would benefit traditional arnis practitioners
and even martial artists from other styles like tae kwon do, muay thai or boxing, It
will definitely bring their coordination, reflex and timing to new heights, he said,
continuing, It will also develop their speed, distancing, parrying, trapping and
checking. He explained that fighting with the stick hand and the glove hand two
weapons of uneven length is similar to traditional espada y daga or sword and
dagger technique of arnis.

Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/pang-oran-sport-blends-arnisand-kickboxing/44214/

The importance of balance in the practice of arnis, escrima and kali

August 3, 2013 10:14 pm
By PERRY GIL S. MALLARI

Balance is a crucial component in the practice of the Filipino martial arts (FMA).
Arnis, escrima and kali, favoring gross motor skills (simple movements) over fine
motor skills (complex movements) have a different requirement concerning balance
compared to other Asian martial arts. This is evident in the fact that unlike many of
its counterparts, the FMA rarely employs movements requiring backward bending of
the spine or single-leg stances.
Firstly, it is good to establish the definition of balance. Balance for the purpose of
this discussion simply means the ability to move in any direction with equilibrium
even in the presence of factors promoting imbalance.
The first thing to consider in the development of balance is the awareness of the
bodys center of gravity (COG). While in a stationary position, the COG of the human
anatomy is located approximately in the anterior to the second sacral vertebra.
Its presumed that both feet are planted on the ground in the practice of arnis,
escrima and kali. Unlike in other Asian martial arts, the stability desired in FMA is
dynamic not static. The goal is to maintain stability while attacking or defending. To

quote Dan Inosanto: The main concern of martial arts is supporting the movement
that runs vaguely parallel to the floor. Any upward motion is supported against the
floor and downward motion uses gravity as a support. If one or both feet are off the
ground, momentum is the mainstay (The Filipino Martial Arts Know Now, 1980).
There are three elements that can be adjusted accordingly to attain this objective.
The first one is the base of support, which, in the case of an arnisador are his feet.
By broadening the base of support (accomplished by widening the stance by
increasing the distance between the two feet), one increases stability. A wider
stance of course would mean slower mobility while a narrower stance would mean
faster mobility but lesser stability.
The second one is aligning the bodys line of gravity to the center of the base. To
visualize this, imagine a straight line running through your body from the top of
your head to your groin. Aligning this line of gravity to the center of the base can be
accomplished through postural adjustment like straightening the back or keeping
the head upright. The last element is the lowering of ones center of gravity to
increase stability. This is basically an instinctive movement for whenever a person
felt that his balance is being disturbed; he instinctively bends his knees to lower his
center of gravity. But just like in the second element, a lower stance slows down
mobility.
Theres yet another component that affects stability and that is the fighters size. A
big stick fighter has greater stability because of his big mass compared to a smaller
stick fighter with a small mass.
The goal of understanding the principles of balance and stability is for a fighter to
fortify his own base and to know how to destroy that of his opponents.
Destroying your opponents balance and making him fall to the ground carries a
number of advantages. Throwing your foe into the ground could result to multiple
injuries (particularly head trauma) that could greatly reduce his ability to fight.
Disrupting your foes balance is not that hard if you understand structure in relation
to balance and stability. The idea is not to go mass against mass particularly if
youre facing a bigger opponent but to exploit leverage points. Walking for instance
is controlled falling. In this act, balance is attained while in motion by the rhythmic
shifting of ones weight between the left and right foot. But disrupt that rhythm by
say, whacking one of the feet before it hits the ground, and the person tumbles
easily.

Most people would prefer fighting standing up meaning their COG is resting on both
legs. By destroying either of the two legs, which are his foundations, or disrupting
the alignment of his COG and his base (his feet), youve just ruined your foes
balance.
Besides visual calculation, we maintain balance through a fluid located in the inner
ear. This fluid with the aid of responsive hair cells detects and moves around
according to gravitational pull. Thus, striking your opponents ears with your palms
is a very effective way of destroying his sense of balance.
As mentioned earlier, the desired balance in arnis, escrima and kali is dynamic not
static. This attribute can only be honed by practicing live alone and with a partner
on varying types of terrain. One traditional FMA method of developing balance is to
practice footwork on half coconut shells (bao in Tagalog). This sharpens balance
because the body learns to achieve correct structure and equilibrium on an uneven
and unstable base. The ability to achieve optimum balance is also connected to the
practitioners level of kinesthetic sensitivity, strength and fitness and his ability to
relax.
Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/the-importance-of-balance-inthe-practice-of-arnis-escrima-and-kali/25900/

Davao City bets dominate contact sports in Batang Pinoy

August 31, 2013 9:12 pm

DAVAO City struck hard in contact sports wrestling, arnis and karatedo yesterday as
it sealed the overall title of the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying leg at the
Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center in Tagum City.
Wrestlers Christian Badiang (53kg), Ronald Glenn Occena (66kg), Jhanine Marcos
(40kg) and Sydney Sy Tancontian (62kg) set the tone for Davaos 19 gold medals in
the sport after dominating their respective weight categories in the 14-15 years old
division.

