ARNIS - True Filipino Culture and Heritage

During my university years at the University of Batangas, Arnis emerged as not just a physical education class but a profound exploration of Filipino culture and martial arts. As an amateur, I eagerly embraced the rhythmic patterns of strikes and blocks that defined the art of Arnis. The clinking of rattan sticks resonated across the open gym, a spirited symphony of learning and camaraderie. In the realm of Arnis, I discovered a captivating blend of tradition and physical prowess that filled each session with excitement.

Every student who graduated from the University of Batangas carried with them the essential knowledge of Arnis—a testament to the institution's commitment to preserving Filipino heritage. The art became a joyful part of our university experience, a cultural thread that wove through the fabric of our physical education curriculum. The satisfaction of mastering a new technique or the laughter that echoed during friendly sparring sessions created an atmosphere where learning Arnis wasn't just a class—it was an adventure, a celebration of Filipino identity, and a source of genuine happiness for every amateur like me who embraced its vibrant spirit.

Brief History of ARNIS DE MANO

From the Spanish, meaning “Harness or Seize the Hand”, referring to the system of Filipino Martial arts know as Arnis. Our school orginagtes from the Philippines. We do weapon-based fighting with sticks and knives. We learn hand to hand combat and weapon disarming techniques.

Centuries old, the Filipino warrior’s arts have long the backbone of Filipino society. It was the practice and preservation of these arts that have kept the Philippine Archipelago from permanent domination by a foreign power. There are several hundred styles of these warrior arts being preserved and taught throughout the Philippines. Although, known by many names, often descriptive of the styles and names of their founders and enemies (i.e., Binas, Arnis, Italiana style), the Filipino warrio’sr arts can be classified by three distinct territorial styles – Arnis, Eskrima and Kali – that are found in the Northern, Central and Southern Philippines, respectively. The history of any fighting art is a reflection of the society and culture from which it was formed. The Filipino arts are no different. The Filipino art of Escrima originated in India and that it was brought to the Philippines by people who travelled through Indonesia across a land bridge know as the Riouw Archipelago. Another theory claims that the earliest inhabitants migrated from ancient Egypt in reed boats. The Bothoan was a school where the Datus taught Kali along with academic subjects and agriculture. It was kind of preparatory school for tribal leaders. https://bridgewaterarnisdemano.wordpress.com/history/

SIKAD (SIKARAN)

 In the realm of martial arts, I found my sanctuary in Sikad—an exhilarating fusion of combat techniques and disciplined movements that became my personal favorite sport. As an amateur enthusiast, my journey in Sikad began with a mix of curiosity and eagerness to explore the intricate world of this Filipino martial art. The rhythmic sounds of sticks colliding and the swift movements of practitioners created an atmosphere that resonated with both intensity and joy.

Navigating the art of Sikad required a delicate balance of agility and precision. With each session, I felt my skills evolving, and the sheer thrill of executing a well-timed strike or a seamless block brought an indescribable happiness. The camaraderie among fellow Sikad enthusiasts added a layer of joy to the experience, turning each training session into a shared adventure of discovery and growth. Sikad was not just a sport for me; it was a dynamic expression of physical prowess, mental acuity, and the sheer delight of immersing myself in the rich tapestry of Filipino martial arts.

Sikaran is a Filipino Martial Art that involves hand and mostly foot fighting. As Sikaran is a general term for kicking which is also used as the name of the kicking aspects of other Filipino Martial arts, this article discusses the distinct art which is specifically practiced in the Rizal province that focuses almost exclusively in kicking.

Sikaran is a simple but intense martial art game that originated from the town of Baras, in the province of Rizal. According to the forefathers of Baras, it had been practiced long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines in the 16th century.

It is noted that like most Filipino martial arts, Sikaran has no written history as traditional Filipino knowledge is passed orally from generation to generation.

