Remy Presas

Remy Presas (1936–2001) is the founder of Modern Arnis—the most widely practised system of Filipino martial arts (FMA) internationally. Born in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Presas trained from childhood in traditional Arnis under his grandfather and other masters. He developed Modern Arnis as a systematised, teachable curriculum combining stick fighting (sinawali, anyo), knife techniques, and empty-hand applications, making Filipino martial arts accessible to international students for the first time. He emigrated to the United States in 1975 and spent the rest of his life teaching and expanding Modern Arnis globally, earning the title “The Father of Modern Arnis”.