Jan 3: Of Arnis and Men
One of Luis' most anticipated days of our trip has arrived! We are going to see (and Luis can possibly participate in) an arnis demonstration. Kuya Mannix had a friend who practiced arnis. They had sessions every other Sunday at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. So Kuya Mannix offered to bring us to the session.
The group we met with practiced Lapunti Arnis de Abanico, which is another style of arnis / eskrima. Kuya Mannix had a friend from his jujitsu class, who now learning arnis. He spent most of the time with Kuya Mannix and Luis, showing them the basics. Apparently, Kuya Mannix is considering taking up arnis as well.
After learning the basics, some of the other practitioners joined in to demonstrate the more advanced skills and techniques, such as with a knife or a stick and a knife. Of course, they also showed us what it takes to do it in full-speed. They were all very kind to give us time to share with us their art.
After the session, Kuya Mannix took us to the Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao. Luis was interested in buying a kris, so Kuya suggested that we check out an antique dealer located in that area, since he knew they sold all sorts of antique swords and daggers. They did have a lot of kris, but many were rusted and in not such a good shape. But Luis's eye was caught by another weapon, a barong -- not the Barong Tagalog. The price was pretty much what we expected, so we decided to get it. (After surfing later on, we discovered that many of these types of knives were being sold on eBay for much more money. So Luis felt good about getting it).
Practicing arnis and buying knives can be tasking, so we offered to take Kuya Mannix to one of his favorite restaurant, Bellini's, which was in the area. It was an Italian restaurant so it was pasta and pizza all around. Our dishes was really good, because the pasta was handmade and the pizza was thin crust. After lunch, Kuya Mannix dropped us off Tiendesitas for more souvenir shopping, but before driving off, he gave Luis a pair of kamagong arnis sticks! Luis was really happy, because it was exactly what he wanted to get. If only Kuya Mannix knew that Luis at this point was kamagong krazy.
Luis and I walked around to look for souvenirs, but there was nothing that we haven't gotten already or wanted that we could bring in our luggage. So we walked around and waited for Mom and Dad. We stopped by in the food court to buy some ice cream from Arce Dairy. Luis tried durian ice cream, while I enjoyed cheese ice cream. I was surprised that Luis would try durian, but he claims he likes it -- after the first few bites. After ice cream, we stopped by for coffee as well. We bought some kape barako, since Luis really liked the blend.
Then we called it a day with our loot in hand.
The group we met with practiced Lapunti Arnis de Abanico, which is another style of arnis / eskrima. Kuya Mannix had a friend from his jujitsu class, who now learning arnis. He spent most of the time with Kuya Mannix and Luis, showing them the basics. Apparently, Kuya Mannix is considering taking up arnis as well.
After learning the basics, some of the other practitioners joined in to demonstrate the more advanced skills and techniques, such as with a knife or a stick and a knife. Of course, they also showed us what it takes to do it in full-speed. They were all very kind to give us time to share with us their art.
After the session, Kuya Mannix took us to the Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao. Luis was interested in buying a kris, so Kuya suggested that we check out an antique dealer located in that area, since he knew they sold all sorts of antique swords and daggers. They did have a lot of kris, but many were rusted and in not such a good shape. But Luis's eye was caught by another weapon, a barong -- not the Barong Tagalog. The price was pretty much what we expected, so we decided to get it. (After surfing later on, we discovered that many of these types of knives were being sold on eBay for much more money. So Luis felt good about getting it).
Practicing arnis and buying knives can be tasking, so we offered to take Kuya Mannix to one of his favorite restaurant, Bellini's, which was in the area. It was an Italian restaurant so it was pasta and pizza all around. Our dishes was really good, because the pasta was handmade and the pizza was thin crust. After lunch, Kuya Mannix dropped us off Tiendesitas for more souvenir shopping, but before driving off, he gave Luis a pair of kamagong arnis sticks! Luis was really happy, because it was exactly what he wanted to get. If only Kuya Mannix knew that Luis at this point was kamagong krazy.
Luis and I walked around to look for souvenirs, but there was nothing that we haven't gotten already or wanted that we could bring in our luggage. So we walked around and waited for Mom and Dad. We stopped by in the food court to buy some ice cream from Arce Dairy. Luis tried durian ice cream, while I enjoyed cheese ice cream. I was surprised that Luis would try durian, but he claims he likes it -- after the first few bites. After ice cream, we stopped by for coffee as well. We bought some kape barako, since Luis really liked the blend.
Then we called it a day with our loot in hand.
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