In our world today, danger is just sitting right around the corner. As the number of bad guys rise, it is not enough that we rely on our government officials or our police troops to protect all of us all at the same time. What if someone attacked you? What if someone broke into your house and no one is there with you? How can you protect yourself in the absence of help?
Self-defense is first and foremost the capability to anticipate situations that might develop into danger and being able to avoid them. One kind of self-defense is Arnis. According to our professor Mr. Laxa, Arnis is an art primarily used for self-defense; this emphasizes the use of weapons, especially the rattan stick.
Mr. Laxa introduced to us many techniques used in Arnis, including single sinawali, double sinawali, and peripherals, and now the solo baston. Solo Baston involves the use of a long stick weapon. It does not necessarily mean that you can only use a stick to perform this defense. You can also use bladed weapons and other daily objects we see everyday such as umbrellas, and walking sticks. Solo baston consists of striking and blocking techniques, also disarming techniques.
First, striking and blocking, striking is forcibly and deliberately hitting with one’s hand or a weapon, while blocking is hindering or stopping the movement or action of the opponent. These techniques have three kinds, specifically, 6, 8, and 12. I think the main advantage of these techniques is that you will be able to attack your opponent and at the same time block his or her hit.
To be specific, I will name the advantages and disadvantages of each kind.
In the 6 strikes and blocks, the advantage of these techniques is that you can block your opponent’s attack aimed at your temple, crown, stomach, and knee. These techniques are specifically aimed for the temple, crown, stomach, and knee, and the possible outcome if not blocked is very fatal. The disadvantage of these strikes and blocks is that it is very limited to only few parts. This is when another technique comes in. The 8 strikes and blocks, the advantage of these strikes and blocks is that you can be able to block your opponent’s attack aimed at your temple, eye, crown, stomach, and knee. There is an additional target which is the eyes that if not blocked can lead to a serious damage. But the disadvantage is that this technique is also limited to only few parts. The 12 strikes and blocks is the most suitable