Swordsman's Journey

  Espada y Daga vs Katana vs Broadsword     Will you prove that your blade art is better with the Espada y Daga against the Katana and Broadsword or Saber? This may be what some players had in mind who participated in the concluded BAM 3 Weapon Fighting Tournament on July 26, 2025, organized by Blade Arts Manila (BAM) under the leadership of Coach Vier Tajonera, Lee, and Nicole Smith.         Poster of the Tournament (Source: Blade Arts Manila ) The tournament is unique because participants fought with a choice of synthetic swords: espada y daga, katana, or broadsword. It was participated in by 32 modern swordsmen from 11 organizations, including Avalon HEMA Guild, Blood and Iron Martial Arts, De Campo 1-2-3 International, Forge Pioneer Historical Fencing, Invicta LARP Manila, KAMAO Ateneo, Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Original (KIRO), Pinaglabanan Kidlat Arnis, Filipinas Sala de Armas/Cavite Esgrimistas, Tellu Bituun Bagani (TBB), and Toshinkai Ia...

  Praktikal na Pagsasanay ng Application ng Karate Kata Ni Joel D. Anajao   Kung papanoorin mo ang isang karateka na nagdedemonstrate kung paano talunin ang attacker sa pamamagitan ng mga kahanga-hangang galaw ay maeengagnyo ka na magpractice nito. Ngunit sa kung tayo naman ay makakapanood ng mga combative professional fights ay parang masasabi natin na parang magkaibang mundo ang napanood natin, isang karate demonstration na kahanga-hanga at isang full contact na madugo. Mapapatanong tayo kung, “teka, paano nga ba, magagamit ang mga formal katas sa isang totoong sitawasyon na kung saan ang attacker ay may intensyong saktan tayo at ito ay hindi natin alam kung paano siya aatake?” Ang kata ay sinasabing puso ng karate training, ang pagtatanggol sa sarili, maliban sa pagdevelop ng mga desirable social traits gaya ng disiplina, paggalang, mabuting pakikisalamuha sa lipunan. Ang kata ay sequences ng mga offensive at defensive maneuvers ng basic techniques sa isang formal n...

  Exercise and Sports Science in the Philippines: Ideals and Context Realism               A student was asked by his friend what his course was. He said, “Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences. " The friend replied, “What is that? Just play sports? What will your job be, player?” This is just a reflection about the country's Exercise and Sports Science course. This essay is an introductory presentation of the perspective from the experiences and observations of the author and his friends in this field. At present, there are only a few studies on this issue in the country, and they focus on tracer studies on where the graduates of this course are, whether they are in the right field of employment, they are already making a significant contribution to the development of sports and exercise in the country. In the essay, the aim is to present the reasons, current situation, challenges, and opportunities that need to be addressed...

  Innovation in Arnis Sparring Sticks     One of the characteristics of sports arnis is the use of padded sticks, this is a fighting tool that is used in free sparring, usually made of a thin rattan stick inserted into a synthetic material to serve as a cushion, and covered with synthetic fabric. This is the innovation in arnis that started a type of arnis training, Sports Arnis.   A free sparring in arnis using padded sticks Why and how did the existence of padded sticks begin? The main reason is to make arnis a martial art of Filipinos that uses a stick, a sword, and empty hands as a sport. Arnis began to be officially introduced to the public in the 1970s when the government needed Filipino cultures to be used in developing a concept of Filipino nationalism, any indigenous type and form of culture from different parts of the country was needed to symbolize the national characteristics of the Philippines. Arnis is a martial art that will stimulate Filipin...