Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is a close-quarter, weapons oriented fighting art that originated in the late 1800s in the Negros Occidental section of the Visayan Islands in the Central Philippines. It was perfected by Great Grand Tuhon Conrado B. Tortal in the 1930s and passed on to Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr., the only grandson of Master Tortal, and the sole heir and representative of the system. Grand Tuhon Gaje develops and promotes the system internationally today.

Pekiti has its roots in the early styles of Kali that were practiced by Filipinos (Kalimen) around the time of Magellan's arrival in the Philippines in the 16th century. One of these styles was called Pangamut and was practiced by the tribes of Lapulapu and Humabon. It consisted of eight strikes: two slashes each to the head, chest, kidneys, and one thrust each to the head and chest. Though very primitive by today's standards, Pangamut was highly effective against the Spaniards of that time. The term Pangamut also refers to the empty-hand component of the Pekiti system today.

The techniques in Pekiti-Tirsia are based on fluid movement, dynamic footwork, and aggressive angles of attack. Primary weapons are the stick, knife, sword, and empty hand. These are applied in five categories: single stick (solo baston), double stick (double baston), stick and knife (espada y daga), knife vs. knife (daga y daga), empty hands (mano mano). Other categories are kicking (sikaran) and staff (sibat). Secondary weapons are the club, lance, projectile, and whip.

The techniques are taught in the Doce Methodos or 12 methods. These methods are the basic subsystems of the art. They are called Abecedario System, Tirsia Corto System, Tirsia Largo System, Panastas and Sungkete System, Clock System, Florete and Echekete System, Pekiti Disarma System, Pekiti-Pekiti System, Huego Tirada and Huego Toda System, Espada y Daga, Daga y Daga, Mano Mano and Sikaran.

Pekiti-Tirsia uses body mechanics that are very dynamic. The training method stresses the use of a multitude of bladed and impact weapons. Power, speed, timing, and overall fighting agility are developed by the extensive use of flow drills and fight simulations.