FMA Glossary


				*Filipino Combat Systems* *FMA Glossary*



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		A Listing of Terms Relating to the Filipino Martial Arts Although I'm attempting to make this list as accurate as possible, there may be several discrepancies in the terminology due to the vast number of dialects found in the Philippines as well as the number of FMA systems that exist today. Most of these terms are universal to the Filipino arts, while others may only be found in certain FMA systems. As I continue my research, I'll add to or make any neccessary changes to this list.



		A Abang.....to wait defensively Abanico......fan; also spelled "abaniko" Abanico sa Itaas.....upper flywheel Abecedario....."ABC's"; the basics Abierta.....open position Agaw.....to grab, seize, disarm or take away Agaw-Sandata.....disarming & retrieval of the weapon Aldabis.....diagonal cut, strike or uppercut Alpabeto.....alphabet; the basics Anim.....six Anino.....shadow Antas.....level or degree Antaw.....long range Apat.....four Araw.....sun or day Arnis.....harness; northern philippine martial art Arnisador.....stick fighter Arnis de Mano....."Armor of the Hand"; system Atras.....retreat or backward Avante.....forward B Babag.....worry; trouble Bago.....new or before Bagong-Pasok.....entry level student Bagsak.....to drop; overhead strike with down weighing Baguhan.....beginner Bahi.....a Philipine hardwood used for sticks Baitang.....level or stages Bakbakan.....a rumble or free-for-all fight Balaraw.....dagger Baligtad.....reverse or inside out Bali.....break Balik.....return or retreat Balisong....."butterfly knife" Balitok.....tumble Banatan.....full-contact fighting Bansay-bansay.....training or drills Bantay.....guard or watch Bantay-Kamay.....support or "alive" hand Bara-bara.....wild or formless technique Baraw.....dagger Bartikal.....vertical cut/strike Basag.....broken Baston.....stick Bati-Bati.....using the butt of the stick Batikan.....noteworthy; certified expert Baywang.....the hip Bigay.....to give Bigay-bali.....lock release technique Bigay-galang.....salutation Bihasa.....expert Binahagi.....cut into parts Binali.....break or reverse Bisig.....the arm Bothan.....Martial Arts school Braso.....the arm Buah.....combination of footwork and form; application of technique Buhat.....from or lift Buhat Araw.....an overhead strike Bukas.....open position Buklis.....upward figure 8 Bulusok.....powerful overhead or diagonal strike Buno.....takedown or throws Bunot.....to draw a sword; to pluck out Bunot Kaluban.....an upward slash followed by a downward slash; a drawing and slashing technique C Caballero....techniques from Grandmaster Caballero Carera.....cycling movement or spin Cadena de Mano.....chain of hands Centro.....center Centro Baston.....holding the stick in the middle Cerrada.....close; closed fighting position Cinco.....five Cinco Teros....."5 strikes" Contra.....counter Contrada.....opposite or counter Corto.....close range Cruzada.....cross-block and strike Crossada.....to cross Cuatro.....four D Daga.....dagger or short stick Dakop....to catch Dakot.....to scoop Dalawa.....two Dalawampu.....twenty Dalawampu't Isa.....twenty-one Dalawang.....double Dakip.....capture Dakip-Diwa.....mind-set Damdam.....feel or sensitivity Damdam-Diwa.....sensitivity; being aware de Cadena....."the chain" de Cuerdas....."to chord"; system Defundo.....stationary Delikado.....dangerous Depensa.....defense; person taking defensive role in training Dib-dib.....the chest Diin.....to put pressure on Dikitan.....very close or close quarters Diwa.....mind Djuru.....form Doble.....double Doble Baston.....double stick training Doblete.....double or repeat Doce Pares....."12 pairs or 12 strikes"; system Dos.....two Dos Labahas.....two blades Dos Manos.....two hands Dos Manos Largos.....two hands with long stick Dukop.....to catch Dukot.....to snatch or seize unexpectedly Dukot.....to reach out Dulo.....the tip of the stick Dumog.....filipino grappling art Dungab.....to strike with the fist Dungab....."heaven" or "hammer" grip Duslak.....thrust E Elastico....."rubber band art"; system Enganyo.....fake or feint Entrada.....entry Equis....."X" or "X" shaped strike Eskrima....."skirmish"; filipino martial art Eskrimador.....stick fighter Espada.....sword or long stick Espada y Daga.....sword & dagger or long & short stick Estrilla.....star F No terms