tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91306402873088739162024-02-20T20:58:53.650+08:00Random SynapsesShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-67368305529843825852009-07-10T14:26:00.002+08:002009-07-10T14:49:49.205+08:00The world seems to be losing its geniuses<p>I'm not one of those fanatic Michael Jackson fans, though I like his songs and grew up with Thriller and his other hits, and I never really gave much thought about him being a genius. But sadly it is only after death the the true depth of the man sees the light of day. Although his accomplishments are the stuff of legend that many performers still aspire to, it turns out Michael Jackson was one of the biggest donors to charity and I was touched by how much people who've met him remember a humble, down-to-earth person. Another example of how media can demonize certain people or issues and unduly influence the masses into unfairly negative thoughts or reactions.</p><p>Going back to the title of this post, I just noted that a lot of famous personalities seem to be buying the farm one after the other. There's David Carradine, Farah Fawcett and Robert McNamara who all recently joined the ranks of the dearly departed. It's not that these people died, thousands die everyday, but that they are famous personalities and they're going one after the other. Okay, so what's the relationship with being famous and being a genius? Depends on how you look at it. In my book, people who become famous (or infamous) are a genius at something, even if it is at monkey business. There's something you're good enough at doing that people take notice.</p><p>If you're into the 2012 and end times mania, it makes one wonder if this is the "rapture" that's being talked about in the Bible. But even on a more ordinary level, it's still sad to see all these people go.</p>ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-35899524481015797042007-05-03T23:30:00.000+08:002007-05-15T22:42:55.016+08:00Our heritage: the Filipino Martial Arts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6097/lapulapu01dx6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6097/lapulapu01dx6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I think all of us have a rudimentary awareness of what <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> is.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Arnis</span> is also known by the terms <span style="font-style: italic;">kali</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">escrima</span>.<span style=""> </span>There is a lot of confusion about which is which, but essentially the naming is just semantics, because all styles share common principles and techniques.<span style=""> </span>More often than not, it’s just the names of the techniques that vary from style to style.<span style=""> </span>Increasingly, more people are using the term Filipino Martial Arts (FMA for short) to encompass all the fighting systems within the Philippines.<span style=""> </span>For familiarity’s sake, I will interchangeably use the terms <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> and FMA. <p class="MsoNormal">Basically, the first thing that comes to mind is that <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> is a fighting method involving the use of sticks.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, for most people, that is where the awareness ends.<span style=""> </span>One of the most common misconceptions about <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> is that one needs a stick in order to be effective. However, the Filipino martial arts are actually one of the most complete martial arts in the world.<span style=""> </span>The primary training tool is indeed the stick, and the stick can be used as a weapon in and of itself.<span style=""> </span>But the stick movements also translate into blade fighting and empty-hand techniques.<span style=""> </span>Outside the Philippines, Filipino knife fighting techniques are considered very effective combat arts.<span style=""> </span>Foreign law enforcement and military personnel often incorporate Filipino martial arts into their melee combat training.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, FMA do not stop with weapon fighting, as each <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> style usually incorporates hand-to-hand combat and grappling.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Arnis</span> is a warrior art.<span style=""> </span>Warriors of old trained not only in the sword and spear, but also had to learn knife and empty hand fighting.<span style=""> </span>The progression of training in <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> reflects this, because training starts first with weapons and only at the advanced levels are empty hand techniques introduced.<span style=""> </span>After all, warriors fight with weapons first, only using the knife or empty hands as a last resort.<span style=""> </span>Most people are unaware of the true depth of <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span>, so much so that, if not for the efforts of a few dedicated and forward-thinking masters, the art would have become, if not extinct, then at least much obscured and forgotten by majority of Filipinos, putting it on the same level as <span style="font-style: italic;">hilot</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">anting-anting </span>(i.e. people know it exists but would have no idea where to start learning or most wouldn't be interested in learning it at all) .