Modern Arnis Purity?

[The Game]

Since Gm Remy's death I've seen the term "Purity" tossed around on occation. Is there any such thing, a pure strain of Modern Arnis, or has it splintered into numerous branches with GM Remy at the root?

[Bob Hubbard]

I don't think such a thing exists any more. At the least you have 2 main branches, the Filipino and the US which developed at different times of GM Presas's life. Add to that the 4-5 large splinter groups in the US, each with heads from different era's and different points in the development, and with different outside influences, plus the European branch which has a good seasoning of Kombatan to it, and you end up with a bunch of first cousins. Not that I see that as a bad thing, mind you. I think the things in common allow for a better understanding of the whole.

Course, my opinion and $2 will get you a large coffee. :)

[arnisador]

Since Modern Arnis already has strong influences from two Japanese arts and is a merger of two major and many other Filipino martial arts, the whole "purity" question sounds funny from the start! I agree with Mr. Hubbard that there are already two main, and distinct, branches: The Filipino and American branches. They are of course similar in many ways but noticeably different. Within the States, some groups focus strongly on tapi-tapi while for others it's just another drill (to give just one example). The amount of groundwork varies considerably too.

Whether one thinks it's for better or for worse, there are already many Modern Arnises out there.

And where are you getting a large coffee for only two bucks?!?

[Bob Hubbard]

McBob's. :D

[Brock]

I believe GM Remy taught different things to different people, so how would you nail down the "pure" line? As long as credit is given where credit's due, it's all Modern Arnis so what does it matter?


McBob's. :D
I'll be there first thing in the morning for my cup of brain function!

[Brian R. VanCise]

I believe GM Remy taught different things to different people, so how would you nail down the "pure" line? As long as credit is given where credit's due, it's all Modern Arnis so what does it matter?


Hey Brock I certainly agree with this! http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Mono]

plus the European branch which has a good seasoning of Kombatan to it,

Just some additional Information from my Point of View on this Matter / some further Information on the European Branch of Modern Arnis (Talking about the DAV / German Arnis Federation, with Datu Dieter Knüttel as Chief Instructor).

It it true that DAV has had a large Influence by GM Ernesto Presas in the Beginning since DAV has been foundet out of the Lineage of Chui Brooka (Student of GM Ernesto) and then was directly supervised by GM Ernesto for quite some time.
But this has been way before the official Foundation of Kombatan Arnis - Ernesto was still teaching the Art as Modern Arnis, and teaching his Mano Mano as a sperate system (wich has been adopted by the splinter Groups in Germany that stayed with GM Ernesto after the Main Branch of DAV switched to GM Remy. Those Groups now do "Kombatan" of course.)

Comparing the Materials I have seen beeing trained by Kombatan Practitioners to the "early" Materials of DAV Curriculum and the Stuff that and how it is beeing taught/Trained in the Philippines, I do not see too many Differences.
So one could say that the "Kombatan" pretty much resembels the here Called "Philippino Branch" of Modern Arnis, that is now incorporating the Mano Mano Sytem (and of c ourse some other "specialtys" and personal Preferences of GM Ernesto I am not aware of).

So DAV - with its strong connections to GM Presas Early Students in the Philippines and the later established direct guidance of GM Remy (until his passing) - pretty much unites the two different Branches (early philippino and later american) in its Curriculum.

Add some of the "individual" Developments of the DAV Technical Commitee (wich makes the Decisions about changes to the Technical Curriculum, Testings, Instructor Training etc.) and you have a rather Uniqe Branch of Modern Arnis...

Just my 2ct :)

Greetings from Germany!

Philipp "Mono" Wolf

[arnisador]

I knew the DAV had a broader view because of the influences of both brothers! That's great.