NEWS/EVENTS

The Training

Garimot Arnis Training is a Filipino Martial Arts practiced traditionally on the Baet family for more than 170 years old.  From small town called Paete, Laguna Philippines the arts of the Garimot Arnis was born.  The Baet family is widely known Moro-Moro players called Doce Pares in Laguna way back in early 1800's.

For more than five generation, tradition has been passed from one generation to the next. Doce Pares de Francia or the show Comedia or Zarzuela serves as vehicle to shroud the arts of Arnis de Mano the Filipino martial arts of hand to hand fighting utilizing blades and sticks fighting arts and more.

The history dictates the Filipino combat arts was banned on 1610 by the Spanish authority to stop the chances of Filipino practicing their arts of war that could be used against Spanish authority, to stop the native to practicing the arts, they forbids the practiced of the fighting arts. But on 1637 Doce Pares was introduced in Luzon via galleon Acapulco-Manila. It was the Spanish Fray from Mexico introduced the Doce Pares de Francia then later Filipino changed the name into famous Moro-Moro stage shows. Today the original Doce Pares de Francia  or Moro-Moro is alive and taught by Gat Puno Abon "Garimot" Baet,  5th generation Maestro from Laguna, Philippines.

BACKGROUND

The mother art of the Filipino martial arts is the original style of the bladed weapon developed by the indigenous Indo-Malay inhabitants of the Philippines during the 13th century. During the Spanish occupation of the Philippines over 400 years ago, the art was banned and the Spanish promoted its practiced as a deadly recreation. In response, the Filipino adapted "Doce Pares" a Moro-Moro play a socio-religious designed to surreptitiously incorporate the fighting techniques of the original Filipino combat arts into its creative combat dances and movements.

 

PRESENTATION

Viewing these play as mere entertainment, the Spanish overlords remained oblivious to the true meaning of the actor's movements. Sparked by his development of Moro-Moro plays and continued underground practice, this period marked the birth of "Arnis de Mano": the art of hand to hand combat which incorporates weaponry (an assortment of bladed weapons and wooden stick called baston and brokil) into its self defense and combative techniques. However, the strong Spanish influence would come to bear on naming conventions in these latest refinements. Today, arnis de mano is openly demonstrated and organized as a national sport of the Philippines. One of the many support organizations is the Paete Arnis Club founded 1920 by a group of Arnis masters from Laguna province on the island of Luzon. Since inception, it has supported a bi-annual tournament and the "Moro-Moro" traditions of ancient times. July 24-25 is the set date for the Paete town fiesta while November 4 marks the San Antonio Abad. The two events comprise the "Palaro" (Arnis Games) sponsored by the Arnis consortium including Centurion Original, Paete Arnis Federation, and a number of other organizations in Laguna, Quezon and Rizal provinces.

TRANSLATIONS

"ARNIS DE MANO" - is misleading Spanish term, which is means "harness of the hand". The term was originally derived from the Spanish word "Arnes", which referred to the decorative trappings or "harnesses" worn on the hands of the Moro-Moro actors; "de mano" refers to the hands. The word "Arnes" was soon corrupted into presents "Arnis" Arnis de Mano uses Spanish words almost entirely to describe its techniques. With its very title a Spanish expression, this fueled the popular misconception, even among Filipinos, that Arnis was brought to the Philippines by the Spanish invaders.

"ESKRIMA" - is also the Spanish word for "Fencing" of use of the sword. Further, the Spanish word "Estocada" is derived from the defensive theory of "bull fights" used by the "Matador" (bull fighter). According to the Eskrimadores and Estokadores from the Tagalog provinces, Moro-Moro actors were required to learn Spanish Esgrima (basic fencing skill), and Estocada (basic defensive skills) for their presentations, combined, they form a secondary representation of Arnis de Mano curriculum.

Shortly after the Spanish occupation, Arnis de Mano became widespread in the Philippines that in 1896, Jose de Azas started the first school dedicated to the study of Arnis and Eskrima. This marked the first public arena for the practice of the Filipino schools called "paaralan" (equivalent to the Japanese "dojo"). The students were taught social ethics and code of the true Filipino warrior.

VALUES

Arnis de Mano is vigorous sport, which required and develops stamina, speed, accuracy and superb coordination. Arnis is also a mental game. It is important that the Arnis practitioner visualize the various movements in his mind until he can physically perform them without thought as to how the body should move. The serious student soon finds the real excitement comes from outthinking (ego "out striking") the opponent. Quick analysis of the opponent's style and formulated of the plan of defense attack are imperative. One must set a trap for the opponent while being careful to avoid the trap being set for oneself. In addition to analytical thinking, Arnis requires decisive thinking and the courage to assume the offensive at any instant. Window of opportunity are brief at best: lack of courage to act gives the advantage back the opponent. By being prepared to move at anytime, carefully dominating one's opponents, and successfully, executing one's plan, only them will self-confidence increase.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Good sportsmanship is an integral part of the Arnis tradition. Arnis was for many years considered a sport of gentlemen and participants were expected to conduct themselves accordingly. Much of this flavor still exist today: practice sparring etiquette requires that the Arnis practitioners must acknowledge all touches against himself and the touches in doubt should be refused by the practitioner attempting to score. 

COMPETITION AND RULES

Arnis de Mano has three tournament formats: The "Solo Baston" (Single Stick), the "Espada y Daga" (Sword and Dagger), and the "Doble Baston" (Double Stick). There are also three traditional ruling formats used in competition: the "Tres Palo" (Three Points Tournaments: continuous fighting (until three killing blows have been landed by one player): the "Largo Mano" Long range fighting: three rounds of three minutes each; points are tallied at the end); and the "Matira Matibay" (Freestyle continues fighting three rounds of three minutes each, win by "knockout"; points are tallied at the end if KO has not occurred).