The Philippine Martial Arts System: Kali, Eskrima and Arnis
Filipino martial arts are a set of combat systems developed in the Philippines, which include disciplines such as Filipino Kali or Kalis, Eskrima and Arnis. These disciplines stand out for their main focus on weapons, fluidity of movements and adaptability in combat.
Over the centuries, these techniques have evolved, influencing other self-defense systems such as Wing Chun, as well as other more specialized military training programs around the world.
The Philippine martial system has its roots in the combat traditions of the indigenous tribes of the Philippines. Before the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, these techniques were used for war and self-defense. With the introduction of firearms, fighting methods evolved, but the practice of Filipino Kali and Eskrima persisted in hand-to-hand combat training, mainly due to the influence of Spanish fencing.
This painting is a tribute to the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, a figure responsible for the colonization of the Philippines. You can learn more about it at this link: https://sge.org/exploraciones-y-expediciones/galeria-de-exploradores/la-vuelta-al-mundo/las-filipinas-legazpi-1564-65/
During the Spanish occupation, Filipino martial arts were banned, leading practitioners to disguise their training in dances and cultural displays. Over time, these disciplines reemerged and expanded worldwide, being recognized for their effectiveness in real combat.
You can learn more about its history in our article dedicated to the warrior tradition of Eskrima and Filipino Kali.
Characteristics of the Philippine martial system
The Philippine martial arts system is based on weapons training, adaptability in combat, applications and disarms, and constant attack and defense.
Weapons training
Unlike many martial arts, in Filipino Kali and Eskrima, practitioners first learn weapons handling before unarmed combat. Workouts include:
- Staff (yantok): Rattan stick used in combat.
- Knife (dagger): Defense and attack techniques with a knife.
- Espada y daga (sword and dagger): Dual system for complex confrontations.
- Empty hand (panantukan): Filipino boxing applications.
Flow concept
One of the most notable aspects of the Philippine martial system is the fluidity in movements. Eskrimadores develop a constant rhythm that allows them to switch between offensive and defensive techniques without interruptions.
This video of a Kali Filipino sparring partner is a clear example of the nature of this principle:
Personal defense and military application
The Philippine Kali has been adopted in training by security forces and military forces in several countries such as Israel, Spain, Russia due to its effectiveness in real combat.
Its emphasis on rapid attacks and disarmament strategies makes it a highly practical system for personal defense that usually complements the weapons program with empty-hand work.
In the military, elite units and special forces such as the Philippine Marines have incorporated Philippine Kali into their training programs due to its focus on hand-to-hand combat, threat neutralization, and survival in high-risk situations. In particular, disarmament and opponent control techniques have proven to be extremely effective in urban and tactical combat scenarios.
Benefits of practicing Filipino martial arts
Training in Filipino martial arts offers multiple benefits, including:
- Improved coordination and reflexes.
- Development of effective self-defense skills.
- Physical and mental strengthening.
- Increased confidence and discipline.
- Adaptability in combat with or without weapons.
Finally, despite sharing a common base, the terms Kali, Eskrima and Arnis are used in different regions of the Philippines:
Kali: Considered the oldest term, used mainly in the southern Philippines.
Eskrima: Popular in the northern and central regions of the country, with a strong Spanish influence.
Arnis: Name adopted during Spanish colonization and used in official education programs.
Sources of information and bibliography of interest
BNE data “National Library of Spain” (2025) “Indigenous peoples of the Philippines”, at https://datos.bne.es/tema/XX695525.html, consulted on 02/05/2025.
Spanish Geographic Society (2025) “Las Filipinas Legazpi”, in https://sge.org/exploraciones-y-expediciones/galeria-de-exploradores/la-vuelta-al-mundo/las-filipinas-legazpi-1564-65/, consulted on 02/09/2025.
Martial Arts of the world (2025) “Kali Filipino: The Weapons Technique that is Changing the Game in Military Training”, at https://artesmarciales.puntanetwork.com/aplicaciones-practicas/kali-filipino-tecnica-armas-cambiando-juego-entrenamiento-militar/, accessed on 02/10/2025.
Discover more about Filipino Kali with our recommended readings: https://wingchunhospitalet.es/5-lecturas-recomendadas-de-eskrima-y-kali-filipino/
