Filipino martial arts — a legacy for a Bay Area family

NBC Bay Area is celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage, shining a light on some of the people who make our area so unique. For many in these communities, martial arts is much more than a hobby, but for a local Filipino family — it’s tradition. Joe Rosato Jr. reports.

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[joeshmoe]

Ernie Reyes Jr. was always one of my favorite martial artists. He made some good movies and was also a Filipino from the Bay area.

[GUERRILLAMANGAMUSICTV]

😊🎉Mangadang Umaga Filipino Fam!! I Am a student of Filipino martial arts also, my late teacher Mr. Primero taught me kuntao, which I still practice today, for Self-defense, discipline & to keep HIS Legacy alive. Sulamat po.

[primoluciano]

Arnis de Mano is a beautiful martial art n I miss professor Remy

[auroragonzales]

I was his first instructor of Arnis in San Francisco, CA in 1976 and we were the one who put up a demo at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1977. He was my best man during my wedding in Queens. New York in 1977.I got my first degree black belt in Arnis in 1977.

[auroragonzales]

In addition to this comment, I also trained with his brother Grand Master Ernie Presas in 1991 during my stay in the Philippines, and Grand Master Rodel Dagooc too.

[jaraza]

Pls use this art to stop criminality in your area.

[aboogie]

Because of Remy Presas Sr., a very talented prodigy by the name of Rodel "Smoking Sticks" Dagooc, arrived. Now that guy is bad-ass!

[christopherjohnferrer]

Lmao didn't know Bonifacio had taken this type of martial arts too 😂

[kevinrodgers]

LOL it works so good zero professional fighters use it😂

[DrapierLewis-yp]

Acceptable you didn't disobey your father some of these martial artist did I had the most fun I've ever had running in my life with Rama from my mental hospital she told me she had a water leak I made it not rain so she could have time to fix her pipes up under her house I held it off 3 days she took up for me and know that people were weaker than what they said they was and how ungrateful and how I'm good the word was and some things are not what I say but how when I I'm not even going to watch you I'm pleased with your works that is my decision

[penyenskye]

You don’t stand against gun. Good luck!