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CHAPTER I: ARNIS

LESSON 2
Terminologies Used in Arnis
INTRODUCTION
Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima/Escrima, is the national martial art of
the Philippines. The three are roughly interchangeable umbrella terms for the
traditional martial arts of the Philippines ("Filipino Martial Arts", or FMA), which
emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons, and
various improvised weapons, as well as "open hand" techniques without weapons.
There have been campaigns for arnis to be nominated in the UNESCO Intangible
Cultural Heritage Lists, along with other Philippine martial arts. As of
2018, UNESCO has inscribed nine martial-arts–related intangible heritages.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Identify the different terminologies used in ARNIS

Let’s Do It!

Direction: Give the acronym o ARNIS. You can answer a word, phrase or sentences.
Your answers must be related to the arnis. Write your answers on the space provided.

A-
R-
N-
I-
S-

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Let’s Connect the Dots

Direction: Answer the following questions brief and concise. 5 points each. Put your
answers on the space provided.

1. Are you familiar with those words? Why do you say so?

Answer:_____________________________________________________________
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2. Why do think you need to know first the different terminologies used in arnis before
performing a stance?

Answer:_____________________________________________________________
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3. As you observe in today’s generation, most of the youths are not familiar with
Philippine martial art. Now, how can you encourage yourself and your fellow youth to
engage in our very own martial art called arnis?

Answer:_____________________________________________________________
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Let’s Talk About It

The following tables contain some of the words and phrases that are traditionally used in
Filipino Martial Arts training. They are based on Tagalog, the primary Indonesian
language of the Philippines. You'll notice the Spanish influence in some of these terms,
not surprising since the Philippines was once a Spanish possession.

Filipino English
Abanico lit. “fan,” lateral (side to side) motions performed with a straightened
arm as a blocking maneuver,
Anyo or form A combination of pre-arrange or choreographed, striking, blocking,
coordinating the arm and leg movements, timing, and sayaw body
shifting movements, which is equivalent to the form or dance of other
martial arts

Arko Series of circular strikes, also referred as sirkulo

Arnis Lit. “harnass,” terms used in the Northern Phillipines for FMA,
synonymous with the middle- Phiilipines term, “escrima,” or the
southern term, “kali”
Banda y Banda Back & Forth. side to side slashes or strikes.
Baston Stick or baton used in FMA
Bolo A type of machete (usually with a leaf shaped blade) used throughout
the Phillipines.
Cardena Lit. “chaining,” linking one technique with another in rapid succession.
Corto Kurbada Close range sparring applying kurbada strikes & counter attacks
Crossada “Crossing”; maneuver used to block an incoming attack by forming an
X- pattern with ones baton, arms, or bladed weapon.
Daga Knife or dagger Doble – “double;” two strikes delivered in rapid
Succession
Doce Pares Twelve Pairs
Dos-ekis 2 reverse butterflies
Dulo- Dulo Palm stick (dulo), spoken twice to indicate style of fighting with said
Weapon
Dumog “Grappling,” either in a clinch or on the ground. Escrima – (alt. eskrima)
– synonymous with arnis (above).
Ekis X- strikes
Eskrido The term Eskrido has been derived from three martial arts: Eskrima,
JiuJitsu and Judo. The most common self-defense techniques can be
used in Eskrido such as: stances, hand & arm holds, leg locks, foot
sweep, leg reaping, arm, shoulder & hip throws, disarms, hand strikes,
arm strikes, elbow strikes, finger thrust, palm heel strikes, wrist twist,
pushing & pulling methods (for balance breaking), finger grips, olisi

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hooks, olisi thrust, butt strikes, punches and takedowns. (reference:

