Going to the PI....

[Cruentus]

I am currently making plans to go the the PI this year; probably end of November as I hear that between about the end of November to February is the best time to go for weather.

So....

any suggestions?

I'll be flying into Manilla most likely, then taking the boat to Cebu. Will stay mostly in the Cebu area, but will spend at least a day in Manilla.

So, what should I see? WHO should I see (keep in mind that this is mostly a vacation rather then a training excursion, but I do plan to at least visit with a few people while I am there).

Tips would be appreciated...

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Paul

[Buwaya]

You should PM Robbie Trinidad, who goes by Matawguro on this forum. He's one of the organizers of a monthly FMA gathering at UP every month. Your bound to meet some good guys there.

Manilla? Hmm... Masters/GMs/Guros Rommel Tortal, Roland Isla, Daniel Foronda, Henry Espera, Yuli Romo, Romy Macapal, Tony Diego, Bobby Tabmina, and Andy Abrian if he was not unwell =(.

Have I forgotten anyone?

If your going to Cebu you may consider the Cebu Eskrima Tour offered by the CebuEskrima site(which seems to be down for the moment).

[Buwaya]

[quote=Buwaya] Romy Macapal, [quote]

Oops! Macapagal, =).

[Cruentus]

You should PM Robbie Trinidad, who goes by Matawguro on this forum. He's one of the organizers of a monthly FMA gathering at UP every month. Your bound to meet some good guys there.

Manilla? Hmm... Masters/GMs/Guros Rommel Tortal, Roland Isla, Daniel Foronda, Henry Espera, Yuli Romo, Romy Macapal, Tony Diego, Bobby Tabmina, and Andy Abrian if he was not unwell =(.

Have I forgotten anyone?

If your going to Cebu you may consider the Cebu Eskrima Tour offered by the CebuEskrima site(which seems to be down for the moment).

So many people to see in Manilla, too little time that I will be spending there. Maybe 2 days tops.

I am thinking of just going to the park and seeing who's there. I hear that at certain times of day that a lot of Eskrimadors/Arnisadors are banging...

Paul

[bart]

Hey There,

Make contact with some people before you arrive. Going to the Luneta Park and watching is a tactic. It would be better to find out who's working out there and when, so that you can check and see if your visit and their workout coincide. Also, it's a big park and you need to find out where to go.

If you're going to Cebu, I would recommend going to see GM Diony Canete's group in Banilad: www.doceparesinternational.com. It's in a good neighborhood and they are very public.

With your Balintawak background you should get in touch ahead of time with some of the big Balintawak folks.

If you're not decided on your visit dates yet, I'd suggest that you go during Sinulog in January. There is a lot of stuff going on there and it is the biggest festival of the year. There is A LOT of eskrima going on then even just to watch.

A couple tips:

1. In Manila they speak Tagalog. In Cebu they speak Cebuano. In both places they speak English.

2. The Philippines is a civilized country with laws and due process. Manila is just as safe as Los Angeles and just as dangerous in all of the same ways. The same goes for Cebu City. If you don't look for trouble, it most likely won't find you.


Happy Trails

[Buwaya]

So many people to see in Manilla, too little time that I will be spending there. Maybe 2 days tops.

I am thinking of just going to the park and seeing who's there. I hear that at certain times of day that a lot of Eskrimadors/Arnisadors are banging...

Paul
Which park, Luneta, Quezon City Circle?

Lot of people use the QCC during Sundays; Lapunti Arnis de Abaniko, Bahad Zubu, I've seen Yawyawn but don't know how regularly they meet. Also there's Lighting Scientific Sundays at UP, which is a short jeepney ride away from the circle.

I think you can find Rapid Realismo and the Luneta Ilustrisimo group(Pedro Reyes/Samuel Ilustrisimo?) at the Luneta. Once apon a time you could have found GM Mena and Maestro Andy Abrian. Freddy Ferndez can sometimes be found in Luneta(Modern Arnis combined with Indonesian silat).

[Cruentus]

Thanks Bart and others.

I'll definatily be checking out some Balintawak contacts and Cebu. I would go see Doce Pares as well, time permitting.

That is a good idea to try to get info on who's going to be at Luneta @ what time so I can see when the best time I should go that fits my schedule.

Good advice so far everyone!

Paul