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The Filipino Martial Arts, Part 1

This is a 3 Part post of an article that was written for a Hampton Roads Newspaper by Bruce Corrigan, chief instructor at Progressive Martial Arts Academy, in the early 90's.

Within this system of Kenpo, the Filipino Arts are not taught as a separate aspect but as an integral portion of the complete process. The founders of Kajukenbo were deeply inundated in all aspects of the Martial Arts in Hawaii. This included, Chinese, Okinawan, Filipino, Indonesian, Western Boxing, and anything else available. However, many of the original practitioners were of Filipino extraction and therefore included many of the philosophies and methods of the Filipino Arts. Do not look at this as a separate and distinct “system” because it is not. Schools which exclusively teach Kali, Escrima, or other Filipino systems will present a much more detailed process and system of requirements. Just as you should never expect a school of the Filipino Martial Arts to teach the “full” system of Kenpo or Kajukenbo. What is taught in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu is material which has been extracted to augment and enhance our Martial Art. The detail at which it is taught is entirely up to the discretion of the instructor.

Although over simplified, the Philippines is generally divided into three main regions -  Northern, Central, and Southern.   ARNIS is the name used in the northern regions, ESCRIMA in the central, and KALI in the South.  ARNIS (for Arnis De Mano), and ESCRIMA are names given to the arts after Spanish occupation.  For many years these arts were outlawed during the Spanish occupation of the northern and central areas.   To preserve their culture, the Filipinos took the systems "underground" into folk dances that were performed under the very noses of the occupying forces.   The Southern portion of the Philippines was never subjugated under the Spanish (or us either, for that matter) and hence no name change occurred.

ARNIS, due to various influences and exposure to other arts, is considered more direct in some respects.  ESCRIMA contains some directness of ARNIS and elements of Southern KALI and Silat from Indonesia.   KALI, rooted in early tradition, is considered the "Mother art" of ARNIS, and ESCRIMA.  KALI contains a spectrum of material from weapons to empty hand and from long range to grappling (including different types of biting and pinching).  While considered by many to be primarily an outside (preferring to zone to the outside vs. taking the more direct, inside line) art, KALI also contains a wealth of "inside" material.

What probably distinguishes Filipino Martial Arts the most, is the placement of the practitioner in "safety zones" where they can employ their technique but where the opponent's options are severely limited.  The understanding of rhythm, cadence, and timing, is usually stressed, and many traditional schools use music to enhance this.