<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Aside from misconceptions about the nature of the art, other <span style="font-style: italic;">Pinoys</span> also look down on <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span>, thinking that it is unsophisticated and <span style="font-style: italic;">pang-tanod</span>. This is really sad, because ironically enough, FMA have gained wide acceptance and popularity among foreigners.<span style=""> </span>In fact, a couple of Hollywood films have featured FMA to some degree in their fight scenes.<span style=""> </span>Examples include <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunted</span> (featuring <span style="font-style: italic;">Sayoc Kali</span>), <span style="font-style: italic;">Equilibrium</span> (the “gun kata” fight between Christian Bale’s character and the head bad guy towards the end of the movie is taken from FMA knife fighting exercises), <span style="font-style: italic;">The Bourne Identity</span> (Matt Damon trained in <span style="font-style: italic;">kali</span> for his fight scenes) and more recently, <span style="font-style: italic;">300</span>.<span style=""> </span>And yet in the Philippines, the art continues to languish from the inattention of popular media.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One sad example I can think of is a now-concluded ABS-CBN TV series called <span style="font-style: italic;">Panday</span> (The Blacksmith), starring Jericho Rosales.<span style=""> </span>As you can infer from the title, the story is about a Filipino blacksmith who forges a magical dagger that can transform into a sword and he goes on various adventures fighting supernatural creatures.<span style=""> </span>The original <span style="font-style: italic;">Panday</span> was played by the late Fernando Poe, Jr. in a series of movies.<span style=""> </span>The character, theme and setting, even from way back, are very Filipino.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So it was with great disappointment that I found out that Jericho Rosales was practicing with the RP wushu team to prepare himself for the sword fights.<span style=""> </span>This is why there are signature wushu stances and moves in many of the fight scenes of the TV series.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My first reaction was, <span style="font-style: italic;">“Why wushu?”</span><span style=""> </span>There’s nothing wrong with wushu in and of itself, but for me it was all about authenticity.<span style=""> </span>After all, how would you feel if you watched <span style="font-style: italic;">300</span> and saw the Spartans executing very obvious tai chi or wushu moves?<span style=""> </span>But more than that, this was a chance for ABS-CBN to feature and promote the Filipino Martial Arts even indirectly, yet they squandered this chance.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t know if this has something to do with colonial mentality or some sort of cultural insecurity where we automatically assume that anything Filipino is inferior to anything “imported” or foreign.<span style=""> </span>But the fact remains that <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> is very much in the sidelines of public consciousness.<span style=""> </span>You would find more Filipino pride, feeling and awareness in basketball or boxing (in no small part due to Manny Pacquiao). Many foreigners are surprised when they visit the Philippines, because most of them expect the Philippines to be a mecca for Filipino martial arts, with <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> gyms on almost every street corner. Yet the opposite is true, because FMA are more popular in foreign lands.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Make no mistake, <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> is still alive, but it’s not mainstream.<span style=""> </span>One has to really research heavily, and no small amount of luck also plays into it when trying to look for an instructor or gym that teaches <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span>.<span style=""> </span>And that’s really part of the problem…accessibility.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We have many commitments in real life, and work and family take up a lot of our time.<span style=""> </span>So any recreational activity we may have has to be within an easy drive or commute from home or our place of work.<span style=""> </span>It’s easier to find affordable training for aikido, taekwondo, karate, and even mixed martial arts (because of the Ultimate Fighting Championship phenomena), hence more people get exposed to these arts.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So what can we really do?<span style=""> </span>Well, I’m trying to do my own part in increasing awareness of Filipino Martial Arts by writing here.<span style=""> </span>But I wish that the major networks like ABS-CBN or GMA-7 would do feature shows or segments on the Filipino Martial Arts.<span style=""> </span>This way, if more people become aware and interested, <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> instructors would feel more confident about investing in a gym or gaining acceptance in gyms or schools.<span style=""> </span>It’s more than just promoting something Filipino.<span style=""> </span>It’s a part of our cultural heritage, something that we should fight to preserve just like we do the Ifugao rice terraces or Boracay.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On a personal note, I was lucky I was able to find an <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> instructor.