| | Duncan,
The Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) were developed for the purpose of self-defense, and nothing more. This is different from the more traditional Eastern styles like the ones you mentioned, which had a more religious or spiritual basis and literally require years and years of study to master. It was designed so that even an average person (i.e. one of average physical fitness) can be effective within a few months. There are only a limited number of techniques, and they are all designed to be simple to teach and learn within the first few months of training. What also makes it very different is that weapons are taught first before unarmed combat. However, whether you are fighting with a stick, a knife, or with empty hands, the techniques are similar enough that they are interchangeable.
Like Mike said, FMA is beautiful to watch, but not because it is flowery or complicated, but because it is efficient and simple. I think this holds true whether it is the stick, knife, or unarmed. I think the video you linked was a decent demonstration of this.
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