Blade Show - "FMA Convention" 2015

INTRODUCTION:

Who am I, why do I have a blog?  My name is Micheal Smith a FMA practitioner and a person who is attempting to enrich himself with Filipino Martial Arts as well as Filipino culture.  If you don’t know me, it’s ok, I barely know myself sometimes, and I don’t have, nor have, earned any bragging rights.  I’m writing a blog simply because I want to reach out to a community that is bigger than myself, but often feels somewhat compartmentalized.  I want to break the walls, and share where I’ve been, what I experienced and what I have seen.  

This is the first blog post of many (hopefully), of which I also hope to have guest bloggers write down their experiences and wisdom.  I don’t write in this manner often, so if my writing seems a bit wonky, forgive me, I haven’t written creatively since college.  Do the math, you will realize that’s a long time.  I’m not sure I’ve found my voice yet, but hopefully over time I will.  So here goes nothing, my first Atlanta Filipino Martial Arts blog ever, I hope you all enjoy.

THE EVENT:

So this past weekend our city once again hosted the Atlanta Blade Show.  As one person in particular, called it an “FMA Convention.“  Blade Show was nothing short of awesome, what these bladesmiths produce is nothing short of artwork.  Like most artwork, many of the knives are beautiful, elegant and amazing to look at and hold.  I’ll likely need to save my pennies to buy something worthwhile and that will last me all my years.  However, I’m just grateful to see and hold some of these pieces in my hands, at least for now.

Photo courtesy of Jason Croom

However, I mentioned that it was also an FMA convention.  Why, you ask?  This year we were fortunate to have several FMA seminars take place this past weekend with some of FMA’s most prominent instructors.  Doug Marcaida has been a very leading figure in the FMA culture and for the first time, held a seminar in Atlanta.  We are a very lucky bunch to have been able to gain his insights, his knowledge and hopefully some new skills in our craft.  Kuya Doug is passionate, an amazing instructor and a true expert in Kali.  What’s more is that he is a very gracious, genuine and incredibly kind person to know.  

My friend, mentor and Guro, Baste Carlos, of Carlos Hermanos Kali made an appearance at the halfway point during the seminar.  As soon as he walked in the gymnasium Doug's noticed and in unwavering kindness, stopped the session, and introduced him to the entire group.  As if this wasn’t already super awesome, later on, two more masters arrived, this time from the world of Balintawak.  Grand Master Monie Velez and Master Jemar Carcellar watched on as Doug continued to teach and show us more of Marcaida Kali.  Eventually, running out of time, the seminar had to end, but not before Baste and Monie Velez put on a quick demo of his system of WOTBAG Balintawak disarms.  The “WOW! Factor” with the crowd was huge here, and when the video is made public, I will share it.

 Baste and Doug catching up on 18 years in only a few minutes here after the seminar. However, they spent more time later on during the day to make up for it.

GM Monie Velez, Guro Baste Carlos and Master Jemar Carcellar taking a photo together after GM Monie Velez and Guro Baste giving the group a demo.

The seminar turnout was awesome, I was told that almost fifty people showed up, from as far as Ocala, Florida and Augusta, Georgia.  Maybe some came further and I don’t know, but as far as I have seen, this was one of the biggest turnouts for an FMA seminar in Atlanta that I have seen.  The material was great.  So Doug if you are reading this, thanks for your guidance and mentoring, I believe everyone learned more than they came in with and felt honored to be in the presence of your tutelage.  I know myself and my training partner Guro Kat Lopez both had a great time.  We sincerely look forward to your next visit to Atlanta.

By the way, did I mention that GN from Funker Tactical was there filming the event?  That’s right, GN filmed the seminar and hopefully will have something to share with us soon.  

After the seminar, the Masters all enjoyed chatting about the good ole’ days, the current climate of FMA and the common bonds between the people and different systems.  Baste presented Doug with a signed custom sword from Master Arnold Narzo of Kalis Ilustrisimo, Doug exchanged one of his DART knives and the both of them caught up on old times and new until we were all forced to leave.

