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THE KALI CIRCLE   |   CURRICULUM   |   HISTORY   |   INSTRUCTOR TEAM   |   GRADING SYSTEM   |   BEIRUT CAMP 2019



Lapu Lapu

The Philippines are an island group of over 7000 islands, spread over a 1850 km distance in the Western Pacific Ocean. Fewer than 3000 of these islands are named. The 11 largest Islands make up 90% of their entire surface. The tribes that have settled here over the last centuries primarily originated from India, Southeast Asia, China, and Indonesia. The majority of the population is comprised of Filipinos who are related to the Malaysians.

The art of Kali has its roots in the ancient Filipino history dating from before the Majapahit Empire which dominated Southeast Asia from 1293 to around 1500. The Majapahit Army was composed from some of the best warriors of Southeast Asia. All came with their own styles. Filipino Kali for the Filipinos, Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong for the Thais, Pencak Silat for the Indonesians and Malaysians. We take the symbol of the Majapahit Empire, the bull, as a link : the bull itself was the symbol of power, and the circle on top of the bull’s head was the symbol of spiritual strength.



On March 16th, 1521, the Portuguese seafarer, Ferdinand Magellan, sailed around the world and explored new trade routes on behalf of the Spanish Crown. He arrived at Zamal (Samar) Island, part of an island group later named Philippines after the Spanish ruler Philipp II. When on April 7th, 1521, Magellan landed on Cebu to replenish his supplies, he was welcomed with much dignity by the natives. When the tribe's prince, Lapu-Lapu, of the neighboring island Mactan denied Magellan his request for provisions, Magellan decided to invade the island using military force. On April 27th, 1521, his three ships reached the island Mactan. The Spaniards were hardly able to move while carrying their heavy armory through knee-deep water. They were already expected and consequently were attacked by the natives. The battle ended in total disaster for the Spaniards. Captain Magellan died during this encounter. Only one ship returned to Spain, completing its historic journey on September 6th, 1522. This was the first recognized world circumnavigation. Magellan's death and the victory over the Spaniards made Lapu-Lapu the first guerilla and hero of Philippine warfare. Despite this historic battle, the Philippines remained under Spanish rule until the late 19th century before being ceded to the USA. Following the Japanese conquest in 1941 / 42, and a recapture by the US troops in 1944 / 45, the Philippines gained independence in 1946 that remains to this day.

Over the centuries and with the influence of the various tribes and cultures in the Philippines, the martial arts developed to be highly effective. The three best known names are Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis. Kali is the oldest term and has its origin in Cebuano, a dialect of the middle island groups, " Ka " stands for camot " hand ", and " Li " for lihok " movement ". As a whole, Kali can be translated into " movement of the hand ". The Spanish occupiers named the martial arts of the Filipinos " Eskrima ". That derives from the Spanish word " Esgrima " describing a brief fight or fencing. At first the Philippine martial arts were well regarded by the Spaniards. They eventually thought it to be too dangerous. By 1596 this art became unpopular, and in 1764 its practice was entirely forbidden. This means was an attempt to destroy the entire Philippine culture. Books were burnt, and the use of the native alphabet was forbidden. In a disguised format the Filipinos kept their culture alive by incorporating the Kali movement into their religious Moro-Moro dances and by weaving the alphabet into the artistic needlework of their garments. Impressed by the dances, the skillful movement of the hands, the Spaniards named this art after their hand protection, the " arnes ". Over time, this word evolved to " Arnis ".

At the time of Spanish occupation, many new styles emerged that belong to today's classic styles. " Espada y daga" which is Spanish for " sword and dagger " is a particular type of martial art. It was copied from the Spaniards and further developed by the Filipinos. For example, Abecedario, a well known style that owes its origin to the beat of the alphabet, derives its beat from the alphabet.

By the late 19th century a resistance movement against the Spanish rule was formed by Dr. Jose Rizal and headed by his friend Andres Bonifacio. The movement was called " Ang Kataastaasan Kagalanggalagang Katipunen ng Anak ng Bayan " ( highest honorable society of the nation's sons ), in short " Katipunan " or " Triple K ". This resistance movement caused the Spaniards severe losses and expressed a significant milestone in Philippine history. These events are perpetuated in the national flag. The three corners of the white triangle resemble the three " K " of the resistance movement, and the eight sun rays resemble the eight provinces that first arose against the Spaniards.



The sinking of the American war ship " Maine " near Cuba in 1898 triggered the Spanish- American War. The Spaniards were forced to cede the Philippines and other islands to the USA. This, however, was no liberation for the Philippines. It was merely a change in foreign rule. On August 24th, 1898, civil unrest caused a revolution. The American General, John Pershing, commanded his troops throughout a four-year war until the rebels succumbed. The moslemic Moros of the southern Philippines, however, didn't stop attacking the Americans nor did they want to accept their foreign rule. In the end the Moro fighters were so fierce and feared by the Americans they referred to them as Juramentos " somebody running amok ".

The relationship between Filipinos and Americans changed in 1941. Ten hours after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese overwhelmed both Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. The Filipinos and the Americans fought together against the Japanese in the jungle. The Filipinos proved highly effective at handling knives and machetes and had a particularly significant impact. The guerilla patrols moved steadily in a triangle-like formation through the jungle. The front triangle corner was occupied by the most skilled fighter, whose task it was to defend against oncoming attacks. He disabled his opponents, making them unfit to continue fighting. The next two defenders behind him were responsible for finishing off those already injured. The pointmen of this " special operations battalion " were always extraordinary Arnis Eskrima Kali Fighters. They used short machetes to confront their Japanese invaders. Even though the Japanese were often armed with bayonets, swords and pistols, they suffered great losses during this guerilla war.

In 1946, after World War II, the Philippines declared their independence. This event had a tremendous influence on the Philippine martial arts. To this day the art is learned primarily behind closed doors. Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali continue to gain new popularity.

In 1965, Ferdinand E. Marcos was elected president of the Philippines. In 1972, he declared the country under martial law. In 1989, the Philippines became a democratic republic by popular vote. Following Ghandi's example, the power was returned to the people for peaceful occupation of banks and businesses. Since then, the Philippines increasingly reflect their own culture and traditions. Gradually the nations' traditional martial arts were revived. Today, there are many Arnis-Eskrima-Kali schools in the Philippines.

The teaching of eskrima was kept strictly within the Filipino community until the late 1960s when it was brought to the US by masters such as Angel Cabales. Even then, instructors teaching eskrima in the 1960s and 70s were often reprimanded by their elders for publicly teaching a part of their culture that had been preserved through secrecy. Today it is taught to the Filipino military as well as American groups like Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and Delta Force. In addition, the Philippine Marines are required to learn the basics of Kali knife fighting as part of their training.

After the Second World War, many Filipinos emigrated to the United States. A vast majority of them settled in Stockton, California. Stockton is now the largest Philippine colony outside the Philippines. Many of today’s well known masters such as Angel Cabales, Max Sarmiento, Mike Inay, Leo Giron, Dan Inosanto, a.o., were trained here or taught in this area.