Master Rey Galang in Sydney 2002
Master Rey was last in Sydney in 2000. Ever since then we had been waiting for him to return. Well, 2 years later we stopped waiting and Master Rey arrived in October 2002. This was a much anticipated visit. Not only were we excited by the prospect of what Master Rey would have to share with us but also because there was talk of membership rites and gradings.
Master Rey came up to the gym on Monday afternoon for our first training session. Immediately the rumours were confirmed. Master Rey produced two of the heaviest and stiffest black belts we had seen, doubled and knotted at one end in the customary fashion. The Rites of the Oath of Allegiance were set to take place on Wednesday night. Master Rey had a surprise in store for us as well. He set about contacting several senior members who still live in Sydney to act as Rites Assistants.
Master Rey lived in Sydney and had an active club for around 13 years and these guys trained with Master Rey back then. Come to think of it Master Rey lived in Sydney for longer than many of our current members and students. I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise to us then when MasterRey refused offers of rides to the gym and insisted on catching the train by himself. We'd just arrange a training time at the gym and there would be Master Rey, right on time. Of course Master Rey did this on his last visit but it still takes some getting used to. This is just testimony to Master Rey's down to earth nature, perhaps unusually so for an esteemed Master in the martial arts.
Master Rey confirmed that he had managed to arrange for Jun Orosa, Edd Aragon, Johnny Altamonte and Danny Sioson, all senior members of Bakbakan, to attend as Rites assistants. We were very proud to know that these men would be attending to lend credibility to what we were about to go through. Due to our geographical isolation we weren't sure how Master Rey was going to organise the ceremony but we had forgotten about his past life in Sydney.
Group Picture (Rear) : Daniel Favot, Daniel McEwan, John Altamonte, Danny Sioson and Edd Aragon
(Middle Row) : Daryush Nadim, Gordy Gallacher, Peter Raward, Ric "Jun" Orosa, Master Rey Galang, Rahneer Fabi, Roldan Fabi and Adrian Wade
(Front Row) : Glen Manacap, Greg Winterton, Duyyen Chau, Carlo Lagaac, Christine Trlifaj, Raymond Ma and Martyn Bates
We had plenty to think about before Wednesday night though. Training started on Monday night with double stick. You'd think after two years we'd get the warm-up exercises right, however some of us still had trouble with the "alternate twirling" exercise. Master Rey simply exclaimed with amusement "2 years" and we moved on to the next exercise. Training would usually start at 4 in the afternoon with one or two students and gradually build up to a full class as we trickled in after work so that by 7 o'clock we'd be in full swing. We'd normally train through until about 10 o'clock. After training the "hardcore" students or those that didn't have to get up too early the following morning would go out for the traditional feed with Master Rey at one of the local restaurants, several of which are well frequented by Bakbakan students.
Some of the original Australian Bakbakan Group gather for the "Changing of the Guard" ceremony.
Front : Edd Aragon, Ric "Jun" Orosa, Tony Rocco, Master Rey Galang, John Altamonte, Danny Sioson and Jonah Juarez.
Behind Edd and Ric are 2 of Senior Ric Orosa's students.
Wednesday night arrived and we were introduced to Jun Orosa, Edd Aragon, Danny Sioson, Johnny Altamonte. A number of Master Rey's friends and family were also present. Needless to say we were all very nervous. Master Rey performed the duties of Rites Master for our instructor, Rahneer, and our senior students, Roldan, Greg and Adrian with the old members as Assistants. Master Rey bestowed on Rahneer the certificate for official Australian Headquarters and then handed over the ceremony to Rahneer. Our other students were then inducted by Rahneer with Roldan, Greg and Adrian assisting. It was an experience we were all humbled by and will never forget. Whether we were given the honour of full-pledged membership or associate membership we were very proud and will strive harder than ever to uphold the ideals of the Bakbakan Brotherhood.
The Australian HQ Group performing the Oath of Allegiance led by the newly inducted leaders of the Australian HQ.
After the passing of the guard and the initiation ceremony at least it was a little easier to focus on the training. We were joined by students from a Doce Pares school as well as some other martial artists. All were awed by Master Rey's knowledge and skill. Our weapons training included single and double stick, knife vs. knife and dos manos. Our empty hands training included Hagibis with some groundwork (make that some grueling groundwork), empty hand applications of double stick and empty hands vs. knife. During the course of the training Master Rey made extensive use of the "monkey in the middle" training method which made for some very intensive sessions. Needless to say we covered way too much to be able to remember in such a short time so once again the video camera became a martial artist's best friend. Master Rey conducted a formal grading on the final night of training with certificates to be awarded the following night at the farewell dinner. We had a great meal, Chinese of course, and the presentations were made after dinner. It seems like yesterday that we were saying our final goodbyes and already 3 months have passed. At least we are 3 months closer to Master Rey's return.
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