Modern Arnis Mano-Mano Filipino Martial Arts is duly recognized and registered by the Philippine Government under by the Department of Trade and Industry with Registry Number 00156129. The MAMFMA was first registered July 21 1995 and the logo name of Modern Arnis Mano-Mano Filipino Martial Arts was copyright at the National Library, Manila on October 6 1995 with Copyright registry no. O 95-1006 by Punong Lakan Garitony C. Nicolas which he called Arnis Nicolas System (ARNIS). The Arnis Nicolas System promotes the classical, traditional and modern approach of teaching the principles and philosophy of the Art of stick fighting - Arnis.

Garitony C. Nicolas was born on July 21 1968 Manila, Philippines by Antonio G. Nicolas (deceased) and Zenaida F. Carlos. You can call him Punong Lakan - a master of the hardwood cane. He is also the Father of Modern Sinawali. He was barely 13 when he strong-willed to pursue his development training in the field of Arnis under the tutelage of Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas Sr.

Punong Lakan completed his Arnis Professional course at the National College of Physical Education (NCPE) at Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila. He learned the other systems and principles of martial arts discipline from Grandmaster Nemesio Puno, Prof. Armando C. Soteco, Grandmaster Benjamin B. Luna and Sensei Danny San Joaquin.

The cliché age does not matter hold true for him as he earned the recognition of being the Most Outstanding Instructor of the Year on December 19 1987, awarded by the International Philippine Martial Arts Federation and ARJUKEN Karate Association by Grandmaster Ernesto Presas. On July 23 2005 he was recognized by the United States of Martial Arts Association (USMAA) as one of the International Instructor Hall of Fame Awardees.

Punong Lakan decided to promote and share the knowledge and principles of the stick fighting called Arnis at the British School of Manila (ASA), Datamex Computer College, Rockwell Sports Club Makati, Pasay City North High School - BSP, International Electronic Technology Institute and UST Martial Arts Club. He was invited to become the fighting scene director in one of the GMA 7’s Fantaserye Etheria (Encantadia Book 2). At the same time, he trained the actors and actresses of the said Fantaserye. He conducted seminar trainings at Metro Manila Development Authority Traffic Office Command (MMDA-TOC), Wack-Wack Village Security and Safety Department, MASAKAF Foundation Inc. and Landnet Inc. – Subdivision Police. Before he reached the path of success he first became an instructor of Arjuken Karate Club, Lyceum Martial Arts Club, Hataw-do Martial Arts Club and Kalisphere Philippines.

Since then he became the Arnis Mano-Mano Instructor of many local and international celebrities including other martial arts experts who came to learn Arnis in the Philippines.

Punong Lakan is at present a Board Member of the Philippine Full Contact Self-Defense Federation Inc. and the Philippine Jendo Association Incorporated. He is also the adviser of Combination of Arnis Kickboxing and Combative Arts Gym (CAKCA), Philippine Arnis Mano-Mano Gym Dubai Chapter (PHILAMM) and MAMFMA Wiesbaden Germany Chapter. In government, he acts as the Arnis Instructor at the Philippine Indigenous Games and Sports Savers Association Incorporated hosted by the Philippine Tourism Authority.

LIKHA TATLO

Arnis y Daga 1 – 20

20 Releasing Mano – Mano

Give & Take Daga sa Daga

Daga sa Daga counter - Stab

Banda y Banda Stab

Ocho – Ocho Stab

Rompida Stab

Arnis y Daga Anyo Isa

Sinawali System 3 - 1 against 2 Attacker

GURO DEGREE

At least One (1) year of training & six (6) months of teaching,
promoting the Art.

LAKAN DEGREE

Two years (2) of continuous teaching, promoting the Art.

MASTERS DEGREE

At least 15 – 25 years of continuos training, teaching & promoting
the Art.

Recognized by the students, instructors, other organization &
colleagues.

Must have a Good leadership, dignity & Moral Values.

GRANDMASTERS DEGREE

26 years & above of promoting, teaching & uplifting the Art.

50 years old & above.