Southern Cross Martial Arts offers classes in Filipino Martial Arts in Ballarat, specifically in the art of Doce Pares.
What Is Doce Pares?
Doce Pares is a world-renowned Filipino Martial Art (FMA) system founded in 1932 in Cebu City, Philippines. It brought together the country’s top eskrimadors to promote and preserve traditional Filipino stick and blade fighting techniques under one unified system.
Today, Doce Pares is recognised globally as one of the largest and most authentic Filipino Martial Arts organisations, with a strong presence across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The Meaning Behind “Doce Pares”
“Doce Pares” translates to “12 Pairs,” a name that holds dual significance:
- It honours the 12 founding masters of the system.
- It symbolises the 12 standard angles of attack and defense, a core principle of FMA.
Legacy and Global Influence
Doce Pares is best known for its low stances, dynamic forms (anyo), and its practical, adaptable approach to combat. Forms training develops balance, strength, coordination, and speed, making it a crucial aspect of progression.
Supreme Grandmaster Dionisio A. Cañete elevated the system’s international profile through his creation of the Multi-Style Curriculum and the development of the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) full-contact stick fighting rules.
Seminars by SGM Cañete have influenced legendary martial artists such as Dan Inosanto, Richard Bustillo, and Bobby Breen.
History of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)
Filipino Martial Arts—also known as Arnis, Eskrima, or Kali—are centuries-old systems rooted in warfare, survival, and cultural identity. These arts were originally used to defend villages and kingdoms using sticks, bladed weapons, and empty-hand techniques.
One of the earliest recorded Filipino heroes, Lapu-Lapu, was said to have used these combat methods in the historic Battle of Mactan (1521), where he and his warriors famously defeated Ferdinand Magellan.
Despite colonial suppression, FMA endured through dance, theatre (Moro Moro), and secret training. The term “Arnis de Mano” was popularised during Spanish rule, while “Eskrima” became more prominent during the American period, especially in Cebu.
Arnis in World War II
During World War II, Filipino Martial Arts played a significant role in the resistance against Japanese occupation. Guerrilla fighters, facing shortages of firearms, relied on traditional weapons like bolos and Arnis techniques for close-quarters combat. Notably:
- The Bolo Battalion, comprising Filipino guerrillas, utilized bolos in raids and ambushes against Japanese forces. Their expertise in Arnis was instrumental in these operations .
- The Moro-Bolo Battalion, a unique guerrilla unit consisting of Christian and Muslim Filipinos, symbolized unity by combining the bolo and kris—traditional weapons of their respective communities. They pledged to fight to the last against the Japanese invaders .
- Members of the 1st Filipino Regiment and the 81st Division were known for their use of bolos in close-quarters combat, earning them the moniker “Moro Bolo Battalion” .
These instances underscore the practical application of Arnis in real combat situations, reinforcing its value as a versatile martial art.
The Doce Pares Association, formed in 1932, played a pivotal role in transitioning FMA into a structured and competitive sport, laying the foundation for today’s WEKAF tournament rules.
Core Training Areas in Doce Pares
Doce Pares incorporates multiple weapon-based and empty-hand disciplines:
- Single and Double Stick (Olisi/Baston)
- Staff (Long weapons)
- Palm Stick & Dagger (Saksak/Tusok)
- Empty Hand Combatives (Punching, Kicking, Grappling)
- Close Quarters Trapping & Locking
- Ground Control & Submissions
- Sensitivity & Reflex Drills
- Sport Eskrima Applications
The 12 Core Areas of Filipino Martial Arts
Filipino Martial Arts cover a broad skill set across 12 major categories:
- Single Stick or Long Blade
- Double Stick or Blade
- Single Dagger
- Double Dagger
- Stick & Dagger (Espada y Daga)
- Palm Stick or Short Dagger
- Empty-Hand Techniques
- Staff & Spear
- Flexible Weapons (Whips, Belts)
- Throwing Weapons
- Projectile Weapons (Bows, Blowguns)
- Healing & Internal Energy Practices
Most systems, including Doce Pares, focus on a selection of these core areas tailored to self-defence, competition, and personal growth.
Weapons First: A Battlefield Approach
Unlike many martial arts, Filipino systems start with weapons training first, transitioning to empty-hand techniques later. This reflects their origin as warrior arts, where defending against armed opponents was essential.
Training builds reflexes, precision, and adaptability, teaching students to use their surroundings—turning common objects into improvised weapons.
Movement, Geometry, and Strategy
Footwork, angles, and body mechanics are foundational in Doce Pares. Practitioners learn to:
- Use geometry for optimal striking and defence.
- Bridge ranges effectively—long, medium, and close.
- Apply concepts across weapons and empty-hand scenarios.
The system emphasises flow, timing, and strategic positioning, making it effective for modern self-defence and combat sport contexts alike.
Learn Doce Pares: Tradition Meets Modern Self-Defence
Whether you’re seeking authentic Filipino Martial Arts, practical self-defence, or a rich cultural heritage, Doce Pares offers a complete system developed by generations of warriors and refined for today’s world.
Train with purpose. Move with precision. Discover the warrior within.
- McLemore, R. (2020). Filipino Martial Arts: The core of traditional and modern combat. Black Belt Publishing.
- Wiley, M. (1997). Filipino Martial Culture. Tuttle Publishing.