The FILIPINO Arts are many and varied and encompass a vast range of systems, cultures, styles and countries. Again there are inherent difficulties in trying to define them and
detail what they involve. For example one must be careful to establish the source of origin and the accurate translation. Kali in the phillipines can mean silat as referred to in Indonesia and even then there are thousands of systems of these arts across SE Asia. Kali in Southern pihillipines is translated as ‘Hand and body motion’ and is the definition we use for a system incorporating -12 areas of Martial Art including -
- Single stick (taught first to familiarise with angles of attack & defence and weapon use)
- Stick and knife (espada ya daga)
- Knife (defence being a primary consideration in today’s society).
- Double Stick
- Double knife
- Double handed weapons (staff)
- Flexible weapons (sarong)
- Projectile weapons
- Thrown weapons
- Empty Hand (Panantukan philipino boxing)
- Spiritual Arts
- Healing Arts
These 12 Areas are taken from Definitions provided by Guru Inosanto and from the La Coste system of Kali which was passed down to Dan as one of only a very few select students.
The symbol representing Filipino Martial Arts & Kali used by the Inosanto Academy shows a stick, knife and empty hand & the symbols for K E S – the stick, knife and empty hand representing core areas within the Art and the ancient symbols stand for K E S or Kali/Eskrima/Silat – again terms which can be used to mean the same thing or distinctive arts in their own right.
Other systems of Kali Arnis or Eskrima (terms which may refer to widely divergent or inherently similar Arts) may include some or all of these elements and certainly different emphasis is placed on each and the manner it which it is trained. For example Doce Pares (12 pairs) Eskrima is noted for its Single stick, knife and stick, double stick and knife (daga) as well as empty hand techniques. However the main emphasis in this art is upon single stick.
Therefore it is vital when training to understand and respect the origin of ones Art & the culture and thinking behind it. For example some systems are inherently weapon based because of the fact that the society in which they developed was one where knives/swords were common place eg., phillipines, Indonesia etc.
By learning the arts or at least having a glimpse at them and their fundamental principles and ideas we can better appreciate not only various fighting systems but also wider cultural values and ideas.
By understanding Cultural ideas we then can appreciate the philosophy & historical underpinnings of each Art, & without these cornerstones it would be like trying to understand the Art in a vacuum and without the external references and essential factors that have helped shape and create the Arts. For example (and as often quoted) the deadly Art of Silat is full of moves that are unrecognisable to westerners. Many do not appreciate the Lankas and Durus (dances), nor the reasons for the various low stances and certain hand and foot motions. However, if we examine the culture of Indonesia, Malaysia & the Phillipines, historically these were heavily influenced by various bladed weapon systems. Thus, many motions represent attacks & defence designed for the use of a knife or sword. Moves representing the control of an opponents blade hand or the drawing of ones own weapon are frequently observed.
Similarly, at least historically, finger & foot knives were common and which explains or helps us to at least understand why certain defences are used and which would bring these deadly concealed weapons into play. Secondly, the motions are determined by the terrain and clothing worn, thus stances are low to deal with uneven or hazardous terrain, & often moves can be reciprocated to involve the use of the Sarong as a weapon.
It is therefore established that without an understanding of the various cultural, philosophical & historical references then it is difficult to appreciate the real meaning and factors relevant to each particular art.
Kali