•    Kali was officially established when the Code of Kalantiaw was practiced in the early 1400s and had been practiced before then during the time of the Majaphahit and the Sri Visaya Empires and as far back as 400 AD. The Filipino people represent the strong segments of the Majaphahit Empire that ruled Asia from 7th to the 15th century. The Filipinos of Majaphahit played a very significant part in making considerable contributions to the civilization of the Pacific region and Kali was the forefront philosophy that came to influence the surrounding lands. It is the long lost Culture of Filipino Heritage, as before they were called Filipinos, they were tagged as "Tribes of Kali".

       The naturally graceful and harmonious movements used in this art are characteristic of the methods also found and used in other Asian countries. In the earliest days of the Philippines the countries neighboring it had no strong borders, so cultural, and notably, martial exchanges were made between the Philippines and all the surrounding island nations and main lands. This has resulted in similarities in many of their fighting arts.

       The practice of combat fighting with the use of the blade is part of the customs and traditions. The blade is inseparable in the ceremonial system. The theory of strategic defense, offense and counter offense have been tested and proven effective and accurate in different combat situations as used by the Filipinos during the Spanish and American colonization and the Japanese invasion of the Pacific.

       Kali is the oldest form of armed fighting art and philosophy in the Philippines; it comes from the word "Kalis", which implies the used of the blade.  It is a traditional cultural art of the Filipino people designed for the physical training, mental development, and spiritual upliftment of an individual practitioner which will relatively strengthen his moral value foundation. Kali is a very systematic art of combat fighting based in the science of strategy and tactics. The fighting methods remain advanced and relevant, even in today’s combat environment. It does not only imply the used of the sticks, blade, and empty hand, but the principals and tactics can be used effectively in firearm training as well. It is the heart of the history, philosophy and culture of the Filipino people.

       When Kali practitioners in the country decided to form their "Kapulungan" (or council), they chose the "Balaan Bukid" (or Holy Mountain), where Kalistas gather for meditation and hold war council. Over time the use of Kapulungan has been phased in and out. More recently, because of the influence of Christianity, some Kalistas began to treat the Balaan Bukid as a Christian holy place, thought to be the place of the Resurrection. In today’s Philippines, the word Kapulungan is used to reference the country’s House of Representatives or any official group of decision makers.

       The Philosophical Mystic of Kali was all but lost during the introduction of the European and Western Cultures through religious and educational methods. However, despite cultural invasions, a considerable group of practitioners were able to preserve and spearhead the continuity of this unique and mystical culture. While there are present disputes among Filipinos, relating to politics and other foreign philosophies, we are striving to reconnect to the inner kernel of ourselves, which is the "Kali Way of Life".