Practitioners of arnis-eskrima back then were known not only as capable fighters but also as folk healers and unhexers. They sought the aid of supernatural forces as part of their practice. Various types of amulets & talismans were used by eskrimadors some of which were:
Oraciones - secret mantras or sacred words that were uttered or written on objects to be used as charms.
Mutya - comes from plants, such as a banana or a palm tree.
Tagaliwas - diverts enemies' strikes away from it's owner & said to protect against bullets
The ways to acquire them vary and depends on the region and local culture. Some are inherited from father to son, others say to perform special rites at a cross road or a sacred location like Mount Banahaw.
In an article written by Marilitz Dizon (Rapid Journal Vol. 6 No. 3), Romeo Macapagal who was among the senior students of the legendary grandmaster Antonio “Tatang” Illustrisimo, recounted his mentor's demonstration of his anting-anting's supposed power:
"His mind was very sharp and focused, his will power tremendous. On Good Fridays we would go to empty lots to test his power. On a sheet of bond paper, Tatang would scribble a few oraciones and have it set up for target. Now, my two elder sons and I are competent shots, but at a distance of five meters we are only shooting around that 8 x 11 inches sheet of paper, knocking its edges only at three meters. Good sight , good squeeze, good ammo, but we could not hit the target. Whatever the mechanisms, it worked.”
The anting-anting was not only used for protection but can also be used on the offensive. One master who was interviewed on local TV will whisper oraciones before a duel to weaken his opponents' balance and concentration. Also, an incident I heard from my instructor in Pekiti Tirsia Kali who we will call M.K. was one time he displeased the Grand Tuhon himself, Leo Gaje Jr. who we'll call G.T. for short.
Approaching M.K., G.T. blew into his palm and slapped it on M.K.'s shoulder. The latter immediately felt a needling pain on his shoulder that stayed with him until their next encounter when G.T. again blew into his palm, slapped it on M.K.'s shoulder and the pain went away.
Grand Tuhon Gaje is said to carry an anting-anting in the form of a medallion that contains the ashes of his grandfather Conrado Tortal who taught him the Tortal clan martial art.
Perhaps the Filipino martial arts we are taught now only represent just one side of the actual whole. We know and practice it's physical side but little is known of it's more spiritual metaphysical side. It brings to mind a story told by my martial arts instructor in college. He was training with a mixed group of local and foreign students and after the practice he had a chat with grandmaster conducting the seminar.
The old man confided that he taught them the moves but he reserved the countermoves for his children. The esoteric wisdom of the grandmaster eskrimadors may mostly be reserved for their kin and relations or those they deem most worthy . 🔮
Here is an excerpt from a documentary showing the mystical side of the Philippine martial arts.
