WMAA
Spring Camp (2003)--Review.
I had a
wonderful time at the WMAA Spring Camp. Thanks to Tim Hartman and Janice
Stranc for another great event!
I arrived
Wednesday evening and spent some time with Mr. Hartman. On Thursday
afternoon we had a chance to bang sticks with some of his local students.
That evening there was a special meeting for senior students during
which he made sure that everyone was on the same page with respect
to certain techniques. We listened and practiced and discussed. Afterwards,
it was pizza and wings!
Friday afternoon
came and the camp opened. After a brief orientation, the highlight
of which was public display of the portrait of Prof. Presas by Ed Parker,
Jr. (and the fact that once again there would be complimentary soda/juices/bottled
water for participants all weekend long!), Mr. Dawdy taught Anyo Anim
and Mr. Dulin taught applications from it. I picked up a teaching trick
from Mr. Dawdy and a pressure point from Mr. Dulin (with help from
his student Tony, whose last name escapes me). Next, I taught disarms
1-5 including brief discussion of L-on-R variations. (Thanks to Mr.
Parsons and Mr. Anderson for showing their versions of #3 and #5, respectively!)
Next Dan Carr taught a session that focused on the distinction between
a lock (multiple joint involvement or multiple angles of compression
resulting in severely limited or very difficult movement) vs. a control
(temporary control of a person but not immobilization). Though he drew
a very careful distinction here--more so than I am able to communicate
from memory--this was no academic session. Many specific examples were
worked.
After dinner--many
of us went to a ribs place, Tony Rome's--Mr. Hartman gave a palis-palis
session that I regrettably missed the first half of due to administrative
matters (as chair of the WMAA Advisory Board). Next Mr. Jornales gave
a session that included double stick techniques and his 'four corners'
drill. Many people commented that they would be incorporating that
drill into their own training! Next Dr. Gyi gave a session on Bando
knife work, including some from the ground. Everyone always enjoys
Dr. Gyi's sessions--his stories, his insight, his perspectives, and
his respect. This man addressed the students as 'sir' in many cases!
He is a treasure.
Afterwards
many of us went to Applebee's for food, drinks, and conversation. Grandmasters
Gyi and Jornales joined us.
Saturday
morning was the black belt test. I chaired the board, assisted by Mr.
Carr, Jaye Spiro, and Mr. Parsons. Many camp participants came to watch
the test.
After the
test, Jack Latorre taught Pekiti Tersia knife and stick techniques.
I finally had a chance to really see how the reverse grip with the
knife held with the blade facing the forearm works. Mr. Latorre gave
a fascinating session and was very approachable. Next Dan Carr continued
his Locks and Controls session. I got to work with Cebu West who very
successfully locked me in one case--ouch! (It's better now!) Bob Chesbro
gave lots of good advice while people were practicing the techniques.
Next was lunch at a local Chinese buffet, during which time Dr. Barber
told some fascinating stories and Dr. Gyi hit and berated me for eating
too much meat!
In the afternoon
Mr. Hartman did a session on Tapi-Tapi counters that started with simple
Modern Arnis techniques, worked to more involved techniques, then worked
in some Balintawak flavor. It was a very interesting progression, and
really brought out the counter and counter-for-counter ideas. Dr. Gyi
then gave his second knife session, focusing on thrust/slash combinations
and ending in some simulated group-on-group sparring. (Again, I was
forced to miss part of this session because of my duties.) Next was
the round table meeting, discussing where we are and where we're going,
and the banquet (during which I once again took blows and reprimands
from Dr. Gyi due to my carnivorous ways). The banquet was well done
including the beautiful glasswork done by Janice Stranc for the centerpieces.
Hopefully these will have photographed well so all can see them.
Following
the banquet were the awards of promotions to Janice Stranc, Scott Caffrey,
Mike Milazzo, and Ed Mengel. (Please excuse me if I have misspelled
anyone's name; I am going from memory.) Other awards of appreciation
were given. Next was the presentation of Mr. Hartman's certificate
for promotion to seventh degree, signed by me as chair of the WMAA
Advisory Board (which is responsible for the promotion) and endorsed
by Grandmasters Gyi and Jornales. Board members Chad Dulin and Sal
Todaro helped me present the certificate.
