PHILIPPINES' VERY OWN

Martial arts of our own, modern arnis founded by late Remy Presas is a self-defense system that preserves older arnis techniques. The goal was to create an injuty-free training method. The primary weapon of modern arnis is the rattan stick called a cane or baston, usually 28 inches or 71cm in length.

Practitioners are called arnisadors. they once considered their canes as sacred. Hence, they only allow their weapons to hit the arm and forearm of their opponents. This is what they call, "defanging of the snake," making the opponent drop his weapon so that he is less of a threat. However, would-be arnisadors found this too painful and injuring that they were discouraged in engaging in the martial arts that made it endangered from dying out.

The development made by Remy Presas to modernize arnis revived the martial art. The defanging of the snake was still present but he used the cane-on-cane hitting method in teaching arnis to his students. This technique can also be used empty-habded known as "limb destruction."

Arnis is the Philippines' national martial art ad sport. The law which was recognized as Republic Act No. 9850 was signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009. The Act mandates the Department of Education to include the sport as a Physical Education course. Arnis was already included in Palarong Pambansa since 2010.