Guerrero Arnis de Mano Articles

12 Jun
2017

Guerrero Arnis de Mano Logo

Guerrero Arnis LogoOur logo represents the ideas and intentions of the organization for the guidance of each member.
 
The Chief
At the center of the logo is a figure referred to as Lapu-lapu - The Chief. Lapu-Lapu is considered to be the first Filipino hero having battled against the Spanish colony headed Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521. Lapu-Lapu is then a representation of the warrior (Guerrero) with the truest fighting spirit and bravery in defense of ones self, family and country
 
The Blunt and the Blade
The stick and sword is a representation of the Filipino weapons that are either blunt or bladed. It also represents the adaptability and convertability of techniques from blunt to bladed weapons, from single to double weapons in long or short forms
 
The Circles
The 3 circles represents 2 folds of the integral learning of Guerrero Arnis de Mano system:
a. continuous learning of the "tripartite", that is, multi-style, multi-weapons, multi-range
b. The training objectives and goals that is embodied through Reflex, Reaction and Randomness (3R). 
 
The 3 Stars and the Sun
The 3 five pointed stars represents the 3 main islands in the Philippine archipelago: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.  It represents the roots and origin of the art.
 
The sun with its eight rays represents the 8 provinces who first revolted against the Spanish colonial rule during the revolution of 1896. The provinces are Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila (Morong, Rizal), Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,and Tarlac. This represents herioc lineage of the art, 
that no one should be subdued and that loyalty is to God, the State and the Family. 
 
"Arnis Kali Eskrima" emblem
Signifies the Filipino Martial Art, 3 terms referring to one art.
 
"Guerrero Arnis de Mano" emblem
"Guerrero" is the direct translation of warrior in Spanish. "Arnis" represents the art while "de Mano" exemplifies that the Arnis system is in your hands.  It represents that weapons are but just extension of your hands, the true weapon is you - the Arnis practitioner. 
11 May
2017

About the Founder

As a child, Guro Guerrero has been intrigued and fascinated with Arnis, seeing it being practiced by his Father, uncles and cousins (who was then Barangay Tanods -  a local patrolling personnel carrying rattan sticks who serves the community on a voluntary basis) he has been lured by the fluid and gorgeous movements of Arnis during training and demonstrations.
 
Not until the age of 16 when he was able to get a Physical Education subject called Arnis 1 that he was able to formally learn Arnis at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
 
On the first 6 months of his learning, the try-outs for the PUP Arnis Varsity was announced on which he immediately signed up.  From that day onwards he has continuously seek, learned and practiced Arnis.
 
Under the guidance of now Grand Master Luz Arroyo, Guro Guerrero is one of the varsity players that represented the PUP Arnis Varsity in different Schools, Colleges and University tournaments as well as local and international tournaments that were organized by the National Arnis Association of the Philippines (NARAPHIL), Arnis Philippines (ARPHI) and the International Arnis Federation (IAF).
 
"Becoming an Arnis Varsity player in PUP is hard, but maintaining it is even harder.  It takes time, passion and dedication. You have to train 3 times a week and each session is 3 to 4 hours of hard training. You have to do this while also maintaining good academic standing and earning Gold and Silver medals or titles for the University as part of the pre-requisite.
 
Coach Luz Arroyo, is a strict, straightforward and disciplined coach.  If you are not on top of your game, then you are out of the game.
 
It is through this week-in and week-out of tournaments (literary every week then we have tournaments at the Nayong Pilipino grounds at Pasay City, Philippines) and engagements that I got to see different authentic Arnis systems, was able to learn from different Grand Masters through exchanges and was able to study different systems while developing strategies to countering them (remember the objective is not just to learn their system but to counter it - this is how we win Gold for the school)" according to Guro Guerrero
 
After university in 1996 until 2006, Guro Guerrero continued to learn different styles and systems of Arnis by joining different mainstream groups with the objective of knowing the roots and establishing himself in the art.
 
"In PUP Arnis Varsity, our training was very scientific and athletic geared towards tournament style which is good for developing speed and agility, while joining traditional and classical Arnis groups opened my awareness to other aspects of Arnis and it's roots"
 
On 2007, Guro Guerrero went to Singapore and founded Guerrero Arnis de Mano (then United Arnis), which is one of the pioneering Arnis school in Singapore.
 
He has been continuously propagating the art of Arnis, Kali, Eskrima in Singapore by conducting weekly classes, workshops, seminars and demonstrations in coordination with different organizations.
 
"My goal is to propagate the Filipino Martial Arts to Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike and to impart not only the art but also the richness of the Filipino history, heritage and culture".
11 May
2017

Guerrero Arnis de Mano

Guerrero Arnis de Mano (GADM) is the Arnis, Kali, Eskrima system that is founded by Guro Guerrero.  What sets Guerrero Arnis de Mano apart is it's Multi-Style System, Multi-Weapon System and Multi-range System referred to as "the tripartite"

 While others can be considered as systems base on their fighting range (eg. Long range systems) or the way they handle weapons (eg. slash systems, witik systems, abanico systems), Guerrero Arnis de Mano is "counter system" utilizing different styles, range and weapon as counter to different styles, range and weapons. 
 
The tripartite concept is built into the training syllabus that is used by each student as he goes along to learn the art of Arnis, Kali, Eskrima.  The syllabus is progressive, building from one skill set to the other.
 
 
What makes a complete Arnis, Kali, Eskrima system?
 
A system is complete when it has the following aspects:
A. System of Weaponry
B. System of Empty Hand combat
C. System of preparation
D. Strategy and Tactics
 
Guerrero Arnis de Mano is a system that implements the above through it's 5 pillars of Arnis, namely:
 
D. Pagbuno 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guerrero Arnis de Mano Training Objectives, Mindset and Application
 
The Objective: Develop Reaction, Reflex and Randomness
 
Guerrero Arnis focuses on the development of Reaction, Reflex and Randomness - code name 3R.
 
