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<p align="justify">The Portuguese discoverer, Magellan, and his heavily armed soldiers were the first Europeans to be exposed to Philippine stick-fighting methods. Later, the Spanish conqueror had to admit during their occupation that Escrima was one of the most effective and practical weapon systems. Only with the help of firearms, could the occupation win the upper hand. At last, in the 1800’s, the Philippine were forcibly occupied and strictly forbidden from learning Escrima. The fighting art was further developed but secretly.</p> <p align="justify">At the end of the Second World War, many Philippine immigrated into the USA. At this point, Escrima established its entry into the world of American fighting arts. Escrima became better known because of Bruce Lee, who brought this system into the eye of the public through some of his movies.</p> <p align="justify">Escrima—Spanish Esgrima—is derived from the Germanic word skirma meaning to screen or protect, in the sense of fighting with a sword and shield on the battlefield. <br> Escrime came into the French fencing organization, as well as into the Italian as Scherma. Escrima is the American writing Style. The Doce Pares style uses the writing style Eskrima.</p> <p align="justify">The Spanish introduced the generic term Escrima to the Philippine. It was derived from the sword fighting used on the battlefield. Fighting arts like those of Thailand, Krabi Krabong, as well as Kenjutsu or Bojutsu from Japan, have no connection with fighting techniques or cultural history of the Phillippine fighting arts or the concept of Escrima. </p> <p align="justify">Escrima had gained a connection to the old European fencing schools (numbering system, planning of footwork, the use of weapons, etc.) through the Spanish colonization. Escrima, by name, nowadays is found only in the Phillipine and a branch in the USA through the many Phillipine immigrants.</p> <p align="justify">Escrima, Arnis de Mano, and Kali represent different regional fighting methods from geographical areas, which today are assigned to the Phillipine. These many different styles have—based on their region—acquired culturally different influences to that of the Phillipine Island group. They have no similarities with each other. <br> In certain regions, the concept Kali is common. In other regions, Escrima or Arnis is used.<br> We use in our Escrima style different weapon techniques like, one-and two stick fighting, longer stick, blade fighting, nerve-stick techniques, sword, dagger, etc.</p> <p align="justify">The Spanish fencing school with swords and daggers was origionally referred to as Espada y Daga. This school is fully Spanish and was taken on by the Phillipine. In the meantime—also in Germany—many teachers master these methods, even today. </p> <p align="justify">Whether all Phillipine styles stem from Kali is not certain. Our style comes from Mambuso, a region of Illongos on Panay. Arnis, Kali, and Escrima should not be lumped together just because it happens to fit in the general concept. There are Escrima concepts that have not the slightest similarities what so ever with Arnis or Kali. Doing so would otherwise make an embarrassing and amateurish mixture of this generic term.<br> </p>
© 2006 Werner Leuschner
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