ARNIS

Republic Act No. 9850

Republic Act No. 9850 as the National Martial Art
and Sports of the Philippines
 ARNIS
Arnis, also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote and other names in various regional languages, such as Pananandata in Tagalog; Pagkalikali,
Ibanag; Kabaraon and Kalirongan, Pangasinan; Kaliragma, Bisaya; and Didja, Ilokano, is an indigenous Filipino martial art and sport
characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defence and
offense. This is usually done with the use of one (1) or two (2) 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 principles as that with the canes [1].
Arnis also includes hand-to-hand combat, joint locks, grappling and weapon disarming techniques. Although in general, the emphasis is put on
weapons for these arts, some systems put empty hands as the primary focus and some old school systems do not teach weapons at all.
For all intents and purposes, arnis, eskrima, and kali all refer to the same family of Filipino weapon-based martial arts and fighting systems [2].
Arnis was declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport on December 11, 2009, through Republic Act 9850 signed by Pres. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo. As per R.A. 9850, the official adoption of arnis as the national martial art and sport shall be promulgated by inscribing the
symbol of arnis in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission and by making it as the first competition to be played by participating
teams on the first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa [3]. The Philippine Sports Commission is the lead agency to implement the provisions
of this Act.
RA 9850 [4] is expected to help propagate arnis as a modern martial art/sport that can compete with its popular foreign-originated brethren like
taekwondo, karate, and judo. Under the law, arnis will be made a mandatory course or subject in all schools in the country unlike before when
arnis was only offered in a few schools as an elective physical education subject. It also institutionalizes arnis as a regular event in the annual
Palarong Pambansa. RA 9850 is a consolidation of House Bill No. 6516 authored by South Cotabato Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr., and Senate Bill No.
1424 authored by Majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who himself has trained in arnis.
The Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have been
tapped to promulgate the rules and regulations to carry out the act.
 BRIEF HISTORY OF ARNIS
Practitioners of the arts, arnis, are called arnisador (male, plural arnisadores) and arnisadora (female, plural arnisadoras) for those who call theirs arnis,
eskrimador (male, plural eskrimadores) or eskrimadora (female, plural eskrimadoras) for those who call their art eskrima, and kalista or mangangali for those who
practice kali.
In recent years, there has been increased interest in Arnis for its usefulness when defending against knives and other street encounters. As a result, many systems
of Arnis have been modified in varying degrees to make them more marketable to a worldwide audience. Usually, this involves the increased emphasis on locking,
controls, and disarms, focusing mainly on aspects of self-defense. However, most styles follow the philosophy that the best defense is a good offense. Modern
training methods tend to de-emphasize careful footwork and low stances, stressing the learning of techniques in favor of more direct (and often lethal) tactics
designed to instantly end an encounter.
In the Philippines, the spread is more significant due to the efforts of Richardson "Richard" Gialogo and Aniano "Jon" Lota, Jr. through the Department of
Education (DepEd) Task Force on School Sports (TFSS). Arnis was first introduced in 1969 to some public and private school teachers when Mr. Remy A. Presas
taught his personal style of Arnis which he called “Modern Arnis.” It was when he taught his own style to the students of the National College of Physical Education
(NCPE) when he was given the chance to teach there. The style “Modern Arnis”, Mr. Remy Presas’ personal style, is not synonymous with the concept of modern or
contemporary Arnis, where it has become a full-blown sport embraced by the Department of Education, although there are some similarities because Arnis is Arnis.
There was no formal program for Arnis from 1970’s to 1980’s. Although some schools taught Arnis, these were neither official nor prescribed.
The earliest historical record was the DECS Memorandum No. 294 Series of 1995 which entailed the Arnis Development Program Phase I. This was a joint effort of
the Department of Education, Culture and Sports or DECS and the Office of then Senator Orlando “Orly” Mercado who awarded a budget from his pork barrel for the
