About GRANDMASTER Rodel Dagooc
Introduction to Arnis
Master Rodel was introduced into Arnis at a young age of 14. Both his parents and brothers would summon him every afternoon to teach him a technique or two. By sundown, he’s got his arms tainted with bruises, making him hate the sticks at first. Training then was quite informal, and the system was not known. They merely call it “baston”, referring to the sticks being used. Such was the scenario for Master Rodel every afternoon. Naturally, as a boy, he did not appreciate it at all. That’s why he enrolled in a gym in his hometown Ilo–ilo to study Shotokan Karate, where he earned a greenbelt rank in 1968.
When he moved in Manila in 1970, he continued to practice Karate at the National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO), and there he earned his blackbelt ahead of Arnis (at present, he holds the rank of 5th Degree Blackbelt in Shotokan). NAKO happens to share the same office with the Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (MAFP). There, an eternal friendship between a genuine Arnis Grandmaster and a loyal disciple was born. Master Rodel came to know the late Grand Master Remy Amador Presas, and was convinced by the latter to focus on Arnis instead. They happen to come from two different provinces that speak one common dialect. “Ilonggo, magkababayan, ika nga”. Master Rodel was even prodded to stay at the gym and serve as a utility boy in exchange for studying Arnis which he did! After two years of practice, he earned his blackbelt (Lakan) in Arnis in 1972 and went on to become one of the Grandmaster’s top students and was even designated to assist in the teaching of Modern Arnis.
Meeting Grandmaster Remy presas
In 1970, he moved to Manila where he continued to practice Karate at the National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO) and earned his 5th Degree of Blackbelt ahead of Arnis. At that time, the Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (MAFP) shares the same office with NAKO. There he met Grand Master Remy Amador Presas and an eternal friendship between a genuine Arnis Grandmaster and a loyal disciple was formed. They speak one common dialect even though they hail from two different provinces.
The late Arnis Grandmaster convinced Master Rodel to focus on Arnis. He was encouraged to stay at the gym and serve as a utility boy in exchange of learning the craft of Arnis. In 1972, Master Rodel earned his blackbelt rank (Lakan) in Arnis. He continued to become one of the Grandmaster’s top students. He was assigned to assist in teaching Modern Arnis to his fellow students.
When Grandmaster Remy Presas left for the United States in 1985, Master Rodel was among those given the authority to spread Modern Arnis. Surprisingly, he was the only one to complete the task and most of his colleagues went independent. According to Master Rodel, “What I do to my teacher could be done by my students as well, so I prefer to stick it out with Ninong Remy. After all, loyalty begets loyalty.”
The Birth of An International Modern Arnis INSTRUCTOR
In 1978, he first left the country for Osaka, Japan, where he showcased Arnis, the Philippines’ National martial art and sport. At that time, he had no idea that it is already the start of his great career as an International Modern Arnis Instructor. From then on, he started traveling from one country to another.
At present, he has already visited several countries such as Australia, Israel, Italy, Brunei, Spain, South America, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Germany, and various states in the US. (Senior Master Guro Del) has been a personal friend of the Presas Family since the early years of NAKO/MAFP (National Amateur Karate Organization / Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines) gym established in Manila, Philippines in 1969 by spouses Grand Master Remy A. Presas and Rosemary Pascual Presas. He was one of the original students and instructor of GM Remy A. Presas. After three years of extensive training in Modern Arnis and Karate under the tutelage of GM Remy A. Presas, he was promoted to Master and became Instructor from 1972 to 1980.
Sports Administration
Philippine Air Force Rifle Battalion (1973)
Rusty Santos & Roland Dantes Fitness Centre (1982)
Young Women Christian Association (1983 – 1985)
