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Professor Remy Amador Presas
December 19th, 1936 to August 28th, 2001

4th Anniversary
Tribute to the Father of Modern Arnis
Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

The Promise


It has been four years since the passing of one of the greatest martial artists that ever lived. Professor Presas will long be remembered as the man who brought back to life the dying art of Arnis, a visionary with endless determination and boundless energy.

When Professor Presas was a very small boy of six years old he became very curious about the training his father was giving to the soldiers near his home. This training was not openly shared; Remy’s father was training guerilla fighters to combat the invading Japanese forces during World War II. It was this curiosity that lead young Remy to stand on a rock, peak through the nepa leaves that covered the training hut and begin mimicking the movements of the soldiers. He would swing his small rattan stick at the leaves of nearby trees resulting in a question from his grandfather who was also curious. He was wondering what had caused the trees to loose their leaves. When young Remy showed him what caused the trees to become bare his grandfather saw the enthusiasm for the art of Arnis in this young boys eyes. Against his parents wishes Remy’s grandfather made a promise to teach the small boy the family system of Arnis.

Young Remy worked hard at his art, it became a driving force in his life. He was obsessed with the movements and power of Arnis. He learned the art during a time of great upheaval there were many deaths and life changing injuries dealt out at the hands of powerful arnisadors. This caused young Remy to feel great sorrow for those that were hurt; he felt that the art that he loved should not be used to harm others. This feeling would shape the future of Arnis.

When Remy was old enough he yearned for more information about Arnis, there are many different family styles taught in the islands. He left home in search of more knowledge, by learning more about the art he was keeping a promise that he had made to his grandfather to learn and practice his art. Through out his travels he always kept true to his word, he worked hard and learned from many different masters he was a natural athlete and his talent and reputation soon grew.

Unfortunately, Remy was forced to flee his beloved Philippines during a time of political instability. This was both a beginning and an end for Remy. It was the end of his time spent in his homeland but the beginning for his beloved art known as Modern Arnis. It was at this time that Professor Presas began to keep a promise he had made to himself all those years ago as a young boy, he would make Arnis the art of the world. He dedicated his life to teaching Modern Arnis, his own adaptation of his grandfather’s style of balintawak as well as all the things he had learned from the other masters he had studied with. Perhaps the most valuable adaptation was to allow the practitioner of Modern Arnis to strike the opponents stick. This would encourage people to continue with their practice of the art without removing the martial aspect of Arnis.

Professor Presas spent most of his adult life on the road teaching to a new group of people at every venue. During the course of his travels he taught many distinct pieces of his art to a few very dedicated and talented practitioners of his art. Whether he gave someone a new technique or movement or had them search for it in what he had just done he always made them promise to teach it to someone. He believed that by teaching someone else the technique or movement would become your own.

All too quickly Professor Presas was taken from this earth but his beloved art and his promise lives on through all the people that have dedicated their lives to the practice of Modern Arnis. Every time that knowledge is passed on in the manner that Professor would have taught it we are all keeping his promise for him. We are sharing and spreading his beloved art through out the world.

It is on this fourth anniversary of his passing that we should all take a moment to remember what his promise meant to him and to remember what he meant to all the people he has touched through out the world. Every time that you pick up a rattan stick you are helping to keep his promise, this is a sacred responsibility and an honor.




3rd Anniversary
Tribute to the Father of Modern Arnis
Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

When a person is born his destiny is not determined. Each person will make choices along their life’s path that will create their destiny. The choices made by one may affect the lives of others. Each person has the potential to be great. It is what we all do with that potential that makes us who we are.

It has been three years since the passing of a man who took all the potential he had, created a martial arts system which is second to none, affected the lives of millions of people much like a single drop of water falling in a pond creates ripples that can go on for ever. This man was Remy A. Presas perhaps the most loved martial artist of his time.

