As Martial arts practitioners, we often think of sports as a tool to place us on the path of success, not only in the field of athleticism, but we look to succeed also on a spiritual level. The Filipino martial art is not popular due to the fact it is enjoyed by many Filipino’s, it is a loved sport because it is part of the Philippine culture. It is as cherished in the modern day, just as the Filipino warriors some hundreds of years ago had treasured it. It is known as ‘ARNIS’, the art of stick fighting. It is truly an amazing discipline, as there are many diverse styles and systems encompassed in its regimen, from the point one begins by simply holding the stick, to the point one learns to master the art.

Republic Act No. 9850, approved on 11 December 2009, defines that indigenous Filipino art of Arnis and declares it as the “Philippine National Martial Art and Sport.” The Act then orders the Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Sports Commission to promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to carry out its provisions.

There is this famous line from the cartoons Transformers and it says “there is more than meets the eye”. It shows that the true meaning of things is beyond what we see. This meaning can be hidden deep within or it can be at the surface but we are not noticing it. There are times that we need to step back and reflect on the things and situations going on around us so we can realize the true meaning and purpose of all these events in our lives.

Freestyle Modern Sinawali is one of the major parts of the Arnis Nicolas System. It is the art behind the art. It is the extraction of the old Sinawali. We should not bind to traditional ways. We should and must develop what we have learn and impart this knowledge to the present and future generations.

Modern Arnis Mano Mano Filipino Martial Arts with its Founder and Chief Instructor Punong Lakan Garitony Nicolas a.k.a. “SIR PET” has authorized different Arnis books and one of his dreams is to share the techniques of ESPADA Y DAGA (Sword and a Dagger). In his organization, during practice, to maintain safety for the practitioners, Arnis stick is used in place of the Espada (Sword) and short wooden dagger or knife – size stick is used instead of live knife.