Swordsman's Journey

  HEMA and FMA   Bolo, arnis sticks, anyo, padded stick sparring, and others, are the common things or activities that most people would say it is arnis, or escrima. The arnis is known especially in public schools, in parks where you can see guys practicing martial arts using a stick; these are proofs that arnis is now more popular with the public compared to the decades of the '70s and '80s. (Top: Luna and his student playing fencing, Bottom: Old photo of GM Floro Villabrille as Escrimador) Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bre69M0HzQoeFO53qQwAfp2qvFAB7WBxz5hk5NztjHMNIGiEpx8t93yxt7vaSp1LeEwExC0PF-5iESkXRUsfjWuV3DVgRjF1Vs2DvJ_xWHnGXFVbasihDwLn2gTj6A0GgJRH2j6AjyLc/s1600/AL3.jpg But when they see someone practicing another weapon like a longsword or saber, the person who doesn't know what it is might say "King Arthur," "Gladiator," or "Zorro." Others may also say that this is "fencing" alt...

  Arnis Paete: A Sense of Historical, Cultural, and Martial Tradition   Together with fellow physical educators as a research team of the College of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (CSPEAR) of Cavite State University, we visited an activity of the arnisadores in Paete Laguna, it is related to a fiesta in the barangay (town). It's the second time I've seen it live, I enjoyed watching it. The players from different areas in the province of Laguna show their skill in their use of brokil or fighting cane by participating in a gentlemanly battle on the wooden bench, this is what they call " arnis sa bangko .” A contest is held every year to gather the arnisadores in that area to show their excellence and also as a way of their continued friendship.   Each player demonstrates the efficiency of their methods of fighting on the bench, their balance, flexibility, offensive and defensive techniques and tactics; and their dedication to continuing the tradition t...