Sports Trivia: From Sticks to the World Stage: Arnis Goes Global

Report by Ryza Reign Dizon | Layout by Ken Tipay | Photo credits to the rightful owner

Do you know that Arnis, the national martial art of the Philippines, is now being taught and practiced in many countries around the world? What used to be an art passed down quietly within Filipino communities is now a recognized combat sport and self-defense system across the United States, Europe, Australia, and other parts of Asia.

The spread of Arnis outside the Philippines started in the early 20th century when Filipino migrants brought it to places like Hawaii and California. However, it remained within Filipino circles until the 1960s and 1970s, when masters such as Angel Cabales and Remy Presas began teaching it to non-Filipinos. Presas, who later earned the title “Father of Modern Arnis,” moved to the United States in 1974 and devoted himself to spreading the art through seminars, books, and training camps. His work made Arnis more structured and safer for new students while keeping its effectiveness in combat.

Because of these efforts, Arnis schools began to grow in North America, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Organizations such as the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF), founded in Cebu in 1989, helped bring Arnis into the international spotlight by organizing world championships where practitioners from different countries competed. Filipino masters also traveled abroad to give workshops and establish clubs, making sure that the tradition remained alive and adaptable to modern times.

Arnis also found its way into popular culture. Its fast stick and knife techniques caught the attention of Hollywood fight choreographers and were featured in action films like "The Bourne Identity" and "Taken". This exposure made more people curious about the Filipino

martial art, boosting its popularity even further.

The sport eventually earned its place in official competitions. In the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, Arnis was included for the first time outside of the Philippines, marking another milestone in its global journey. This moment proved that Arnis is not just a cultural treasure but also a legitimate competitive sport.

From humble beginnings in Philippine villages, Arnis has grown into a worldwide discipline. It continues to strike its way across the globe, practiced by thousands of athletes and martial artists, showing that this homegrown sport is no longer confined to its homeland.