Professor Remy A Presas

Born• December 19, 1936

• In Hinigaran, Negros Occidental

• Parents: Jose Presas and Lucia Amador

Early Training• First started training in his family style at age 6

• His father didn’t think he had what it took to be a fighter. Not realizing that the young Remy was left handed.

• He would secretly watch as his father would train soldiers and tanods. He would then imitate it

• His Grandfather saw him do this and decided to teach him the family style.

• * Master Ken’s story of Professor driving his mother crazy.

Early Training• At age 14, the young Remy Presas moved to Cebu

on his own.

• While he worked for his Uncle, Professor met and trained with Rodolfo Mongcal and Timor Maranga of the Balintawak Arnis group.

• Later on he was trained by the old man himself, Anciong Bacon.

• Through their training and guidance, Professor became known as a fearsome Eskrimador.

Other Training

• Professor was a 6th Dan in Shotokan Karate and a Black Belt in Kodokan Judo

• He also travelled throughout the Philippines to learn other styles of FMA.

Establishment of Modern Arnis

• With the blessing of Anciong Bacon, Professor left the Balintawak Group to establish his own style of Arnis

• In 1957, Modern Arnis was introduced to the public. It was a synthesis of his Family System, Balintawak, Karate, Judo and other

Reviving Arnis

• By that time, Arnis was a dying art. Practiced behind closed doors and kept within families and groups. The knowledge of Arnis began to wane

• Practicing Arnis then was a brutal experience*.

• By modernizing the art, Professor sought to bring back Arnis to the forefront of the Martial Arts in the Philippines

• Instead of hitting the hand, you hit the cane.

Reviving Arnis

• He began teaching Modern Arnis in University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos.

• In 1969, Professor moved to Manila and established the Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines.

• He continued to spread his art by implementing programs in schools and colleges

Leaving the Philippines

• By the early 1970’s, Modern Arnis was well established. However, political pressure forced Professor to leave the Philippines for the United States in 1975

• In 1975, Professor had landed in the US.

• Staying with friends Dean Stockwell and Max Pallen

• He continued to promote Modern Arnis and Filipino Culture here in the US

The IMAF

The IMAF

• He created the International Modern Arnis Federation as a way to help spread both the art and Filipino Culture.

• Professor trained a select few and promoted the group to Master of Tapi-Tapi

His Passing

• After battling brain cancer, Professor passed away on August 28, 2001, leaving behind an incredible legacy and is acknowledged as one of the all time great martial artists

• He left his organization, the IMAF, to the care of the Masters of Tapi-Tapi

Modern Arnis Today

• Various groups now carry the torch of modern arnis. Different organizations led by Masters, Datus, and our own Masters of Tapi-Tapi.

• Be proud of the fact that you are part of Professor’s original organization, the IMAF.

• Aside from the Philippines and the US, Modern Arnis can be found in different parts of the world such as Canada, Germany and the rest of Europe