found. G Galang.....respect Galing.....skillfull Gantihan.....exchange of blows Garote.....stick; usually flat to simulate a blade Garote'ng.....itak flat stick Gitna.....center Gunting....."scissors" or passing block with a limb destruction Guro.....teacher H Habang.....while; in the meantime Hagad-Hubad.....strikes & counters Hagis.....to throw; a throwing technique Hagibis......whirlwind; throwing & grappling techniques Hakbang.....to step; footwork Hakbang-Paiwas.....full side step/step to avoid strike Halo-Halo.....combination; free flow sparring Hanay.....row or line Han-ay.....form Handa....."Get ready !" Hapos.....strike or slash Hapsanay.....free sparring Hatak.....to pull Hataw.....a full power strike Hawak.....to hold Hawak-Gitna.....holding the stick in the middle Hawak-Pakal.....reverse or ice-pick grip Hawak-Punyo.....regular hold on weapon with punyo Hawak-Sagad.....regular grip with no punyo Hawak-Saksak.....regular or hammer grip Hawak-Sandata.....methods of holding a weapon Hawak-Susi.....reverse grip; holding at tip of stick Higot.....to tie Hindi.....no or negative Hintay.....wait or pause Hiwa.....to slash or cut Hubad.....to untie or undress; name of a flow drill Hulagpos.....to escape from capture or restraint I Ibaba.....down or below Ibabaw.....above or on-top Ikot.....turn or about-face Ikot-Hantaw.....spinning strike Ilag.....to evade Ilalim.....under or underneath Ilustrisimo.....techniques from Grandmaster Anotio Ilustrisimo Insayo'ng.....training Ipit.....to lock, trap or jam Ipit-Hagis.....a sacrifice throwing technique Isang.....single Itaas.....above, upper or to the front Itak.....long sword or bolo Isa.....one Isa-pa.....once more; again; one more time Iwas.....to avoid, dodge or duck J Juego Todo.....anything goes or free-for-all fight K Kaayusan.....order or organization Kabakas.....partner or assistant Kadena.....chain or series of movements Kadyot.....a shallow, snap thrust Kalahati.....half Kalas.....disengage, release or disarm Kalas-Sandata.....disarming technique Kalasag.....to shield Kali.....a southern Philippine martial art Kalis.....oldest of the Philippino style kris swords; wavey back half, straight front half Kaliwa.....left side Kamagoong.....Philipine iron wood Kamay.....the hand Kamayan.....empty-hand training Kamot.....to punch; hand Kanan.....right side Kapatid.....brother Kasa.....to cock or chamber; to accept a challenge Kasama.....companion/friends Karunungan.....knowledge Katapatan.....loyalty Katawan.....body or torso Katipunan.....organization, association or brotherhood Kenkoy.....derogatory term used for unrealistic or impractical styles of fighting Kilat....."Lightning Blow" Kilos.....movement Kilos-Paa.....footwork Kina-Iya.....natural Kris.....serpentine blade knife or sword Kunsi.....grappling techniques Kuntao....."fist way"; system L Labaha.....blade Labahas.....blades Laban.....to fight Laban-Handa.....ready-stance Laban-Laro.....combat drills or "play fights" Labanang.....to fight Labanang-Dikitan.....close quarters combat Labanang-Malapitan.....medium range combat Labanang-Malayuan.....long range combat Laban-Paluan.....free-fighting Laban-Sanay.....combat-skills training Labas.....the outside Labing-Isa.....eleven Labo-labo.....anything-goes fight La Contra.....to meet a strike Lakan.....an instructor rank equivalent to black belt Langka.....footwork Lansi.....to confuse or misdirect Lansing-Tadyak.....spinning thrust kick Lansing-Sikad.....spinning snap kick Largo.....long Largo Mano.....long range Largos.....long Laro.....to play Laro-laro.....give and take drills or training Larong.....to play La Seguida.....to follow a strike Laslas.....to cut to shreds Lastiko.....a style of arnis that emphasizes bobbing & weaving toavoid strikes Lengua de Fuego.....a fast series of thrust & slash techniques Lihim.....secret Lihis.....to the side or side-step Likos.....twirl Lima.....five Liyad.....to lean away Lock & Block.....training drill from Serrada Eskrima Loob.....the inside Lubud.....to blend Luma.....old Lusob.....attack or partner taking offensive role in the training Lutangto.....float; the unique forward and backward footwork of the Ilustrisimo system M Mabilis.....fast or speedy Magaling.....highly skilled Magisa.....alone Mag-Olisi.....one who practices stick-fighting Magulang.....parents; shrewd or sly Mahina.....weak or of poor skills Maharlika.....noble or nobility