David Gould discusses comparing Spanish fencing Influence on the local Warrior Arts in both Mexico and the Philippines When comparing the results of Spanish Influence in both Mexico and the Philippines, there is a distinct difference between Filipino Sword Play (Eskrima; indigenous Filipino / Spanish Fencing influence) and Mexican Swordplay (Esgrime; Pure Spanish fencing not mixed with indigenous fighting arts). The Filipino version is quite different as it adopted a lot of the native Filipino practices at the time (1521 - 1898) and the Mexican style remained very much Spanish with Espada-y-daga and Cape and sword technique being brought to the forefront by the Doms and Nobles who were placed in charge of Mexico during its centuries of evolution. Compare the style of "Zorro" from Alta California fame (Mexico) with "Tatang" Ilustrisimo of kalis Ilustrisimo fame and you will get a better idea of what I am referring as there is a distinct difference even though the common thread for both seems to be Spanish Fencing. You can look at the two which were both influenced equally centuries back by the very same Spanish Sword play but each has a different result and appearance to them today. This is significant to the influences which were in each area before the Spanish arrived, native Filipinos in the Philippines and Aztec and Maya in Mexico. Spanish Swordplay was mixed with Filipino Martial Arts in its evolution in the Philippines which resulted in a hybrid of sorts but it remained pure in Mexico not being mixed with the fighting systems of the Mejica (Aztec) which seemed to have not survied in Mexico after Hernan Cortes and his conquistadors defeated that culture in the 1520`s in what is now Mexico City. Through the 1800`s in Mexico this was very obvious regarding the many duels fought in Mexico City with Sword play which had the appearance of remaining pure Spanish fencing. So with all things being equal you should not see any differences in the Spanish Fencing which influenced both Mexico (1519) and the Philippines (1521) but you do and this is because of pre-hispanic fighting methodology which existed in both geographical locations before Spanish Fencing reached the shores of either of the two cultures. Other wise you would not be able to see a distinct difference between Spanish Fencing as it was influenced equally in Manila and Mexico City as both would have the same appearance today as it would have been allowed to remain pure in both cultures equally. But it did not, so there had to have been an Indigenous Filipino component which influenced the evolution in the Philippines, hence the difference in concept, application and appearance yet still showing some Spanish influence and the usage of Spanish names with-in its curriculum regarding numerous fighting styles in the Philippines.   When the Spanish invaded the Phiippines in 1521 they did so from Cebu, North to Manila and there was a lot of territory where native Filipinos lived who never saw a Spaniard or their influence. But the question remains for how long? Until the 1600`s? 1700`s? 1800`s? At some point in time the influence would have had to travel south into Mindanao and other areas where Spanish influence had not been felt or experienced before if only minimal by travelers or fishermen who ventured from Mindanao and those areas to other parts of the Philippines and then those influences could have been taken back with them to Mindanao. You are right, there are a lot of things found in the Filipino Warrior Arts regarding weapons, strikes, angles, footwork, etc... which are not found in Spanish Fencing from the 16th Century. So like I stated in my post above you have to come to the conclusion that there were indigenous Warrior Arts in the Philippines before the Spanish invaded at Mactan, but how long were those styles allowed to continue on and flourish unaltered before they were influenced with Spanish methodology, if at all? No one can say with certainty. I am sure that some styles in Mindanao and other areas may have gone generations without mixing the new technology and methodology with the old, but again for how long? It is evident that Spanish Fencing did not mix with the indigenous warior Arts of the Aztec or Maya in Mexico, as well as with the Inka in South America (Peru) because Spanish Fencing remained very pure and unaltered in those areas through out the 19th century and beyond. But this can not be said of the Philippines where the end result is so much different from Spanish Fencing. There clearly was another dominating influence which is responsible for the evolution in the Philippines. In saying all of the above let me make one thing clear. Regardless of the various influences and evolution regarding the Pilipino Warrior Arts in the Philippines and now around the world I am amazed and in awe by this knowledge and fighting ability. I have been fortunate to have trained in numerous Martial Arts from all around the world … [Read more...]