The training hall was filled with the smell of burning rattan, it echoed with the sounds of canes coming together. Everyone in the room was concentrating, working hard and learning. A voice called out “Come here, sit down, come close I will tell you about your family.” The group comes together in a circle, listening intently to the man in the center.

From the start of time it has been important to pass on family history, heritage and culture. If the father was a fisherman it was only natural for the son to follow. It was the duty of a good father to teach the children his craft; it was a gift that would help them to survive in a world that was often very harsh. It was also the duty and privilege of the family elders to ensure each person understood who he was and where he came from. This was accomplished by remembering those who have gone before us.

How we remember those who have come before us is important. Often it is a quick private thought that brings a smile to our lips or a small tear to our eye. These moments shape who we are. When we share these times with our friends and family we are giving them a gift that money can not buy, we are giving them a sense of being, a sense of who they are and where they come from. Every person may find a different meaning in each story but those who listen with more than their ears will gain the most.

When Professor taught his art it was crucial that he pass on more than a multitude of possible combinations and patterns. It was important that people understand his art. To understand the art a handful of people would receive the greatest gift of all times. They would be allowed the privilege to “play” with Professor. They would be given a personal family history lesson. This lesson was often physically and mentally painful but, these were moments, that none of them would trade for all the riches in the world. These moments were little glimpses into the heart of a true warrior.

On this anniversary of his passing, take a moment to remember where we have come from. Take a moment to remember the warrior, the father, the friend and the teacher. Cherish each moment that you spent with him. Listen to the voice inside yourself that drives you to get better. Remember who he was on your quest to discover who you are.



A tribute to the life and contributions
of Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

by Lee Anne Brophy

No one in the room was ready to give him up, but the inevitable had happened. His illness was too severe to encourage any hope. And when the last heartbeat flickered, Grandmaster Remy A. Presas became immortal. He would be remembered around the world.

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly two years since the passing of one of the finest martial artists to ever take the floor. Grandmaster is gone now, but he has left a legacy which all who knew him will remember forever. Our deeds live after us. A husband, a wife, a parent, a child - they all belong to the ages. And as long as one is remembered, that person is not really dead.

There may not be a memorial in some conspicuous place, but all those people who knew and loved the one you have lost for a while, will have built a place to kneel in their hearts. Whenever they see you, they will remember the one whom you think about all the time. Incredible as it may seem, that person whom you loved is not only alive in your memory, but in that of your friends as well. Your own heart should fill with pride as you realize what a prize you have given to the ages.

The broken circle … always a symbol of what death does to a family, leaves us speechless with emotion. The joy of keeping the family intact is short-lived. Sooner than we can believe, the circle cracks and a part of it is gone. The wheel never again runs as smoothly as it did, but it must never be discarded because a spoke is missing. The remaining spokes must fill in for the one, which is retired.

Families, that have been close across the years, will inevitably move closer together and form a bond, which heals the break. What are families for if not to do this? Every member is a part of something bigger than himself. Since that is so, the departed brother or sister lives on in the rest of us, never really gone at all. It is the family, which insures the continuing identity of its parts.

This is not the time to stop living. You may think it is, but nothing could be further from the truth. About the only contribution your departed loved one can now make to the world is the encouragement to continue with life. But you can become the glove on the hand of the one who is so greatly missed, the instrument with which one in another world can carry on in a land where he is no longer seen.

Your charge is now greatly enlarged. Now you must live for two, not just for one. You must pursue the labor that meant more to Professor than anything else. Now is the time to take up your sticks and train. In that way his works will follow him. By working at the things that he loved and sharing the art of Modern Arnis with others we are all adding years to his life.

We remember people who have passed in many ways and on many days. That special day when you would do something together, an anniversary, birthday or during that little bit of quiet time when your mind wanders back to an old friend. On this sad anniversary we should all take a moment to remember what we have received from this wonderful and special man. He was our teacher, our friend, our inspiration, a pioneer and adventurer who kept the candle of Modern Arnis burning. We are now left to travel alone down the path that was started by our teacher. We must all remember, we are not truly alone because he is watching us with that approving smile. We are on the right path.


