During the last 20 years of his life, Grandmaster Remy Presas, founder of Modern Arnis, conducted yearly seminars at Mejishi Martial Arts. Professor Presas was often featured in Blackbelt and Inside Kung Fu magazines. One of the world's top authorities on Filipino Martial Arts, he was author of books and videos on the subject of Arnis. Presas brought martial artists of many styles closer, spreading cooperation and togetherness through his art. We are proud to continue his work at our studio.

Since its beginnings, Mejishi has hosted seminars featuring internationally known instructors. Besides the late Grandmaster Remy Presas, Kat Puno Bong Jornales, Professor Dan Anderson, Dr. Maung Gyi, Sifu Dave Hatch, Guro Rich Parsons, Datu Tim Hartman, Punong Guro Laura Holmes and many others have conducted brilliant workshops at our location. Students and instructors with a passion for blade, stick, empty hand and self-defense knowledge have attended Mejishi seminars.

Balintawak's Influence

Sensei Jaye Spiro began studying Modern Arnis in 1981 under the late Grandmaster Remy Presas. By the early 1990s she wanted to expand and deepen her skills in the Filipino Arts. While attending Professor Presas’ seminars, she admired the precision showed by Manong Ted Buot’s students. She longed not only for an instructor who would guide her development in physical technique but also one whom she could deeply respect as a senior and as a human being. She shared her thoughts with Grandmaster Presas and he generously called and recommended Jaye to Manong Ted.

Because Balintawak was taught one on one in the basement of Manong Ted’s home, it was difficult for the students to translate learning the system to teaching Balintawak in a group setting. Because Manong Ted’s students practiced the strong, effective fundamentals until they became “muscle memory”, Sensei Jaye’s Arnis basics look like Balintawak. When she strikes, her body mechanics display Balintawak exactness. She uses the “small C” block and her left hand immediately is employed to manage, monitor or delay the opponent’s stick.

Sensei Jaye became Manong Ted’s dedicated student until his stroke in December 2005. She is very grateful to Ted’s daughter Melissa for keeping her father’s extraordinary work alive since his passing in July 2013.