The Bladed Hand

The martial arts of the Philippines have recently come to the forefront through movies (The Bourne Trilogy, Book of Eli, The Hunted) and have fairly recently, certainly within the last century been introduced outside of the Philippines. Once taught in secret, many times as a "family" style, FMA is now inclusive vs. exclusive, As an archipelago of 7000+ islands, each island and region was able, through trade and interaction with other cultures develop the arts with regional and personal interpretations. 300 years of Spanish colonial rule drove the bladed art underground and transitioned the art from bladed weapons to impact weapons.Just as then, today there are numerous styles, some personal or familial, some institutional yet while the practitioners were most definitely proud of their background and art, they acknowledge that there is no one correct art, interpretation or style that is better than another. While conflict certainly existed between styles and practitioners of the same art, this video successfully, in my opinion, remains neutral.Is it perfect? No. As foundation, I think it is an excellent starting point for a person looking into FMA as a martial art to practice. Historical references and techniques are slowly disappearing with the passing of many practitioners, masters, and grandmasters.Did it reference every art? No. There are as many different styles as there are islands. I think that, at least with respect to the USA, a follow up video looking at the propagation of FMA through Angel Cabales, Leo Giron, Ramiro Estalilla and many, many, others would be fascinating. These are grandmasters from the California Central Valley. But FMA is also on the East Coast of the US (Sayoc Kali, Amante Marinas' Panandata)...FMA is practiced globally.What Mark Wiley did with books for FMA, I think Jay Ignacio did with video. Thank you, Jay.As far as the "arnis," vs "escrima/eskrima," vs. "kali" debate on which term is correct...Grandmaster Ramiro Estalill, Jr. D.M.A. (Hon.) has this to say: Same chicken, different recipe.

The Bladed Hand is an exploration into the origins and history of Filipino Martial Arts, including the myths and influences that contributed to the art and to Filipino martial culture, including how Filipino Martial Arts have influenced the global martial arts community, Hollywood, and military and police combat tactics far beyond the Philippines' borders. .The film highlights some disparate origin myths and rivalries of martial culture and many of the individual styles in the Philippines, as well as the efforts to quell the antagonism between schools and styles, and to bring a better understanding of this instrinsic aspect of Filipino culture into the general awareness of the Filipno People, themselves.The Bladed Hand skilfully approaches the subject of martial culture and history in the Philippines in an academic fashion, seeking to consolidate the truths of the art, creating a interesting and very accessible presentation of Arnis, Eskrima and Kali as they appear in Filipino history, and of the Filipino Martial Arts, today.Featured in the film are vintage photos and footage of many of the masters of the art, as well as new footage, demonstrations, and discussions with SGM Ciraco Cañete, SGM Dionisio Cañete, GM Crispulo Atillo, GM Rodel Dagooc, Dan Inosanto, Bobby Tabimina, GM Remy Presas, Jr., Felipe Jocano, Jr., and many other figures that have made Filipino Martial Arts what it is today. .DVD Special Features include:- Interview with Lorenz Lasco on ancient Filipino bladed weapons- Demonstration of Tapado with Master Joe Tan- Balisong knife demonstration- Film OuttakesNOTE: Older DVD players may have an issue with cropping the 16:9 video aspect ratio at the sides, as mine did. But, the aspect ratio appears to be displayed correctly on a computer (tested in VLC).

Even though I may sound bias because I am Filipino, but as you can see, our martial arts is highly effective in real life situations. It is essentially all of the world's best martial arts packed into one. And this IS the reason why it is used in special forces and law enforcement! There were several law enforcers from all over the world who ultimately admitted that Filipino Martial Arts is the best out of all the other martial arts. Bruce Lee was taught how to use the nun chucks by a Filipino name Dan Inosanto, and that weapon is actually what Bruce Lee is REALLY known for! Bruce Lee was also taught how to use dual sticks fighting by Dan as well. The Borne movies, Book of Eli, Resident Evil, Taken movies, etc all of those movies used our martial arts and you can clearly see just how effective it is even though they are just the "movies." Those moves that were in those movies, however, were actually used in real life from centuries ago! Hence, special forces and law enforcers use our martial arts! I encourage anyone and everyone (Filipino or not) to learn this system because it helps you not only understand our culture, but how to respect people since it is VERY deadly! You become a human weapon! And as a weapon, you have to respect yourself and the people around you. :)