WMAA Philippines Tour
The WMAA has taken a bold step in a new direction. Under the guidance of Datu Hartman, we have now started guided martial arts tours. The first tour was the 2009 Philippines Tour to Manila and Negros Occidental. The tour group consisted of eight people from the USA, Sweden and Canada.
The individual groups arrived the morning of Friday, April 17th and everyone met up at the Pension Hotel in Manila. They wasted no time getting to several shopping centers, where they picked up supplies as well as gifts to take home to friends and family. The first weekend was spent acclimating themselves to both the climate and time zone changes. Activities included shopping, sightseeing, visiting the Taal Volcano in Tagaytay, and training in Rizal and Luneta Park with assorted masters and grandmasters.
From picking our own food at the fish market to riding to the top of a volcano riding on the back of a horse, there were so many memorable moments that it’s hard to imagine just one! With all of our adventures leading up to the training camp, we never once felt unwelcomed or endangered. The Philippine people were so very warm and accommodating. There is no question that there are dangerous parts of the islands, which make this no different than any other part of the world. But our tour guides and drivers took very good care of us.
On Monday, April 20th, our group met with the rest of the training camp participants at the Manila airport. Datu Hartman was reunited with many old friends as well as meeting many new ones. It was a short one hour flight down to Negros. Unfortunately, due to construction our ride to the training camp ended up being a marathon. Fortunately for us, GGM Ernesto had chartered two new air conditioned tour busses to take us to the training camp. On the way, he had the bus drivers treat us to lunch at McDonald’s. After a long rainy ride to the camp site, we were assigned our rooms. Afterward, we all met at the main lounge area of the camp grounds where they had an informal opening ceremony. After all of the introductions, members of the camp were treated to a performance of a talented local rock band. Tired of watching everyone do imitations of a wall flower, the Datu cleared some tables and chairs out of the way and got the dance floor hopping! The party lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Surprisingly enough, everybody showed up on time for training the very next morning!
The Kombatan camp is a two week training event. Due to prior commitments, seminars and tournaments as well as work schedules, the WMAA group was only able to participate in the first week of camp. We were treated to many different instructors teaching at this year’s camp. Obviously GGM Ernesto Presas was the featured instructor. But, we also had the opportunity to train with GM Ernesto Jr., master instructors Michael Ermac, Oliver, and Allen Fami. In addition to the instruction, there were many demonstrations, including one by surprise guest and friend of Datu Hartman, Grand Tuhon Nene Tortal. Grand Tuhon Tortal was a guest instructor at the 2008 WMAA training camp. It was here where unofficial plans were made for Grand Tuhon Tortal and Datu Hartman to meet during this trip. After an unsuccessful game of phone tag, Grand Tuhon took it upon himself to visit the camp. GGM Ernesto introduced Tortal to all the participants at the camp and had him give a demonstration before leaving.
At the end of the week, four of our members participated in a black belt grading. This was a two+ hour test. This was more challenging than everyone thought it was going to be. The first hurdle was the heat and humidity. Most of us came from a climate of 40F-50F and the test was run outside in a 95+F climate with plenty of humidity. The second part was that they were unable to partner up with each other. GM Ernesto Jr. had five of his top black belts rotating in and out of the tests with our members. The Datu was especially proud of these members for not only surviving the tests but for also being awarded the following ranks in Kombatan:
- Edward Mangle 3rd degree black belt
- Fern Monti 2nd degree black belt
- Orly Canlas 1st degree black belt
- Craig Mason 1st degree black belt
The funniest comment was made by Guro Ed. He said, “I am surprised I passed!” To which the Datu replied, “I’m surprised you didn’t pass out!”. Later that evening there was a black belt meeting to decide where the 2010 World Tour IPMAF camp was to be held. Master Andy Elliot, from Australia, proposed that the camp be held in the USA. Datu Hartman suggested three possible locations. After discussing the different travel arrangements that would have to be made by the European members and challenges therein, they decided to use an East Coast location. At this time, Datu Hartman will be hosting the camp at the WMAA headquarters, “Horizon Martial Arts”. Although the exact dates have not yet been set, it will be some time during April of 2010.
On April 25th, our tour group flew back to Manila to prepare for the long trip home. This time was spent for last minute shopping, more training in the park and packing, repacking and re-repacking everything to make sure souvenirs got back to the States in once piece. Everything went without a hitch prior to departure to the States. The only “problem” was the10 hour layover in Taipei. Fortunately, we found a spot where there was free computers usage, big screen plasma TVs with CNN and an Xbox for car racing games. The novelty of all of this didn’t last very long and Datu found himself posing for photos with a large Hello Kitty statue! All of the members of the tour group returned safely to their homes and families.
The primary goal of this trip wasn’t about learning Filipino martial arts. There are many qualified instructors all around the world, whether they live or hold seminars in your areas. The goal was to be immersed in the Filipino culture. This gave people the opportunity to see how and why things developed as they did, and gave better insight into the Filipino psyche. The Datu will be the first to tell you that one trip alone will not give you all the answers. This being his second visit, both times he has learned more about the people and has a much better appreciation for them. The Datu will be leading more tours to the Philippines as well as other countries, so more people can share in these life changing experiences.
