BACKGROUND

Arnis is an ancient art practiced primarily for self-defense by the Filipinos during the pre-Spanish period. During the Spanish Colonial Period, Arnis was used to fight against the Spanish invaders. The Filipinos' stand against the superiority of their armed adversaries in mortal combat is honoured throughout their history.

Arnis is now the Philippine National Sport. It is a cultural heritage, a complete and perfect martial art, and above all, the pride of the Filipino people.


MODERN ARNIS AND ITS FOUNDER

Prof. Remy Amador Presas founded the Modern Arnis system in 1958 in his hometown of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Central Philippines. He started teaching Arnis and Judo in West Negros College in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. He was the trainer and coach in wrestling and judo at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos way back in 1968. He finished B.S. in Physical Education at the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (University of Manila).

He formed the Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines in 1972 before leaving for a global promotion of Arnis, entrusting the art to a student from his family circle to continue it in the Philippines. As the father of Modern Arnis and an ambassador of Filipino Martial Arts to the U.S.A., he organized the International Modern Arnis Federation Inc. in June 1991 and received the Hall of Fame Award for the 3rd time. Prof. Remy A. Presas dreamed of Modern Arnis becoming the Martial Art of the World before he retired and brought the art back to his homeland. The International Modern Arnis Federation Philippines, Inc. (IMAFP) was founded by Grandmaster Remy A. Presas in February 2000 in Manila before he passed away on August 28, 2001. To this day we still mourn the loss of a great teacher, fighter and Father of Modern Arnis.


HISTORY OF IMAFP

The foundations of IMAFP were planted as far back as 1997 when Grandmaster Remy Presas instructed his former student, Master Cristino Vasquez, to organize with his old and new students and establish the International Modern Arnis Federation in the Philippines. The development process culminated in 2000, when GM Remy Presas inaugurated the first IMAFP Board of Directors and officers.

Prof. Remy Presas inaugurates the IMAFP Board in 2000	During his 25 years in the United States, Remy returned several times to the Philippines to develop the cadres whose sole purpose would be to build up Modern Arnis in the home country. The result is an entire generation of Filipinos – young and old, including women and children – dedicated to the practice and promotion of Modern Arnis, as well as the preservation of and support for all Filipino martial arts.The Grandmaster and Father of Modern Arnis had fulfilled his lifelong dream: to bring the art back home to its people, at the same time when it enjoys the success of worldwide appreciation.
	Current IMAFP Membership in the Philippines IMAFP has the following chapters and affiliate clubs: METRO MANILA: 26 Chapters LUZON:  -- Baguio City(3) , Meycauayan(2), Cavite(8) VISAYAS:  -- Iloilo City(6), Cebu City(1), Bacolod City(3), Hinigaran(2) MINDANAO:  -- Zamboanga(3), Davao(2), Koronadal(2).
IMAFP-Iloilo performs exhibitions, August 2004	In Metro Manila, 38 schools/colleges/universities already implement regular training programs in Modern Arnis, with estimated total of 40,000 students. The statistics on schools throughout the country is still being gathered. The figures do not include chapters that are still in the process of formation, nor allied clubs (organizations which work together with IMAFP or practice Modern Arnis but have not finalized their membership). International chapters and affiliate clubs: IMAFP is currently found in the following countries: Germany, Switzerland, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Saudi Arabia, USA, Mexico
The German Modern Arnis Federation (DAV). One(1) of the strongest IMAFP affiliates in Europe

With the death of Grandmaster Remy Presas, the Filipinos mourned the passing of a great teacher and leader. It was very unfortunate that he died in a place far from home, where none of his family, students and colleagues could be with him.

Deprived of the opportunity to comfort him on his last days, to bring him messages from the people he loved back in his hometown of Hinigaran, or to hear his last words, the followers of Grandmaster Presas pledged their strongest commitment to continue his work in the Philippines and ensure that his lifelong dream is honoured and realized.

THE MODERN ARNIS MASTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

True to tradition

The Filipino martial arts, particularly arnis, are guided by the spirit of tradition. This remains true despite the countless innovations and techniques that were developed during modern times, or the many styles that sprung forth from the genius of many masters. They continue to be guided by the freedom-loving spirit of the Filipinos as manifested in their culture and history.

The Council of Masters of Modern Arnis is the safe-keeper of this tradition as well as its guiding spirit. Many of the masters have been training in Filipino martial arts from childhood. They have been gifted with the knowledge passed on from generation to generation. In the olden days, the masters were not adorned with belts or ranks; it was not necessary. One proved oneself not through promotional exams but in the field of actual battle or combat.
It is this tradition that spurs the IMAFP masters to undertake the task of strengthening the classical roots of Modern Arnis.


Committed to Modernization

Grandmaster Remy Presas installed and standardized the belt and ranking system in order to enforce a modern-day standard of safety, rules of play, and promotion for Arnis. He innovated the method whereby arnis can be taught and practiced with safeguards and rules. With the help of his students and other masters, particularly Master Rene Tongson, the present day rules and standards of play in Modern Arnis have been developed and documented to guide the conduct of sport competitions and tournaments, including the Point System, the padded body armour/guard and helmet, and the length and weight of weapons.

The IMAFP masters continue to innovate and develop further techniques. They also lead in the research and recovery of lost aspects of the Filipino martial arts. Their most important contribution to the preservation and development of the art is to continuously and selflessly teach it to several generations of students.

From left to right Master Rodel Dagooc Master Samuel Dulay click here for profile Master Rene Tongson click here for profile Master Cristino Vasquez click here for profile

Dedicated to the Filipino people

The IMAFP commits itself to higher goals: to enable the art to serve the Filipino people and contribute to their progress.

There have been questions as to what is Modern Arnis, whether this is defined by the old techniques or the new. IMAFP declares that there is no Modern Arnis if the OLD is separated from the NEW… thus remaining true to Grandmaster Presas' vision of an art that continues to thrive, that does not remain stagnant, that continues to develop itself into higher and more advanced forms.