This book, the first volume in a trilogy, presents to you the Balintawak Arnis System as founded by Supreme Grandmaster Venancio “Anciong” Bacon in Cebu, in the 1950s. It differs from the other Filipino Stick Fighting system, as cited below, among others: 1. It employs a single stick throughout its training, 2. The stick, as a weapon, is treated as the extension of the arm,3. It employs stemless strikes,4. It uses hinge block,5. It applies the science of ergonomics,6. It emphasizes on economy of movement, making it simple and practical.7. It employs short and shallow footworkThe content of this book touches on the basic levels 1 and 2, under the training curriculum of the APO-Balintawak System, as follows, among others:Level 1a. History of Arnis and Balintawak Eskrima,b. Knowledge of the weapon and its potential,c. Basic stances, posture and footwork,d. Basic strike angles,e. Follow-through strikes,f. Shadow fighting with use of strikes only,g. Value System,h. Principles on shoulder width index, torque, stemless strikes,i. Vital target pointsLevel 2a. Basic blocks, b. Basic counter-attack, c. Randomization of defense and counter-attack, d. Shadow fighting applying attack, defense and counter-attack stratagem, e. Attack, clock-footwork and free hand control, f. Principles of hinged block, counter-attack, clock-footwork and free hand control.The basic levels are considered the most important phase in the training of Balintawak Arnis, as in any other martial arts and sports. It is here that you develop and strengthen your foundation in the art. Read on to discover, understand, appreciate and learn.

124 pages