The Philippine Islands are broken up into three land mass groups. The upper containing Manila is Tagolog speaking, the catch all term for Filipino Martial Arts is known there still today by some as Arnis. The central island grouping (of which Cebu is the central part) speaks mainly Cebuno or Visayan. The catch all term for the few that might know it there is known as Eskrima. Kali is an ancient and all but forgotten term in the Philippines from the (Morro’s) of the southern group of Islands known as Mindanao. Do not go there and use the word Morro as it may be a resented term. In fact the terms like Kali, and Bursilot are not commonly known and practiced there and may be said to contain the sneakiest and deadliest techniques, swords and other weaponry. If you do find those there who know the terms; why? My question is who are they, how much do they know, and watch out, be very careful! Philippines in general can be dangerous if you’re a first time tourist type. Much more so in many parts of Mindanao. The area the of Kali techniques were and are heavily Indonesian and Arab influenced. All though I have explored there as well over the years, many times, and have been able to learn from some, the Art is dead to the general public. If you think it is not dangerous to go there, it can be safe briefly, but it's easy to be deceived, If it does happen you'll be dead, please do not just go there without talking to me first!

Some consider Kali the deadliest of the Filipino techniques and those most knowledgeable in these techniques may be deceptive and deadly to you! Certainly to most Americans. Kali is more commonly known here in the USA then in Mindanao (it’s origin) as a term and in technique. Some of the real techniques are here and the name Kali revived thanks to Dan Inosanto’s use and teachings which has spread now to maybe thousands across the USA and into several other countries now as well thanks to his seminars and followers who teach it.

Unlike Chinese Kung Fu or other cultures, in Filipino Martial Arts the weapon, the stick is first and primary. A stick can kill but is training for the sword. But also for a shorter or longer stick, a cane, a board, a branch, a tire iron,a book, bottle, even a flexible weapon, like Nunchuko's, belt, towel, or Sarong! You'll learn there is always a stick on you or around you, within your reach! The basics of the Art is empty hands and feet verses the same, verses the stick, stick vs stick, sword vs sword, knife vs hands, knife vs knife, Long and short or sword and dagger verses the same, Staff/ Spear and Shield, as well as the YoYo, Blow Gun, Sling shot and Jacks, and other Projectile weapons! An Eskrimador has experience in all areas of Filipino fighting arts. But in general means he is a hand held weapons expert!

Next is a break down of all the divisions or categories that is taught within the Filipino Martial Art at Dahms Academy. There are several systems of Filipino Martial Arts that I am knowledgeable in and can teach or at least elements of. This curriculum (ten weeks) outline only touches on a few.

1. Largo Mano - (long (hand) stick range) striking, countering and sparring. Elements of systems taught by Grand Master Leo Ghiron, Dan Inosanto and Doce Pares multiple systems.
Terms:
Elastico - long stretching movement
Alimango - crab, cross stepping style
Retriada - retreating style
Sinawali - entry and reflex training drills

2. Filipino closing range systems and intermediate range stick fighting, Elements of and as taught by Dan Inosanto (perhaps the greatest) and from (GM) Juanito Lacosta - Lacosta system; (GM) Villabrial & Tobosa - Numerada; (GM) Master Angel Cabales - Sarrada and Mike Inay -Inayan System Sarrada, (GM) Tortal & Leo Gaje - Pikitiursia; Illistrisimo system of (GM) Antonio Illistrisimo; (GM) Momoy, Euliogio, Cacoy, & Diony Canette, (GM) Vincente Carin all different concepts of Doce Pares. Intermediate range striking, countering and sparring includes locking and double tie ups, throwing, disarming and strips. All single sword or stick (book. bottle or other) staff, whip, flexible weapons (towel, shirt, coat, handkerchief, belt).

3. Hubad Lubag - (close quarter stick or knife fighting) butting range - best for locking, immobilization, throws, disarms, etc.

4. Dagger or Knife training - hands vs. knife, tapic tapic interception of knife attack angles Serrada and Doce Pares style, dumog push, pull, roll joints, shake & bake, add destruction’s fist & elbows, jams, insertions, locks, disarms, shoves, shift side & reverse sides. knife vs., knife defenses and the above, flow drills pallasut, hubud lubog. Balisong use of openings.

5. Espada y daga- (long and short stick or sword and dagger) drilling, immobilization, disarms, throws and sparring. Serrada - lock and block drilling; Doce Pares - striking, countering and sparring.

6. Double Stick / double knife / shield & spear- each person drill and spars with two sticks.

7. Panuntokan - Philippine Boxing, use of elbows & cover and destruction of attacks, counter punch.

8. Pananjakan - (Philippine & Indonesian low kicks and Leg Technique and countering) Sikaran - high line kicking

9. Pangamut - Above and trapping hands and feet the same principles as in Sinawali and countering.

10. Dumog - ( joint wrestling) push, pull, roll joints to manipulate; Babag - trapping, hand touching range.

11. Tranca - Breaking & locking of joints single, double limb tie ups and locks, locks as body shielding and barriers vs two or more opponent attacking. (Use dumog to manipulate)

12. Kinimotay - pinching and biting