Fernan Santoso (boys -49kg), Ridio Sumang (boys -58kg) and Lya Mae Carillo (girls
54kg) also shone for Southern Mindanaos economic hub in the karatedo kumite
(sparring) events.
Davao Citys trio of Ethel Flores, Maridel Flores and Carrillo also ruled the girls kata
(form) team event, a triumph duplicated by the squad of Izzan Nugraha, Santoso
and Sumang in boys kata.
In full-contact arnis, bantamweight Klein Mataverde, lightweight Michael Adolfo,
Amena Madid (pin), Mary Joy Sajulan (bantam), Dianalyn Alcain (feather) and
Catherine Segura (light) also delivered, boosting Davao Citys stock to 77 gold, 58
silver and 31 bronze medals.
General Santos City remained second overall with a medal tally of 35-24-24
followed by host Davao del Norte, which produced 14 gold medals that went along
with 14 silvers and 32 bronzes after five days of competition in the games organized
by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Other wrestlers who won for Davao City were Allan Cris Alisoso, Boy Orilla
Evangelio, Ryan Ang, Charisse Aseneta, Marmon Billena, Cristel Aseneta, James
Ryan, Jay Bernal and Ezra Abad.
Davao City also scored victories in badminton and soft tennis. Arthur Salvado Jr. of
Ateneo de Davao seized the badminton boys under-12 title and Deon Ronald
Omana pocketed the under-15 gold. Clarizza Caorte won the girls soft tennis singles
plum.
Cagayan de Oro cornered six gold medals in arnis anyo (form) with Britney Josh
Abines winding up victorious in three eventsgirls single weapon, double identical
weapons and sword and dagger. Marlouie Dalaguan (boys single weapon) and
Roland Dela Cruz (boys double identical weapon) also won in their respective
events before taking the gold in the single weapon team event with Saron Jules
Cantal.
Over at the Rotary Gym, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley ruled futsal after blanking
Butuan A, 3-0, while General Santos City copped the bronze with a 6-2 victory over
Maco, Compostela Valley.
In sepak takraw, Bin Omar Maybano, Stephen lloyd Syting, Dominic Sagosoy, Jay
Minoza and Diether Cadayano of Mati City won the regu event over Davao Citys

Christian John Altovar, Haron Matindo, Jason San Luis, John Paul Caraga and Jerryco
Catamora.
Mati City also scored in soft tennis courtesy of Prince Bernaldez (boys singles).
Bernaldez paired with Earl Bestes for the boys doubles gold, while Maria Bestes and
Mary Jane Bestes won the girls tandem.
Davao del Nortes Rofel Angelo Pendon (flyweight) and welter William Louie
Gloriane, Iligan Citys Kharl Aldefolla (feather) and General Santos Citys Keith
Dexter Mier (middle) were the other winners in full contact arnis.
The host province dominated volleyball (boys and girls) after convincing wins over
Davao City.
CDO also secured victories in karatedo with Marc Ian Naguita (boys -63kg), Nick
Austin Mistula (63kg) and Monique Aberia (girls -39kg) getting the job done in the
kumite.
Naguita duplicated his feat in the 53kg advance kata while Justin Eyog and
Alexandra Savaria won in the boys intermediate and -53kg advance, respectively.
Other winners in karatedo kumite were Surigao Citys Jay Paul Maglasang (-30kg)
and Louie Jane Remojo (-47kg), Mati Citys Kizhmar Cabaron (-40kg) and Jonamil
Prado (-28kg), Myoa Cozo (50kg) and Daisy Fajardo (-32kg) of Misamis Oriental.
Davao del Nortes Karl Reales (boys novice) and Mitchael Villegas (girls
intermediate), Marjorie Ledesma of Compostela Valley (girls novice), Malaybalays
Caesar Madera Buhawi, JC Anne Quimanhan of Antipas, Iligan Citys Clinton Payao,
Aliya Gonzales of Surigao City and Mark Gil Yriarte of Agusan del Sur made it on the
top of podium in kata.

Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/davao-city-bets-dominatecontact-sports-in-batang-pinoy/35273/

BATANG PINOY: Ilonggo girl, Baguio boy lead gold medal haul
January 31, 2014 8:33 pm
By FRANK CALAPRE