Like many Filipino martial arts styles, it has been endangered as it does not have as many practitioners as the more mainstream martial arts. Like Modern Arnis, in the mid-20th century, it had to adapt certain structural aspects of the more well known art of karate like the belting system, choreographed forms or katas and uniforms to make it more appealing other Filipinos and be more accepted internationally.

Sikaran has its own distinct kicking styles.[3] The signature Biakid kick is executed by pivoting to the back in a complete turn, much like a spinning hook kick or a reverse round house in other martial arts styles and targets the side or back of the head while the practitioner is in mid to punching range.

The degree of effectiveness subscribes to two classifications: "panghilo" (paralyzing blow) and "pamatay" or lethal kick. Obviously, the first aimed at less vital parts of the physique, while the target of the second includes the heart, neck, head, groin, and spine, all highly vulnerable parts.

Footage from the Last Man Standing UK TV series episode on Sikaran (YouTube link, uploaded by the Sikaran group featured) shows how the style practiced in the province is done differently from Korean Taekwondo and Japanese Karate.[4] There have been questions on the art of Sikaran as being native to the Philippines or being borrowed from Karate and Tae Kwon Do, but as can be seen in the Last Man Standing footage, to the farmers watching the sport and cheering on the sidelines, it is simply an ordinary sight common to their particular village, much like Sabong (cockfighting) is in the rest of the Philippines.

Sport

Sikaran utilizes only the feet as a rule for sport, and the hands are only used for blocking, leg sweeps and throwing an opponent is also a part of the martial art. The player uses his legs 90% of the time and his hands 10%, and only for blocking or parrying blows. Violation of this injunction, especially in tournaments, is grounds for disqualification.

The entry of Sikaran in tournaments, particularly those of international calibre, presaged certain modifications, if innovations, of its original rules, like the setting of a time limit and widening of the fighting area into twice the size required of the original arena, and the wearing of armor for safety reasons as it is played full contact and bare-chested with no armour or groinguard in the original province, as the Filipino martial artists from more modest areas generally had no such access to Western accessories.

Global Expansion

Sikaran began growing globally after the participation in International Martial Arts tournaments in the middle to late 1960s, as a result of which four senior practitioners, including Martial Law era activist hero Nestor Principe,were recruited to teach the art in Malaysia.

Over the last several decades Sikaran has spread across the globe where Filipino practitioners have established schools. Global locations include America, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Canada.

The most well known organisations include but are not limited to the World Sikaran Arnis Brotherhood, Global Sikaran Federation.

The World Sikaran Arnis Brotherhood was founded by Melton C. Geronimo who was a former Lt. COL of the Philippine Air Force and Mayor of Baras. He received his Grand Master ship from the Asian Karate Association (composed of Japan, Korea, China and the Philippines) in 1966. He is often credited for modernising the curriculum to include the karate inspired belting systems and forms.

Hari Osias Banaag is the founder of the Global Sikaran Federation and is a diplomat for the Traditional game. Hari Osias Bannag is known for his expansion of the style globally and efforts to differentiate it from other martial art styles. He recently attended and was warmly received at the UNESCO Collective Consultation Meeting on the Preservation and the Promotion of Traditional Sports and Game (TSG) and is an appointed member of Ad hoc Advisory Committee Traditional Sports and Games, UNESCO(TSG)Ref

Sikaran and its hybrid styles (Sikaran Kickboxing and the Australian variant Saboong Kickboxing) should not be confused with Kali-Sikaran which is a modern Filipino Martial art, that is not related to the style originating from Rizal. Kali-Sikaran is more closely related to the other weapons based variants of Filipino Martial Arts.

Whilst Sikaran participants have shown good results in Tae Kwon Do, Sikaran and kickboxing competitions in the past, in recent years some practitioners have ventured into MMA and have mixed the style with other martial arts and is an exciting evolution of the sport.

