Welcome!

Arnis Punk is a growing archive of resources for curious Filipino diaspora and practitioners of the art of Arnis, as well as a learning space for anyone drawn to learning techniques for self defence! Rooted in revolutionary era Filipino martial traditions, Arnis is a practical art of both defence and combat.

Here you’ll find resources on training, history, media, and reflections on the art and culture.

Whether you are brand new to Arnis or already training, this site is here to help you learn, question, and practice!

What is Arnis?

Arnis, also known as Eskrima or Kali, is a martial art of the Philippines rooted in blade, blunt weapon, and empty-hand fighting. Historically, these fighting traditions were used and refined by Filipinos in struggles against Spanish, American, and Japanese occupation. Resistance against oppression is part of it's DNA.

It's origins are in sword fighting but the most common image is with the training tool of choice, the baston, also referred to simply as a stick. In the periods between and after the wars however, a baston dueling culture emerged across the archipelago, giving rise to many blunt weapon techniques we see in the art today

In the context of modern self defense, Arnis provides a foundation of movement for fighting with improvised weapons such as canes, pipes, hammers, wrenches, box cutter, kitchen knives, etc.

Why Arnis Punk?

Arnis, in its common modern conception, is often presented as apolitical — stripped of its integrity as a force against oppression in order to sell it overseas. Many instructors, Filipino and otherwise, have gone on to train police and military forces that are used to harm vulnerable communities across the globe. Arnis Punk is about reclaiming the art’s spirit of resistance and making it accessible to vulnerable people as a tool: not only for survival and collective defense, but also for building the strength and confidence to face whatever hardship may come our way. BAHALA NA!!