Next came
some amazing demonstrations. (I'm sure I won't recall the order correctly.)
Capoeira Mandinga Buffalo gave a very memorable capoeira demonstration,
with several musical instruments and lots of acrobatic kicks. It was
a real show-stopper. There were many questions asked after the performance
and indeed throughout the night, as many of the group's members stayed
to watch and later to play. Next, Mr. Hartman's junior demo team (six
students around ten years old, give-or-take) gave a nice demonstration
of stick anyos and some sinawalis. Jack Latorre and his long-suffering
assistant Tim (whose last name escapes me) showed some advanced Pekiti
Tersia techniques, including a fascinating and unusual sword. He also
did some rope work. Dan Anderson, assisted by Jaye Spiro, showed the
progression in Modern Arnis from basic techniques through more advanced
countering of the counter. Bong and Wendy Jornales put on a demonstration
of speed, skill, and varied weaponry that as usual left jaws on the
floor. I hope I have not forgotten anyone!
I had administrative
matters to attend to afterwards but many participants went out and
had a good time that night (and other nights)--some at local bars and
restaurants, some in Niagara Falls, Canada, and some in the hotel's
hot tub.
Sunday morning
was Mr. Jornales' second session, covering the four corners drill and
some sinawalis. I had studied his system previously and had some familiarity
with the techniques and drills but everyone came away with something.
I worked with our own Mr. Hubbard which was a pleasure. Finally, Dr.
Gyi finished things off with yoga using a single stick to assist. He
continually related the importance of yoga to the needs of a martial
artist or soldier. As always, he showed great respect for the memory
of Prof. Presas.
Mr. Hartman
closed the camp--and then the fun began! In keeping with tradition,
the sparring gear came out and Bob Hubbard took center stage. He sparred
Rich Parsons staff vs. two sticks, me stick vs. stick, and ace (Primo
Luciano) empty hand. (I may have forgotten other matches.) Afterwards
many of us went out to a local favorite, Antoinette's, for ice cream
sundaes. I spoke with Dr. Gyi and Ed Mengel briefly in the airport
before either flight left.
I don't
know where to begin with thanks, and I apologize in advance to those
I will surely forget (or whose names I will mis-type). Tim Hartman
and Janice Stranc did a great job once again--first class all the way.
Thanks to them for putting me up in their home for the first few nights
and for, well, so many other things. Give my love to Thor and Loki
(their horse-sized dogs). Thanks to Rich Parsons for rooming with me
the last few nights and for the many things he did to help out--serving
on the black belt board most notably. Thanks to Chad Dulin for sharing
so much with me over the weekend; I really picked up some neat tips.
He also served as Ed Mengel's partner during the test. Thanks to Sal
Todaro and the Philadelphia group who are always so much fun to have
around; he too helped during the test. Thanks to Dr. Barber for showing
me some Gunting techniques--I'm now a believer!--as well as some very
nice-looking wooden swords. Thanks to Dan Carr's students Bob Chesbro
and Mark (whose last name escapes me) for the frequent one-on-one assistance
they provided to participants (including me!). Thanks to all the instructors
for helping us put on such a varied program! Thanks to Dan Anderson
for once again signing a book for me but also for just being the great
role model that he is--he set the standard for work ethic at the camp.
Thanks to Mrs. Jornales for her demonstration and her enthusiasm. Thanks
to Dan Carr and Jaye Spiro for serving on the testing board. Ms. Spiro
always has a kind word for everyone and that's appreciated too! Thanks
to Mr. Hubbard and Susan Spann for technical support, including the
taping of the camp. Thanks to Mr. Jornales for his support and his
kind words about the WMAA at the banquet. Thanks to Dr. Gyi for his
advice and for taking so much time to chat with me and for his support
of the WMAA in particular, and Modern Arnis in general, in so many
ways.
As always,
I speak from the heart when I say thanks most of all to the camp participants,
because it was for and about you, and you're the ones who make it work--and
who make it worthwhile. See you next year!
-Jeff Leader
Chair, WMAA Advisory Board