implementation of a national Arnis program. The Office of Senator Mercado was given the authority to designate the Arnis instructors for the said program.
The next event was the Arnis Development Program Phase II. It was just a continuation of Phase I through DECS Memorandum No. 302 series of 1997. The
same group conducted the seminars; known as the Arnis Association International (AAI), the Arnis instructors designated by Senator Mercado, they were informally
called the “Mercado boys.” In this memorandum, there were two seminars conducted: October 6–11, 1997 in Baguio City and November 10–15, 1997 in General
Santos City. The Arnis Module Development, however, did not push through. It was also during this time when the first Arnis instructional video was developed by
the Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS) entitled “Dynamic Arnis”. This video featured the Gialogo Brothers: Richardson and Ryan Gialogo,
direct students of Jeremias V. Dela Cruz.
However, the national Arnis program of Senator Orly Mercado and DECS died a natural death. It was only after nine (9) years that Arnis found its way back
into the Department of Education (formerly known as Department of Education, Culture, and Sports or DECS). On February 5, 2004, the Task Force on School
Sports (TFSS) of the Department of Education (DepEd), the new agency after the defunct BPESS, met with the National Sports Association (NSA) for Arnis in a
Senate hearing. The Head of the TFSS was National Coordinator Mr. Feliciano N. Toledo II, considered the “Father of Arnis” in the Department of Education. He met
with the top NSA officials at that time; however, nothing happened.
 BRIEF HISTORY OF ARNIS
It was only in 2006 when the Task Force on School Sports had a new program for Arnis. The “National Training of Trainers in Arnis
and Dance Sports”, sponsored by the Task Force on School Sports, Department of Education (DepEd), was held at Teacher’s Camp,
Baguio City on March 13–17, 2006 and was conducted by two top-caliber figures in the Arnis community: Mr. Aniano Lota, Jr. and Mr.
Richardson Gialogo, then Secretary-General and Vice-President respectively of the National Sports Association for Arnis. And this was
the start of the modern, contemporary and prevailing Arnis in the Department of Education.
In just two months, Arnis became part of the Palarong Pambansa (National Games) as a demonstration sport. The 2006 Palarong
Pambansa was held in Naga City, Bicol Region with nine (9) out of the Seventeen (17) regions of the Philippines participating. National,
regional and provincial Arnis Seminars were conducted by the tandem of Mr. Aniano Lota, Jr. and Mr. Richardson Gialogo from 2006 to
2007 in coordination with the TFSS National Coordinator, Mr. Feliciano “Len” Toledo, and with the financial and logistical backing of the
Department of Education. In 2007, Arnis was already a regular event in the Palarong Pambansa with all seventeen (17) regions
participating. Five (5) weight divisions in the Full-contact Event and four (4) categories in the Anyo (Forms) Event were played and
became part of the official medal tally of the participants. This was held in Coronadal in Mindanao.
Arnis Seminars were continued in national, regional and provincial levels. In 2008, Arnis was played in the Palarong Pambansa
and again, with all seventeen (17) regions participating. All nine (9) events were played. This was held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Aside from Sports Officiating and Accreditation seminars, Coaching and skill training seminars continued in national, regional and
provincial levels. Requests from cities and even districts were also welcomed. In 2009, Secondary Girls (High School Girls) were finally
included in Palarong Pambansa and again, all seventeen (17) regions participated. From the original five (5) member teams, the number
doubled with the inclusion of the girls. The medal tally also doubled from nine (9) to eighteen (18). The 2009 Palarong Pambansa was
held in Tacloban, Leyte in the Visayas.
The “Writeshop of the Revision of the Physical Fitness Test and the Development of Learning Competencies in Arnis and Archery” was
held in Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City on October 5–8, 2009. Phase I of the National Curriculum for Arnis was finished and in 2010,
Palarong Pambansa was held in Tarlac, In Luzon, both secondary boys and girls competed in the eighteen (18) categories. It was here
that the Department of Education Arnis Association Philippines or DEAAP had its first national elections. In the 2011 Palarong
Pambansa, Elementary students joined. The road to success has begun.
2018 Palarong Pambansa Arnis
Guidelines and Ground Rules