BACOLOD CITY Crystal AJ Bartonico of Iloilo City grabbed six golds in arnis and
Jenkins Lorenzo Labao of Baguio City won seven in swimming on Friday in the
Batang Pinoy National Finals at the Pana-ad Sports Park and Stadium here.
The 15-year-old Bartonico contributed to Iloilo Citys nine-gold haul in arnis. She
topped the girls single weapon solo performance and the double weapon solo. She
completed her dominance by dominating the girls sword and dagger solo
performance.
A few hours later, Bartonico teamed up with Marjolione Pudadera and Ma. Chabelita
Gonzulado to finish first in the team single weapon, team double weapon and team
sword and dagger events.
I am very thankful to my coach Iresh Crizelle de Leon and to God for this victory. I
really practice hard for at least six hours a day in preparation for this tournament,
said the petite Bartonico, a fourth year high school student at Jalandoni Memorial
National High School.
The daughter of also arnis expert Jose Marcelo, a high school teacher and Fatima,
likewise won three golds in the 2012 Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan
and another three golds in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa in Dumaguete City.
Other golds of Iloilo City in arnis were courtesy of brothers JohnChristian, John Clark,
John Carl Segutier in the boys team single weapon, team double weapon and team
sword and dagger events.
Marc Andrew Orcena of Rizal Province won the gold in the boys single weapon solo,
while Aklans John Lloyd Salazar dominated the boys sword and dagger solo and
Evan Jannery Pinas of Iloilo in the boys single weapon solo performance.
Labao capped his campaign by winning golds in the boys 13-15-year-old 100-m
butterfly (1:02.33) and 200-m individual medley (2:21.81).
He earlier won the 400-m freestyle (4:34.87), 200-m medley relay (2:07.05), 50-m
butterfly (28.14), 200-m freestyle (1:52.51) and 400-m individual medley (5:08.94).
Marc Audry Santos of Malolos, Bulacan, also won four golds and a silver in
swimming. The first was in the 11-12-year-old boys 200m freestyle 2:15.75), 1,500m freestyle (18:48.14), 400-m freestyle (4:44.71) and 100-m freestyle (1:03.08). His
silver medal came from the 200-m butterfly (2:37.52).

Alexis Soqueno of Negros Occidental and Karen Janario of Leyte dominated athletics
with five golds each. The duo grabbed the gold in the boys and girls 400-m relay
respectively in the last day of competition.
In addition to the boys 4400-m relay (3:34.6), the 15-year-old Soqueno ruled the
boys 110-m boys hurdles (14.77-sec) in record-breaking fashion, the boys high jump
also in record-breaking feat (1.93-m) and boys 4-100-m relay (44.9).
The 14-year-old Janario, a survivor of super typhoon Yolanda, added the girls 4400m relay (4:07.8) to her collection.
She earlier set a new record in the girls 200-m dash (25.7), girls 100-m dash (12.71sec.), 100-m hurdles (16.46) and girls 4100-m relay (51.5-sec.).
At the end of the track and field event, co-host Negros Occidental topped with 10
golds and three bronzes followed by Urdaneta, Pangasinan (2-5-5) and Baguio City
(2-1-1). Iloilo Province finished with 1-3-0 and Dasmarinas, Cavite, fifth with 1-2-1.
In the triathlon also being held at the Panaad Sports Complex, Julius Constantino of
Sta. Rosa, Laguna, finished the 400-m swimming, 8.4-km. bike and 2-km run event
with a time of 27:00 minutes to win the gold while Nicole Eijansantos of Quezon City
ruled the girls side in 29:50, relegating Lauren Justine Plaza of Binan, Laguna, to
second (30:05) and Victoria Deldio (30:39) of Olongapo to third.
This is my first time in Batang Pinoy. Its really tough but I was prepared for this
competition especially in swimming, said the 12-year-old Eijansantos, who led from
start to finish.

Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/batang-pinoy-ilonggo-girlbaguio-boy-lead-gold-medal-haul/72138/

All set for 2nd PhilMaHoF
April 12, 2014 8:48 pm

PhilMaHoF Executive Director Punong Lakan Garitony Nicolas (left)

demonstrates an arnis technique. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Philippine Martial Arts Hall of Fame (PhilMaHoF) Executive Director Punong Lakan
Gari-tony Nicolas announced that all is set for the unfolding of the second edition of
the PhilMaHoF on April 27 at the Manila Hotel. It has been two years since the very
first PhilMaHoF was held on April 21 to 22 at the Diamond Hotel in Roxas Boulevard,
Manila.
This is bigger than the first Philippine Hall of Fame, Nicolas said of the six-day
event ending on April 29. Nicolas established the PhilMaHoF to give recognitions to
exemplary teachers and practitioners of the Filipino martial arts (FMA) in the
Philippines and around the world.
The second PhilMaHoF will give recognition to the Top 10 Martial Artists namely
Jefferson Banaag, Godofredo Fajardo, Joemar Obejas, Alex Ortega, Mitze Secopito
Palattao, Brian Plaza, Jaime Quizanna, Jaomico Salamon, Pepito Sabalberino and
Arnel Zamuco.
Among the other honors to be presented are the FMA Student of the Year Award,
Rookie Instructor of the Year Award, Rookie FMA Instructor of the Year Award, Male
Instructor of the Year Award and Female Instructor of the Year Award. All PhilMaHoF
inductees were nominated and thoroughly adjudged by the Board of Evaluation
Committee of the PhilMaHoF.

PhilMaHoF Tournament Director Maestro Ronaldo Baxafra, whose wife is also among
the awardees, Prof. Armando Soteco of the School of Arnis Professional, Dr.
Alejandro Dagdag of the Integrated College of Physical Education and Sports and
FIGHT Times Editor Perry Gil Mallari will present the awards.
Reference: Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/all-set-for-2ndphilmahof/89439/