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 they work at UCLA as operating room nurses. Raf loves sushi, tacos, to surf in Orange County and travel the world.
Rafael
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 go for walks with her two dogs, bake & cook, read books and listen to jazz music, as well as explore the world with Rafael. THEIR NEXT TRIP IS Hawaii!
Mickey Remigio-Manese
Dan Spence
Daniel Spence is a first-degree black belt under Alberto Crane and has had nearly fifteen years of mixed martial arts training. His jiu jitsu journey began all the way back in Australia, his home country, where he started training at Invictus and the Australian Elite Team.
Prior to that, his martial arts training included boxing and found that jiu jitsu was the most effective form of martial art, and the one with a really wonderful camaraderie where he felt he could grow as a grappler and as a good person.
He opened Waves Jiu Jitsu in 2024 to create his own space for people to improve and get better at jiu jitsu, but also for people to connect and find community. This is what led him to work with Ukiyo Academy, who share similar values and expand both schools’ offerings.
He loves skateboarding on the Strand in Manhattan Beach, taking his wife out to new and fun restaurants, and taking weekend trips away from the city in nature.
Jose Ortega
Coach Jose began his martial arts journey at just 9 years old, training in Kajukenbo (Hawaiian Kenpo), where he has since earned the rank of 7th Degree Sigung. In his 20s, he expanded his training into American Kickboxing and later Muay Thai, developing a lifelong passion for striking arts.
A dedicated martial artist and teacher, Jose has trained and fought with Muay Thai America Gym (MTAG) under Coach David and Kru Santi, where he also taught Saturday morning classes. Today, he serves as the Head Kickboxing & Muay Thai Instructor at KDMMA Glendale, while continuing to sharpen his own skills through active training.
Now bringing his wealth of experience to Ukiyo Academy, Coach Jose is excited to help build a community-driven Muay Thai program that empowers students of all levels. His teaching philosophy blends technical precision with a focus on self-confidence, resilience, and personal growth.
Come train with Coach Jose at Ukiyo Academy and discover just how strong you truly are.