By : ARNEL A. CASINO
 COMPETITION RULE:

The International rules and the DepEd ground

Rules in Arnis Competition shall govern the
conduct of this event in the Palarong Pambansa
including other DepEd sponsored competition in
the lower level.
PARTICIPANTS

TEAM COMPOSITION
• Elementary Level
> Boys: 3 Players and 1 Coach
> Girls: 3 Players, 1 Coach and 1 Chaperon
• Secondary Level
> Boys: 5 Players and 1 Coach
> Girls: 5 Players, 1 Coach and 1 Chaperon
FULL CONTACT:

There shall be a maximum of five (5)

participants distributed evenly in the different
weight divisions for both Secondary Boys and Girls
in the Arnis Full Contact. As a matter of procedure,
each region/team is allowed only one (1) entry in
each of the five (5) weight category (secondary)
SECONDARY LEVEL – WEIGHT DIVISION

BOY   GIRLS

43 kgs up to 47 kgs Pinweight 37 kgs up to 40 kgs

Over 47 kgs up to 51 kgs Bantamweight Over 40 kgs up to 44 kgs

Over 51 kgs up to 55 kgs Featherweight Over 44 kgs up to 48 kgs

Over 55 kgs up to 60 kgs Extra Lightweight Over 48 kgs up to 52 kg

Over 60 kgs up to 65 kgs Half Lightweight Over 52 kgs up to 56 kgs

FULL CONTACT COMPETITION
Participants are required to wear the standard
uniform
• White plain T-shirt (athlete’s name, school/club logo,
division and region may appear on provided that it
does not dominate the over-all appearance of the shirt.
• Plain red pants (school/club logo may appear on the
pants).
• Rubber soled shoes.
In case of DRAW the declaration of winner shall be
based on the following criterion

• Superiority or aggressiveness of the player

• Major advance technique
• Artistic delivery
Injuries

In case of injury caused by accidental blow, the

medical doctor decides/suggests to give the injured
player a little time to rest before he/she can continue
the game, the decision as stated shall be suspended
for a while. However, the rest period shall not be
more than two (2) minutes after which the medical
doctor must declare the fitness of the injured player
to continue or discontinue the game.
Conduct of the Tournament
• The conduct of the Full Contact competition shall be on
a two-out-of-three round system. Each round should be
held for a maximum of two (2) minutes for the Secondary
level.
• Players are required to show artistic arnis movements
unique to their styles for at least three (3) seconds when
the referee says “HANDA”. Failure to do this – First
Offense will be given BABALA or warning. Second and
succeeding offenses shall be considered as PAGLABAG or
foul.
SCORE

• A SCORE shall mean a strike with a padded stick using

one hand only, delivered to a specific body point and is
counted upon confirmation by two (2) or at least one (1) of
the judges, simultaneously recorded on the scoreboard
and score sheet.
• A legitimate strike is given a point if it is delivered to
a specific body point in correct form, that is with
power, right timing, with art, distance and intent.
• Spontaneous strike is allowed, but the judges can
only give maximum three points Per encounter but in
accordance with the guidelines on legitimate strike.
LIKHA ANYO COMPETITION:

Composition: Five (5) Players/Participants will

come from the Team members in the full contact
event who qualify in the weigh-in in the secondary
level both boys/ girls and three (3) players who
qualify in the NSAC age requirements for both boys
and girls elementary level. Likewise, the coach and
chaperon will be the same as in full contact.
 ANYO COMPETITIONElementary (Boys/Girls
Category)
A. Individual Likha Anyo Single Weapon Category – 1player per individual category
B. Individual Likha AnyoDouble Weapon Category – 1 player per individual category
C. Individual Likha Anyo ESPADA Y DAGA – 1 player per individual category
D. Team (Synchronized Mixed) Likha Anyo Double Weapon Category – 1 boy & 1 girl per team
category.
E. Team (Synchronized) Likha Anyo Single Weapon Category – 3 players per team category.
F. Team (Synchronized) Likha Anyo Double Weapon Category – 3 players per team category
G. Team (synchronized) Likha Anyo Espada y Daga – 3 players per category
 Secondary(Boys and Girls category)
A. Individual Likha Anyo Single Weapon Category – 1 player per
individual category
B. Individual Likha Anyo Double Weapon Category – 1 player
per individual category
C. Individual Likha ESPADA Y DAGA – 1 player per individual
category
D. Team (Synchronized) Likha Anyo Single Weapon Category –
3 players per team category
E. Team (Synchronized) Likha Anyo Double Weapon Category
– 3 players per team category
F. Team (synchronized) Likha Anyo Espada y Daga – 3 players
per category
Costume

