Rafael Manese
Raf is a first-degree black belt and received his black belt in 2021, under Brent Burniston of the Subconscious Brazilian JiuJitsu Association located in North Hollywood, CA.
He started his martial arts journey around 5 years old in the Philippines and brought his passion for Tae Kwon Do to America. He continued his practice in TKD parallel to boxing from 2003-2008. In 2009, at the Martial Arts World School in Burbank, he met Brent and began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey. From 2010 to 2021, Raf participated in various Jiu Jitsu competitions, such as Jiu Jitsu World League, LA Open, All-Americans, and Baddest Blue Belt with honorable mentions of medaling bronze in IBJJF Pan-American, gold and double bronze in SJJF Worlds.
Raf lives in Pasadena with his fiancé, Mickey. He got his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2020. Together for the past 3 years, they have traveled as Operating Room Nurses along the California coast, and now work together at UCLA. Raf loves to surf in Orange County and travel the world.
Mickey Remigio-Manese
Mickey is a white belt, co-owner and studio manager for Ukiyo Academy. For years, she and Rafael have dreamt of opening an academy that was not only inclusive of women in Jiu Jitsu and martial arts, but a space that can be utilized and diversified for the community.
On days that she’s not being co-coaching kids classes or chatting with parents about their weekly happenings, she’s also filming content for the Academy’s social media. Her side projects for Ukiyo include things from collaborating with other local social clubs and small businesses, as well as designing merchandise and the interiors of the academy.
Mickey is a full time Operating Room Registered Nurse at UCLA campus, so her passion for connecting with people is not just a professional role but also who she is wholly and innately.
Her favorite things to do besides support Ukiyo Academy are to host dinners and bake for her friends and family as well as explore the world with her fiancé and best friend, Rafael.