RIP GM Roberto Presas

I’m writing this from Manila, Philippines, where I’m attending Bobby Taboada’s World Camp. Yesterday, I found myself reflecting – it’s been exactly 15 years since we lost Ernesto Presas. And now, just one day later, his younger brother Roberto has passed away.

Roberto was the last of the three kings of the Presas family of Arnis. If you’ve never heard much about him, it’s not because he lacked skill or significance. Quite the opposite – he chose a path of quiet strength and support. He stood behind his two older brothers, Remy and Ernesto, helping them build their legacy while dedicating himself to teaching at home in the Philippines.

I first met him in 2007, on my very first trip here. He personally took me to visit Remy Presas’s grave – making sure no one else was around – so I could have a private moment to say goodbye to my teacher. That simple act meant the world to me. From that trip forward, every time I traveled to Negros, I made a point to visit Roberto at his home. We shared many great conversations and memories.

One story that still makes me smile: his wife once told me she thought Arnis had “taken away” his two brothers, and that she gave him an ultimatum – stay home, or continue training and traveling alone. I laughed and said, “Well, clearly he made the right choice!” But funny enough, whenever I visited and she wasn’t home, Roberto always seemed to be waiting near the front door – with a stick in hand. And somehow, every visit turned into me buying a few sticks for my students! I think it’s safe to say that his love for the art never left him – he just trained when no one was watching.

We all know Remy was the founder of Modern Arnis. He was ten years older than his brothers, but when they came of age, Ernesto and Roberto were right there with him, helping shape what became one of the most influential Filipino martial arts in the world. Each brother had his own style, his own expression of the art. Roberto went on to found Hinigaran Arnis de Mano, a system closely related to Modern Arnis but with its own unique flavor – particularly in stick and dagger work.

Whenever his older brothers spoke about him, it was always with warmth and pride. Now, with Roberto’s passing, we’ve lost the last of the Presas brothers – the final direct link to the roots of the family art.

All we can do now is honor them by carrying the art forward – evolving, yet staying true to the heart of what they created: Modern Arnis, Kombatan, and Arnis de Mano.

People often say their loved ones are in a better place when they pass, and while I understand that sentiment, I’ve always felt the best place is still here with us. Still, I can’t help but smile at the thought of the reunion happening now in heaven – three brothers together again.

Tito Berto, you will be deeply missed. Please say hello to your brothers for me. And while I’m not in any rush to join you, I do look forward to the day we’re all reunited again – training, laughing, and sharing stories once more.

Respectfully,
Tim Hartman
World Modern Arnis

#modernarnis #martialarts #selfdefense #filipinomartialarts

Fifteen Years Later: Remembering Great Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas

Fifteen years ago today, Great Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas passed away. I didn’t spend as much time with him as I did with his older brother, Remy, but the moments I did have with Ernesto are ones I’ll always treasure.

Every person who enters your life brings something unique – lessons, insights, and perspectives that shape the way you think and grow. Martial arts are much the same. It’s not just about the physical techniques, but the people and philosophies behind them that change how you see the art — and yourself.

Ernesto helped me elevate my double stick training to a higher level of understanding and precision. But even more than that, he gave me something deeper: a genuine connection to the Philippines.

I was supposed to join Remy on his final trip at the end of 1999, but the timing didn’t work out. Seven years later, Ernesto invited me to his world camp – and that trip changed everything. I met so many of his students from around the world, but what meant the most was walking the same beaches where the Presas family grew up. I even had the chance to visit Remy’s grave – alone, in a quiet, private moment that Ernesto made sure I could have. That act of kindness meant the world to me.

Ernesto treated me like family. Part of that, I think, was because I helped bring the brothers back together before Remy passed. But he also opened doors for me – introducing me to people across the Philippines, helping me find my own path and connections there.

So, on this 15th anniversary of his passing, I find it fitting that I’m here – in the Philippines – staying at the same hotel where I stayed on my very first visit. This is my eleventh trip to these islands, with more still to come. Each time, I deepen my understanding of the people, the culture, and the roots from which our art was born.

Thank you, Ernesto, for everything you did for me – for welcoming me into your martial family and for guiding me toward my own place in the Presas legacy. I continue to share your stories and lessons with my students, keeping your spirit alive in every class, every conversation, and every swing of the stick.

