Caution on Wikipedia articles on Modern Arnis

There is a lot of information on the internet regarding the history of Modern Arnis. Let's take Wikipedia for example. The article on Modern Arnis is mostly accurate. However, if one were to click on the reference to "Masters of Tapi Tapi" embedded in the Wikipedia article, you will be sent to another article describing what that title means. Check out: Master of Tapi Tapi .

This Wikipedia article makes reference to the two stick locking drill. It implies that the Masters of Tapi Tapi are masters of a drill. This has been asserted in a number of places on various martial arts forums over the years. This is a gross oversimplification of what that title denotes. It is not a reference to mastery of a drill. Instead, it refers to the underlying concepts of "going with the flow" and "counter for counter." These concepts permeate every aspect of the art of Modern Arnis, whether it be stick, empty hand, ground control techniques, joint locks, throws or knife techniques. For example, there are counters to arm bars or other joint locks. Therefore, the title "Master of Tapi Tapi" does not refer solely to two person stick drills as the Wikipedia article seems to say.

To be clear, there are drills to develop the concept of "going with the flow" and "counter for counter." The most prevalent is right vs. right tapi tapi (with sticks) and left vs. right tapi tapi (with sticks). These drills are designed to teach these concepts. However, as stated above, these concepts are prevalent throughout every aspect of the art.