Conceptual Arnis Fundamentals Taught @ UNO-R

Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. introducing Arnis evasive footwork to participating freshmen PE students during the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).





Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. training freshmen PE students in the applications of evasive footwork against any angle of attacks during the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).




Freshmen PE students learning the essential body mechanics of otso-otso (figure 8) pattern during the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).



Two of the four sections of freshmen PE students who participated in the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo (seated), with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, and conducted by Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (seated) last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).

MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, organized and hosted the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City for about 184 freshmen students coming from four sections. The seminar, which totaled to 4 hours, was held as part of the department’s Physical Education classes.

Resource Instructor was Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., an Arnis researcher, writer/historian, and teacher, entrepreneur, and formerly a Purchasing Officer at Asian Alcohol Corporation.

The seminar for every class started with a brief history of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) within the context of documented Philippine history, the etymologies of Arnis and Eskrima and their linguistic significance, and the expression of courtesy and etiquette in Arnis/Eskrima.

During pre-Hispanic times, the primary means of armament in baranganic warfare in the Visayas were swords and knives (i.e. kampilan, baladao, etc.) of different sizes and shapes as well as bangkaw, taming, and pana. With the introduction of the new society, the brandishing of bladed weapons was prohibited and Arnis/Eskrima adepts translated their bladework to the innocent looking sticks. Traditional Filipino weapons work is based on slashing/cutting movements characterized by the kaya/kulob of the hand.

Arnis is a corruption of the word Arnes “harness, trappings, mail armor (Español)” which alludes to the reputed ability of arnisadors to defend themselves as if wearing an armor for protection. Eskrima, the preferred term for the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) in Cebu, is a corruption of the word Esgrima “Fencing (Español),” which implies fighting with swords. There are still extant Negrosanon systems of Arnis which are based on the blade, among them Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis of Bacolod, Yasay Sable of Bago City, Oido de Caburata of Murcia, and Guarra Style of Bago.

Considering the number of students involved and the constraints on time, Sy focused on the most simple yet highly effective fundamental techniques of Arnis as taught in his Conceptual Martial Arts System, a blend of several Negrosanon/Ilonggo systems. The seminar focused heavily on the Paniil sa Walo ka Padulungan “8 Directions Footwork,” which the students learned to blend with and evade any attack with the least possible exertion of force. Before the end of the seminar for each section, students gained an idea on how to use paniil against any type of attack by merely identifying its angle. The seminar was rounded up with the study of the basic otss-otso “figure 8” pattern with the application both as attack and defense with weapons as well as empty handed (pangamut). Sy also showed the use of the caburata and a mineral water bottle, weapons that are unique to Arnis, as well as translating the knowledge of stick work as translated to the nunchaku.

The reception of the students was very positive. Mrs. Geolingo and her superiors hope that the introductory seminar had opened the eyes of the students to the rich martial culture of the Philippines and that they will appreciate what is truly their own and see it in the context of their history as a nation.

Four days earlier Sy also conducted the 1st OLPA Sports Arnis Seminar at the Our Lady of Pillar Academy (OLPA), Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City which was hosted by English and Filipino teacher Ariane M. Ignacio and attended by 16 students.