For the Anyo competition. It is required that the

participating regions must use the Delegation
uniform or the Arnis uniform (white t-shirt and red
pants)
Weapons

A player may have the option to choose any of the

following weapons (with a minimum length of 24
inches and a maximum length of 36 inches.)
 Weapons
1. Wooden stick/yantok – The cane (stick) made of wood or rattan should measure not less than
60cm. (24 inches) and not more than 90cm. (36 inches.)
2. Wooden Replica of a Bladed Weapon – The wooden replica should measure not less than
60cm. (24 inches) and not more than 90cm. (36 inches) in full length and should be ethnic Filipino
in origin.
3. Metallic/wooden Unbladed Replica of a Bladed Weapon – The metallic replica should
measure not less than 60cm. (24 inches) and not more than 90cm. (36 inches) in full length and
should be ethnic Filipino in origin
4. Metallic/wooden Unbladed of a replica of a bladed sword and a dagger – The metallic
replica of the sword should measures not more than 60cm. in length and the dagger should
measure not less than 20cm. and not more than 31cm. and should be Filipino in origin.
FULL CONTACT GEAR
• 5. Determining the Winner in anyo competition: There shall be
seven (7) judges and the total score of the seven (7) Judges shall be
added to determine the score obtained by the performer which will be
added together to get the score.
6. Tie* In case of tie, the highest and the lowest score of the seven (7)
Judges shall be eliminated, hence, the score of the remaining five (5)
judges shall be determined to break the tie.
* In case of another tie, the highest and the lowest score of the (5)
Judges shall be eliminated, hence, the score of the remaining Three
(3) judges shall be determined to break the tie.
* In case another Tie: Repeat performance
*The ranking of participants is based from the net score obtained
which is determined by deducting all identified point deduction/s
committed if any in accordance with the rules.
 Weapons
1. Wooden stick/yantok – The cane (stick) made of wood or rattan should measure not less than
60cm. (24 inches) and not more than 90cm. (36 inches.)
2. Wooden Replica of a Bladed Weapon – The wooden replica should measure not less than 60cm.
(24 inches) and not more than 90cm. (36 inches) in full length and should be ethnic Filipino in origin.
3. Metallic/wooden Unbladed Replica of a Bladed Weapon – The metallic replica should
measure not less than 60cm. (24 inches) and not more than 90cm. (36 inches) in full length and
should be ethnic Filipino in origin
4. Metallic/wooden Unbladed of a replica of a bladed sword and a dagger – The metallic replica
of the sword should measures not more than 60cm. in length and the dagger should measure not less
than 20cm. and not more than 31cm. and should be Filipino in origin.
 COMPETITION AREA

Shall refer to the area by which the conduct of the competition

shall be set or held including the free zone around it.
1.1 Dimensions
The playing area is a square measuring 8.0 meters by 8.0
meters with a one (1) meter free zone around it,
and a clear space without any obstruction up to a height of
not less than 5 meters from the playing surface.
1.2 Lines of the Playing Area
All lines of the playing surface are 5.08 cm. (2 inches) and
must be of different color from that of the floor and other
lines previously drawn for other purposes.
1.3 Outside Lines
Four lines mark the outside line of the playing area. The free
zone distance measuring one meter in each side are drawn
outside of the playing area.
COMPETITION AREA

