s of the Philippines Sibat can either be used hand-to-hand or thrown from a distance. Blunt portions of the weapon could be used to incapacitate at closer ranges. These attacks can be used in conjunction; the shaft can be used to block an enemy's weapon and then followed with a thrust into the throat or stomach. In the
Ilocano fighting arts of
Kabaroan learned by Grandmaster Ramiro Estalilla, 2 spears () can be used at the same time, with the second spear held with a grip in the middle and used as a
shield. When one spear is thrown, the practitioner can then draw his blade and
dual wield with a blade and spear. The Igorot and
Aeta people in Luzon also have spears with detachable heads. The Aeta remove the heads when entering Christian towns to trade (during which the shaft can still be used as a
staff weapon) while the Igorot can use the detachable head as a dagger. Traditionally, Philippine spears were not used with the "helicopter" twirling motions found in Chinese arts such as
Wushu and Indian
Silambam. According to
FMA instructor and journalist Daniel Foronda who hails from the
Mountain Province region, such twirling techniques cannot be used amongst dense pine trees, and basic utilization with the Igorot spear is more akin to rifle
bayonet training. ==See also==