Arnis is a combat style with three different play modes. They are the solo baston (single stick), in which a
single long muton or baston (wooden stick or rattan cane hardened by drying or heating) is used; the
espada y daga ("sword and dagger"); and the sinawali, a native term used because the intricate
movements of the two muton resemble the weave of a sawali (criss-cross fashion), the bamboo splits
weave pattern used in walling
The incredible strength of the Arnis martial art is connected to the lives of Filipino heroes. They
successfully fought their courageous battles for independence and freedom as evidence of the strength
and efficiency of The privileged were not the only ones to practice the art. Kali was practiced by
common Filipinos for both entertainment and self-defense. It was the much anticipated entertainment
attraction during fiestas and other events. The Filipinos' preferred method of hand-to-hand combat
during their uprising against Spain was kali. The Katipuneros faced the Spanish army in brutal clashes
while using the itak or bolo. According to history, Bonifacio used a bolo, a common kali weapon, in his
well-known "Cry of Balintawak." However, kali's popularity began to wane as early as 1596 when the
Spanish authorities forbade its practice (it was eventually banned in 1764). Since they ordered that
locals found performing kali be put to death, the Spaniards must have thought the art to be harmful or
hazardous.