The Modern Arnis Reunion Camp
I attended the Modern Arnis Reunion Camp in Buffalo, New York this past weekend.
It was billed as a family reunion camp intended to bring together various senior instructors from different Modern Arnis organizations for the first time since Professor Presas’s untimely death of 10 years ago. The years after his death were pretty rancorous and bitter and led to several estranged relationships among the higher-ranking students of the art.
Approximately 18 months ago, Datu Tim Hartman decided to organize this camp in recognition of the upcoming anniversary of the Professor’s death and asked various instructors to teach there. The camp was held at his Horizon Martial Arts school. It was ambitious in scope. The lineup of instructors and special guest appearances he assembled was quite impressive. For various understandable reasons, several instructors had to bow out. The lineup was as follows:
(1) Master Chuck Gauss
(2) Master Dan Anderson
(3) Datu Dieter Knuttel
(4) Datu Tim Hartman
(5) GM Rick Manglinong
(6) Master Rich Parsons
(7) GM Max Pallen
(8) GM Ron Van Browning
(9) Master Brian Zawilinski
They all taught their variations of Modern Arnis as they learned it from Professor Presas. Each instructor taught two 90-minute sessions, and all did a fantastic job.
For example, Master Chuck covered the gunting technique against a punch, joint locks, and his signature 2 vs. 1 stick drill. His second session was particularly explosive, showing the possibilities inherent in that drill and its translation to single-stick fighting.
All photographs courtesy of Bob Hubbard.
I can’t quite remember everything taught at the camp, but below is the best I can do.
Master Anderson covered his versions of disarms and range-finding drills.
Datu Knuttel covered some tapi tapi and joint locks.
GM Rick showed some sinawali drills and applications from Kombatan. GM Max Pallen demonstrated his Senko Tiros system. Master Brian Zawilinski covered the stand-up grappling aspects of Modern Arnis.
Master Rich Parsons taught some basics of the Buot Balintawak he had learned from GM Ted Buot over the years. GM Ron Van Browning brought his unique energy and humour to bear upon his grappling sessions. The man is unbelievable and hilarious. Lastly, Datu Hartman taught knife fighting material.
On Saturday, Master Chuck and Master Brian officially gave me the Master Instructor certificate. I was promoted to this title last month at Master Chuck’s Michigan Camp, a surprise that came out of nowhere. It is a tremendous honor!
Most important, though, were the connections and renewed friendships made over the weekend and the idea of putting the past behind us.
This weekend exceeded all expectations, so much so that Datu Dieter Knuttel hopes to put together a similar camp in Germany in the fall of 2012 with an instructor lineup identical to this past weekend. Stay tuned for details!
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