To all Arnis practitioners, instructors, and supporters:
We have great news! Last Friday, Sen. Miguel Zubiri announced that Senate Bill 1424, also known as the Arnis Bill, has been signed into law! At last, our own martial art is given due recognition by the government by passing this law.
Furthermore, I think that the version or draft that has been adopted was the one written by my brother, currently the Vice President of the Arnis association, Mr. Richardson C. Gialogo. If not, the one he submitted at least contributed much to the final version which is a combination of all the versions available. I was present in one of the Senate hearings taking up the Arnis bill, and in that meeting we learned of other versions of Arnis bills being submitted, authored by different senators. Our version I think was submitted to Sen. Lito Lapid (way back in 2003?), and then also to another senator (Sen. Escudero? Regardless, the senate hearing was also provided with a copy of this version). A very distinct characteristic of the version written by Mr. Gialogo was that while the other versions only focused on Arnis being passed as a "national sport" only, he emphasized that Arnis not only be recognized as a "national sport" but also as a "national martial art." Thus, if approved so, the status of Arnis will be dual - both as a national martial art, and as a national sport. A copy of this has been uploaded way back, in kamao@yahoogroups.com. It was prepared back in 2003, and resubmitted just February this year. I dug it out for your perusal... Enjoy!
Aside: Melanie (Ms. Melanie Cayao) is a secretary / staff member of the Arnis association.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Richard Gialogo <richardgialogo@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Subject: [KAMAO] Fw: Arnis bill
To: KAMAO <kamao@yahoogroups.com>
Melanie,
Ito yung Arnis bill. Ipa edit na lang kasi nakalagay na 13th Congress pa yan eh pang 15 na yata... at nakapangalan pa yan kay sen lito lapid. Ginawa ko yang bill na yan nung 2003 pa kasi at napaka tagal na. six years ago, wala pa ring nangyayari. dapat, matuloy na yan ASAP.
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. NO. _______
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Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
Arnis is the Filipino indigenous martial art of stick fighting. It is also known throughout the world as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote, and various other indigenous names like Pananandata (Tagalog), Pagkalikali (Ibanag), Kalirongan (Pangasinan), Kaliradman (Bisaya), Didya (Ilokano), etc. It is said that this fighting method is the one used by Lapu Lapu when he vanquished Magellan in the famous Battle of Mactan. According to Pigaffeta, the natives used bladed weapons and “sticks hardened by fire”. In 1564, after 43 years since Magellan touched our soil, Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi with his 380 strong army were surprised to see the natives performing their indigenous fighting styles. In Abuyog, Leyte, in the middle of February, 1564, they were welcomed in a feast by the local chieftain Malitik and part of the festivities were exhibitions of the native martial art. This is a proof that we do have an indigenous martial art.
During the Spanish era, the practice of this martial art was outlawed by the Spaniards. It so happened that the Spanish war propaganda against the Moros encouraged the staging of various socio-religious plays called the “Moro-Moro” plays, wherein the Spanish were portrayed as victorious in battles against the Moros of Mindanao. It is a form of black propaganda to show the natives that the Spanish race and their religion is superior than that of the natives’. There is only one plot in these plays: a muslim prince/princes falls in love with a Christian prince/princess. Because of this love affair, the two kingdoms would have an “engrande” battle wherein the Christians always winning and the Muslims always losing and are converted to Christianity. It is believed that the practice of Arnis was hidden in the guise of these mock battles, and this is how Arnis as a martial art survived through 400 years of persecution.
Even our very own National Hero, Dr, Jose P. Rizal, studied Arnis. In his memoirs in Dapitan, he taught Arnis to the children of Dapitan. The likes of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Juan and Antonio Luna and the other members of the La Solidaridad studied Arnis aside from fencing in Ateneo de Municipal under Don Juan de Azes who operated a club of Spanish Fencing and Filipino Eskrima called Tanghalan ng Sandata.
Point of clarification, Arnis is not the STICK, it is the indigenous Filipino system of fighting with or without using weapons. Thus During the Katipunan era, we saw the katipuneros brandishing their bolos. The katipuneros fought our colonizers with the common and ubiquitous bolos, the farm tool. And because of the tenacity of our fighting art, we succeeded in the revolution.
