Reflections from the Philippines As I sit here in the courtyard of my hotel in the Philippines, I can’t help but reflect on how I got here - not just on this trip, but in life. Sometimes it feels surreal. Then I realize… it all comes down to decisions. Every...

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...

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...

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?...

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...

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...