Letter to GM Remy Jr.
Hello GM Remy Jr.,
My name is Guro Andrew "Tattoo" Filardo. I am a long time practitioner and student of your late Dad, GM Remy A. Presas. I started training under Professor back in 1985.
I know all your Dad's so-called Top students, Datu's, Masters and the like. And, they are familiar with me! I choose to promote what I do and teach, rather than myself. No rank, no rituals, no uniforms. Just training to be the best you can be.
I had contacted you some time ago around the time of your dad's passing. Please let me take this time to commend you on taking on the huge task of continuing with Modern Arnis. As it is a HUGE system with so many aspects and personal versions and your dad’s shoes could and never will be filled. Your dad’s roots of Balintawak are almost never addressed or the connection between what your dad did and Balintawak is rarely shown.
I know the Balintawak is taught more on a one on one basis. I remember and cherish all the hours and sessions of training your dad privileged me too. So many days and nights in hotel rooms, going from seminar to seminar, at my house, and many times at my Boxing/Kickboxing gym.
I will always remember and I still repeat to this day, something your dad would always say when teaching seminars. "If it were real, you would strike, but I will teach you the Art!" He didn’t hide it, he would be right up front and say it all the time although most people wouldn’t or couldn’t see the truth of what he was saying and doing. He was a smart man as well as an awesome fighter, but that part of him he wanted to leave in the past. After all if the training was too intense and real, with consequences and real contact, who would want to do it?
Hence the "ART" was born! Have fun, enjoy and be happy!
Well that’s fine, but there is a difference between the "Art" and the "Combat" The art comes from the combat and most don’t want to acknowledge that what they’ve been doing for years might not work or be applicable in a real-life situation against an uncooperative opponent.
I know the "Art", but I teach the "Combat". Not because I think its better, but because I just choose that way being an ex- fighter myself. I embrace and hold dear your dad's teachings to me of the roots and more of the "Real".
When Professor would visit me and come to my gym and see me and my student’s sacrificing their bodies for the sake of the truths in fighting. He knew we were ready and willing to do whatever we had to. And he let out the inner fighter that was at his core.
I loved your dad and respected him as a teacher a friend and a man. Unfortunately we had a falling out about 2 years before his passing and I believe it was because I went in one direction and it wasn’t good for business and his seminar agenda. It's ironic because he planted the roots in me and showed me the way, but it wasn’t part of his big picture I guess. I regret to this day not reconciling and sucking up my pride and doing what was RIGHT, before his passing. I guess that’s something I must live with.
I offer my respects and friendship. My Instructor’s blood runs through your veins and if you ever need anything I am here. I guess it’s a way I can help live with the hole that was left when your dad passed without me getting the chance to see him one last time. I can and will always continue to teach and show the combat side of Modern Arnis and its Balintawak connection.
Yours With All Respects,
Andy "Tattoo" Filardo
Head Coach MFA Academy Gym NY
Mabuhay Ang Modern Arnis
Rank vs Title
In the Martial “Arts”, you hear about titles, rank and where uniforms and rituals accent the training. Respect is sometimes given automatically, through inexperience rather than seeing, feeling and believing. After all one doesn’t know what he doesn't know so assumption is first hand.
What I just wrote is how an inexperienced person And unfortunately some experienced people, approach Instructors, Trainers, and the Martial "Arts" as a whole.
Many so called instructors go by many titles and ranks. Grand Masters, Masters, MOTT's, Datus, Day 3"s, Day before’s, Day after’s and whatever else you want to call them.
I say, "Train for the sake of training, and being the best you can be." Promote what you Teach and do rather than yourself!
I say skill is rank, and if you’re going to talk the talk, you better be prepared to walk the walk.
How do you know you can fight if you never fight?
"You can’t go swimming and not get wet” and "If you touch me, I will touch you back!"
There’s only one way: "If you see it taught, you see and feel it fought!"
Having been there both on the street and in the ring, I can tell you that the way you train is the way you react. Unless you've been there you haven’t a clue!
All respects,
Mabuhay Ang Arnis/Boxing/Kickboxing,
Guro Andrew "Tattoo" Filardo