THE SEPAK TAKRAW (The Royal Games in Eastern Asia)

I discovered Sepak Takraw in the midst of my time at the University of Batangas, a sport that would not only influence my time there but also become a lifelong passion. Every practice session was a flurry of excitement and enthusiasm for me as an amateur on the varsity team at the university. The sound of the rattan ball striking deft feet reverberated throughout the dusty courts, and the team spirit was contagious.  I vividly recall the first time I sent the ball sailing over the net with a precise kick—a moment of triumph that ignited a passion for Sepak Takraw within me.The varsity games resembled colorful symphonies, with crowd encouragement and team cheers combining to create a beautiful tune. The rush of pulling off a flawless spike or a kick that defied gravity made me feel ecstatic. Sepak Takraw evolved beyond just a sport to become a celebration of dexterity, cooperation, and the joy of playing with friends who were equally passionate.Through the ups and downs of university life, the Sepak Takraw court became my sanctuary—a place where the love for the game transcended the boundaries of competition, and the bonds forged with teammates became lifelong friendships.

The Sepak Takraw

Sepak takraw is originated and a popular ballgame in South East Asia. It is one of the sports has medal at stake on South East Asian Games and Asian Games. A very interesting game and you can see a lot of gymnastics exhibitions more than what Michael Jordan do on the hoops. Takraw ball is made of rattan or very hard plastic weighed approximately 250 grams. Ruling and point system is almost similar to volleyball. You can use head, body, legs and anywhere for volleying and smashing the ball except that the player can't touch with his hand. Facility is not expensive, so you can start right now.

Photos of smashing and blocking. Cool, isn't it? Some players used their head to block the ball and I experienced hitting to the head. Also you can invent how to smash the ball like runs up to the net, jump, float in the air, flip upside down while spinning like a helicopter, kick the ball more or less 60 miles per hour. Warning! don't do this while you are still new.

Point system and ruling.

The sepak takraw court and net are of the same standards as for badminton matches. A team consisting of 3 members is called Regu. Two teams compete for higher scores by spiking a ball into the opponents court. The same rules apply as for volley ball, with the following 4 exeptions:

1. players are prohibited from using their hands;

2. a player can touch/serve the ball 3 successive times;

3. the players position of the defensive team is not rotated;

4. net-in service is accepted.

Ball woven of rattan stems or made of plastic can be used.

A match is composed of 3 sets. The team scoring 15 points win a set. The first team winning two sets wins the match. If both teams are tied, 13 to 13, the first team to score 13 points may choose to decide the set through 5-point match. If the teams are tied at 14 to 14, the first team to score 14 points may choose to decide the set through a 3-point match.

Takraw Guide

Sepak takraw is ... exciting, fantastic, unusual, energetic, acrobatic, is an action.

What is Sepak Takraw ? For you maybe these words mean nothing... but not for long :) Someone told me this sport is "...soccer, volleyball and gymnastics played in one." And in my home opinion the most exciting things about this game are the discoveries of how much you can do with your feet. Oh yes, it's worth being played. This skill ball game, originated in Asia, today has become an alternative sport, which is quite popular all over the world.

History in brief.

So the history of this sport movement is as following... I think it's not a surprise for you that every nation has her proud myriad of cultures, arts, literature and traditional sports. It is recorded in the cultures of South-East Asia nations as early as in the 11th century that the game was played extensively - Takraw in Thailand, Sipa in the Philippines, Sepakraga in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Ching Loong in Myanmar, Rago in Indonesia and Kator in Laos. It is also recorded that in one of his many trips, the merchant Marco Polo brought back to Europe a game from China which was kicking an implement into the air and counting the number of kicks, a style resembling today's sepak takraw game.Sepak takraw is a skill ball game, which requires the use of the feet and head to keep the ball in the air in a targeted direction. Traditionally, villagers stand in a circle and display keen understanding and teamwork to help one another keep the ball in the air for as long as possible. It provided villagers of all ages with fun, recreation and a sense of shared community. This was the traditional circle game, evolved from many forms of kicking game. Today, the circle game is still popular throughout South-East Asia and has taken a hold as a form of recreational "sport for all".In a new variation introduced by the International Sepak Takraw Federation in 1996, players stand in a circle and receive different level of points for each passing kick. The circle event was included as a medal event in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. Sepak takraw using the net came about in the 19th century. In 1960, representatives of various South-East Asia nations established a set of rules and regulations for the game and called it sepak takraw. In 1965, th game was included in the South-East Asian penisula Games and since then, has made great strides with its debut as a medal event in the 10th Asian Games in Baijing, China in 1990.The formation of the International Sepaktakraw Federaion by the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation in 1988 contributed greatly towards a global promotion of the game. Since then many countries outside of Asia have taken up the sport, including the United States, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

