Filipino Martial Arts -- A Living Tradition of Blades, Sticks, and Survival

This blog post goes out to my buddy Mark who is currently studying Silat on the US East Coast.

When people think of martial arts, they often picture karate dojos in Japan or Muay Thai gyms in Thailand. What’s frequently overlooked is that the Philippines has one of the most practical, combat-tested martial traditions in the world—collectively known as Filipino Martial Arts (FMA).

Unlike many systems that evolved in controlled environments, Filipino martial arts were shaped by centuries of tribal warfare, colonial resistance, and street-level survival. This isn’t choreography. It’s function first, tradition second.

What Are Filipino Martial Arts?

Filipino Martial Arts are commonly grouped under names such as:

• Arnis
• Eskrima
• Kali
• Silat

While the terminology varies by region and lineage, the core principles are the same:

• Weapons-first training (sticks, blades, improvised tools)
• Seamless transition from weapons to empty-hand combat
• Emphasis on timing, angles, footwork, and adaptability

Unlike many Asian systems that start unarmed and later introduce weapons, FMA assumes weapons are already in play—because historically, they were.

Types

Eskrima

Origin: Philippines Focus: Stick fighting, blade translation, close-range combat

Eskrima is one of the most commonly used umbrella terms for Filipino Martial Arts. Training usually starts with rattan sticks, which represent blades, batons, or improvised weapons. Emphasis is on angles of attack, footwork, timing, and counter-striking rather than brute force. Eskrima transitions naturally from weapons to empty hands and is widely used by military and law-enforcement groups.

Best known for: Practical weapon defense and rapid counterattacks.

Kali

Origin: Philippines (with debated historical naming) Focus: Blade work, flow drills, multiple weapons

Kali is often used to describe blade-centric Filipino systems, especially outside the Philippines. It places strong emphasis on knives, machetes, and swords, often training double-weapon techniques early. Kali systems tend to highlight flow, continuous movement, and adaptability across weapons.

Best known for: Knife and blade combat, fluid transitions, dual-weapon training.

Arnis

Origin: Philippines (official national martial art) Focus: Structured stick and empty-hand training

Arnis is the formalized, government-recognized version of Filipino martial arts and is taught in schools and sports settings. While it still includes weapons, Arnis often places more emphasis on safety equipment, rulesets, and standardized drills. It’s frequently the entry point for beginners and younger students.

Best known for: Accessibility, standardized training, sport competition.

Silat

Origin: Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Philippines) Focus: Close-range combat, off-balancing, low stances

Silat is a broader Southeast Asian martial tradition rather than strictly Filipino. It emphasizes low postures, joint manipulation, sweeps, and deceptive movements. Weapons are present, but silat places strong focus on unarmed combat, body mechanics, and structural control.

Best known for: Off-balancing, joint locks, low-line attacks, tactical movement.

Quick Comparison

Art	Weapons Emphasis	Empty Hand	Style
Eskrima	High	Integrated	Direct, practical
Kali	Very High	Secondary	Fluid, blade-oriented
Arnis	Moderate	Structured	Formal, accessible
Silat	Moderate	High	Close-range, deceptive

Why Filipino Martial Arts Stand Out

1. Weapons Are Central

Training usually begins with rattan sticks, which directly translate to knives, machetes, or everyday objects. If you can fight with a stick, you can fight with almost anything.

2. Realistic Self-Defense

FMA focuses on close-range encounters, ambush scenarios, multiple attackers, and uneven terrain—the kind of situations more likely outside a gym than inside one.

3. Cultural Depth

Every strike, stance, and drill has roots in local history. Many systems were preserved quietly during colonial periods when weapon training was banned.

4. Still Actively Practiced

This isn’t a “revival art.” You’ll find police, military, security professionals, and civilians training across the country today.

Popular Filipino Martial Arts Styles

• Modern Arnis – Structured and accessible, often taught to beginners

• Pekiti-Tirsia Kali – Blade-oriented, tactical, and aggressive

• Doce Pares Eskrima – One of the most widespread systems, with sport and combat branches

• Balintawak Eskrima – Close-range, reaction-based stick fighting

• Kalis Ilustrisimo – Traditional blade combat with minimal sport influence

Where Expats Can Learn Filipino Martial Arts

One advantage of living in the Philippines is access to legitimate instructors—often direct lineage holders—without the commercial polish (or price tags) found overseas.

Metro Manila

• Doce Pares Manila groups – Eskrima training with traditional roots

• Pekiti-Tirsia Kali schools – Often affiliated with military or security professionals

• Modern Arnis clubs – Common in gyms, universities, and private training halls

Cebu

• Doce Pares Headquarters (Cebu City)
• One of the most famous FMA organizations in the world. This is a pilgrimage site for serious practitioners.

Numerous independent Eskrima instructors throughout the city

Davao

• Smaller, more private training groups

• Strong focus on practical self-defense and blade awareness

Baguio

• University-affiliated Arnis programs

• Cooler climate makes long training sessions more comfortable

Provincial Areas

• Informal training through local instructors

• Often less structured, but highly authentic

• Many older practitioners teach quietly through word of mouth

Tip for expats: If someone says they’ll teach you “real” Eskrima but refuses sparring or pressure testing, keep walking.

What to Expect as an Expat Student

Training is usually low-cost compared to Western countries

Classes may be informal, outdoors, or held in multipurpose halls

Respect and humility matter more than belts or uniforms

Some instructors speak excellent English; others teach entirely through demonstration

You don’t need to be young, athletic, or aggressive to start. Filipino martial arts scale well for older students and focus more on efficiency than strength.

Final Thoughts

Filipino Martial Arts are not flashy. They don’t promise spiritual enlightenment or cinematic moves. What they offer instead is something rarer: a brutally honest approach to personal defense, refined by history and still relevant today.

For expats living in the Philippines—especially those interested in culture, self-reliance, or practical skills—training in FMA isn’t just exercise. It’s a direct connection to the country’s fighting spirit.

Thinking of Moving to the Philippines? Get Reliable Guidance

Online communities are helpful for general questions. For anything important, you still need accurate, professional, and updated information. E636 Expat Services helps foreigners with:

• Residency and long term visas
• Bank account opening
• Health insurance guidance
• Real estate assistance
• Business setup
• Retirement planning
• A smooth and secure transition into life in the Philippines

If you want to move with confidence instead of relying on random comments online, we can guide you every step of the way.

Book a consultation with E636 and start your journey the right way.

Photo by Charlein Gracia Unsplash