Soo... let’s get back to the Blade Show right, this is why we were here right?  So after a lunch, Guro Baste and I head to the Blade show.  If Friday was big, Saturday was bigger!  First stop, the Mikkel Willumsen Urban Tactical booth which Guro Chris Caban from the Atlanta Kali Group was running.  Mikkel Willumsen, you sir are a scholar and artist in bladesmithing.  Your knives are exceptional in both design and functionality.  

From here, Guro Baste and I walked around, checked out every booth, made some friends, and Baste kept his keen eye on various designers and bladesmiths for possible future designs of his own.  Eventually we made it over to the Cold Steel booth and caught up with Ron Balicki.  If you don’t know who Ron is by now, then you should probably do some soul searching, Ron is a legend in the FMA community.  It doesn’t hurt that he is amazing in what he does for FMA and just an all around incredible person to talk with.  Baste and Ron chatted about their brotherhood in LAMECO.  They share some common history and lineage through LAMECO and so they talked about the unfortunate and untimely passing of several of our greats in FMA.  

We followed up with Doug’s booth and found him just after running a demo on the utility of his DART knife.  Unfortunately Doug’s partner Anthony wasn’t around, but Baste and Doug had more time to catch up and talk about their days with Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje, and training together in the Philippines.  So many stories and so little time, but the day is not yet over.  While they were catching up, Jared Wihongi walked up and completed the trifecta!  So here I am, standing in front of three great luminaries of FMA, Carlos Hermanos Kalis Ilustrisimo and Pekiti Tirsia Kali all represented here within three feet of me!  

As these three gentlemen were grouping for a photo, another local FMA pillar, Guro Chris Caban walked by just in time.  Guro Chris, your timing is impeccable, your mentorship remarkable and a fine example of how we should all viewed FMA in our small community.  I can only imagine how honored you must have felt when you were invited to be part of the pillars of FMA, in the picture that I took of you all.

After a bit more of walking around, the Blade Show started to wrap up for the day.  I heard Tuhon Ray Dionaldo and Guro Ernie Lake of Filipino Combat Systems Kali, were walking around.  We didn’t run into them this time, but we did have the good fortune of hosting Guro Ernie for a seminar the next day with the Atlanta Kali Group.  More on this later.  The plan now was to have dinner with Arnold Filiomeno’s group along with Doug and his.  So after everyone begrudgingly left the hall, we met up with the gang at the restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Joshua Ruffolo

So while everyone enjoyed their dinner, Doug and Baste continued reconnecting and eventually ventured into the history, current trends and philosophy of FMA.  Their collective knowledge of the arts is incredible and both have vast amounts of knowledge to share.  GN from Funker Tactical was also there as well as Doug's right hand man Anthony Palmer.  GN is a filmmaker and as most of us probably know, films and promotes Doug through his media company.  He is also aspiring to learn more about FMA and bring it to the forefront through films and storytelling.  I dare to say, this evening was the genesis for great story and I hope to see something come of this soon.  

Several hours later, we all eventually had to say our adieus and part ways.  In true Filipino form we left with a full belly and greater friendship.  Another FMA seminar was set for the next day, so it’s wise to go home and take rest.

Sunday, bright and early at eleven ‘o’ clock the Atlanta Kali Group hosted Guro Ernie Lake of FCS Kali.  Unfortunately, I was only able to attend the last hour of the seminar.  However, it looked really awesome and it was super cool Ernie was able to give us some of his time.  Guro Baste also made a surprise visit and brought his inventory of Kali gear.  After Baste and Ernie were introduced the seminar continued on and eventually ended.  I heard there was a lunch after the event, with some enlightening and captivating conversations, but I wasn’t privy to any of it since I had to leave after the photo session.  I guess I will hear those stories later.

All in all it was a great weekend, the Blade Show was super cool and the FMA seminar turnouts were amazing.  I got to hang out with my best friends, made some new friends and met some amazing people in the process.  So if you are reading this, I will leave you all with this; if you love awesome knives and you love to train, make the next Blade Show a must see weekend.  I am almost certain next year will be just as awesome if not more awesome.  So bye for now, take care, be well and “Maraming Salamat!”