History of Escrima

The term “Escrima” (or Eskrima) derives from the Filipino language Tagalog and has the same meaning as the Spanish “esgrima”, which means fencing.
The first contact of the Western world with this martial art dates back to the era of the colonial conquests of the 16th century, when the Spanish "conquistadors" arrived in the Philippines after their explorations of the new worlds.

When Magellan’s troops landed on the archipelago, they found warrior tribes who defended themselves with traditional weapons. In the famous Battle of Mactan in 1521, Magellan was killed by the tribal chief Lapu-Lapu, pierced by an arrow: a symbolic episode of the independence and strength of the Filipino people.
After the conquest, the Spanish prohibited indigenous martial arts, which survived in hidden forms through ritual dances and symbolic movements, while Spanish fencing influenced local fighting methods. Even today, modern Kali and Escrima bear clear traces of this cultural fusion.

Many scholars believe that the origin of Escrima also derives from Indonesian martial arts, born from the encounter between Kun Tao (an evolution of Chinese Ch’uan Fa – today known as Kung Fu) and Silat, a combat system developed in Malaysia and Indonesia starting from the 13th century.
From the 14th century, the spread of Islam in the southern Philippines brought new technical and cultural influences, particularly through the “Moros” population, still present in the southern islands today.

Over the centuries, Filipino martial arts have thus absorbed elements from numerous conquering peoples — Indians, Arabs, Spanish, Portuguese, Italians, Americans, and Japanese — creating an incredibly varied and dynamic set of styles and techniques.

From Ancient Art to Modern System

In the 20th century, interest in "minor" martial arts grew rapidly in the West as well. Disciplines like Escrima, Capoeira, Savate, and Muay Thai attracted enthusiasts looking for authentic and functional combat systems.
Precisely because of its effectiveness in the use of and defense against bladed weapons, Escrima has gained a unique reputation. However, in some cases, it has been modified to adapt to modern audiences: emphasis has been placed on trapping, control, and disarmament, focusing more on self-defense than on traditional warrior practice.
Unlike other arts, Escrima has not evolved in a sporting sense, maintaining its martial and pragmatic nature.

Newman-Escrima

In 1974, Grand Master Bill Newman, a student of GM Rene Latosa, founded Newman-Escrima: a modern and functional system that combines the simplicity and power of Filipino arts with a clear and rational European methodology.
Its roots developed between Stockton (USA) and London (England), then expanding throughout Europe through the EWTO (European WingTsun Organization), of which it became the official armed combat program.

In the 1990s, masters such as Sifu Heinrich Pfaff, Sifu Tihomir Kolar, and Edgar Zimmermann spread Escrima in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, consolidating a tradition of technical study, mental discipline, and safety that continues today under the guidance of the EWTO.

The Philosophy

The fundamental principle of Escrima is encapsulated in its motto:

“Self-defence is an attitude.”
Self-defence is an attitude. 

The goal is not combat itself, but the management and prevention of conflict through awareness, balance, and control.
Training in Escrima means learning to think and move strategically, transforming every situation into an opportunity for calm, clarity, and safety.

📩 For information on courses and the instructor training program:
👉 segreteria@ewto.it
🌐 www.ewto.it