Filipino Martial Arts Terminology This list is by no means a complete list of the terminology found within the martial arts of the Philippines but will, hopefully give some understanding of many of the terms found. The systems and styles of the FMA are as diverse and numerous as the Islands that make up the Philippine Islands (1,500 +) and most of these Islands have developed their own indigenous languages and dialects. The Philippine Islands of the North and Central regions were ruled by the Spanish for a period of 333 years, so some Spanish and Spanish type terminology is also found in many systems, especially those from the Northern regions. This huge diversity goes some way in explaining why there is no unifying terminology to describe many of the techniques, concepts and principles of the FMA and why many modern day schools resort to the use of English as a simple generic terminology.
Abang Abanico Abanico sa Itaas Abecedario Abierta Agaw Agaw-Sandata Aldabis Alpabeto Anim Anino Antas Antaw Apat Araw Arnis Arnisador Arnis de Mano Atras Avante
to wait defensively fan; also spelled "abaniko" upper flywheel "ABC's"; the basics open position to grab, seize, disarm or take away disarming & retrieval of the weapon diagonal cut, strike or uppercut alphabet; the basics six shadow level or degree long range four sun or day harness; northern philippine martial art stick fighter "Armor of the Hand"; system retreat or backward forward
Babag Bago Bagong-Pasok Bagong-Pasok Bagsak Baguhan Bahi Baitang Bakbakan Balaraw Baligtad Bali Balik Balisong Balitok Banatan Bansay-bansay Bantay
worry; trouble new or before entry level student to drop; overhead strike with down weighing beginner a Philipine hardwood used for sticks level or stages a rumble or free-for-all fight dagger reverse or inside out break return or retreat "butterfly knife" tumble full-contact fighting training or drills guard or watch
Bantay-Kamay Bara-bara Baraw Bartikal Basag Baston Bati-Bati Batikan Baywang Bigay Bigay-bali Bigay-galang Bihasa Binahagi Binali Binti Bisig Bothan Braso Buah Buhat Buhat Araw Bukas Buklis Bulusok Buno Bunot Bunot Kaluban
support or "alive" hand wild or formless technique dagger vertical cut/strike broken stick using the butt of the stick noteworthy; certified expert the hip to give lock release technique salutation expert cut into parts break or reverse trip the arm Martial Arts school the arm combination of footwork and form; application of technique from or lift an overhead strike open position upward figure 8 powerful overhead or diagonal strike takedown or throws to draw a sword; to pluck out an upward slash followed by a downward Slash; a drawing and slashing technique
Caballero Carera Cadena de Mano Centro Centro Baston Cerrada Cinco Cinco Teros Contra Contrada Corto Cruzada Crossada Cuatro
techniques from Grandmaster Caballero cycling movement or spin chain of hands center holding the stick in the middle close; closed fighting position five "5 strikes" counter opposite or counter close range cross-block and strike to cross four
Daga Dakop Dakot Dalawa Dalawampu Dalawampu't Isa Dalawang Dakip Dakip-Diwa Damdam Damdam-Diwa
dagger or short stick to catch to scoop two twenty twenty-one double capture mind-set feel or sensitivity sensitivity; being aware
de Cadena de Cuerdas Defundo Delikado Depensa Dib-dib Diin Dikitan Diwa Djuru Doble Doble Baston Doblete Doce Pares Dos Dos Labahas Dos Manos Dos Manos Largos Dukop Dukot Dukot Dulo Dumog Dungab Dungab Duslak
"the chain" "to chord"; system stationary dangerous defense; person taking defensive role in training the chest to put pressure on very close or close quarters mind form double double stick training double or repeat "12 pairs or 12 strikes"; system two two blades two hands two hands with long stick to catch to snatch or seize unexpectedly to reach out the tip of the stick filipino grappling art to strike with the fist "heaven" or "hammer" grip thrust
