written by Guro Nicholas Stevens
Sama Sama 2004 was held in Pennsylvania over July 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July
Friday night consisted of Tuhon Tom Kier introducing Phase 2 training. Phase 2 is the transition of being a receiver to a feeder. Phase 2 consists of the empty hand component of Sayoc training, which includes Silak and stop blocks in order to gain control of the blade being used against you. Guro’s Harley Elmore, Kevin Blake and Chuck Giangreco assisted Tuhon Tom with demontratings some of the techniques included in the phase 2 training. Saturday started with the line up and salutation and Pamana Tuhon Sayoc welcoming everyone to Sama Sama. Next came the demonstrations from instructors of various martial arts systems. Each Sama Sama, Sayoc practitioners are exposed to other Filipino martial arts systems by the guest instructors Pamana Tuhon Sayoc invites. Guro Ray Floro ( http://www.florofightingsystems.com ) began the demonstrations by showing single blade entries from Floro fighting systems, next Guro Krishna Godhania ( http://www.krishnagodhania.org ) demonstrating Panantukan from Warriors Eskrima, then Guro Harley Elmore ( http://warriorswaytx.com ) with Maphilindo Silat, and finally Tuhon’s Bong, Carl, and Darryl Atienza ( www.Atienzakali.com ) showing Atienza kali long blade. It is always great to be able to train and exchange ideas with these and other instructors to help support and build a stronger FMA community.
Next Tuhon Jimmie Sayoc and Silak Krystal Elmore began instruction in the Sayoc whip curriculum, with practitioners working at completing the star pattern, a continuous attack of 5 differant angles with a successful crack of the whip on each angle. The star pattern is one of the requirements for testing to be a Sayoc whip instructor. After a quick water break Guro Pat Consing was up next and taught Sayoc Silak, which involved controlling, manipulating, and disarming a blade wielding attacker versus empty handed. This added to Tuhon Toms earlier introduction to Phase 2 and gave us a deeper understanding of the receiver to feeder transition. Tuhon Rafael Kayanan and Tuhon Ricardo Kayanan next instructed everyone in the tomahawk. Starting with vital target template 1 and the empty hand tapping sequence. The tomahawk is a devastating close quarters weapon and it was great to learn the Sayoc use and methodology of it. Tuhon Rafael and Tuhon Ricardo were great instructors, moving from person to person answering questions and demonstrating isolations from the tapping. With a quick lunch Tuhon Tom next started the projectile practice by discussing the advantages of projectiles then how to throw .Practitioners then broke up into groups to practice their throwing technique at some of the many projectile targets set up at the sama sama site. With the day almost over everyone grabbed their padded sticks and were broken into teams to skirmish. There are few times where you can have a large amount of people on open land and tell them to attack. This was a great time for all the groups to try different tactics and strategies. At times it was everyone against one group while the next round was simply a large melee with everyone trying to survive. Rules for the day, only a head shot counts. You had to be able to hit on the run. If you engaged in a one on one fight or stayed still too long you would often be hit from behind. After dinner we returned to the training site where Tuhon Felix Cortes ( www.FilipinoCombatives.com ) introduced the new stick c-template 1. Tuhon Felix is a very energized instructor, keeping everyone interested and motivated in the late hour and the occasional joke helped keep everyone going. Tuhon Felix finished up by showing how a traditional challenge would be given and accepted in the Philippines with the help of Guro Travis Devita. The night wasn’t over yet as we returned to the hotel to listen to Tuhon Tom talk about the different stages of training in Sayoc, Phase 1( which is the feeder vs receiver), Phase 2 (receiver vs. feeder), and Phase 3 (feeder vs. feeder). The insight into the Sayoc training methodology was both interesting and helpful– laying out the training we would all have to look forward to in our evolution as practitioners. Sunday started with more Sayoc whip training and testing for those who wanted to be Sayoc whip instructors. After the testing, everyone once again got thier action flex and the one on one stick matches were back on. The rule again was a solid hit to the head with the Tuhons and full instructors judgeing each match. The winner this year was Guro Leo Manalo of Atienza Kali After lunch Tuhon Ray Dionaldo (www.FCSKali.com ) reviewed Karambit Template 1 vital targets and tapping sequence then moved on to teach karambit template 2 targets and tapping. Tuhon Ray, as always, taught with humor while demonstrating the techniques and isolations with amazing grace and speed With a quick break, next came the projectile competition. With a target place on the throwing board, who came the closest to the middle would be the winner. After many throws from dozens of competitors, the winner was Guro Al Salvitti for the second year in a row. Sama Sama was finished with a Sayaw. The Sayaw is a blade dance that warriors in the Philippines would participate in prior to going into battle. Done around a bonfire with live blades and drum, it was a a fantastic way to finish several days of excellent training with fellow Sayoc members free flowing with a blade to the beat of the drums while the fire lights up the night. Pamana Tuhon Sayoc and the Sayoc Tuhons and Full instructors for making Sama Sama 2004 a fun and exciting time.
