Sikaran is a form of Philippine Martial Arts whose history dates back to the early 1500's before the Spaniards came, It is the art of foot-fighting where
the farmers use their strong legs to drive the partners outside the designated line (pitak) of close in combat.
Sikaran and Sipa are both Tagalog terms for "kick" but with a notable
difference: the former is a noun, while the latter is a verb. Deriving from sikad, Sikaran like the biakid, pilatik and damba, came to be known as an
indigenous martial sport in the tradition of arnis, kali, dicho, buno etc. Sikaran is just a pastime of the Baras Rizal farmers
who gathered during the festival after a good harvest season. Doing it constantly made them develop skills that would eventually be marked by
effectiveness such that no other martial arts could compare with, or so claim its most ardent exponent. Of the practitioners, some went on to
discover certain skills in combat that made them deserve the honour of being called "Hari"(champion). Which few if any are still around. As most
of them have succumbed, their secrets interred with their remains and never imparted their secrets of this art. Having chosen to keep it to them selves
and not to teach it to anyone else. Indeed, secrecy is essence of the martial arts and this is true in any system. The early Sikaranista (farmers) session
commences with the drawing of a circle on the ground. The acknowledged talent of the lot, by reason of his superior skill is often obliged to concede a
handicap, thus he positions himself inside the circle and trades kicking talents with one who stays at the circle's rim. The objective is for the
combatant outside to dislodge the contestant within. The rules are really that simple. In the case of vein, he would agree to a number of opponents
who form a circle. Should the man within be driven out of the circle, it signifies defeat and, correspondingly, humiliation. If the game's continuation
be opted, another pretender takes the place of the dislodge practitioner and the same procedure is repeated.
Once in a while, and this seems unavoidable, a session witnesses a
mischief-prone contestant who makes it a point to step on a carabao waste (buffalo dung) prior to a competition, if only to dirty and to defeat the opponent.
The Baras-originated method of foot fighting in its original form had no time limit. Combatants called for a time out if they became so exhausted as not
to be able to go on. No discrimination regarding sex. Both male and female may indulge in it, should they so wish.
They have a vernacular name for a Hari. He was awarded Agila (for his
impressive agility), acknowledged as the foremost padamba (jumping front kick) exponent. This person that was recognized could leap as high as six
feet, which is definitely a testimony to having the ability and having some superb power.
So also classified as Hari, was a fellow reputed to being able to crack
husked coconuts with his steel-like shins. On the other hand a Hari also boasts of the singular reputation of knocking out (T.K.O) a carabao with a single hammer biakid.
Sikaran utilizes only the feet as a rule for sport and for combat, self-defense and this is what makes it distinct, the hands are never availed of in the sikaran. If they utilized
the hands at all, it's only for defense. The player uses his legs 90% of the time and his hands 10% only for the blocking or parrying blows. Violation
of this injunction, especially in tournaments, is grounds for disqualification.
The rationale behind this has something to do with the role of the feet
whose significance has yet to be fully appreciated. It is the largest part of the body, aside from the fact that it nurtures the largest bone as well as the most massive muscle.
Sikaran has its own share of kicking styles. The "Biakid" the classic kick is executed by pivoting to the back in a full or complete turn about manner.
The degree of effectiveness subscribes to two classifications: "panghilo" (paralysing blow) and "pamatay" or lethal kick. Obviously the first aimed at
less vital parts of the physique, while the target of the second includes the heart, neck, head, groin, and spine, all highly vulnerable parts.
In the year 1988 Maestro Jethrogil Balicao (Mandaue City/ Philippines) created his own style of Sikaran in combination with Arnis and Ju Jitsu, his style is called Sikaran-Jitsu Arnis de Abanico.