Basic Skills For You

As I said, Sepak Takraw is a skill ball game originated from Asia... And it combines the teamwork of volleyball, the dexterity of soccer and the finesse of badminton. I think you understand that it's rather difficult to play it. So here is some advice and the description of basic skills for you:

Inside Kick.

Arguably it is the most important skill. This is the kick you will use the most. Watch any top class players in action and you'll see that this is the control kick of choice. This move sets up all the killer spikes. While doing an inside kick, you should stand in a good athletic stance. Feet shoulder width apart. Remember to bend your support leg at the knee. And, it is important, always keep an eye on the ball! The kicking motion is easy and don't swing at the ball too hard. The ball is bouncy and you need to just hit it in the right spot on your foot as well as with the proper motion. Try a few times of simply tossing the ball to yourself. Focus on the ball and pop it back up to your hands. Catch the ball and then try again. Do this until the ball is consistently coming back up with ease and pop it back up to your hands. Once you have gained consistency in this drill you can begin to try to link some kicks together. Try dropping to your strong foot, popping the ball up and then kicking with your weak foot before catching the ball. Try to link three kicks together, on alternating feet. You should be able to see your progression. All rights reserved. Spiker Dek is owned by Sport Action International in the promotion of sepaktakraw in the Takraw Thailand League. All rights reserved.

Knee/Thigh kick.

The knee and thigh is used when the ball comes fast towards the area between your knees and your waist. This skill is used to "bump" or deflect the ball up enough to use an inside kick to control the ball. It is also used when kicking consecutive kicks or in a circle and the ball gets to close to your body. The motion is like a high step marching motion. Simply raise the leg with your hip allowing your knee to bend.Try to contact the ball on the thigh where possible instead of the knee as it provides better control. Make sure the ball hits the fleshy part of the thigh to "bump" the ball up and out a bit. Try a few back up to your hands. Once you feel comfortable, try to link with one inside kick, then catch the ball. Do this over and over until it comes naturally. Once you get this combination and doing it naturally without thinking, you will be aware of your improvement in skill.

Header.

The header is probably the second most important skill to have, especially in the net game. The header is used to pop up a ball that comes higher than the waist. The best way to learn the header is like the inside kick. The contact point should be just above the forehead at he hairline, not too much on the forehead and not too much on the top of the head, right in between. Toss the ball to yourself, hit it with your head and then catch it. Do this several times until you feel comfortable with this skill. When doing the header, remember to bend your knees and get low beneath the ball. Like the other kicks, you don't need to focus on power but on accuracy and placement. The next step in this skill drill is to toss the ball higher and again control it with your head before catching the ball. It hurts a bit at first, but you'll get use to it. The graduating step is to a header from a high inside kick or from a header to a controlling inside kick. Try both combinations as you will be using both of them as you begin to play more

Front kick/Toe kick.

The toe kick is a defensive kick, great for saving a ball that has gotten out in front of you. It is not, however, a good control kick. Those who play soccer may disagree, but in sepaktakraw the inside is the right way. Learn the toe kick for saves,the inside for control. The toe kick is achieved by placing the foot out for the ball and depending on the height of the, either lifting the foot with your hip or just letting the ball bounce off. You don't need much power because the ball tends to fly off uncontrollably. Do it slow and take it easy. Like the other kicks, do the same toss and catch drill. Then try with different combinations. Do the same progression.

