Kali? Eskrima? Arnis?
The History of Filipino Weapon-Based Martial Arts
Arnis, Eskrima, or Kali, otherwise known as Filipino martial arts, boast a deeply entrenched and varied historical lineage that stretches back through the ages. Rooted in the necessity for self-preservation and defiance against external aggressors and colonizing forces, these martial arts epitomize the resourcefulness and efficacy of Filipino warriors. Armed with bladed weapons like the bolo, dagger, and sword, in addition to utilizing sticks and other improvised implements, they honed combat techniques that evolved over generations, fusing native methods with influences from Chinese, Malay, Spanish, and American martial arts. Today, they stand as a testament to their practicality, adaptability, and focus on both weapon-based and unarmed combat, garnering renown not only within the Philippines but also across the globe.
Who We Are
Embracing Tradition and Practicality:
The Philosophy of Dragon Sticks FMA
Established in 2003 by the esteemed Guro Arnel Mendoza, Dragon Sticks FMA has stood as a testament to the union of tradition and practicality in the realm of martial arts. Our system has been meticulously crafted to prioritize practical self-defense applications while remaining accessible to practitioners of all skill levels.
Rooted in the deep traditions of martial arts, our philosophy at Dragon Sticks FMA is centered around maintaining a harmonious balance between the art and the martial aspects. We steadfastly believe in not sacrificing one for the other, as both elements intertwine to form the essence of our system. By striking this balance, we ensure that our classes are not only empowering but also deeply enriching experiences for our students.
One of the hallmarks of Dragon Sticks FMA is the diverse and extensive martial arts backgrounds of our instructors. Hailing from varied and eclectic traditions, our instructors bring a wealth of experience and insight into our training sessions. Principles take precedence over techniques in our approach, as we are unwaveringly committed to uncovering the universal principles that underpin combat arts. This steadfast commitment enables us to discern how these principles can be applied to real-world situations, particularly when it comes to protecting ourselves in moments that matter the most.
At Dragon Sticks FMA, we are not just a martial arts system—we are a community united by our dedication to honing our skills, embracing tradition, and cultivating practical self-defense strategies in the pursuit of personal empowerment and safety. Join us on this journey as we continue to uphold our philosophy and strive for the harmonious fusion of tradition and practicality in every aspect of our training.
Guro Arnel Mendoza
Kajukenbo Fi Kuen - 6th Degree Black Belt
Villebrille-Largusa Kali - 4th Degree Black Belt, Lakang Opat
Inayan Eskrima - I.T.O. Instructor
SDI Taekwondo - 2nd Degree Black Belt
A distinguished figure who weaves together the rich tapestry of Filipino Martial Arts. Guro Arnel, a US Army veteran, stands as a testament to unwavering dedication and mastery in various disciplines. With black belt status in Kajukenbo Fi Kuen, Villebrille-Largusa Kali, Inayan Eskrima, and Taekwondo, his prowess is defined by the guidance of legendary figures such as Senior Grandmaster Ted Sotelo, Grandmaster Mel Lopez, and Suro Mike Inay.
The foundation of Dragon Sticks rests upon the amalgamation of Guro Arnel's extensive studies in the Filipino Martial Arts. Embracing influences from Cabales Serrada, Balintawak, Cacoy Doce Pares, and his aforementioned accolades, Guro Arnel crafted an eclectic and potent system.
In 2003, Guro Arnel embarked on an extraordinary journey as he established Dragon Sticks FMA. For the subsequent 20 years, his dedication and fervor has illuminated countless paths as he shared his profound passion for self-expression through martial arts training.
Guro Adrian Hipolito
Mendoza Eskrima - Black Belt
Macalolooy Kajukenbo - Brown Belt
Taekwondo - 1st Degree Black Belt
Guro Adrian’s journey through the world of martial arts has been a testament to unwavering dedication and ceaseless exploration. From his earliest days, he immersed himself in a multitude of disciplines, delving into Taekwondo, Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, and Kenpo-Jujitsu. However, it was the discovery of Kajukenbo that sparked a paradigm shift in his martial arts odyssey. Under the guidance of Professor Jeff Macalolooy, Guro Adrian's fate interwove with Guro Arnel Mendoza. Engaging in one-on-one training sessions over a number of years, Guro Arnel imbued Adrian with the wisdom and prowess befitting Guro status. After spending years stitching together lessons learned in the gritty landscapes of trailer parks and parking lots and the sanctified halls of combat academies, it was Guro Arnel's fusion of reverence for tradition and proclivity for self-expression that resonated harmoniously with Adrian's martial ethos. With Guro Arnel’s sharing a Kajukenbo heritage and Professor Jeff's own mastery in Cacoy Doce Pares, the convergence of arts became an organic symphony of knowledge and technique. Ascending to the mantle of head instructor at Dragon Sticks FMA, nestled within the halls of Dragons Den MMA, Guro Adrian pledged to propagate the artistry that had indelibly reshaped his life and perception of martial arts. Through the melding of his eclectic experiences, Guro Adrian charts a path that blends deep respect for tradition with a forward-thinking approach to martial arts education.
Our Methodology
The Dragon Sticks FMA system is meant to be someone’s first martial art, or a martial art that someone with prior experience can use to take their ability to the next level. We structured our system step by step so that it can be learned the same way we attain literacy. First, we have to learn to recognize letters and understand what sounds those letters make. We have to identify the letters and then put them together so that we can form sight words. Sight words allow us to practice recognizing combinations of letters that we are likely to encounter regularly. With enough repetition, it becomes instinctual. From there, we begin learning to read sentences. In our case, that would be our drill sequences, such as sinawali or sumbrada. As students progress further and further, they should begin reading more complicated books and more technical tomes so that they become the equivalent of a high school graduate upon attaining black belt. After attaining black belt, or gaining literacy, students are expected to go explore the world and read all of the books it can offer in order to further develop their martial literacy.
We also think of it as a seasoning. If we think of arts like Boxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as meals to be made and prepared, like a signature dish, then FMA is the seasoning. If someone trains in FMA for six to twelve months, the movements will become natural to them as they go on to pursue a different art. If someone has an interest in Boxing, but studies FMA first, they will still be practicing Boxing, but their movements will be seasoned by their experience in FMA.
We also do not wish to cultivate a closed system. We do not believe that we have all of the answers because we ourselves are still learning, and we maintain the white belt mentality because we want to learn everything for the sake of curiosity itself. Our goal is for the people who train with us to be safer when they leave the mat than when they arrived. If someone else has a tool or technique that we do not have, or knowledge that can cover a gap in our training, we want our students to pursue it so that they have a higher chance of being safe as they go about their daily lives.
Our roots in Kajukenbo and JKD philosophy expressed that everything is to be studied so that students can sift through accumulated knowledge and discover what best allows them to honestly express themselves through martial activity.