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| Remy A. Presas | |
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| Born | December 19, 1936 Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
| Died | August 28, 2001 Victoria, Canada |
| Occupation | teacher, martial artist |
| Known for | founding Modern Arnis |
Remy Amador Presas (December 19, 1936 – August 28, 2001) was the founder of Modern Arnis, a popular Filipino martial art. Born in the Philippines, he moved to the United States in the 1970s, where he taught his art via seminars and camps. He also published several books and videos on Modern Arnis.
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Early life and training
Presas was born in the town of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines, the son of Jose B. Presas, a businessman, and the former Lucia Amador. He began studying arnis with his father then with his grandfather, Leon Presas, and uncle at the age of six. By the age of fourteen he had his first stick fighting match with a Sinawali master that Presas knocked out with one stick hit. He continued to travel across the Philippine Islands to learn from other masters and to compete in stick-fighting competitions and many street fights. Presas eventually focused on Balintawak Eskrima, but also earned a 6th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and in judo.
His younger brothers Ernesto Presas and Roberto Presas are also martial artists.
Private and government sector employment
Presas earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and taught the subject at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos; because of this he was addressed as Professor Presas, and was widely known in martial arts circles as "the Professor". He later worked for the Philippine government in the area of physical education, spreading arnis instruction to the high schools. Presas was forced to leave the country in 1974 because of pressure from certain government officials. He spent most of the rest of his life in North America, but traveled worldwide.
Death
Presas died on August 28, 2001 in Victoria, Canada from brain cancer. Since his death, several groups have emerged to carry on instruction in his art. His younger brothers Ernesto Presas and Roberto Presas, as well as several of his children (most notably his eldest son, Remy P. Presas), are also active in the Filipino martial arts.
Presas was married twice, first to Rosemary Pascual Presas, with whom he had three children, and to Yvette Presas, with whom he had two children.
External links
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