THE MODERN ARNIS REMY PRESAS MEMORIAL CAMP
(July 11-14, 2006)
Like most of the delegates, my son Mitch and I started the week by checking in at one of the rendezvous points, the Palms Plaza Hotel in Manila, Philippines.
In our case, due to family and business obligations, we had already been in the Philippines almost three weeks, along with my mom, my sister Cris and my daughter Paulina.; Leaving the rest of the family at the family residence in Pangasinan (northern Luzon, about four hours drive from Manila), Mitch and I checked in early at the Palms Plaza Hotel on Friday, July 7, 2006.
Over the weekend, we met other delegates who had checked into the hotel, as well as some visiting arnis masters who had simply dropped by to socialize. This included the very popular and jovial Yuli Romo of Kalis Ilustrisimo fame who ended up giving lessons at the nearby Rizal Park at the Luneta. Mitch and I also joined a group city tour which included tours of historic Rizal Park and the walled city of Intramuros.
On Monday, July 10, 2006, the first bus left the hotel for Tagaytay City, Cavite, about an hour and a half’s ride from Manila. Tagaytay is a scenic, popular tourist destination. It sits right next to Taal Volcano, which fortunately remained dormant and quiet during our stay there, as it has for many years.
Depending on the arrangements they made, most of the delegates were billeted at the Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC) Hotel, and some at the Taal Vista Lodge.
THE VENUES
For the first two days of training, the facilities of the TICC were used, mostly a gym and the convention facilities. The facilities were spacious and more than adequate. On Thursday and Friday, delegates and instructors were bussed to the city of Dasmarinas, Cavite, about a twenty minute ride from Tagaytay.
Training was held at the SM (ShoeMart) Mall. A large demo area on the ground floor was cordoned off, with mall security provided. The demo area could be viewed from all three floors of the mall. Spectators ringed the demo area.
During breaks and lunch times, some spectators talked to masters they probably recognized or just wanted to meet, and some ladies could even be seen approaching and shyly introducing themselves to delegates. I was approached several times and peppered with questions about the martial arts styles, the delegates, the masters and even where to enroll for some classes.
THE DELEGATES
The delegates numbered over a hundred and came from all corners of the world in all shapes and sizes, from white belts to high-ranking lakans (black belts). Yes, I saw a German lady proudly wear her white belt to training, along with a sprinkling of yellow, blue and green belts.
The delegates came from the following countries:
Russia
Germany
Austria
Great Britain
Switzerland
Serbia
Slovenia
Israel
Saudi Arabia
USA
Canada
Australia
Philippines
Hong Kong
Not unexpectedly, the biggest delegation came from Dieter Knuettel’s DAV (Deutsche Arnis Verband) from Germany and other European countries, followed by Bram Frank’s CSSD/SC (Common Sense Self-Defense/Street Combat), mostly from Israel and Great Britain.
Surprisingly, the normally staid Brits turned out to be the most congenial lot, easily mixing with fellow Europeans and Filipinos alike, and actually dressing up in dapper “barong tagalogs” for the Gala Night. Another fellow who both literally and figuratively stood out was the lone representative from Slovenia, Borut Kincl, a military officer. He was tall, extremely outgoing and personable, had extensive martial arts training including Ryukyu Kempo and was very articulate in English.
I would be remiss if I did not mention a comely German fraulein, Silvia, who was my training partner as well as my instructor in German who got me started with my first German word, “herausforderung” which means “challenge.” You see, she challenged me to a boxing bout without gloves in our first meeting. I graciously declined, in the interest of international relations.
THE MASTERS
The following FMA masters instructed at the Memorial Camp, not a complete list and in no particular order.
1. GrandMaster Cristino Vasquez, Lakan Siyam/Ninth Degree.
GrandMaster Cris Vasquez served as the Training Director for the Festival. Socially, Master Cris was a very loose, amiable guy who everybody seemed to know. Once a weapon materialized in his hands and he started teaching, however, he turned into a fierce weapons master and a strict taskmaster. His knowledge of weaponry, from bolo to espada y daga to doble daga to sanggot is astounding. One of the weapons he taught during camp was the bankaw (spear). He also taught his personal system of “Ipit-Pilipit” where he uses the stick to trap and squeeze fingers, and then flow into a joint lock, choke or throw. Tall, rangy and graceful, he was easily one of the most imposing all-around weapons masters at the camp.
2. GrandMaster Jeremias “Jerry” de la Cruz
Master Jerry was one of the rare Northerners, from Guagua, Pampanga in Luzon amidst so many Visayans. He is the founder of his own system called Arnis Cruzada. He had beautiful moves with flawless, flowing “sinawali” combinations.
3. Senior Master Samuel “Bambit” Dulay, Lakan Pito/Seventh Degree
Master Bambit probably possesses one of the fastest sticks in the arnis world. His normally quiet demeanor belies his ferocious fighting spirit.
