The DNA of Modern Arnis

I recently saw a screenshot of a post by Dan Anderson critiquing my statement that our students carry Professor Presas’s “DNA” in their movement. Dan thinks that idea is absurd because, as he put it, we all come from different backgrounds and therefore move, think, and train differently. Fair enough—but there’s more to it than that.

First, let’s clear the air about etiquette. If you block someone and then talk about them, you’ve shut down any chance of real dialogue. I’ve invited Mr. Anderson—repeatedly—to join me on our show and discuss this face-to-face. He’s declined. That’s his choice, but I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to call someone out, you should give them the chance to reply. Anything less is just a monologue.

Now, on to the substance.

Dan’s view makes sense if you treat Modern Arnis as nothing more than cross-training—an add-on to patch the gaps in your primary art. That approach has been common outside the Philippines, where many practitioners cherry-pick the stick work and ignore the rest. But that’s not how Professor Presas taught Modern Arnis in the Philippines, and it’s not how I teach it today.

Modern Arnis is a codified system—three books, twenty-five videos, and a curriculum that stands on its own. When you commit to the whole art, a common structure naturally emerges. My students-—from completely different backgrounds—are often told they “move like Tim.” That’s not magic; it’s alignment with a unified system.

Need proof it can be done in FMA? Look at Grandmaster Bobby Taboada’s group. His students—first generation or further down the line—share a recognizable flavor, even though they, too, came from varied martial pasts. A cohesive system produces a cohesive look.

So let’s be clear:

• Modern Arnis is not merely “the art within your art.” That phrase was Professor’s bridge for cross-ranking, not the end goal.

• If you only dip a toe in, you won’t move like Professor. You’ll improve your base art, and that’s valuable—but it’s cross-training, not full immersion.

• If you want to feel how Professor Presas truly moved, step into a program that teaches Modern Arnis as a stand-alone system.

In short, the “DNA” comment isn’t ridiculous; it’s a reminder that when you dive all in, the art leaves a clear signature on your movement—just like Taekwondo, Karate, or any other fully realized system.

If you’re curious what Modern Arnis can add to your toolkit, go train with the cross-training crowd. If you want the complete experience, come see us at the World Modern Arnis Alliance.

Respectfully,
Tim Hartman
Datu – Presas Arnis
CEO, World Modern Arnis Alliance