I had the honor of teaching at the 5th Annual WMAA training camp over the weekend.
I must say that it was a wonderful experience. Tim Hartman and Janice as always hosted a 1st class event. They are always gracious hosts, so I expected nothing less, but such skill in event coordination always ensures a great time and that everyone is taken care of. ItÂ’s always the little things, like being able to plug in my portable air conditioning for my crated SAR dog so he wouldnÂ’t overheat for example, that make things great for visitors.
My weekend at the WMAA headquarters actually started early on Thursday night. It was nice to see the school and all of the improvements made since I had been there last. New mats, better storefront, more equipment, and so on. When I see improvements like that, I am pleased because I know that an organization is doing well, and that Tim is driving the WMAA to positive growth.
I did my MMA workout Thursday evening, worked out with some of TimÂ’s blackbelts in the adult Arnis class, and cooled down with Janice's cardio class. I got to observe part of the kids program as well, which was awesome to watch. Mr. Hartman runs the best kids Modern Arnis program I have ever seen. The whole school has Modern Arnis at its core, and the kids learn Modern Arnis as their system. They don't do another system with Modern Arnis as a supplement. The late Remy Presas would be proud! The kids looked really good. ItÂ’s programs like these that build the next generation of Modern Arnis.
The next day people rolled in, and we had a great time training. The skill sets were very high. Everyone on the training floor had a quality level of skill that makes training (even as an instructor) a rewarding experience. IÂ’ll break down the basics of what was taught per instructor listed alphabetically:
Guro Roger Agbulos: I was really glad to have met Roger. What a Charismatic instructor and all around great guy. We got to learn the basics of Lemaco Eskrima and some Kalis Illustrisimo knife work. All I have to say is wow. Both systems seem to be very high quality and applicable to fighting. And Guro Roger presents these concepts in a way in which keeps the attendants engaged in application of techniques and concepts. I look forward to the opportunity to get together with Roger again.
Mr. Rob Colasanti: Hartman made an incredibly intelligent decision bringing Rob in. How smart for an organization head to understand that it is just as important to help his members grow on the business side as well as the martial side. Rob is the President of NAPMA, and is an incredibly savvy business professional. For those in the martial arts business, NAPMA is an invaluable organization and marketing resource. It was great to hear what he had to say; I am sure we will all grow on the business side from the experience! As to Rob as a person, I highly recommend his material if you want to grow your business. The best thing to do would be to join NAPMA and benefit from them as a resource. Bringing Rob in as a consultant as Tim did would also be great if you could afford too. He is very generous with his advice and time; he genuinely wants to help you succeed. If bringing him in isnÂ’t possible, I suggest buying any of his material (books or tapes) that is on the market today. You wonÂ’t regret it.
Datu Tim Hartman: Datu Tim covered a variety of skills involving stick and empty hand. He did many Modern Arnis skills from the siniwali boxing, trapping hands, and single cane solo baston format. Of course boxing and single stick is something I am a bit partial too myself, so I enjoyed it! Tim’s presentation of the stick skills were particularly interesting for me because I am a Balintawak player (Manong Ted Buots student) among other things. Tim had integrated Balintawak concepts into the Modern Arnis format. This shows how much Datu Tim is an innovator. Now, one cannot truly learn Noy Anciong’s Balintawak tradition from the seminar format. So, one runs into the conundrum of how to present some of these great skills to many students. Tim’s answer is through the art of Modern Arnis. The late Professor Remy Presas used his Balintawak to fight. Many of us senior students can remember semi-sparring with Professor single stick, and having him do something very direct that he hadn’t taught and figuratively stomping us. Usually, Professor was using his Balintawak skills to do this, and we were left to try to piece it together. Datu Tim, through the Modern Arnis art, is able to present some of these Balintawak skills that made Professor Presas such a great stick fighter. Although all of the benefits from traditional Balintawak can’t be fully realized without private instruction in the traditional format, all I have to say is “Wow!” What an advantage for the seminar attendants to get those skills that Professor Remy used himself packaged so nicely by one on Modern Arnis’ top instructors. Nice work Datu Tim!
Mr. Paul Janulis: HeyÂ….thatÂ’s me!
I covered the bolo, or medium sized Filipino machete ranging from 18 or so inches to 28 or so inches in length. The concepts that we worked on all related too modern combat, however. The exercises we did were an example of the type of training that TULISAN Company focuses on; that is results based context specific training. This means that we were explicitly training for the context of real combat, and were therefor accounting for what is LIKELY to occur in a fight (such as an aggressive consistent attack, adrenal stress, real time, etc.). We used these exercises with the bolo to introduce multiple opponent tactics as well single weapon wielding threats. I was really happy with the results of this group. They were open minded to doing something different, and highly skilled martial artists themselves. With relevant, results based exercises, that is a combo that leads to immediate improvement of fighting skills. I was very happy to work with this outstanding group. Thanks to everyone for the opportunity!
Master Kimura: Master Kimura has been a role model and mentor to many. He is a first class martial artist, both mentally/spiritually as well as physically. It was a pleasure to be on a teaching card with a quality sensei such as this. He covered pressure point concepts from Shorinji Kempo. I really liked the way he presented these skills. Many times when people present pressure point skills, they tend too excessively focus on aspects of these skills that are completely irrelevant to fighting, and they tend to delve into copious amounts of speculative information that is at best unreliable. This was NOT how Kimura presented his skills, which was a tremendous breath of fresh air. He presented them as realistically as he could. He didnÂ’t try to predict the precise trauma potential of the techniques, but simply showed them as they were. I think it was very educational and SENSIBLE for those who had the benefits of attending this session. Very nicely done.
Punong-Guro Rick Manglinong: What can I say about Manong Rick that would do him justice? Well, let me first describe to you what might be the perfect instructor. Let me describe to you someone who is very skilled and could hang with the best in the world on a technical level, but who is focused on the students he is teaching rather then himself. Let me describe a person who is extremely humble and kind, but who is also a benevolent and empowering leader who people will listen too. Let me describe to you an instructor who skillfully blends a sense of humor with seriousness to keep the students engaged, relaxed, and attentive. I could go on, but I am sure he is embarrassed enough by my praises. Manong Rick has all of the above qualities. It is always a pleasure to work with him. We worked on double stick skills and empty hand translations. Our empty hand translations had a boxing flair as well (boy, I am seeing a trend that I like!). On a personal level, thanks Manong Rick for all your help and advice to me. It is safe to say that everyone is thankful for the training you provided.
In closing, thanks to all of the camp attendants. Thanks to the WMAA Board members Sal Todaro, Steve Scott, Jeff leader, and Rick Manglinong for being supportive and attentive during all the training sessions. None of that “I’m a high rank guy so I don’t get on the floor and train with the commoners” bullstuff with this group. It is great to see such skilled people out there working hard. Thanks to the other attendants as well; if it wasn’t for all of you, such an event would not exist. You all are the backbone. Thanks specifically to the Penn College group. You guys and gals have a great training group and I was really impressed with your personalities and skills. Keep up the good work guys, and I hope to see you again.
All and all, it is safe to say that we close another chapter in martial arts history. The 5th annual WMAA event will be a memorable one that all who were there will remember with fondness the rest of there lives. Lifesaving information and a positive, character building social environment – that is why we train….
The 5th annual WMAA event was a living and breathing example of what being a martial artist, or a combative professional is about. It was an honor to be a part of itÂ…
Paul Janulis