Equipment

So you decided to take part in this alternative sport... Are you insane? ;) If you are, you should know something about the equipment, which Sepak Takraw requires.

Takraw Balls.

Takraw Balls were originally woven from rattan. In 1982 a Thai engineer revolutionized the sport by introducing woven synthetic balls. Today, almost all players around the world use synthetic takraw balls.

How to Select a Takraw Ball for Players:

Weight: Takraw balls range in weight from 140 grams to 200 grams. Normally younger and beginner players start with lighter balls and move up in weight. For advanced players the optimal weight for advanced Sepak Takraw balls is 175 grams. Some people use heavier balls for additional spring or when playing outdoors in order to minimize the effect of the wind.

The Weave: The tightness of the weave of takraw balls determine the spring, bounce and speed. A "soft" ball has less bounce. A "hard" ball will have maximum bounce.

Official Takraw Balls: The official ISTAF Sepak Takraw ball for Tournament play for men is the: Marathon MT201, and for women is the: Marathon MT201 Jr

Footwear.

In Takraw, the most important piece of equipment, with the exception of ball, is the athletes footwear. Most players prefer to kick in court shoes. They are popular mainly because of their support and flat surface at the instep, unlike the flared sole of a running shoe. Popular makes/models include:

• Nanyang
• Adidas "Stan Smith"
• Converse "All Star"

In general, any lightweight athletic footwear with a flat instep will work efficiently. Players often must develop a feel for their desired footwear by trial and error.

About the Game.

Sepak takraw is a skill ball game originated from Asia. It combines the teamwork of volleyball, the dexterity of soccer and the finesse of badminton. In Thailand it is called takraw, but the official name of this internationally recognized game is sepak takraw. Without a doubt it is one of the world’s most exciting sports, both to play and to watch, yet it is relatively unknown outside of Southeast Asia. Playing the sport requires little in the way of equipment or preparation but it does require quick reflexes, coordination, agility and, above all, technique. Thick skin is also helpful; a skillfully kicked takraw ball can travel at speeds of over 60mph!The game is played by two opposing Regus, a team of three players each, on a court separated by a net similar to badminton. It begins with the service, executed by a ball toss from one player to the Server. Then, the players try to beat their opponents using their legs and head, except their hands, inside three kicks. The highlight is the "spike" (see right picture above). This is the most dramatic and explosive move in the game for spectators to watch as players go mid-air, twisting and turning to power the ball down into the opponent's court. To play takraw, players can use either a net, a hoop, or simply stand around in a circle formation. Whatever the style, the object is to kick the ball to another player without the ball touching the ground. Players can use any of their lower limbs and body but absolutely no hands!

The Sepak Takraw Court

All Sepak Takraw courts are standard in size and mostly are equal to badminton court. Takraw may be played indoors or out, although most major tournaments outside of the USA are played indoors.

The playing surface must be flat, horizontal and uniform. The width of the lines bounding the court should be 0.04m measured and drawn inwards from the edge of the court measurements. Court boarders should be at least 10.0 feet (3.0m) away from all obstacles.

Center Line. The Center line of 1 PI inches should be drawn equally dividing the right and left court.

Quarter Circles. A corner of each center line, a quarter circle shall be drawn from the side line to the center line with a radius of 3.0 feet measured and drawn outwards from the edge of the 3.0 foot radius.

The Service Circle. The service circle of 1 foot radius shall be drawn on the left and right court, the center of which is 8 feet from the back line of the court and 10 feet from the side boundary. The Service Circle is measured and drawn outward from the edge of the center of the 1 foot radius.

Height of the Net. It should be 5 feet, 1 inch at the center.

Height of the Posts. ISTAF regulations call for the posts to be 5'4". You can use the portable volleyball posts and secure the net to the desired 5"1" height.

Free Area. An area of 6 feet outside the court boundaries should be free of obstacles.