Rene Latosa has been studying and teaching the Filipino martial arts for over 30 years. He began his training at the Stockton Escrima Academy in Stockton, CA, in 1968, with Dentoy Revilar (Serrada), Maximo Sarmiento (Kadena de Mano), Leo Giron (Largo Mano), and Angel Cabales (Serrada). However, the most influential Escrimador in his life was his father Juan Latosa.