Salamat po, Great Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas.
Yours,
Datu Tim Hartman
Presas Family Arnis

The Selfie vs. The Big Picture

You know how it goes: you’re scrolling through your feed, and it’s like a parade of “look at me” moments. We’ve all done it—turned life into a selfie session. And hey, that’s normal. But it’s not where we want to stay forever, right?

Take something personal from my own life: when Professor Presas passed away, I initially thought about my own loss. I was there when he was diagnosed, so it hit me on a personal level. But after a while, I realized this wasn’t just about me. It was a loss we all felt. That’s the difference between living in a “selfie” mindset and seeing the big picture.

Now, let me get a little personal on the social media front. Some of my own folks have wondered why my online presence looks the way it does. Since April 1st, 2024, I’ve put out a whopping 562 videos. Yep, that’s a lot! Some are just for laughs, some are responses to trolls, and most are all about sharing solid Filipino Martial Arts.

Not everyone sees the same side of that. Some folks only see the FMA content. Others see me having a bit of fun at the expense of, say, the BJJ community (and yes, I’m working on my purple belt in BJJ, so no hard feelings!).

But here’s the kicker: before I started this approach, an article I wrote might have only gotten a couple hundred views. Now? We’re talking 10,000 to 20,000 views easy. That’s what playing 3D chess looks like. I’m not just thinking about one move—I’m thinking about how each move affects the bigger picture: the seminars, the camps, the overall visibility of the World Modern Arnis Alliance.

And guess what? It’s working. I’ve been going to the Philippines since 2007, but on my last couple of visits, something wild happened: people recognized me. I’m talking about random folks in malls, 7-Elevens, Dairy Queens, the airport, even just out on the street. And of course, the recognition at martial arts events has jumped up too. That’s the power of zooming out and thinking beyond the selfie.

At the end of the day, this is a customer service gig. People come to me for value, not just for the “Tim Hartman experience.” And if I don’t deliver, they’ll go somewhere else. So I’ve got to keep my eyes on that big picture, not just the selfie view.

So next time you catch yourself focusing on just your own frame, zoom out a bit. There’s a whole chessboard out there. Thanks for reading!

Respectfully,
Tim Hartman
World Modern Arnis

#modernarnis #martialarts #filipinomartialarts #selfdefense

Did Professor Presas Really Hate Sparring? Think Again.

I’ve heard it a thousand times: “Professor didn’t like sparring.” Really? Let’s dig into that, because I think people are getting this one wrong.

Here’s the reality—Professor didn’t give the same answer to everyone. He sized people up and gave them what he thought they needed. That’s what a good teacher does. But somewhere along the line, folks turned those tailored conversations into blanket statements, and now we’ve got myths being passed off as facts.

Add to that the language barrier. English wasn’t Professor’s first, second, or even third language. He taught himself, and yes, things got lost in translation. And let’s be honest—communication is a two-way street. Sometimes both sides weren’t fully understanding each other.

Now, did he discourage sparring for some people? Absolutely. But here’s my experience: he encouraged me. I was running tournaments, buying gear, building a dedicated program, and working with other FMA groups to grow the art. When I floated the idea of hosting a tournament, Professor actually suggested airline sponsorships so champions could win trips to the Philippines. Does that sound like a man dead-set against sparring?

Here’s what people miss: he wasn’t going to tell someone training once a week to spend hundreds of dollars on equipment they’d barely use. That’s just common sense. But if you were serious, if you were putting in the work, he supported it. My school ended up with the largest sparring program in Modern Arnis because we weren’t dabblers—we were committed.

And here’s the kicker: whenever someone insisted “Professor didn’t like sparring,” I’d ask if they had his books. They’d say yes. Then I’d ask if they’d actually read them. They’d say yes again. So I’d hit them with this: “What about the section on how to run a tournament?” Silence every time. Funny how people forget that part.

So let’s be clear—Professor Presas didn’t “hate” sparring. He wrote about it, promoted it, and encouraged it—for the people willing to do the work. He just wasn’t going to waste time or money pushing half-hearted students into something they’d quit after one bad round.

That’s my two cents. If you had different conversations with him about sparring, I’d love to hear them. But let’s stop pretending one person’s experience equals the full truth. Professor wasn’t against sparring—he was against wasting potential.

Respectfully,
Datu Tim Hartman
World Modern Arnis

Balintawak Has No Live Hand? Don’t Kid Yourself. Here’s Why I Still Choose Modern Arnis.