The 3R are developed through a systematic training methodology that is incorporated in the 5th Pillar of Arnis - Paghahanda. 
 
Each practitioner needs to develop the 3R, lacking one will make the practitioner ineffective in combat, sparring and self-Defence scenarios as each one is dependent to the other.
 
One can have a good reflex and reaction, but if it is sequential or numerada (numbers or in sequence) in nature then it may not be useful in a combat scenario as combat is very random in nature. On the other hand, you can be good in reaction and randomness being able to block the strike but don't have good reflex to execute a counter Attack, then it is also pointless has the opponent will just keep on striking you.
 
The Mindset: multi-style, multi-weapon, multi-range
 
The capability to utilise different styles, different weapons and different ranges as and when needed is the very core of Guerrero Arnis de Mano. 
 
As opposed to other systems that focuses only on specific style, weapon and range, Guerrero Arnis de Mano treats each style, weapon, and range with equal importance and applicability.  The key is to be able to react and apply the techniques on a situational basis regardless of style, weapon used and range.
 
The Application: armed and unarmed combat and self-Defence capability
 
Functional techniques is the applicability of techniques on controlled (such as gym training and tournament environments) as well as live situational scenarios (such as street fight, combat and self-Defence).  In simple words, what you learn at the gym should be applicable or useable outside of the gym.
 
Another aspect of functional techniques is referred to as "convertability" - the ability to convert or adapt or translate techniques from one type of weapon to another.  Can a double weapon technique be applied to empty hand? If so, how can it be applied?
 
In the real world, you may not have the luxury of choosing the range or distance of the fight, you may be good at Long range technique however are inside an elevator when a hold-up situation occurred, you will be needing close range techniques.
 
In the real world, you will not be carrying weapons at all times, maybe due to inconvenience or regulations, however, having self-Defence tools better than not having at all. Do you have a pen? Can you use that as a self-Defence tool? If so,  how will you use it? 
 
Having the ability to utilise what you have (or don't have) to your advantage as well as being able to apply the techniques in real world could spell the rate of survival.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guerrero Arnis de Mano Training Methodology
 
To develop techniques and capabilities, the following tried and tested approach is implemented:
 
A. Techniques Learning
 
a. Abecedario (form) 
  The basics or ABC's of the technique, the technique is broken own into simplified steps and concept for a Guerrero to learn and absorb. 
 
b. Contrada (simulation)
Once a Guerrero is able to apprehend a technique and is able to execute the technique with some level of confidence he is then exposed to a simulation scenario on which the Guerrero is fed an angle of Attack.  He then reacts on the feeding and executes the technique and counterattacks (thus the term Contrada).
 
c. Sumbrada (give and take)
 also known as Bigay-Tama, is the exchange between 2 practitioners (Guerreros) whereby an Attack (give) is blocked (take) and countered (Attack) then that counter is also counter.  This enables the practitioner to be exposed in realtime exchange of strike, block and counter sequence.
 
B. Techniques Application
a. Numerada (numbered or sequenced) 
To facilitate learning, numbering system is introduced, such as Strikes 1-12, Blocks 1-12, Counters 1-12.
 
The techniques are executed as a sequence from one number to the next.  This organises a Guerrero's learning to focus first on the technique and improve on it developing reaction and reflex.
 
Each technique and drill are introduced in a sequential manner (numerada) with the goal of making it random. 
 
b. Laro (Random)
Once a Guerrero is comfortable with the techniques in Numerada mode. He is then exposed to the random mode whereby attack can come from different angles, he then needs to react and deliver a proper counter regardless of which angle the attack came from (the basis of randomness).
 
Sparring is another effective facility to practice randomness as both Guerrero's tries to attack strategically as well as defend themselves. Sparring can be in form of light/controlled sparring and/or full contact protected sparring.
 
C. Simulations and Drills
 
Guerrero Arnis de Mano deploys different kinds of drills to further develop and improve the 3R (reaction, reflex and randomness). This can be in the form of:
 
A. Sinawali
B. Sumbrada
C. Contrada 
D. Hubud, tapi-tapi
E. Sparring or Duelo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Levels and Ranking
 
By tradition, Arnis does not have belting system, but a ranking system.  A Guerrero (a student or Arnis practitioner) is ranked by his knowledge of the art and skills as displayed in his/her reaction, reflex and randomness. Only when passing the ranking or testing that he/she is promoted to the next level.
 
The 3 levels are:
 
a. Baguhan - beginners level
b. Bihasa - intermediate level
c. Mandirigma - accomplished and advance level
 
11 May
2017

Multi-range System

There are 3 common ranges that are utilised in Arnis, Kali, Eskrima: Largo (Long), Medio (medium), Corto (short range).
 
Each range has specific styles and fighting techniques that can be linked to it, example of such common styles and ranges are as follows:
 
    A. Long Range - common styles includes Figure 8, Rompida, Banda y Band, Redonda, Doblete styles.
    B. Medium Range - common styles includes Witik, Abaniko, 
    C. Close Range - common styles includes Punyo, Punya, Slice and scrape styles
 

About GADM

Premier Arnis, Kali, Eskrima school in Singapore

We train every Saturdays at Safra Punggol

  • Guerrero Arnis de Mano
  •  +65 8782-GADM (4236)
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  •  9 Sentul Crescent Singapore Singapore 828654 Singapore

Training Schedule

  • SATURDAY
  • Level 1 2:00p.m - 3:00p.m
  • Level 1 3:00p.m - 4:00p.m
  • Level 2 4:00p.m - 5:00p.m
  • Level 3 5:00p.m - 6:30p.m

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