Martial Arts In The Philippines

Filipino history goes all the way back as far as 900 AD. Looking at the history of the Philippines, it’s obvious that martial arts have always been a vital part of the Filipino culture. Many different cultures and immigrants strongly influenced the martial art in the Philippines. Escrima has had a long history, goes back to 1521 when the Spanish rule first introduced to the Philippine Islands. Before colonization by Spain, Escrima was taught as a recreational activity, along with reading, writing, religion and Sanskrit. The Spanish rulers had a difficult time trying to impose their rule on the inhabitants who worshipped their bolos, daggers and sticks. Until they brought in firearms so that they could reinforce orders. In the 1700’s, when the Spanish ruling was finally secured, the rulers banned the teaching of Escrima. Carrying a bolo (a long-bladed weapon) or dagger was also prohibited. Those orders were meant to “civilize” the spirited Filipinos. Therefore, Escrima became a clandestine art and was practiced in secret. That’s when Escrima was reemerged and it was unnoticed by the Spaniards. “It had been set to native music and performed as it was, without weapons, the movements resembled only a harmless dance. This “dancing” even became popular with the rulers and demonstrations were given in public at fiesta time” (Latosa Escrima, para. 4).

Spanish rule the Philippines until 1898, then Spain was defeated in the Spanish-American war and that’s the end of colonization.