Lately, I’ve been hearing this wild claim that Balintawak “doesn’t have a live hand,” and that somehow makes Modern Arnis the superior art. Supposedly, this was even something Professor Remy Presas said. Let’s get real about this.

First off—Balintawak absolutely has a live hand. Anyone who’s actually trained in it knows this. Look at Group 1 in the grouping methodology—lifting and clearing. Unless you’re doing Jedi no-touch powers, you’re using your hand. To say otherwise isn’t just wrong—it disrespects an art that has shaped so much of what we do in FMA.

Now, did Professor really say that? I seriously doubt it. The man respected Balintawak and its community. He knew its value. My own experience confirms it: I had a solid live hand in Modern Arnis before I ever touched Balintawak, but once I trained there, I realized how hard it is to find another system that sharpens live hand work the way Balintawak does.

So why would someone spread this? Maybe politics. Maybe fear of losing students to Balintawak. Who knows. But let’s not twist the truth to push an agenda.

Here’s the bottom line for me: Modern Arnis is still my first choice. Not because Balintawak is “missing” something—it’s not—but because Modern Arnis is more versatile for the world I live in. Balintawak was designed for dueling stick fighters. Modern Arnis? It prepares you for the chaos of everyday life—grabs, punches, stabs, swings. That’s the stuff we’re more likely to face.

Does that mean I dismiss Balintawak? Absolutely not. Balintawak made me better. It gave me a deeper understanding of where Modern Arnis came from and how Professor built his synthesis. It’s part of my roots, and I respect it fully.

But when it comes to what I need in my martial arts journey, Modern Arnis is the art I’d bet on every single time.

So no, Balintawak doesn’t suffer from a “dead hand.” Don’t kid yourself. But for me, Modern Arnis is the art that truly delivers for real-world training.

Respectfully,
Datu Tim Hartman
Remy Presas’ Modern Arnis
Bacon–Buot Balintawak Eskrima

#balintawak #modernarnis #martialarts #filipinomartialarts

Modern Arnis Is NOT “The Art Within Your Art” — Stop Selling It Short
By Datu Tim Hartman, Remy A. Presas Modern Arnis

“Hate” might sound strong, but I’ve got real issues with the phrase “Modern Arnis, the art within your art.”

Modern Arnis is not a garnish you sprinkle on top of karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kung fu. It’s a full martial arts system — built in the Philippines by Grandmaster Remy Amador Presas and brought to the U.S. in the ’70s. He taught that art, whole and complete, until the day he passed.

So where did the slogan come from? A misquote in the early ’80s. The original article pointed out similarities between Modern Arnis and other arts, encouraging people to train — not compete. Somewhere along the way, that turned into “the art within your art,” and it stuck as a marketing tagline. But here’s the thing: calling it that implies Modern Arnis isn’t strong enough to stand on its own.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I trained directly under the Professor — in his full-time R&D school, at his seminars, at his camps. Never once did I see him teach Arnis as an “add-on” to karate or taekwondo. He taught the art. Period. If students went home and blended pieces into their system, that was their choice. But he never presented it that way.

And let’s be clear — this was no weekend workshop material. Our black belt tests were five to six pages long and could last three hours. We covered locks, throws, weapons, and forms. The Professor left behind three books and 25 videos. That’s not a cross-training program — that’s a codified martial art system.

When you call it “the art within your art,” you’re saying Professor’s life’s work was nothing more than cross-training. And that’s flat-out wrong.

Those who only dabble will never see the depth. And some don’t want to admit it can stand alone, because it undermines their position as cross-trainers. But I’ve spent decades teaching and training worldwide, and the more I compare, the more I realize how vast Modern Arnis truly is. There’s nothing I’ve encountered that the Professor hadn’t already prepared me for — just packaged differently.

Yes, Professor drew from many influences. But his synthesis is complete. His art doesn’t need patchwork from other systems. It’s strong enough as it is — and it deserves to be recognized that way.

So here’s the truth: if we want Modern Arnis to have a future, we can’t keep treating it like an accessory. It was never meant to ride shotgun.

Modern Arnis doesn’t just fit into your art. Modern Arnis is an art. And it stands on its own — with or without you.

Mic dropped.

Respectfully,
Datu Tim Hartman
Remy A. Presas Modern Arnis

#modernarnis #martialarts #filipinomartialarts