Garimot Arnis
Encyclopedia
Garimot Arnis is a Filipino martial art developed by Gat Puno (Chieftain) Abon "Garimot" Baet. He is the 5th generation inheritor of his family art. Garimot Arnis is a system composed of three basic parts: arnis de mano (weapons), buno
(wrestling), and hilot
(healing). The defining characteristic of the system is in keeping yourself safe. This is done by meticulously studying the footwork, angles, and distancing of largo mano (long hand) to keep yourself out of your opponent's range while keeping him in your range. In corto (close) range, the opponent's ability to attack must be shut down as quickly as possible, through a disarm, lock, or manipulation of the opponent's body, which sets up the finish. Above all, knowledge of hilot allows you to keep yourself healthy by helping to fight illness and injuries, especially injuries caused during arnis and buno training.
"Garimot" (from Paeteno
slang "garaymot," meaning "absorber") was the fighting nickname of Gat Puno's father Felipe. Gat Puno took the name in his father's honor, and used it to name his family's system. Garimot Arnis consists of many styles, including:
Buno
Buno is a system of Filipino wrestling like Dumog.Harimaw Buno, formerly Harimaw Lumad , is a style of Buno used by the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Aetas of Infanta, Quezon....
(wrestling), and hilot
Hilot
Hilot is an ancient Filipino art of healing, commonly used today to relax stressed muscles. Manghihilots as well as arbularyos are usually cheaper alternatives to medical doctors in the Philippines, especially in very deep rural areas...
(healing). The defining characteristic of the system is in keeping yourself safe. This is done by meticulously studying the footwork, angles, and distancing of largo mano (long hand) to keep yourself out of your opponent's range while keeping him in your range. In corto (close) range, the opponent's ability to attack must be shut down as quickly as possible, through a disarm, lock, or manipulation of the opponent's body, which sets up the finish. Above all, knowledge of hilot allows you to keep yourself healthy by helping to fight illness and injuries, especially injuries caused during arnis and buno training.
"Garimot" (from Paeteno
Paete, Laguna
Paete is a 4th class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 24,696 people in 5,101 households....
slang "garaymot," meaning "absorber") was the fighting nickname of Gat Puno's father Felipe. Gat Puno took the name in his father's honor, and used it to name his family's system. Garimot Arnis consists of many styles, including:
- Cinco Teros – a style popular in LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, characterized by its use of five angles. Garimot Cinco Teros introduces the student to the basic theories of largo mano and corto, and was added to Garimot Arnis by Grandmaster Jose "Uti" Baet (3rd generation). - Tres Puntos – a knife-fighting style from BatangasBatangasBatangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
, the home of the balisongBalisong (knife)A Butterfly knife, also known as a fan knife or Balisong, is a folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotating around the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles. It is sometimes called a Batangas knife, after the Tagalog province of Batangas in the...
, characterized by its emphasis on thrusting and its use of three points. Garimot Tres Puntos uses the balisong and sling blade (developed by Grandmaster Felipe "Garimot" Baet), as well as common daggers and knives. It has been in the Garimot system since Grandmaster Lino "Bisaya" Baet (2nd generation). - Siete Colores – a popular style in Laguna, characterized by its use of seven angles. Garimot Siete Colores is introduced after a student has become an expert in Cinco Teros, and teaches new theories of largo mano and corto, and includes the Laban Tulisan (Bandit Fighting) used by guerrilla warriors in Laguna. Though Laban Tulisan was introduced by Grandmaster Jose "Uti" Baet, Siete Colores has always been a part of the Baet family style.
- Doce Pares – this style is from Laguna, and not to be confused with the Doce Pares of CebuDoce ParesDoce Pares, a form of Eskrima, is a Filipino martial art that focuses on primarily on stick fighting but also covers other weapons and empty-hands. Magellan's sword-wielding conquistadors fell to Datu Lapu-Lapu who used Eskrima to defeat the Spaniards at the Battle of Mactan...
. It is introduced after proficiency in Siete Colores, and provides further training in the classical arnis of Laguna. Doce Pares has been in the Garimot system since Grandmaster Elias "Tata" Baet (1st generation). - Larong Moro-Moro – a play which dramatizes the triumph of the Spanish Christians over the Muslim Moors, used by the Filipinos to preserve their fighting arts. Garimot Arnis preserves the 30 traditional sequences of the battle-dances in the moro-moro, and all students are required to learn them and the hidden application, with a variety of weapons and shields. Every member of the Garimot lineage has been a moro-moro player.
- Doble Teros – this is a style of double stick/sword fighting from PampangaPampangaPampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
which includes the abaniko and sinawali methods. It is introduced early in Garimot Arnis Training. - Sikadtukan – Filipino kickboxing, that nevertheless includes a few throws and locks.
- Harimaw Buno – a composite of native wrestling styles of the PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It contains standing (clinch) work and groundfighting, including throws, locks, and chokes. Animal characteristics are emulated, but the two primary animals are the tiger and monkey, which represent the dichotomies of aggressive/passive, direct/evasive, hard/soft, etc. Grandmaster Jose "Uti" Baet was an accomplished wrestler, studied with Aetas, and taught Grandmaster Felipe "Garimot" Baet (4th generation), who in turn studied with the Mangyans. - Lubid – part of the weaponry of Harimaw Buno is the lubid (rope), though the principles apply to any flexible item, such as a belt, sarong, scarf or bandana. Garimot lubid training involves study of ways of holding, drawing, and striking with the weapon, as well as disarming, locking, choking, and tying the opponent.
- Hilot – native healing techniques of the Philippines, which include massage, herbs (internal and external use), oils, vinegar, water, and 'cupping.' Every member of the Garimot lineage has been a skilled hilot.