Efren Manalang Reyes was born on 26 August 1945 in Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines. He moved to Manila at the age of four. Later, he started working as a Billiards attendant at his uncle’s billiards hall, and there he learned various cue sports. At that time, he was not that tall, so he used to stand on the Coca-Cola cases while playing. At night he used to sleep on the pool table.
He is popularly known by his nickname, The Magician and Bata. He was also known as “Efrey” by his colleagues.
