About GM Tongson

RENE R. TONGSON (Philippines)

GM Rene Tongson started his formal Arnis (Baston) lessons in 1966 at the backyard of the Presas family in Hinigaran Negros Occidental, Philippines using sugarcane as a training stick.

His first teacher was GM Roberto A. Presas, the youngest of the Presas brothers. From GM Roberto he took lessons in Espada y Daga (sword & dagger), Abaniko Palis style. In 1974, he left for Manila (capital city of the Philippines) to pursue his university education and at the same time continued his training under GM Ernesto A. Presas, Sr. (Founder of Kombatan System). Under GM Ernesto, he furthered his studies on Modern Arnis, Classical Arnis, Filipino weaponry such as long and short blades, dulo-dulo (palm stick), bangkaw and also Kendo. He was then encouraged by GM Ernesto to also learn Abaniko Tres Puntas Classical Arnis directly under GM Mateo D. Estolloso (a friend of GM Ernesto), where he diligently became one of his top and loyal students.

GM Tongson is credited for drafting the original version of Sport Arnis Rules for Padded sticks and Standard now used in local and international competitions. Currently, he is the Chairman & International Chief Instructor – Abaniko Tres Puntas Classical Arnis International Federation (with branches and network in 33 countries today); and Chairman of the Board of Trustees – International Modern Arnis Federation – Philippines or IMAFP (IMAFP is the homeland organization of Professor Remy A. Presas, Sr., the Founder and Father of Modern Arnis). The IMAFP is probably one of the most structured FMA organizations in the Philippines, with branches and network in many parts of the Philippines and the world. He is also the Secretary General of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF), the national umbrella of all FMA organizations in the Philippines, recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission as the National Sports Association and governing body for Arnis in the Philippines.

GM Tongson regularly travels worldwide to conduct Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) seminars and training camps. He has also held various government and corporate executive positions in private conglomerates, and presently is a Director at the Philippine Coffee Board.

By education, he has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master in Business Administration (MBA), and took various studies in organizational management and other specialties.

GM Tongson can be contacted by email: [email protected], or through his Facebook page.