Yaw-Yan ArDigma - An Indigenous Filipino martial arts (Last of two parts)

What is ArDigma?

Cebu - ArDigma means for arnis (stick), pandigma (warfare). Arnis is generally classified into solo olisi (single stick) or double olisi (double stick), but in ArDigma, it is a version of arnis without a stick because we use the forearm and shin as a stick.

ArDigma is the new system that Grandmaster Napoleon "Nap" A. Fernandez created to counter other martial arts such as grappling, jujitsu, and wrestling take downs. The idea is to harden the forearm and shin to use as club when an opponent shoots for the take down. This will also be used when inside of a guard to strike the opponent at close range.

Yaw-Yan ArDigma teaches various techniques to use every part of a strong and healthy body as weapons, not just the fist (kamao), knees (tuhod), shin (lulod), feet (paa), soler (talampakan), head (ulo), and even the calf (bangkod) to attack and defend because any part of the body can play a decisive role in a fight and knock down the opponent.

Mixed Martials Arts (MMA)

Means unarmed combat involving the use, subject to any applicable limitations set forth herein, from different disciplines of martial arts, in a sport of MMA, two participants, each usually representing different martial arts style are bracketed together and are set to compete in a ring or in an octagon enclosure and win over each other by using various striking of grappling techniques.

Yaw-Yan continuously evolved to the extreme to keep abreast and be at par to the changing world of martial arts. From traditional Yaw-yan in 1970s, it transformed into a modern Yaw-Yan in the '80 then came the Yaw-Yan ArDigma in 2000. And to further enhance its fighting capability, we integrate lethal moves from prominent martials to become what is now known as Yaw-Yan ArDigma in the mixed martial arts community.

Our program is a very good source of self-defense techniques where students develop skills, self-control, disciplines, and self-confidence.

We're teaching practical self-defense from fitness to street survival. (end)

EDITOR'S NOTE:Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu headed by Master Ekin R. Caniga, Jr. is the only Yaw-Yaw in Visayas affiliated and under the umbrella of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Headquarters of GM Nap fernandez (Fervilleon). It's Visayas headquarters is situated at Room 304 of Villacampa-Capuras Building just across the UC-Main Campus along Sanciangko Street, Cebu City. It also has a branch at the New Sacred Heart Sports Club (255-8510) on D. Jakoselam Street. - THE FREEMAN