1.4 Match Lines

Two lines of 1.0 meter long and 2.0 meters
apart the center
mark the horizontal match line.
1.4.1 The horizontal match lines are drawn 3
meters from the outside lines.
1.4.2 The horizontal match line left is red and
the opposite horizontal match line is blue to
mark the respective line of each player.
1.5 Referee Line
A straight line of 1.0 meter long is drawn 2.0
meters from the center of the two players.
1.6 Warning Lines
A broken straight line is drawn one (1) meter
before the outside line to serve as a warning
to the players.
 COMPETITION AREA

1.7 Playing Surface

1.7.1 The surface must be flat and smooth and must not be elevated from the ground.
1.7.2 The playing surface must be clean and free from foreign objects that may endanger or cause
injury to the players.
1.8 Neutral Corner
The corner of the playing area between the two (2) judges within the free zone shall be designated as
the neutral corner. This shall be the consultation area for the referee and judges.
1.9 Temperature
The temperature for the competition shall not be higher than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees
Fahrenheit) and not lower than 16 degrees (60.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
1.10 Lighting
Lighting apparatus is located above free space (rule 1.1) It must not cause any reflection to the surface
and must not affect the vision of the players.
1.11 Position of Players
Before the game starts, players must be positioned in the playing area so that the red-coded player is
at the right side of the referee and the blue-coded player is on his left side.
 Conduct of the Tournament

• The conduct of the competition shall be one (1) round Anyo performance for both Secondary and
Elementary level (boys/girls)
• Each performance shall have a minimum of one (1) minute and a maximum time limit of two (2)
minutes. The official time shall start when the player/team gives the Standard courtesy (Pugay) and it
shall officially ended when the player/teams gives the ending courtesy (Pugay).
• Standard Pugay is at close stance, salutation is done by placing the right hand with the weapon
pointing upward over the left chest, while the left arm is at the side at closed fist and followed by a
nod.
• The Likha Anyo performance both in secondary and elementary Level shall be focused on Arnis skills.
• No Acrobatic/fancy movement (such as; tumbling, back flip, somersault, cartwheel and other
combative discipline skills will be incorporated during the performance of Likha Anyo.
• Score in the Likha Anyo competition shall have a numerical value from 1-10 with an increment of 0.25
under the five criterion.
• Drinking of any kind of liquid during the actual matches/performance’s is strictly prohibited.
PENALTIES AND VIOLATIONS
• Violation of time limit shall cause the participant/s deduction of points. A deduction of
2points should be given in short of the minimum one (1) minute time limit or in excess
of the maximum of two (2) minute time limit. .
• Stepping and/or going out of the boundary lines will cause the performer/s a deduction
of two (2) points regardless of number of stepping violation.
• Performers who accidentally loses grip of the weapon/s should be given a deduction of
five (5) points for every violation.
• Weapon gets destroyed or has any apparent damage to any part of the weapon will
cause the performers a deduction of five (5)points per violation and per player in a
team.
• Violation of the Standard Salutation (Pugay):Failure to execute the standard pugay at
the start/end of performance would mean a five(5) point’s deduction per violation and
per player in a team.
• Judgment calls cannot be protested
OPFFICIAL CALLS AND HAND SIGNALS
(Full Contact Event)
 OTHER MATTERS

• Eligibility of coaches, assistant coach, and chaperon must adhere to the Rules and
Guidelines for the National Accreditation and Screening of Athletes and coaches, assistant
coach and Chaperon for the Palarong Pambansa. (Both Full Contact event and Likha Anyo
competition)
• Coaches, Assistant coaches /Chaperons must be accredited.
• Official coaches/assistant coach and chaperons listed on the gallery are allowed to sit on the
coaches designated chair for coaching, when his/ her athletes where playing simultaneously
in two (2) different court during the competition.
• Official coaches/assistant coach and chaperons must be in their official Delegation Uniform
and ID’s while on coaching, No short pants, sando and slippers will be allowed for the
coaches/chaperons during the competition.
• Official coaches/assistant coach and chaperons must observe proper decorum during the
competition
• The Technical Committee shall decide on all other queries/issues not mentioned in the
Ground rules.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!