Well, its been another year, and another great event. I've got bruises on my bruises and its all just great!
Seriously, 4 great instructors: Datu Hartman, Punong - Guro Hufana, and Guros Manglinong and Leader all did some excellent stuff.
We opened on Friday with Dr. Leader doing an indepth look at the Modern Arnis disarms. I had the pleasure of assisting, and had a blast.
Rick Manglinong was up next and began a series of basic drills from the Kombatan system. It definately got the blood pumping.
Dinner was next, then back to the school for PG Hufana's excellent session. It started simple, but built up to some complex stick work.
Datu Hartman finished up the evening, then we headed off to Applebees for some good food and fellowship.
Saturday was more of the same.
Rick continued building on what he began on Friday, weaving everyone through some incredible combinations. I believe we did 16 different ones. My head was spinning, but Jeff was up next to continue his disarm session. Disarms and variations covering 1 handed, 2 handed strikes and both open hand and stick defences were gone over.
Lunch was at a local chinese buffet. This year the watress didn't have a melt down.
I missed PG's session, but watching it looked like fun.
Tim closed out the Saturday sessions with a look at obstruction removals.
The banquet was an absolute blast. The food was as usual excellent. The Red Dragon school performed a lion dance for us. The kids demo team was up next and after a wonderful display of Modern Arnis forms and sinawallis, then then honored Guro Manglinong by performing a 16 count Kombatan sinawalli affectionatly known as "Ricks Wake Up Drill". Closing out the entertainment was Capoeira Mandinga returning again this year to demonstrate the arobatic art. The party ran for a while though, myself getting wasted at Halo repeatedly.
Sunday
Datu Hartman worked on some Solo Baston material in the opening hour.
Rick then wrapped up his sessions with a series on different weapon types and closings, as well as a variation on trapping hands involving a knife grab.
PG closed out the camp with some sparring drills, and everyone got a chance to take the floor and go at it. I wanted to play, but had to sit it out this year. Was a definate bummer as it looked like everyone had a ton of fun.
Afterwards, Paul Janulis, Susan Spann, Rich Parsons, Jeff Leader and myself went out and grabbed pizza and wings.
If you didn't make it, you missed an excellent fun time.
Did I mention...it was Grrrrreat!
See ya all next year.
I want to say a special thank you to everyone I worked with this year. Ed, Bob, Dan, Rich, Jeff and everyone else. Thank you for putting up with my cobweb infested head.
