Welcome to the Remy Presas I.M.A.F. Legacy Web Site.

This site is dedicated not only to the late Grandmaster, but to his many students who keep his memory alive to this very day. Before he passed, I asked him for permission to use his name for a Web Site. “Michael, you have it already.” After his passing, I realized he had mentioned me in his last will as a guardian of Modern Arnis.  To my knowledge, I was his last promotion to my Lakan Apat in Februray of 2001. In May of 1997, in front of a seminar crowd of 56 people in Rutledge,Pa. (including Datu T.J. Hartman,) the Grandmaster bestowed upon me the honorary title of "Professor"

To my knowledge, I am the only one ever given such a title. Now that he is gone, it means more to me than ever.

The coming year brings the 60th anniversary of Balintawak Escrima. Modern Arnis has been in the USA for more than half of this time thanks to the tireless efforts of the late Grandmaster. I was honored to host not only his final camp in February 2001, but what was to be his last public seminar at Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where I was teaching Arnis at the time. He was in the process of "re-learning" his art. That is to say that the severity of his operation caused portions of his memory to fail him.  A cruel irony, but a challenge none the less. Although he tried to hide it, he was blind in his left eye too.

The two weeks he spent here were productive. Although he contracted pneumonia on his long journey from Victoria, B.C. (spending 5 days in Riddle Memorial hospital) he was always looking to the future. He felt his life had been spared yet again. His concept for his IMAF Blackbelt Hall of Fame was to be unveiled on his 65th birthday December 19th 2001. “Michael can you put it together for me?” It was then I understood the main reason he came to Philadelphia. More on this as you read on.

As our esteemed instructor list continues to grow, it is with great pleasure that I welcome Dr. Maung Gyi to our summer camp. He related to me that he will remit his camp  teaching topics in short order.

I am particularly excited to host the 28th anniversary I.M.A.F. summer camp at Villanova University June 21st - 24th 2012. I value any and all input to help keep the late Professors mission alive. I think many will get a chuckle from some old photos on my facebook page. Please join us regularly for updates on camps, seminars and other interesting information. As a scholar and citizen of the world, the the late GM lived by a simple motto: “Crede quod habes et habes” (Believe that you have it and you do...)

Michael T. Bates, Class of 1989