Elastico Enganyo Entrada Equis Eskrima Eskrimador Espada Espada y Daga Estrilla
"rubber band art"; system fake or feint entry "X" or "X" shaped strike "skirmish"; filipino martial art stick fighter sword or long stick sword & dagger or long & short stick star
Floreti Frail
twirling of the stick stickfighting
Galang Galing Gantihan Garote Garote'ng itak Gitna Gunting Guro
respect skillfull exchange of blows stick; usually flat to simulate a blade flat stick center "scissors" or passing block with a limb destruction teacher
Habang Hagad-Hubad Hagis Hagibis Hakbang
while; in the meantime strikes & counters to throw; a throwing technique whirlwind; throwing & grappling techniques to step; footwork
Hakbang-Paiwas Halo-Halo Hanay Han-ay Handa Hapos Hapsanay Hatak Hataw Hawak Hawak-Gitna Hawak-Pakal Hawak-Punyo Hawak-Sagad Hawak-Saksak Hawak-Sandata Hawak-Susi Higot Hindi Hintay Hiwa Hubad Hulagpos
full side step/step to avoid strike combination; free flow sparring row or line form "Get ready !" strike or slash free sparring to pull a full power strike to hold holding the stick in the middle reverse or ice-pick grip regular hold on weapon with punyo regular grip with no punyo regular or hammer grip methods of holding a weapon reverse grip; holding at tip of stick to tie no or negative wait or pause to slash or cut to untie or undress; name of a flow drill to escape from capture or restraint
Ibaba Ibabaw Ikot Ikot-Hantaw Ilag Ilalim Ilustrisimo Insayo'ng Ipit Ipit-Hagis Isang Itaas Itak Isa Isa-pa Iwas
down or below above or on-top turn or about-face spinning strike to evade under or underneath techniques from Grandmaster Anotio training to lock, trap or jam a sacrifice throwing technique single above, upper or to the front long sword or bolo one once more; again; one more time to avoid, dodge or duck
Juego Todo
anything goes or free-for-all fight
Kaayusan Kabakas Kadena Kadyot Kalahati Kalas Kalas-Sandata Kalasag Kali Kalis Kaliwa
order or organisation partner or assistant chain or series of movements a shallow, snap thrust half disengage, release or disarm disarming technique to shield a southern Philippine martial art oldest of the Philippino style kris swords left side
Kamagoong Kamay Kamayan Kamot Kanan Kapatid Kasa Kasama Karunungan Katapatan Katawan Katipunan Kenkoy Kilat Kilos Kilos-Paa Kina-Iya Kris Kunsi Kuntao Labaha Labahas Laban Laban-Handa Laban-Laro Labanang Labanang-Dikitan Labanang-Malapitan Labanang-Malayuan Laban-Paluan Laban-Sanay Labas Labing-Isa Labo-labo La Contra Lakan Langka Lansi Lansing-Tadyak Lansing-Sikad Largo Largo Mano Largos Laro Laro-laro Larong La Seguida Laslas Lastiko Lengua de Fuego Lihim Lihis Likos Lima
Philipine iron wood the hand empty-hand training to punch; hand right side brother to cock or chamber; to accept a challenge companion/friends knowledge loyalty body or torso organisation, association or brotherhood derogatory term used for unrealistic or Impractical fighting style "Lightning Blow" movement footwork natural serpentine blade knife or sword grappling techniques "fist way"; system blade blades to fight ready-stance combat drills or "play fights" to fight close quarters combat medium range combat long range combat free-fighting combat-skills training the outside eleven anything-goes fight to meet a strike an instructor rank equivalent to black belt footwork to confuse or misdirect spinning thrust kick spinning snap kick long long range long to play give and take drills or training to play to follow a strike to cut to shreds a style of arnis that emphasizes bobbing & weaving to avoid strikes a fast series of thrust & slash techniques secret to the side or side-step twirl five
Liyad Lock & Block Loob Lubud Luma Lusob Lutangto
to lean away training drill from Serrada Eskrima the inside to blend old attack or partner taking offensive role float; the unique forward and backward footwork of the Ilustrisimo system
