🥋 What is Arnis?

Arnis (also known as Eskrima) in Cebu City was not created by a single founder, but instead grew out of indigenous Filipino fighting systems that had been practiced for generations. These early methods were used for self-defense, tribal conflicts, and survival, and were passed down through oral tradition and hands-on training.

In the early 20th century, Arnis began to take a more organized and structured form. One of the key figures in this development was Lorenzo “Ensong” Saavedra, a highly respected master who helped bring these traditional techniques into a formal training setting. In 1920, he founded the Labangon Fencing Club, which is considered one of the first organized Arnis clubs.

Saavedra, along with influential practitioners like the Cañete family, played a major role in preserving and advancing the art. Their collaboration eventually led to the creation of the Doce Pares society, one of the most well-known and respected Arnis groups in the world.