THERE are still issues as to how Arnis is claimed of being a Filipino martial arts.
Those who are trying to contest it claims that stick fighting art is not only found in the Philippines, as other countries especially neighboring Asian countries have their own stick fighting art.
Their claims are true and valid but what they failed to research is the difference of the stick fighting art of the Philippines compared to the others.
The Filipino stick fighting art is part of the Filipino Maharlikan’s culture and traditions, and the stick fighting art is just one part of the evolutions of a broader martial arts system the Filipino Maharlikans have been practicing older than the influences of those that colonized the Philippines.
As it is always emphasized by those who have a better understanding of the history behind the martial arts, arnis is not any weapon or technique held or executed but a holistic system that covers bare hand and weapons system. Some even says it also includes spiritual and other practices that are unique to the Filipino Maharlikans.
The transition into stick is brought about by limiting circumstances that gave way to the discovery of the stick as a good replacement to represent blades which are prohibited during training. During the colonization period and later on, stick was discovered to be a weapon that can actually be used other than blades due to its versatility, not being limited to just the sharp side or edge.
As many martial arts scholars and researchers are finding out, arnis as a system have many contributions to the history of martial arts and other related combat system in the world.
The fighting systems of most military special forces in the world and the evolution of boxing are just some of the notable recipients of the art of arnis.
One thing is certain, arnis is more than just a fighting system of the Filipino Maharlikans. It is part of their distinct traditional culture in their survival from hunting for food and protecting those dear to them.
One of the mandates of the RA 9850 is the inclusion of arnis in the logo of our Philippine sports which no one seems to give attention to but for arnisadors, it’s realization will have big impact to the arnis community, Filipino Maharlikans as a whole and the legacy that is paved by the rich culture and tradition that arnis has been a part of deserving its recognition as a true Filipino icon.