Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima, is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines. It primarily emphasizes weapon-based fighting using sticks (often made of rattan), knives, bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons, alongside hand-to-hand combat, grappling, and weapon disarming techniques
. The martial art involves swinging, twirling movements, striking, thrusting, and parrying techniques for both offense and defense. It has a long history rooted in Filipino culture and was influenced by weapons training from various Asian martial arts
. Modern Arnis, developed by Grandmaster Remy Presas in the mid-20th century, is a safer and more systematized form of the art that incorporates empty-hand techniques in addition to traditional stick fighting. Presas is considered the "Father of Modern Arnis," having popularized the art worldwide and adapted it for practical self-defense
. Arnis was officially declared the national martial art and sport of the Philippines in 2009. Its practitioners, called Arnisadores, regard the cane or stick used in training as sacred, typically striking the opponent's hand or forearm rather than the weapon itself during sparring
. In summary, Arnis is a comprehensive Filipino martial art focusing on weapon-based combat and self-defense, blending traditional techniques with modern adaptations to preserve cultural heritage and practical fighting skills
