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ESCRIMA - THE PHILIPPINES
MARTIAL ART
ESCRIMA - THE PHILIPPINES MARTIAL ART
The Self - Defense system * Escrima *
(art or defense of the hand) Originated in the Philippines. Before, the name
* Arnis * but today the word * Escrima * is used. It means a fight in which
sharp blades or weapons are used.
The stick - fighting system Escrima is well known in America due to the
large amount of Philippine Immigrants.
Escrima has a long and wild history which can be traced back as far as 1521
when the Philippines were occupied by the Spanish. The Art was taught to
children together with reading and writing, like a military drill.
The Spanish had quite a hard time against the native's who knew how to use
their sticks, bolas and knives with deadly precision. In the 18th Century
the teaching of Art was forbidden but the Filipino's continued their studies
secretly. At native festivals one could see the Martial Art hidden in dance
with flowing movements. Through this it was passed on from generation to
generation. IN 1898 when the rule of the Spanish came to an end and the
Americans took over, the ban of teaching was lifted.
During the second World War many Filipino's fought side by side with the
Americans in their Guerrilla Units and owe their live to this Martial Art.
After the war a lot of Filipino's immigrated to the United States and
brought their Art with them. Credit for the rediscovery of Escrima toward
the masses has to go to the deceased Bruce Lee, who showed the application
of the art in his movies.
Rene Latosa member of the U.S. Air Force spent years promoting this art in
Europe, America and all over the World. LATOSA ESCRIMA is taught exclusively
at EBMAS.
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