HISTORY OF ARNIS
The History of Arnis dates back before the colonization of the Spaniards, during those periods it was called Kali and the techniques of the art is focused on bladed weapons fighting. Kali was widely practiced throughout the archipelago; both nobleman and commoners were enthusiast and practitioners of the said art. Also during those days Kali is being taught in a school like training grounds, which was called Bothoan along with military tactics, Alibata (Native Alphabet), and herbal medicines.
On the dawn of April 27, 1521 the Portuguese navigator and warrior named Ferdinand Magellan was defeated by a native warrior chief named Lapu-lapu this was the recorded incident which Kali was used against foreign invaders. Forty years after that event, on April of 1564 another warrior navigator from Spain named Miguel De Legaspi landed in Abuyog Leyte Philippines. He was aware of the unfortunate fate of Magellan so took a non-hostile approach to avoid battle with the native. He befriend the warrior chief Malitik, it is at this point he witnessed the deadly fighting skills of the natives through a demo to entertain them. Afterwards he traveled to the nearby island of Sugbo and met another warrior chief named Tupas, he took a non-hostile approach to again avoid confrontation. For the second time he witnessed the formidable fighting techniques of the natives through a demo.
Years have passed by Spain was able to colonize the Archipelago thru the use of religion and what was then regarded as modern weapons such as Muskets and cannons. The Spaniards claimed the Archipelago and named it “Philippines” in honor of the King Philip of Spain. This was the start of the dark age of Kali, in the year 1764 the Spanish overlords banned the practice of Kali to the natives. Using the alibi that the natives were wasting time practicing it instead of tilling the fields. However