I wonder if anyone has been lucky enough to have stayed up, waited for, and watched the sunrise. In it you will have known of the anticipation, the wait, and thrill of such an experience. Over the past few months we have held our breaths in such anticipation for the arrival of one man - the arrival of Master Reynaldo Galang, one of the founders of Bakbakan International, a student and teacher of many of the Filipino martial arts as well as being trained in other Oriental and Western fighting systems. As the countdown diminished, the excitement grew, but none of us was to know of the wealth of knowledge which was about to be imparted to us.

We all had our own preconceived ideas of what the week-long intensive training classes were to be like, but really we had no idea of what was to come. Our week started on one Saturday morning where we, an excited class, were introduced to Master Rey, and our training began. Needless to say we were all quite blown away with information overload, what seemed like an endless repertoire of strikes, techniques and applications were practiced and repeated over and over again - yet it was only the beginning. I recall, as I looked around to my fellow brothers and sisters, I could see the confusion knitted with the sweat and fatigue that I myself was overwhelmed with. Although, at the first opportunity of a break, we, like students studying for an important exam - rushed for our notebooks and jotted down notes, copied and drew diagrams, `rehearsed' among ourselves in an attempt to record these invaluable lessons.

I can almost hear you all saying `you're just bunch of crazy, obsessive, fitness freaky, martial artists - who have nothing better to do with your time but to waste it on a week-long training seminar'. Well you'd be half right, many of us has specifically arranged to take time off work and study to attend these sessions, spending anywhere between 3-9 hours each day at the gym, just to eagerly return for more the next morning. Yet, though it was hard, it was far from being a waste of time.

It was not all hell. Master Rey's quick and sharp sense of humour provided both an almost relaxing atmosphere as well as encouragement for us to keep on going. The rhythm of clashing sticks, as we practiced our strikes, created an eerie sort of motivation. The build up and release of adrenalin during sparring sessions. The heat which we generated while we practiced. All contributed to the amazing highs, which prevented each of us from sleeping after each night's training.

I write this now as the week is finally drawing to its end, I am exhausted - more mentally than anything else. I know I have learned so much, but I also realise now that there is so much more to learn - I have only scratched the surface. I now begin to grasp the true meaning and spirit of Bakbakan as well as the support and unity of the brotherhood that is us - here we are not just a member of a martial arts club, here we are a family. In hindsight, the `week of hell' was not that bad - in any case not as bad as we all had initially thought - it opened our eyes to ourselves - and like a truth serum - we discovered how good we really were and realised how much more we needed to learn and push ourselves.

This seminar wasn't a matter of master versus student or master's domination over student - it wasn't about authority of power - which is something I've seen widespread throughout martial arts in general, but rather the experience was about respect of knowledge - or better still - respect through knowledge. It was about the support of the family. It was as if Master Rey became our father and each of us, as students, were equals - no rank divided us, but our knowledge united us - we became a brotherhood (and to be PC - sisterhood). There was no `bow to me because I am a higher level than you' but rather `I shake your hand because you are my equal and I respect your knowledge - thank you for sharing your knowledge with me, thank you for training with me'. Now, isn't that what martial arts should be all about - a community and a way of life (we all preach it - I think it's time we learn to live it) rather than a class where you pay your monthly fees and attend weekly classes, when these classes finish you bow out and have nothing else to do with your fellow martial artists. We trained together, we joked and laughed together, we persisted and perspired together, we spent our precious leisure time with each other, we spoke from the heart to each other and we ate together - as family and community, not a training centre.

I have trained with several martial arts in my life and I can honestly say that there has never been any training seminar which made me feel so refreshed and alive about LIFE. Bakbakan has shown me that you can indeed live martial arts - and you don't need to become an instructor or master to do it. I myself have only been a student of Bakbakan for a relatively short time, but I know now that I can and will live this life.

Of course as the week drew to its end, (in fact some of us began to anticipate this end mid week - for strangely time came and went so quickly), we all realised that we would need to go back to our `real' lives - a life of work and study, and everyday stresses. It was as if we had just finished a motivational retreat (a holiday for some). But in our hearts I know that we were all glad for it, as if returning to the `real world' would relax our exhausted brains. We were all sad to see Master Rey leave us this time, even knowing that he will be back and that we are already planning for the next seminar (wherein I know we will fare so much better if I may add). Next time our team will be better skilled, stronger and more experienced and we hope many more will be able to share this… heaven-sent experience.

Perhaps now you are wishing to join Bakbakan, hoping to share our knowledge. This is the point where I have to be objective - if you are thinking about joining Bakbakan, it is NOT for everyone - not even seasoned martial artists. If you are looking for a strict training hierarchical regime, or a set method - thinking that this is the key to and secret of Bakbakan, then you sadly have a single-dimension perspective of Bakbakan. If you are aspiring to reach the highest level in the least possible time - then I definitely say Bakbakan is not for you. When I say Bakbakan is a way of life I mean this: just when you think you know enough, or just when you think you are good, you are brought back down to realise that you have so much more to learn - you discover this truth, by your own finding. So just as in life, if you are not willing to accept and learn from disappointments, if the truth hurts - then Bakbakan is definitely not for you. BUT if you want to learn to live martial arts and to become part of this elite corps of Filipino martial arts aficionados then perhaps, just perhaps Bakbakan is for you. The training, dedication and discipline is only a small part of the Spirit of Bakbakan, the most important parts are to be found in your heart and in your mind. It is not about how strong you are on the outside - but how intense and unwavering your spirit is.

On behalf of all of us at Bakbakan International (Australia), I would like to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to Master Rey Galang for dedicating his time and patience to us. I would also like to thank our instructor, Rahneer Fabi, who has definitely not been given enough of the praise and acknowledgment which he rightly deserves for making this week possible.

Sydney , November 2000....

© 2000 Bakbakan International (Raymond Ma).