Mabilis Magaling Magisa Mag-Olisi Magulang Mahina Maharlika Mahusay Malakas Malapitan Malayuan Mandirigma Mano Mano y Mano Marami Maraming Salamat Po Marunong Masipag Masugid Matibay Matira Matira Matibay Matulis Mayto May-Alam Medio Meteorica Mukha Muli
fast or speedy highly skilled alone one who practices stick-fighting parents; shrewd or sly weak or of poor skills noble or nobility skillful strong, powerful or influential near or close far or distant warrior hand hand to hand many or numerous "Many thanks" knowledgeable earnest or hard working dedicated or loyal strong, durable or lasting to be left or to be the last survival of the Fittest sharply pointed; a style of bolo have to posses the seeds of knowledge medium range meteoric strike from Grandmaster Caballero the face again or one more time
Nakahanda Naka-Upo Nakaw Ng
ready seated to steal of
Olisi Olisi-hay Opo Oracion Ordabis
stick sparring with sticks respectful form of saying "yes" a prayer for protection backhand strike
Paa Paayon Paawas
foot going with the force to parry
Pababa Pag-Galang Pagsasanay Pagsilang Pagsisisi Pahimsug Pahisa Paikot Paikot Paiwas Paka Palad Palakas Palakas-Pulso Palis Palis-Patid Palisut Palisut-sut Palit Palit-Kamay Palitan Palo Paluan Palusut Pama-a Panabas Panandata Panastas Panata Pangamot Pangandam Pang-Ikyas Pangilog Pang-Olisi Pang-Ubot Panibago Pani-il Panimban Panipis Panukad Parusa Pasada de Contra Pasok Pasulong Pasungkit Pataas Patalim Patalon Patibong Patid Patusok Paulit-ulit Pa-upo Pauyon Payong Payong sa Itaas
downward salutation or show of respect training birth or sunrise atonement or repentance exercises or calisthenics a slashing motion rotate circular strike to avoid "ice pick" grip palm of the hand strengthening wrist-strengthening exercises sweep or sweeping parry a sweeping throw to scoop skipping strike change or exchange change or exchange grip alternating to strike exchange of strikes to pass through; technique of evading and Passing through footwork ax style weapon study of the weapons of the Philippines to slash a devotion empty-hand defense on-guard or ready position evasion or dodge disarming stick fighting hold or grip new or a revival footwork balance to skim or cut thinly fighting stance punishment pass and hit to enter, inside or on target forward to thrust upward upward dagger or blade weapon jumping or multi-level strikes to trap to trip in a thrusting motion repetitive half side step/sitting down go-with-the force technique umbrella upper umbrella block
Pekiti Piga Piglas Pikon Piktos Pilay Pinahandog Pinatag Pinasaka Pinasaka Tuhod Pinatindog Pingga Pinid Pintok Pinuti Pito Planchada Plansada Pluma Po Prakcion Pukpok Pulso Puluhan Punong Guro Punyo
close range to squeeze or wring to struggle or resist one who is easily upset a snap strike sprain or dislocation; lame or crippled at the legs diagonal downward strike horizontal strike diagonal upward strike rising knee strike vertical downward strike a long staff fighting system closed position a wrist snap strike long Visayan sword seven a horizontal strike horizontal cut/strike pen a suffix denoting respect to react faster than the opponent to hammer or pummel pulse or wrist handle or butt head teacher & founder of system butt of stick or any weapon
Redonda Redondo Retirada Rompida Ronda Ropillon
continuous double stick technique circular power strike to retreat an upward and downward slash circular movement of the hands or weapon a double stick technique or movement
Sa Sabayan
to or of simultaneous; to attack or counter at the same time incomplete or imperfect; a low right to left horizontal strike to throw or scatter; an upward right to left diagonal strike reverse position defence to charge or to overrun to ride or go with the force eskrima sticky hands; to follow the motion of the blocked/ checked weapon or attack heel palm-heel to thrust a technique using fast withdrawal and twisting of the weapon to inflict a cut on the opponents checking or blocking hand block or parry
