Filipino Martial Arts didn’t come from just one place—they came from everywhere.
This post breaks down the regional roots of Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, showing how environment, culture, and necessity shaped each style.
Before the sticks fly, the knowledge lands. This annotated reading list explores the history, culture, and evolution of Filipino Martial Arts through books, documentaries, and first-hand accounts.
The fight to keep Filipino Martial Arts alive isn’t in the jungle anymore—it’s in the classroom, on the mat, and sometimes online.
This chapter explores the tug-of-war between preserving tradition and pushing evolution. From Sport Arnis to blade-first systems, it’s all part of shaping what FMA becomes tomorrow.
From stick drills in backyards to knife work on movie screens, Filipino Martial Arts didn’t just survive—they went global.
This chapter explores how FMA systems emerged, spread internationally, and evolved into some of the most respected martial arts in the world. Featuring veterans, migration, Bruce Lee, and a whole lot of baston.
When the rifles came out, the bolos didn’t back down.
This chapter dives into how Filipino Martial Arts evolved during the American occupation and WWII—through guerrilla warfare, jungle survival, and the brutal realities of war. These weren’t training drills. They were battlefield lessons written in blood.
When the blades were banned, the sticks came out. This post explores how Filipino martial arts survived Spanish colonization by adapting into dance, theater, and backyard stick drills.
Before the Spanish brought steel and sermons, the islands were already in motion—raids, rivalries, and warriors with blades. This post dives into the tribal roots of Filipino Martial Arts.
What do traffic jams, tribal warriors, and stick fighting have in common? Welcome to the world of Filipino Martial Arts—where history hits hard. This is the intro to a series exploring Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali through the centuries.
Kali is often called a blade art — so why do Filipino Martial Arts schools like ours train with rattan sticks? In this article, we explore how sticks safely simulate sword mechanics, preserve cultural traditions, and prepare practitioners for real-world weapon handling. Discover how a humble training tool carries centuries of blade knowledge.
Grandmaster Ed Parker once told a story about a student who practiced so earnestly, he forgot everything he once “knew.” That’s when his real journey began. This post explores how adopting a beginner’s mindset unlocks the deeper truths of martial arts.
