MEMORIES WITH GGM ERNESTO A. PRESAS BY GM TOMI HARELL
I met Great Grand Master Ernesto for the first time in Switzerland in 2001. At that time, I was a student of Grand Master Rami Vainiopää in Sin Moo Hapkido, and we were interested in Filipino martial arts. The late Grand Master Juerg Ziegler invited Rami and me to Switzerland to practice at Great Grand Master Ernesto's Kombatan camp. From the first meeting with him, I have remembered his kindness and how he welcomed us with open arms and consideration. We trained hard every day, and I remember that after a few hours of daily training at the camp, Grand Master Rami and I thought we could relax. However, Great Grand Master Ernesto gave us an extra few hours of private training every day. The week was physically very hard, but it opened the door to Kombatan for us.
Next, I met GGM Ernesto in 2003 and 2008 when he came to teach in Finland. Also, in 2008, I attended his camp in Sweden. The camps were great, with many participants, and there are many great memories of those weeks.
The next event with him, which had a big impact on me, was the IPMAF World Camp in the Philippines in 2009. There were a few people from Finland at the two-week Kombatan camp while his film was being shot. I was one of the actors in the film, and my role name was Master Leopard 😊. I then met my lovely wife, Ruby, for the first time while making the film. After the camp, I stayed with Jouko Kivelä to practice in the Philippines for a couple of weeks. We practiced daily with Great Grand Master Ernesto and many other masters, but our trip also included much more. We went to many places and experienced Philippine culture and lifestyle.
Next, I met GGM Ernesto in 2003 and 2008 when he came to teach in Finland. Also, in 2008, I attended his camp in Sweden. The camps were great, with many participants, and there are many great memories of those weeks.
The next event with him, which had a big impact on me, was the IPMAF World Camp in the Philippines in 2009. There were a few people from Finland at the two-week Kombatan camp while his film was being shot. I was one of the actors in the film, and my role name was Master Leopard 😊. I then met my lovely wife, Ruby, for the first time while making the film. After the camp, I stayed with Jouko Kivelä to practice in the Philippines for a couple of weeks. We practiced daily with Great Grand Master Ernesto and many other masters, but our trip also included much more. We went to many places and experienced Philippine culture and lifestyle.
I have one nice memory when we went to the City of Tagaytay with Great Grand Master Ernesto to see the world's smallest active volcano. GGM Ernesto was driving a white Japanese car, and the traffic seemed crazy. We had a great dinner at the foot of the volcano, and I remember that he wanted us to taste all kinds of local fish delicacies.
I have great personal memories of GGM Ernesto. We talked a lot, and I remember many of his instructions to me. One was to remember that we have no secrets. Share all the knowledge and skills you have forward. This is how we secure the future.
My time with him is one of the reasons why I still practice and teach Kombatan. He will remain forever in my memories, and for my part, I will cherish his legacy here in Finland and Europe.
I have great personal memories of GGM Ernesto. We talked a lot, and I remember many of his instructions to me. One was to remember that we have no secrets. Share all the knowledge and skills you have forward. This is how we secure the future.
My time with him is one of the reasons why I still practice and teach Kombatan. He will remain forever in my memories, and for my part, I will cherish his legacy here in Finland and Europe.