Eskrido book, 2004)
Espada y Daga Sword (espada) and dagger (daga) used together. Sometimes also
connotes the use of baton and knife in tandem.
Flywheel Series of backhand arkos
Garrote Another name for olisi
Kali An ancient Malayan word, which refers to a long-bladed weapon. It is
derived from the word tjakalele which is an Indonesian traditional form
of fencing.
Kuntaw (alt. (Chinese) “fist way,” a system of Kung- Fu adopted by Filipinos and
Kuntao) shared in common with Indonesia
Kurbada Curving strikes such as pronating or supinating strikes
Labai Cross arm throw
Langka “Footwork”
Larga Muton/ To a free form of arnis sparring which is supposed to show and test the
labanang skills of the artist practitioners
totohanan
Largo Long distance
Mano y Mano “Hand to hand” combat
Medio Medium range
Olisi Baston, Cebuano term for stick
Olisi y baraw Is another term for espada y daga or punta y daga
Pangagaw Referring to disarming techniques
Pangamot Is a complete bare-handed defense system. The Cebuano term which
was derived from the word “kamot”, meaning hand. “Pangamot” calls
for the full coordinated & rhythmic movements of the defender’s hands,
arms, body, shoulders, leg and feet mainly to bring about the
opponent’s
defeat through disarms as well as throws. (reference: Pangamot, the
Bare-Handed Defense System)
Pangandam On guard or ready. Handa in Tagalog.
Panukad Stance. Tayo in Tagalog.
Plancha Back & forward horizontal strikes to midsection
Puk-pok or Applying butt strikes
punyo
Punyo “Pommel” of a sword, knife, or baton.
Redonda Continuous drill employing two batons continuously.
Redondo A circular power- strike.
Rompida An upward and downward slash or strike delivered in an x pattern.
Salamat. A greeting derived from the Muslim “salaam” (or peace) and connoting
Gratitude
Sangga at A pre-arranged or choreographed form of play consisting of striking,
Patama thrusting and parrying
Saludo Salutation

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Serrada Close quarters combat executed at corto (close) range. Also a style of
escrima, popularized in the U.S. by Angel Cabales.
Sikaran Generally “sticking with the legs.
Sinawali An intricate technique of striking using two sticks wherein the
movement resembles the women pattern of the sawali or split –
bamboo matings
Sinulog Form or dance, traditionally dedicated to the Infant Jesus.
Sirkulo Series of curving strikes such as witik, abanico, media, arko, bartikal
redouble etc.
Sungkiti Hooking thrust.
Sinawali Lit. “to weave,” connoting the continuous weaving motion that one uses
with two batons, knives, or hands to couple simultaneous strikes and
blocks. Also, like redonda or hubud- lubud, a drill pattern.
Sumbrada An upward, oblique “umbrella” block.
Tapi Parry; deflect
Tapi-tapi-on Series of parries and blocks.
Tigbas powerful horizontal strike to body or head, apply forehand or backhand
Tunga-tunga Medium range. Medio in other systems
Tuyok Spinning movement.
Witik Short curving snap strike from the wrist that creates a whip-like motion
Up and Down Or vertical movement which is similar to the rompida except that the
stick is not encircled overhead prior to each up and down movement in
front of the body
Yukbo Salutation. Saludo in other systems

Let’s See What‘s On Your Mind

Direction: Analyze the concept stated. Write on the blank the term being referred to.
_______________1. A striking technique which consist of circling the stick overhead
prior to each up and down striking movement in front of the body.
_______________2. Derived from the Spanish word “Arnes”, with the English equivqlent
by medieval soldiers.
_______________3. It is a form of fighting wherein long and short sticks are used.
_______________4. It is a combination of pre-arranged or choreographed striking, of
harness, and refers to the colourful appendages and trappings
worn blocking and body shifting movements.
_______________5. A greeting derived from the Muslim “salaam” (or peace) and
connoting Gratitude
_______________6. Form or dance, traditionally dedicated to the Infant Jesus.

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_______________7. An intricate technique of striking using two sticks wherein the

movement resembles the women pattern of the sawali or split –
bamboo matings.
_______________8. A pre-arranged or choreographed form of play consisting of
striking, thrusting and parrying.
_______________9. Is another term for espada y daga or punta y daga
_______________10.Is a complete bare-handed defense system. The Cebuano term
which was derived from the word “kamot”, meaning hand.

Let’s Dig Up More

SELF REFLECTION

Direction: Answer the following questions meaningfully.

1. What do you think is the application of Arnis to your life?

Answer:__________________________________________________________
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2. What do you think is the contribution of Arnis to your physical aspect?

Answer:__________________________________________________________
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3. What do you think is the contribution of Arnis to boost yourself confidence?

Answer:__________________________________________________________
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