Garimot Arnis (or Garimot Arnis de Mano) is a Filipino martial art developed by Gat Puno (Chieftain) Abon "Garimot" Baet. He is the 5th generation inheritor of his family art. Garimot Arnis is a system composed of three basic parts: arnis de mano (weapons), buno (wrestling), and hilot (healing). The defining characteristic of the system is in keeping yourself safe. This is done by meticulously studying the footwork, angles, and distancing of largo mano (long hand) to keep yourself out of your opponent's range while keeping him in your range. In corto (close) range, the opponent's ability to attack must be shut down as quickly as possible, through a disarm, lock, or manipulation of the opponent's body, which sets up the finish. Above all, knowledge of hilot allows you to keep yourself healthy by helping to fight illness and injuries, especially injuries caused during arnis and buno training.
"Garimot" (from Paeteno slang "garaymot," meaning "absorber") was the fighting nickname of Gat Puno's father Felipe. Gat Puno took the name in his father's honor and used it to name his system. Garimot Arnis consists of many styles which are taught separately and integrated by the practitioner into his own expression of the art.
Doce Pares de Francia was a play which dramatized the triumph of the Spanish Christians over the Muslim Moors. It was introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish, then renamed by the Filipinos to moro-moro, and used to preserve their fighting arts as the first curriculum of arnis de mano. Garimot Arnis preserves the 30 traditional sequences of the battle-dances in the moro-moro, and all students are required to learn them and the hidden application, with a variety of weapons and shields. Every member of the Garimot lineage has been a moro-moro player.
The Five Strikes style is believed to be the original art of Luzon, where it is widespread. Garimot Cinco Teros introduces the student to the basic theories of largo mano and corto, and was added to Garimot Arnis by Grandmaster Jose "Uti" Baet (3rd generation).
Seven Colors (or Seven Flags) is named for the seven original provinces that rebelled against Spain. It is popular in Laguna and characterized by its use of seven angles. Garimot Siete Colores is introduced after a student has become an expert in Cinco Teros, and teaches new theories of largo mano and corto, and includes the Laban Tulisan (Bandit Fighting) used by guerrilla warriors in Laguna. Though Laban Tulisan was introduced by Grandmaster Jose "Uti" Baet, Siete Colores has always been a part of the Baet family style.
This style is from Laguna, and not to be confused with the Doce Pares of Cebu. Meaning Twelve Peers, it is named for the legend of Charlemagne's knights. It is introduced after proficiency in Siete Colores, and provides further training in the classical arnis of Laguna. Doce Pares has been in the Garimot system since Grandmaster Elias "Tata" Baet (1st generation).
Originating from Pampanga, Double Strikes is an old style of double stick/sword fighting which includes the abaniko and sinawali methods. It is introduced early in Garimot Arnis training.
A knife-fighting style from Batangas, the home of the balisong, this style is characterized by its emphasis on thrusting and its use of three points. Garimot Tres Puntos uses the balisong and sling blade (developed by Grandmaster Felipe "Garimot" Baet), as well as common daggers and knives. It has been in the Garimot system since Grandmaster Lino "Bisaya" Baet (2nd generation).
This composite of native Filipino wrestling styles contains both standing (clinch) work and groundfighting, including throws, locks, and chokes. Animal characteristics are emulated, but the two primary animals are the tiger and monkey, which represent the dichotomies of aggressive/passive, direct/evasive, hard/soft, etc. Grandmaster Jose "Uti" Baet was an accomplished wrestler, studied with Aetas, and taught Grandmaster Felipe "Garimot" Baet (4th generation), who in turn studied with the Mangyans.
The only weapon of Harimaw Buno is the lubid (rope), though the principles apply to any flexible item, such as a belt, sarong, scarf or bandana. Garimot lubid training involves study of ways of holding, drawing, and striking with the weapon, as well as disarming, locking, choking, and tying the opponent.
This method of Filipino kickboxing contains many elements common to other styles of kickboxing, but differs in strategy and execution. It contains a wide variety of techniques, including throws and locks with some unorthodox striking.
Hilot refers to both the healing techniques of the Philippines and the practitioner of those arts. Every member of the Garimot lineage has been a skilled hilot. There are many types of hilot, though the Garimot system includes four.
This form of hilot uses herbs (both internally and externally) and massage.
Originating from the native Aetas and Mangyans, this hilot therapy is water-based, often involving massage.
Also known as "cupping," this hilot technique involves using fire and cup-shaped objects to create an area of low pressure around particular points of the body, similar to Chinese "cupping" methods.
This type of hilot makes use of many natural tools, including herbs, fruits, vegetables, oils, vinegar, water, and stones to treat ailments.