<span style=""> </span>He is now teaching me <span style="font-style: italic;">Arnis Rapado</span>.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Rapado</span> is a Bicol word that means “to hit” or “to strike”.<span style=""> </span>Master Maning Bonsa started his training in Bicol, hence the heavy Bicol influence on his style.<span style=""> </span>In any case, I wrote a more detailed description of <span style="font-style: italic;">Arnis Rapado</span> <a href="http://mindovernel.blogspot.com/2007/03/exploring-arnis-rapado.html">in another article</a>, so check it out when you can.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It's really hard to find old-style <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> instructors today. Either the instructor is nowhere near your home or office, or what is being taught is <span style="font-style: italic;">arnis</span> geared for sport or tournament rather than combat. Although tournaments are good for building camaraderie and awareness, I would rather retain the combat aspect, because that is what the art is and it's what I can practically use for self-defense. My dream is that the Philippines does indeed become a mecca for Filipino martial arts, with gyms "in almost every street corner."<br /></p>ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-9447867775105325172007-04-16T16:24:00.000+08:002007-04-16T16:46:43.487+08:00An introduction to airsoft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3457/assaultteam1vr8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3457/assaultteam1vr8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of my hobbies is airsoft.<span style=""> </span>Through this article, I would like to introduce you to this little activity that I enjoy almost every weekend.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Definition</p> <p class="MsoNormal">What is airsoft wargaming?<span style=""> </span>There are two meanings.<span style=""> </span>The term “airsoft” originally referred to a toy gun that shoots 6mm (or in rare cases 8mm) plastic pellets, commonly called BB pellets or BBs, using compressed air or gas.<span style=""> </span>Frequently, these toy guns are 1:1 scale replicas of real firearms.<span style=""> </span>The replicas are usually so good that it is difficult to tell them apart from the real thing except through close inspection.<span style=""> </span>This little fact has created a complicated relationship with law enforcement agencies throughout the world (see below).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Airsoft originated in Japan during the 1970s to provide a way for hobbyists to enjoy war games, because Japan has very strict gun control laws. Today, the term “airsoft” or “airsoft wargaming” generically refers to any game of military simulation that uses airsoft guns (other examples of war gaming are paintball and the use of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simunition">simunitions</a>).</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Game</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Airsoft, first and foremost, is a game of honesty.<span style=""> </span>Unlike paintball, which leaves paint stains on a person once hit, airsoft pellets do not leave any distinguishing mark that will indicate if someone is hit.<span style=""> </span>If one is hit in any part of the body or on any of the equipment carried, then one is considered “dead” and should walk back to the safe area (so it doesn’t matter if you are hit on the finger or on your canteen, you’re still considered hit).<span style=""> </span>The only hits that are not counted are hits to your gun (the one held in your hands, not the one in your holster or slung at your back) and ricochets (e.g. if the pellet bounced on the floor or the wall before hitting you).<span style=""> </span>In jungle terrain though, if you’re hiding behind thick brush and the pellets still penetrate to you, you’re considered hit.<span style=""> </span>However, ricochets off tree trunks are still considered valid ricochets.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The scourge of the game is called the “zombie”.<span style=""> </span>As the name implies, a player “who never dies” is called a zombie because he/she does not admit to being hit.<span style=""> </span>Although encountering a zombie can be frustrating, the common advice is not to make too big a deal out of it.<span style=""> </span>Just take consolation in the fact that you know you hit the guy.<span style=""> </span>Starting fights can ruin your whole day, and in fact some playing sites take a very dim view of fights.<span style=""> </span>You can find yourself permanently banned from a site if you’re not careful.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The existence of zombies has fuelled something of an arms race among other players by modifying their airsoft guns to be really powerful.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, this can also make the game unsafe and painful, especially for the honest players.<span style=""> </span>Besides, a powerful gun is no guarantee that one can make a zombie admit to being hit.<span style=""> </span>There are cases where a zombie has been bloodied and is already writhing in the ground in pain, but refused to admit being hit.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The power of an airsoft gun is measured by the speed the BB pellet travels, expressed in feet per second (FPS).