Go, Zara Louise C.

6, 2010 BS ID 2 Homework Arroyo signs law making arnis national martial art
By TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 20:45:00 01/08/2010

July PE 13

Filed Under: Sport, Martial Arts (general) MANILA, PhilippinesIts time Filipinos learned the basics of the native martial art "arnis." President Macapagal-Arroyo has signed a law declaring arnis as the national martial art and sport and mandating that an arnis competitions be the first to be played at the annual national games. Arnisderived from the Spanish word arnes, which literally means armoris known nationwide and even in other countries. But it often plays second fiddle to the foreign martial arts taekwondo, judo and karate in terms of prominence. This martial art involves the use of one or a pair of wooden sticks as a weapon and a training tool meant to simulate a knife or a sword. Also known as eskrima, kali and garrote, and by various other names in the Philippine regions, it is characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense. Bare-hand fighting is also an integral part of the art. Filipino action star Ronnie Ricketts is a known advocate of arnis, often featuring it in his movies such as Mano Mano 3 Arnis ... The Lost Art. It has also made a mark in Hollywood. The renowned Filipino-American martial arts instructor Dan Inosanto used it in the movie The Bourne Identity, where he was the fight choreographer. Mission Impossible 3 and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life also featured fight scenes with the lead starsTom Cruise and Angelina Jolie, respectivelyusing the Filipino fighting sticks. In June 2008, the Discovery Channel came to Manila to feature arnis for its show Fight Quest. At a briefing in Malacaang, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told reporters that he trained in arnis during his youth in Cebu. Im particularly happy about [Republic Act 9850] because arnis or eskrima is

quite popular in Cebu. In fact, the most prominent arnis grandmaster is from Cebu in the person of Mr. Ciriaco Caete, Remonde said, adding: I was able to train in arnis. Ive forgotten about it, and it warms my heart because this is something thats our own, which has made a name in international martial arts. And so in recognition of this, weve made arnis the national martial art or sport. RA 9850, which was signed by Ms Arroyo on Dec. 11, conforms with the state policy to inculcate patriotism, nationalism and appreciation of the role of national heroes and symbols in the Philippines historical development. The state must give priority to education, science and technology, arts and culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development, it states. With the enactment of RA 9850, the symbol of arnis will be inscribed in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission. An arnis competition will be the first to be played at the annual Palarong Pambansa. The PSC is tasked to lead the implementation of the provisions of the law and to promulgate the rules and regulations, along with the Department of Education and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Arnis was said to be widely practiced among the natives before the Spanish era, but its popularity began to wane at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1975, the National Arnis Association of the Philippines was formed by Fabian C. Ver, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos trusted lieutenant. The organization was replaced by Arnis Philippineslater to become Arnis Philippines Inc. (Arpi)on July 11, 1986. With the objectives of preserving our culture and the dying art of arnis and develop[ing] the sport aspect of arnis for and in the hope of its inclusion in major sports events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and ultimately, the Olympics, among others, Arpi successfully lobbied for the inclusion of arnis in the 1991 and 2005 Southeast Asian Games. The Philippines dominated the sport in the two SEAG appearances, winning 10 of the 14 gold medals at stake in 1991, and bagging the top spot along with Vietnam in 2005. Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20100108246252/Arroyo-signs-law-making-arnis-national-martial-art Date retrieved: July 4, 2010

RP national sport arnis featured in Israel event

05/18/2010 | 09:41 PM The Philippine native martial arts "arnis" was showcased anew in the recent 12th Commandment of Steel in Israel last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv, the DFA said the event last May 7 is the biggest and sharpest Filipino Martial Arts event in Israel which showcased arnis. "It brought together internationally renowned arnis masters and teachers from Berlin, Munich, Slovenia, and Israel, among others," the DFA said. Facilitating the 12th Commandment of Steel was Guro Jon Escudero, a Filipino arnis expert residing in Israel, and one of the last to learn directly under and be ranked by the late Grandmaster Benjamin Luna Lema. Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia said it was inspiring to see the growth of many arnis schools around the world and to see that Filipinos are no longer the only ones practicing this discipline today. She is hopeful that practitioners, as they progress in mastering arnis, would also gain more insight into the Philippines history and culture. Arnis became the Philippines national martial art and sport by virtue of Republic Act No. 9850 (An Act Declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines) which was signed into law in February 2010. GMANews.TV Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191250/rp-national-sport-arnis-featuredin-israel-event Date retrieved: July 5, 2010