Mahusay.....skillful Malakas.....strong, powerful or influential Malapitan.....near or close Malayuan.....far or distant Mandirigma.....warrior Mano.....hand Mano y Mano.....hand to hand Marami.....many or numerous Maraming Salamat Po....."Many thanks" Marunong.....knowledgeable Masipag.....earnest or hard working Masugid.....dedicated or loyal Matibay.....strong, durable or lasting Matira.....to be left or to be the last Matira Matibay.....Survival of the Fittest Matulis.....sharply pointed; a style of bolo Mayto.....have May-Alam.....to posses the seeds of knowledge Medio.....medium range Meteorica.....meteoric strike from Grandmaster Caballero Mukha.....the face Muli.....again or one more time N Nakahanda.....ready Naka-Upo.....seated Nakaw.....to steal Ng.....of O Olisi.....stick Olisi-hay.....sparring with sticks Opo.....respectful form of saying "yes" Oracion.....a prayer for protection Ordabis.....backhand strike P Paa.....foot Paayon.....going with the force Paawas.....to parry Pababa.....downward Pag-Galang.....salutation or show of respect Pagsasanay.....training Pagsilang.....birth or sunrise Pagsisisi.....atonement or repentance Pahimsug.....exercises or calisthenics Pahisa.....a slashing motion Paikot.....rotate Paikot.....circular strike Paiwas.....to avoid Pakal....."ice pick" grip Palad.....palm of the hand Palakas.....strengthening Palakas-Pulso.....wrist-strengthening exercises Palis.....sweep or sweeping parry Palis-Patid.....a sweeping throw Palisut.....to scoop Palisut-sut.....skipping strike Palit.....change or exchange Palit-Kamay.....change or exchange grip Palitan.....alternating Palo.....to strike Paluan.....exchange of strikes Palusut.....to pass through; technique of evading and passing through Pama-a.....footwork Panabas.....ax style weapon Pananandata.....study of the weapons of the Philippines Panastas.....to slash Panata.....a devotion Pangamot.....empty-hand defense Pangandam.....on-guard or ready position Pang-Ikyas evasion or dodge Pangilog.....disarming Pang-Olisi.....stick fighting Pang-Ubot.....hold or grip Panibago.....new or a revival Pani-il.....footwork Panimban.....balance Panipis.....to skim or cut thinly Panukad.....fighting stance Parusa.....punishment Pasada de Contra.....pass and hit Pasok.....to enter, inside or on target Pasulong.....forward Pasungkit.....to thrust upward Pataas.....upward Patalim.....dagger or blade weapon Patalon.....jumping or multi-level strikes Patibong.....to trap Patid.....to trip Patusok.....in a thrusting motion Paulit-ulit.....repetitive Pa-upo.....half side step/sitting down Pauyon.....go-with-the force technique Payong.....umbrella Payong sa Itaas.....upper umbrella block Pekiti.....close range Piga.....to squeeze or wring Piglas.....to struggle or resist Pikon.....one who is easily upset Piktos.....a snap strike Pilay.....sprain or dislocation; lame or crippled at the legs Pinahandog.....diagonal downward strike Pinatag.....horizontal strike Pinasaka.....diagonal upward strike Pinasaka Tuhod.....rising knee strike Pinatindog.....vertical downward strike Pingga.....a long staff fighting system Pinid.....closed position Pintok.....a wrist snap strike Pinuti.....long Visayan sword Pito.....seven Planchada.....a horizontal strike Plansada.....horizontal cut/strike Pluma.....pen Po.....a suffix denoting respect Prakcion.....to react faster than the opponent Pukpok.....to hammer or pummel Pulso.....pulse or wrist Puluhan.....handle or butt Punong Guro.....head teacher & founder of system Punyo.....butt of stick or any weapon Q No terms found. R Redonda.....continuous double stick technique Redondo.....circular power strike Retirada.....to retreat Rompida.....an upward and downward slash Ronda.....circular movement of the hands or weapon Ropillon.....a double stick technique or movement S Sa.....to or of Sabayan.....Simultaneous; to attack or counter at the same time Sablay.....Incomplete or imperfect; a low right to left horizontal.....blow Saboy.....to throw or scatter; an upward right to left diagonal strike Sadang.....reverse position Sagang.....defense Sagasa.....to charge or to overrun Sakay.....to ride or go with the force Sakay-Salag.....eskrima sticky hands; to follow the motion of the blocked/ checked weapon or attack Sakong.....heel Sakong-Palad.....palm-heel Saksak.....to thrust Sasak Hatak.....a technique using fast withdrawal and twisting of the weapon to