4. Grandmaster Rene Tongson, Lakan Walo/Eighth Degree
GM Rene is probably the most technical yet most graceful performer, performing the classical moves of “abaniko de tres puntas estilo,” his personal style, combining balletic moves, kung-fu like stances, impeccable timing, and deadly strikes, thrusts and punyo. I never got tired of watching his “tres puntas” demonstrations even with beginners who just wanted to see and “feel” him in action.
5. GrandMaster Rodel Dagooc
GM Rodel is slight in physical stature, but quick of wit and dynamic with his whirling blades and sticks. He was a joy to watch in action as well as banter with at meals or during breaks.
6. Professor Armando C. Soteco
With his spectacles, graying hair and scholarly mien, Professor Soteco looks more like a college professor, which he is, than an arnis master. Professor Soteco is a retired college professor of the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila, as well as one of the founding members of IMAFP.
7. Senior Master Godofredo “Godo” Fajardo, Lakan Pito/Seventh Degree
Master Godo is the current Commissioner of IMAFP for the Middle East, based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His stocky build, ambling gait and easygoing manner belie the power, speed, ferocity and precise footwork he employs in his techniques.
8. Master Jun Martinada
Master Jun Martinada of NARAPHIL showed how the basic strikes of Modern Arnis could be delivered in blazing, powerful combinations.
The international instructors included Bram Frank, Dan Anderson, Brian Zawilinski and Alex Ercia from the United States, Dieter Knuettel from Germany and Edessa Ramos from Switzerland.
THE GUROS AND STAFF MEMBERS
The following IMAFP guros either instructed or helped other instructors. Many of them also did considerable yeoman work, from taking lumps as “ukes” or demo partners for their masters, to helping delegates with techniques during classes, to doing behind-the-scenes staff and administrative work for the training camp.
- Noel Penaredondo
- Michael Gubat
- Ginalyn Relos
- Cocoy Oyales
- Jimson Dearos
- Paolo Motita
- Roy de Leon
- Jeff Plotria
- Nonoy Poblacion
- Panny Nagen
Several personnel from the Office of the Provincial Governor of Cavite, most especially Alda and Robert, worked long and hard hours to keep things running smoothly.
HIGHLIGHTS AND CONCLUSION
On the second night, the delegates were treated to a cultural night, which featured many indigenous dances of the Philippines, including dances depicting Muslim life, and dances with themes of courtship, harvest, and other aspects of Philippine culture. The rich productions featured lithe, graceful dancers, colorful costumes, hypnotic lights and pulse-pounding or haunting music.
Another featured act was cultural performer and drummer Paul Zialcita. For many years now, Paul has been blending and integrating many Filipino cultural aspects, including Filipino martial arts, music, dance, costume, and even graphic arts such as comic books. He is the guiding spirit behind the annual 24 hour-marathon Comic Book Challenge, held last year in Puerto Galera. Paul proudly presented me with comic books and other products from that event.
It was a joy to see some familiar faces who dropped by either just to say hello or actually lend a hand with the proceedings. One of these was Master Alex Ercia, representative of Grandmaster Ernesto Presas’s Kombatan in the United States, and friend to many of the Modern Arnis delegates and instructors in the camp.
On the last day of the Memorial Camp, Master Roland Dantes dropped by to extend his well-wishes, say hello to old friends and sign autographs for delegates. Roland Dantes is a Modern Arnis master as well as an actor, champion bodybuilder and seminar favorite.
Probably for most of the international delegates, other than the training itself, they will remember the many informal gatherings with fellow delegates and masters alike. For example, my son Mitch will always remember that night when an impromptu “tribal” drumming session broke out.
Led by Paul Zialcita himself, both delegates and masters alike, including Masters Bambit Dulay and Godo Fajardo, grabbed both drums as well as improvised musical instruments, such as jumbo San Miguel beer bottles, and produced a cacophony of sounds, sometimes melodic and rhythmic, sometimes primitive and staccato. Their major opus for the night, “Leron Leron Sinta,” will not get this group invited to Carnegie Hall, but they will remember the bond and camaraderie formed as a result of this muse-inspired and slightly alcohol-fueled drum jam session.
In my case, one time I went out for San Miguel beer and “pulutan” (finger foods) of “crispy pata” (fried pork knuckles) and “lechon manok” (roast chicken) with Masters Godo Fajardo and Cris Vasquez, guro Mike Gubat and my son Mitch. The last time I saw Master Godo and my last formal lesson with him was more than a dozen years ago. Of course we have kept in contact via snail mail, email and phone, while email has been my only contact with Master Cris and Mike. Now we were able to express our thoughts and emotions face-to-face, sometimes wordlessly.
I am almost sure the delegates increased their skill levels tremendously with the intensive instructions and demos by these real-deal Modern Arnis masters. But more than that, the friendship, understanding and camaraderie that developed among these delegates are priceless, and should last for years to come.
Manong Remy would have been proud.
Copyright, Jay de Leon 2006
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