Introduction to Filipino Martial Arts

A Brief History of Filipino Martial Arts

If there’s one area of martial art that’s cloaked in mystery and controversy, it’s the Filipino martial arts.

From the outset, there’s conflicting theories over what they should be called. Some people are of the opinion that A
is (or A
is de Mano) is the correct name. Others insist that Eskrima is correct. Still others insist on using the term Kali. You’ll also hear that they are all different names for the same thing and even that is disputed.

When you learn that there are 90 million people, over 7,000 islands in the Philippine archipelago and 180 languages and dialects, you sort of understand why there might be some difference of opinion.

I’m going to explain it the way it was explained to me by my teacher Dan Inosanto. By the way, you should know that Dan Inosanto is considered the number one proponent of the Filipino martial arts in the world. He personally studied under (at least) 30 different Filipino martial art teachers, several of whom were members of the legendary Filipino Scouts.

According to Guro Inosanto’s teachers, the term A
is was historically used in Luzon, the northern section of the Philippines, where the capital city Manila is located. Eskrima was the term most used in the Visayas, the central region whereas Kali is a conjoined word used in Mindanao, the southern region.

According to the story the KA in Kali comes from the words KAmay and KAtawan which respectively mean hand and body. The LI comes from the LIhok which means motion.
So Kali becomes then “the art of understanding hand and body motion, with or without a weapon”.

How You'll Learn Filipino Martial Arts

In a well run martial arts school, you will always have an opportunity to spend time getting to know the people who run the place. You’ll be invited to take an introductory session(s) which will allow you to “test drive” the classes before you commit to anything.
Once you’re enrolled though, get ready for the most mentally expanding experience of your martial art life!

Filipino Kali training can be broken down into
A. Weapons training which includes:
1) Single stick
2) Double stick
3) Stick and dagger
4) Single dagger
5) Double dagger
6) Staff or Spear
7) Palm stick
8) Flexible weapons
9) Throwing weapons
10) Projectile weapons
B. Empty hands training which includes:
1) Kicking/kneeing
2) Punching/elbowing
3) Trapping/Clinching
4) Grappling/Throwing/Take downs

What To Expect During Your First Day At The Academy

At any professionally run martial art school, you will have had the opportunity to take part in some kind of introductory program before being accepted as a regular member.
Depending on which program you’ve enrolled in (after your introductory program, of course), you can expect to be publicly welcomed and congratulated for making your best decision to join the Academy.
Your instructor will introduce you to all the other class members and then you can expect to enjoy a somewhat mystifying experience, if this is your first exposure to Filipino Kali.

Required Equipment

At least in the beginning all a new Kali student needs is a pair of rattan sticks and perhaps a training dagger.

Expected Training Costs

As stated above, all your membership and training costs will have been detailed in your first few visits to any well-run martial art school.