Article Archive
The Manure Factor The Mataw Guro Association (MGA) is new and still forming. The purpose (or Mission) of the MGA is one which serves the best interests of those who truly appreciate and respect the benefits of learning the skills and traditions of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). The efforts of the MGA also serve to enhance the image of Filipino culture and people in general. The Mission is solid and completely positive.
Arnis’ workshops begin February THE School of Arnis Professionals under the leadership of Prof. Armando Soteco is now accepting applications for its 2011 workshops slated February 12, 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13, 20. 
Philippine Spears: Design and Uses “Sibat,” is the general Filipino term for spear. “Sibat” is a noun while “sibatin,” which means “to spear” is a verb. The weapon is also known by other names considering the number of dialects spoken in the country. Just like in other cultures of the world, the spear is one of the Filipinos’ oldest weapons used in warfare and hunting. Its use by native warriors was recorded by Spaniard and American chroniclers alike. 
Filipino martial art Jendo debuts in Europe in February MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 25 (PNA) - Jendo, a Filipino martial art founded by Jonathan "June" Abaya in 1973 is making a big splash in Europe as preparations are underway for its maiden appearance in the 3rd International Martial Arts Games (IMAG) from February 23 to 27 in Tallinn, Estonia, the European capital of Culture.
Time Warp Kali Dog Brothers Real Contact Stick Fighting Video featuring Dog Brothers showing the damage rattan sticks can do in slow motion.
The Way of the Blade In my opinion, the use of the blade is the highest expression of the Filipino martial arts (FMA). The one thing that separates blade fighting from stick fighting or empty hand fighting is that it requires a killing commitment. I would say it is not for everyone as its study demands higher responsibility. Stripped of philosophy and spirituality, knife fighting is a killing art.   
The Concept of Courage within FMA Context Courage, just like in other warrior cultures of the world is the cornerstone of Filipino martial tradition. The Filipino term for courage is “tapang.” In the traditional practice of escrima-arnis-kali collectively known as Filipino martial arts (FMA), only the bravest of the braves thrives and remains in practice. The reason for this is because challenges were part and parcel of FMA practice in the Philippines of yore.   
FMA DIGEST: 2004 - 2010 The FMAdigest was a online magazine/digest which could be subscribed too for Free. It was designed to provide access to articles, information, events, news, seminars, techniques, etc... pertinent to the Filipino martial arts and the Philippine culture.
FEATURED TEACHER: Mataw Guros Walter and Wesley Crisostomo of Ultimate Eskrima This month's featured teachers are Mataw Guros Walter and Wesley Crisostomo of Ultimate Eskrima. The brothers have been martial art practitioners since they were kids and learned the basics of DeCuerdas from the late Grandmaster Iti Boring, Grandmaster Uwet Jecong and Grandmaster Titing Heyrosa. Watch our video interview to learn more about these brothers and their FMA system.
FMA Training Complements Other Martial Arts A martial artist of another style or system is up to reap profound benefits by studying arnis-escrima-kali collectively known as Filipino martial arts (FMA). Through the years I have met people who took up the study of FMA in addition to their original martial arts and profited from it. The FMA, without being invasive, can be studied to complement other martial arts styles. If a martial artist is already proficient in a particular system, I believe the study of the FMA would augment his knowledge of his original martial art and even improve his understanding of it.   
‘Arnis’ demonstration for Physical Education instructors In line with the objectives of Republic Act (RA) 9850 better known as the Arnis Law, the recently formed Filipino Martial Arts (FMA): Samahan ng mga Mataw-Guro ng Arnis de Mano International (FMA: Association of Mataw-Guro-Arnis de Mano International) is aggressively working to prepare future arnis instructors among educators. 
Kalasag: The Filipino War Shield The shield is an important implement of warfare of pre-colonial Filipino warriors. The general term for shield in the Philippines is “kalasag” but given the ethnic diversity of the country, it is also known by other names. The shield was used as a graphic element in various Philippine insignias; the First Filipino Infantry regiment of World War II coat of arms and the Philippine National Police logo among them. 
The Existence of Pre-colonial Filipino Martial Arts While there is scant mention of the specific names of the martial arts that pre-colonial Filipinos practiced, I believe that various prototypes of Filipino martial arts (FMA) were already in existence long before the arrival of Spain. To me, three things serve as indicators of the existence of indigenous FMA; organized method of warfare, metallurgical technology and sophisticated blade culture, all three were chronicled by the Spaniards when they arrived in the Philippines. 
Master Christopher Ricketts (1955 - 2010) Christopher Ricketts (also "Topher" Ricketts; (1955–2010) was a well-known Filipino martial arts innovator, teacher and author. He was also one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International.
Grandmaster Ernesto Presas (1945 - 2010) Ernesto Presas (May 20, 1945 – November 1, 2010) was the founder of Filipino martial arts system Kombatan. Kombatan, which includes training with the stick and with bladed weapons in addition to empty-hand work, was developed from the Modern Arnis system. Ernesto Presas assisted his older brother Remy Presas in developing Modern Arnis in the Philippines. He also has a younger brother who is involved in the martial arts, Roberto Presas.
FEATURED TEACHER: Mataw-Guro Andy Sanano of Trecehampas Arnis This month's featured is Mataw Guro Andy Sanano. He has been training in the Martial Arts since 1961and has more than 49 years experience in hand-to-hand combat and over 39 years in the instruction of self-defense and the Martial Arts. He is the Dakilang Guro (10th degree) of the Trecehampas Family tradition of Arnis De Mano and Awayan (Ah-wah-yahn) (the Arts of Fighting). Watch our video interview to learn more!
Improvised Weaponry I used to practice escrima on a rooftop of an old Baptist church in Manila during the early 1990s and in the process befriended a fatherly figure by the name of Manong Rudy.  Manong Rudy who was in charge of the security of that building is a burly Visayan ex-amateur boxer. One day, he gave me a hardwood fighting stick as gift and narrated an anecdote about his hometown, “Escrima is really good,” he says, “An escrimador in my hometown once fought and defeated a bolo-wielding assailant just by using the wooden peg where he tied his carabao to.” That was the first true-to-life story I’ve heard of how an escrimador fought and won a fight using an improvised weapon.
Filipino Martial Arts: From Kali and Escrima to Boxing From escrima to boxing, martial arts is an integral part of Filipino and Filipino American culture. Many Filipino immigrants like Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde became famous for their boxing skills and became a source of pride for many Filipino Americans. Legendary escrima master, Leo Giron, founded one of the nation’s first schools of escrima and is known as the father of the Larga Mano style of Filipino martial arts. His protégé, Dan Inosanto, continues to inspire and teach many disciplines of martial arts. 
Characteristics of Filipino Boxing The sport of boxing was brought to the Philippines by the Americans. It was initially practiced within American military camps in the country with the aim of promoting health and fighting resolve among servicemen. Being natural fighters, the Filipinos quickly took boxing like ducks to water.
Arnis as an Exercise Arnis as a fighting art has proven its potency through centuries of warfare but how will it pass as an effective exercise program? With Republic Act 9850 better known as the Arnis Law in place, proving the health benefits of arnis is important if it must gain mass appeal in the Philippines and around the world.  The wellness component of a martial art is a great factor affecting its popularity. This has been proven true in the cases of Chinese and Japanese martial arts.