August 28, 2002, marks the first year anniversary of the passing of Professor Remy Amador Presas, Founder and Grandmaster of Modern Arnis. His death left a tremendous void in the world of martial arts, and in the hearts of martial artists worldwide. It is a void that will never be completely filled. In his passing, Professor authorized and mandated the International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF), under the direction of the IMAF, Inc., to continue his Legacy and Vision in the Art of Modern Arnis. The IMAF is charged with the provision of quality access, training, and instruction of Modern Arnis to martial artists globally...more

The candle still burns

by Lee Anne Brophy

It has been one year since the martial arts world lost one of its guiding lights, Professor Remy A. Presas, the father of Modern Arnis. On this anniversary, I would ask all martial artists to reflect on the man, the art and the year that has just passed.

Shortly after Professor Presas left us, I began to reflect on what he had given to each person that he has touched in his all too short life. During the course of my thinking, I was told a story by another martial artist who I respect very much. The quote he left me with was, "If I can not be the candle that shines the light, perhaps I can be the mirror that reflects it."

On this anniversary we must take a look in our own mirrors and ask ourselves, have I done things this year that would have made Professor proud? We must take an honest inventory of our successes and failures. This is no easy task. We must look at our lives with a critical eye and an honest heart. Did I train hard enough? Did I conduct myself with the proper ethics? Would I have received a smile from Professor or a quiet stare?

It has been a year of change for all of us. Hopefully, it has been a year of growth as well. There have been many well-run and successful seminars and camps held, to continue the dream of Professor Presas. His dream was bigger than any one man. I feel it is an appropriate tribute to him to continue our training. We must train in the manner in which he has taught us, with a genuine love for the art and with an open mind. We must look for the connections in all that we do.

After experiencing a loss, people's hearts and minds must flow through the many emotions that will help them to heal and go on. This flow is particularly appropriate when dealing with the loss of the man who made the expression "Go with the Flow" a household word for many people. To the martial artists who have chosen to put down their sticks, I would ask them to once again pick it up and share their knowledge with others. Professor Presas spent his life refining his art and sharing it with countless people. However, there is not one person who has the privilege of collecting all of Professor's knowledge. To the martial artists that are bitter over the loss of Professor, I would say Professor would not want that. He was always concerned about people smiling and being happy.

To all martial artists I would say be the mirror, reflect his light in a positive manner, share his light with others. Most of all, train to carry on Professor's dream and legacy. It was a precious gift that we have all received.


1. What is the most important lesson you learned from Professor for your martial arts practice/instruction? Why/how is this applied?

As it relates specifically to martial arts practice/instruction, I learned that it's best to step away from a specific technique and explain the concept/principle behind that technique and show how that concept can be applied in various ways. There is an old cliche that goes something like this if you learn a technique, you learn that technique. If you learn a concept, you learn a thousand techniques."

Guro Brian Johns, IMAF Director - Ohio

One of the best lessons was to make others feel happy. Make them feel included.

Guro Dan McConnell, IMAF Director - Ohio

An important aspect of teaching me to believe in myself, the Prof. would say over and over that the answers are in the regular practice and teaching of the basics, slow at first, so you can see the connections. He would also encourage me to find my own way and to bridge the gaps in the arts that I study.

Master J. Richard Roy, IMAF Director - Massachusetts

2. What is the most important lesson you learned from Professor that has played a POSITIVE role in your life, work, etc.? Why/how?

"Go with the flow."

Guro Brian Johns, IMAF Director - Ohio

To quote the Professor: "Never mind the barking dogs. Just do your work."

Guro Dan McConnell, IMAF Director - Ohio

My most important lesson from the Prof. is to believe in myself. He would tell me when I would talk about training with this or that master, and I quote, "Richard, why go down the ladder when you are already on the top? You have so much already, don't worry, just be happy."

Master J. Richard Roy, IMAF Director - Massachusetts

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