Filipino martial arts (FMA) is a fighting system that can be used for self-defense – but it is not as well-known. If a non-martial art practitioner was asked to list martial arts systems they knew, the list might include (in no particular order): Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Mix Martial Arts (MMA), Taekwondo, Wing Chun. It is unlikely, that FMA or its other names of Arnis, Eskrima, or Kali, would have been mentioned.
It is difficult to know the number of FMA practitioners in the world. Unlike more globally standardized martial art systems like Karate, Taekwondo, and etc, FMA encompasses a diverse range of systems and styles, making it challenging to research and find numbers. There is no one worldwide FMA association and there is no database that tracks the number of people practicing it.
The great news is that FMA is gaining significant global recognition – I base this comment on:
- The increasing number of movies and shows that incorporate FMA styles into their action scenes;
- The increasing number of social media posts about FMA practitioners and techniques;
- The increasing number of books, articles, videos about FMA; and
- The increasing availability of FMA schools.
But FMA is not a well-known martial art.
Filipino Martial Arts Chronicles (FMAC) delves into available sources to reconstruct a picture of the Filipino Martial Arts, the people and events that created this fighting system and resilient spirit.
FMAC, along with FMA practitioners, teachers, blog writers, vlog creators and FMA supporters, wants to help make Filipino martial art better known and understood.
FMA Chronicles 