Filipino Kali is the art of stick fighting. They use hard, bamboo sticks to strike and defend. They have made this particular fighting style into an art form. Filipino Kali teaches weapons fighting before bare hand to hand combat as they do in other martial art styles. For example, a student in any Chinese martial arts is expected to master hand to hand combat before moving on to any form of weapons.

Martial arts specializing in fighting with two baton-length sticks, with techniques adaptable to empty-hand or edged weapons. The terms "escrima" is thought to originate from the Spanish word "escrime", meaning to fence with a swoard--and is thought to have originated during the Spanish occupation of the Phillipine Islands. Often used synonomously for arnis and kali.

Kali is an ancient term used to signify the martial arts in the region of the Philippines. In Southern Philippines, it is called Kali-Silat. Silat refers to the movements of the lower body.

In Indonesia, they fight more with Silat than Kali. In Pentjak Silat is included a study of the body's center of gravity and how to constantly topple it.

Kali, escrima or arnis de mano, stick fighting was developed over a period of many centuries in the Philippines as her people fought for their independence from foreign invaders. Subsequently, more than 100 different Filipino Martial Arts styles developed, which can be grouped into three complete self-defense systems which utilize sticks, swords, empty hands and other weapons. The systems are called Northern, Southern, and Central.

"Kali," the mother of escrima and arnis de mano, is the preferred reference by its practitioners. Always assuming the use of the blade, whether it be the sword or knife (dagger), Kali employs many techniques, including strikes, stances and weapon handling,

After years of clandestine practice, the old masters have begun to teach a younger generation the beautiful and deadly Filipino Martial Arts. The "old men" of Kali and escrima believe the art is dead in the Phillipines. However, they teach the younger generation to respect the art by a salutation, shown by touching the closed fist of the right hand to the forehead and the open hand to the heart. Some of these masters of Kali who have continued the art are Angel Cabales, Regino Ellustrisimo, Leo Giron, John LaCoste, Ben Largusa, and Floro Villabrille.

Solo Baston, single stick methods

a) Doble Baston, double stick methods

b) Sinawali, weaving - rhythmic, flowing, striking patterns and tactics, utilizing two impact or edged weapons.

c) Redonda, repeating pattern, double strikes and tactics

d) Trankada, joint locking and breaking techniques

e) Panganaw, disarming techniques

f) Panantukan or Panuntukan, Filipino kickboxing

g) Pananjakman and Sipat, low-line kicking components

h) Suntukan, Filipino Boxing, empty-hand striking techniques

i) Dumog, Filipino grappling methods with an emphasis on disabling or control of the opponent by manipulation of the head and neck