inflict a cut on the opponents checking or blocking hand Salag.....block or parry Salagba.....downward block Salagbas.....outside dodging and parrying Salag-Bisig.....forearm block Salagsok.....inside dodging and parrying Salagtas.....upward block Salakay.....to charge or attack Salamat.....to thank Salamin.....mirror or reaction drill Salisi.....opposing or opposite direction Salok.....an upward strike with the edge or point Saltik.....a snap strike Salubong.....to meet head-on Sama.....to join or go with Sambut.....combination of footwork & form; application of technique Sampu.....ten Sanay.....training or exposure Sandata.....weapon Sangga.....to block Saplet.....quick disarm Sawali.....interwoven slats of wood use for walls Serada.....closed Serrada.....close quarters or "closing" Sibat.....staff Sibog.....retreat or backward Sikad.....side kick Sikad-Gilid.....side snap kick Sikad-Hataw.....snap roundhouse kick Sikad-Sungkite.....snap hook kick Sikad-Tusok.....front snap kick Sikaran.....a Philippine martial art emphasizing kicking skills Siklod.....to kiss the hand of an elder; a wrist lock Siklod Bangga.....a wrist lock that uses the shoulder as a leverage point Sikmura.....solar plexus Siko.....the elbow Sikot.....push kick Sikwat.....to pry; an upward strike with the punyo Sikwat-Siko.....a come-along lock with the elbow as the primary lock or center of pressure Silat.....to outmaneuver or overpower; an Indonesian martial art Silak.....open-hand system used against a blade (Sayoc Kali) Sinawalli.....to weave; a continuous double stick technique Sinigurato.....make doubly sure; a follow-up trapping or jamming technique (Lameco Eskrima) Sipa.....to kick; also a game Sipalit.....a training drill for alternating kicks Sipang-Hataw.....roundhouse kick Siyam.....nine Sogo.....finger-tip thrust Solo.....single Songab.....finger jab Songkiti.....a hooking movement used to parry or thrust Suklian.....an exchange of strikes Suko.....to surrender or give-up Sulod.....to enter Sulong.....to go forward or go ahead Suliwa.....pass or deflect Sumbalik.....counter Sumbrada.....upper umbrella block; name of a flow drill Sumpa.....a vow or oath Sungkite.....a technique that emphasizes thrusts Sundot.....a jab or quick thrust Suntok.....to punch Suplete.....quick disarm Suwag.....head-butt Suyop.....a go with the force technique T Tabas Talahib.....a horizontal strike Tabak-Toyok.....nunchaku Tadtad.....full of or multiples of Tadyak.....thrust kick Tadyak-Gilid.....side thrust kick Tadyak-Sakong.....back thrust kick Tadyak-Tusok.....front thrust kick Taga.....to strike or cut Tagang Alanganin.....an outwards horizontal strike aimed at the upper torso region Tagang Buhat Araw.....an overhead strike aimed at the top of the head Tagang Pasumala.....primarily a parry, a sweeping upward diagonal strike used to deflect a weapon Tagang San Miguel.....a diagonal downward and inward strike aimed at the upper torso Tagapagsanay.....trainer or assistant instructor Tagapagturo.....senior assistant instructor Tala.....star Talang Bartikal.....vertical block Talas.....sharp or to sharpen Talas Damdam.....sensitivity training Tapa.....to step on the foot Tapi.....to parry or deflect Tapik.....to nudge, defelct or parry Tapi-on.....to block, parry, defelct or check Tapi-Tapi.....checking; a series of parries & blocks Tapos.....finished or the end Tatlo.....three Tatlumpu.....thirty Tatlumpu't Isa.....thirty one Tatsulok.....triangle Taub.....facing downward Tayo.....stance Teka.....wait, halt or pause Tiempo.....timing Tigil.....stop or cease Tigpas.....a horizontal strike directed at the knees Tihaya.....facing upward Tiniklink.....footwork drill Tisod.....to stumble Totsada.....to thrust Totsar.....to thrust Trancada.....to lock or locks Tuhod.....the knee Tulisan.....the knife-fighting art of Kali Illustrisimo Tuloy-tuloy.....continuous Tunga-tunga.....medium range Tuo.....to the right Tusok.....to thrust Tuyok.....cycling movement or to spin U Ulo.....the head Upo.....seat V No terms found. W Wala.....to the left; nothing; lost Walis.....to sweep Walo.....eight Warwok.....a weapon hand capture that rebounds the weapon into the attackers body Witik.....wrist snap strike X No terms found. Y Yabag.....the sound of footsteps Yabang.....show-off Yakap.....hug, hold, embrace or clinch Yantoc.....rattan stick Yukbo.....salutation Yuko.....to duck or bow Z No terms found.