Sablay Saboy Sadang Sagang Sagasa Sakay Sakay-Salag Sakong Sakong-Palad Saksak Sasak Hatak
Salag
Salagba Salagbas Salag-Bisig Salagsok Salagtas Salakay Salamat Salamin Salisi Salok Saltik Salubong Sama Sambut Sampu Sanay Sandata Sangga Saplet Sawali Serada Serrada Sibat Sibog Sikad Sikad-Gilid Sikad-Hataw Sikad-Sungkite Sikad-Tusok Sikaran Siklod Siklod Bangga Sikmura Siko Sikot Sikwat Sikwat-Siko Silat Silak Sinawalli Sinigurato Sipa Sipalit Sipang-Hataw Siyam Sogo Solo Songab Songkiti Suklian Suko
downward block outside dodging and parrying forearm block inside dodging and parrying upward block to charge or attack to thank mirror or reaction drill opposing or opposite direction an upward strike with the edge or point a snap strike to meet head-on to join or go with combination of footwork & form; application of technique ten training or exposure weapon to block quick disarm interwoven slats of wood use for walls closed close quarters or "closing" staff retreat or backward side kick side snap kick snap roundhouse kick snap hook kick front snap kick a Philippine martial art emphasising kicking to kiss the hand of an elder; a wrist lock a wrist lock that uses the shoulder as a leverage point solar plexus the elbow push kick to pry; an upward strike with the punyo a come-along lock with the elbow as the primary lock or center of pressure to outmaneuver or overpower; an Indonesian Malaysian & Southern Philipine martial art open-hand system used against a blade (Sayoc Kali) to weave; a continuous double stick technique make doubly sure; a follow-up trapping or jamming technique (Lameco Eskrima) to kick; also a game a training drill for alternating kicks roundhouse kick nine finger-tip thrust single finger jab a hooking movement used to parry or thrust an exchange of strikes to surrender or give-up
Sulod Sulong Suliwa Sumbalik Sumbrada Sumpa Sungkite Sundot Suntok Suplete Suwag Suyop Tabas Talahib Tabak-Toyok Tadtad Tadyak Tadyak-Gilid Tadyak-Sakong Tadyak-Tusok Taga Tagang Alanganin Tagang Buhat Araw Tagang Pasumala Tagang San Miguel Tagapagsanay Tagapagturo Tala Talang Bartikal Talas Talas Damdam Tapa Tapi Tapik Tapi-on Tapi-Tapi Tapos Tatlo Tatlumpu Tatlumpu't Isa Tatsulok Taub Tayo Teka Tiempo Tigil Tigpas Tihaya Tiniklink Tisod Totsada Totsar Trancada Tuhod
to enter to go forward or go ahead pass or deflect counter upper umbrella block; name of a flow drill a vow or oath a technique that emphasizes thrusts a jab or quick thrust to punch quick disarm head-butt a go with the force technique a horizontal strike nunchaku full of or multiples of thrust kick side thrust kick back thrust kick front thrust kick to strike or cut an outwards horizontal strike aimed at the upper torso region an overhead strike aimed at the top of the head primarily a parry, a sweeping upward diagonal strike used to deflect a weapon a diagonal downward and inward strike aimed at the upper torso trainer or assistant instructor senior assistant instructor star vertical block sharp or to sharpen sensitivity training to step on the foot to parry or deflect to nudge, deflect or parry to block, parry, deflect or check checking; a series of parries & blocks finished or the end three thirty thirty one triangle facing downward stance wait, halt or pause timing stop or cease a horizontal strike directed at the knees facing upward footwork drill to stumble to thrust to thrust to lock or locks the knee
Tulisan Tuloy-tuloy Tunga-tunga Tuo Tusok Tuyok
the knife-fighting art of Kali Illustrisimo continuous medium range to the right to thrust cycling movement or to spin
Ulo Upo
the head seat
Wala Walis Walo Warwok Witik
to the left; nothing; lost to sweep eight a weapon hand capture that rebounds the weapon into the attackers body wrist snap strike
Yabag Yabang Yakap Yantoc Yukbo Yuko
the sound of footsteps show-off hug, hold, embrace or clinch rattan stick salutation to duck or bow
