Here is a
Filipino Martial Arts Group Page in a
Social Network Site in Cebu Philippines. We hope to get a good discussion from this site too.
I think this site will be great for Cebuano self-defense system A place where we can meet the warriors, the wizards, and the masters of cebuano martial arts or self-defense system.
Other eskrima masters do not promote their sites. They are happy with what they have. If you like to join, you are welcome to join. But be sure to endure the training. Stick fight training is really painful. We avoid the pain as much as possible; but also be prepared to experience it. There are many deadly self-defense system in Philippines. They are just known and they don't advertise themselves. Less Known Eskrima Masters Do Not Mean They Are Lesser Eskrimadors. Who knows they can even be better?
Here is one article I like to share. I salute this article from the http://cebuano-eskrima.blogspot.com:
So you want to study arnis in Cebu, eh? Well, you ought to know that traditionally we call it eskrima, not arnis here. The word arnis, as we used it here, means 'tripping' somebody down. It was only in the seventies, during the Marcos' years that the term arnis was promoted by the NARAPHIL here. If you doubt it, then ask any old practitioner from the rural areas, once you're here.
Basically, arnis and eskrima are one and the same "carabao."
Now, do you speak our language, Cebuano? Do you have a network here? Do you have contacts who can help you around, at least in the City? If you don't have, then it is likely you will end up in the places where most foreigners go.
You don't like it? You want to learn from other less-known teachers who can probably teach you other, not-so-commercialized eskrima styles (though not necesarilly better.)? Do you really want to experience more on FMA? Here's what you do . . .
First, read where the Philippines is. Where is Cebu? Who are the Filipinos? The different ethnic groups here. What are the languages and dialects we speak? Read about the different styles of arnis or systems of the so-called Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). If you do just that, then I can assure you, you will see the real stuff. So that when you go home, you will learn more about us and our culture. Man, we are not just karaoke enthusiasts, we know eskrima too.
Unfortunately, many are coming over without ever knowing anything about us. Maximize your experience here, do your homework. If you want to armed yourself with usable information and right, friendly attitude, I suggest you read Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth.
The book, Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth, is our contribution to the FMA and to the Filipino culture. The same small book, we hope, will stimulate the interests of the martial artists on FMA, arnis and eskrima; and at the same time inspire fellow Filipinos to learn and to be proud of this interesting aspect of our culture.
The book is not about the technical matters pertaining to arnis or eskrima. Instead, this work includes other topics, seemingly off-tangent, but significantly related to FMA in general---like history, language, esoterica, etc.
To read more about it, read http://cebuano-eskrima.blogspot. com