Filipino martial arts

Filipino martial arts (Filipino: Sining sa pagtatanggol) refer to ancient Indianized and newer fighting methods devised in thePhilippines. It incorporates elements from both Western and Eastern Martial Arts, the most popular forms of which are known asArnis, Eskrima and Kali. The intrinsic need for self-preservation was the genesis of these systems. Throughout the ages, invaders and evolving local conflict imposed new dynamics for combat in the islands now making up the Philippines. The Filipino people developed battle skills as a direct result of an appreciation of their ever-changing circumstances. They learned often out of necessity how to prioritize, allocate and use common resources in combative situations. Filipinos have been heavily influenced by a phenomenon of cultural and linguistic mixture. Some of the specific mechanisms responsible for cultural and martial change extended from phenomena such as war, political and social systems, technology, trade and of course, simple practicality.

Filipino martial arts have seen an increase in prominence due to several Hollywood movies and the teachings of modern masters such as Venancio "Anciong" Bacon,Dan Inosanto, Cacoy Canete, Danny Guba,Mike Inay, Remy Presas, Wilson Pangan Sr. (Grand Master) and Ernesto Presas. By Sangeetha.S