And during the Philippine-American war, Arnis was used. During this time, the caliber.45 revolver was invented because of the tenacity of the muslim juramentados. American servicemen required a gun with a stronger stopping power since American flesh still get hacked by Filipino blades even if they shoot the Filipino freedom fighters with their Krag rifles and .38 revolvers.
The same martial art was even used in the most recent World War, WWII. Guerilla forces used bolos in attacking the Japanese Imperial Army in raids and ambushes. It is also well documented that Filipino Commandos of the USAFFE based abroad trained and used Arnis in preparation for the Liberation of Manila. The Bolo Battalion was part of the USAFFE.
Many instances point to the important role of Arnis in the Filipino History of libertarian struggle. This highlights the fact that, without an efficient system of fighting, our unsung heroes could have not done it. These are just examples how effective our indigenous Filipino martial arts is. We should therefore develop our PATRIMONY and take good care not only of our tangible cultural heritage (like Spanish Churches & cathedrals, monuments, nature, etc) but our intangible cultural heritage too.
The martial arts principles of Arnis is designed for self-defense against armed or unarmed attacks. It is usually done using rattan sticks or other similar implements, in three different forms: single cane, double cane of the same length, or two implements with varying length (espada y daga/ sword and dagger). Or, it could be done without canes like simply using the bare hands by following the prescribed techniques. Practitioners could also use bolos, kris, swords and other implements like knives, ballpens and bottles as substitutes. Even as a sport, its benefits include instilling discipline, character formation, and the development of skills of the practitioners. And like Karate, Judo and Kendo of Japan, or Tae Kwon Do of Korea, or Wushu and Kung Fu of China, or Muay Thai of Thailand, the Philippines can now be proud to have its own National Martial Art and National Sports that is at par with other world-class martial arts. It is likewise felt that Arnis, more than any other sport or martial art, may prove to be a means for international excellence by the Filipinos.
Conformably, therefore, with the provisions of the Constitution which call upon the State to “promote education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry,” and with the directive that “all educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors: [Art. XIV, Sec. 19, pars (1) and (2)]”. It is proposed that the inclusion of Arnis be required in all National Games, programs and activities, sanctioned by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Department of Education (DepEd), the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Definitely, it is felt that Arnis, more than any other sport or martial art, deserves to be the National Martial Art and National Sports of the Philippines because of the legacy it has given and has contributed in the building and development of the Nation. Since time immemorial, it is through Arnis that the bravery of our forefathers stood out in the defense of the motherland.
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. NO. _______
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Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid
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AN ACT DECLARING ARNIS AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL MARTIAL ART AND SPORT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Arnis Law of the Philippines.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. – It is the policy of the State to inculcate patriotism, nationalism and appreciation of the role of the national heroes and symbols in the historical development of the country. Furthermore, the State must give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.
SECTION 3. It is also the policy of the State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry and to direct all educational institutions to undertake regular sports activities like Arnis throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. – Arnis is also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote, and various other indigenous names like Pananandata (Tagalog), Pagkalikali (Ibanag), Kabaroan and Kalirongan (Pangasinan), Kaliradman (Bisaya) and Didya (Ilokano). For convenience sake, this indigenous martial art shall be termed “Arnis.” For the purpose of this Act, “Arnis” Shall mean the indigenous Filipino Martial Art and Sport characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. It is usually done with the use of one or two sticks or any similar implements, or with bare hands and feet also used for striking, blocking, locking and grappling, with the use of the same principle as that with the canes.
SECTION 5. Promulgation. - Arnis is hereby declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport. The official adoption of Arnis as the National Martial Art and National Sport shall be promulgated by inscribing the symbol of Arnis in the official seals and in the inclusion of Arnis in the national developmental programs and activities of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules. – The National Commission for Culture and Arts, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Department of Education, and the Department of Tourism shall issue, in coordination with the existing National Sports Association, Arnis Philippines, Inc. (ARPI) and other NSA accredited sectors involved in the teaching and development of Arnis, the necessary rules and regulations implementing this Act, within thirty (30) days from its effectivity.
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree, executive order, or issuance, rule and regulation inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