<span style=""> </span>Other countries use the joule rating, but in the Philippines, FPS is the standard of measure.<span style=""> </span>Obviously, the higher the FPS rating, the more powerful the airsoft gun is.<span style=""> </span>The weight of the pellet should also be taken into account because a heavier pellet will travel slower, although it may hit as hard or harder than a lighter pellet moving at higher velocity.<span style=""> </span>Knowing your airsoft gun’s FPS rating is important because a lot of sites impose FPS limits on airsoft guns that can be played on their sites.<span style=""> </span>Go over the limit, and you can’t play.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One other practice that is discouraged is hit calling.<span style=""> </span>Meaning, when you shoot a guy, you shout out to him “Hey! You’re hit already! Admit it!”.<span style=""> </span>This is unfair because there have been many cases that from the perspective of the shooter it seemed he was hitting his target, but from the perspective of the target the pellets really weren’t hitting.<span style=""> </span>So one should always give the benefit of the doubt.<span style=""> </span>An exception would be if you were making a “knife kill” (meaning you were able to sneak up behind the target without the target knowing it).<span style=""> </span>Some people sneak in until they tap the target, but usually close ranges such as 5 to 10 feet are legitimate ranges for knife kills.<span style=""> </span>In this case, calling the attention of the target would be more humane than shooting from close range, especially if you have a powerful gun yourself.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On being hit, if you are not sure if a ricochet or a straight on shot hit you, then the safest bet is to admit being hit.<span style=""> </span>After all, there is always the next game.<span style=""> </span>Furthermore, your reputation as an honest player will serve you in good stead later on.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Place</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the nice things about airsoft is that it can be played almost anywhere.<span style=""> </span>Game sites can range from urban (CQB and MOUT – military operations in urban terrain), to grassy fields and heavy jungle.<span style=""> </span>The sizes of the playing fields also vary from a few hundred square meters to dozens of hectares.<span style=""> </span>There are many game sites available that cater to whatever fancy a player may have.<span style=""> </span>Some sites are located in the city, while the bigger sites are usually located in more rural areas.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Aside from the game mechanics mentioned earlier, each site may have its own special set of rules.<span style=""> </span>Some sites do not put any limits on the FPS of airsoft guns in their site (i.e. it’s an open FPS site) while others put a certain limit.<span style=""> </span>However, FPS limits are dependent on the availability of a chronometer (chrono for short, which costs thousands of pesos) to measure actual FPS.<span style=""> </span>Without a chrono, anyone can claim his/her gun is lower FPS than it actually is, making the site effectively open FPS.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, extremely high FPS ratings can result in pain and/or injury. It is now becoming a trend that many sites have taken the initiative of investing in a chrono and setting FPS limits to make sure that game play remains safe and fun.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some site organizers really invest in fixing up the site, either by putting speedball-type obstacles or making sure rest rooms and charging stations for batteries is available.<span style=""> </span>Other sites have only the most basic of amenities, while others are composed of nothing more than a parking / safe area and the game area.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whatever the site, the most basic things you will find are the safe area, the marshal and the playing area.<span style=""> </span>The safe area can also be the parking area.<span style=""> </span>This is where players gear up or gear down, rest and where “dead” players go and wait for the next game to start.<span style=""> </span>Absolutely no firing is allowed in the safe area, to prevent damage to vehicles or injury to players just arriving on the site (and thus haven’t had the chance to put on their safety gear).<span style=""> </span>More organized sites have separate test fire zones where players may safely calibrate their guns.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The marshal is the referee and makes sure everything is going smoothly.<span style=""> </span>He is the one who explains the game scenarios, defines the victory conditions of a game, starts and ends the games and is the final arbiter in any dispute.<span style=""> </span>An alert marshal is very important in controlling the instances of zombies during play, because he can call out anyone he sees is not playing fairly.<span style=""> </span>It is normal to have 2 or 3 marshals per game and ideally even more over larger game sites.<span style=""> </span>Without a marshal, the game will devolve into chaos.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The playing area is where the actual games are played.<span style=""> </span>Only part of the whole playing area may be used or the whole site (except for the safe area), depending on the game scenario.<span style=""> </span>The marshal will define the boundary of a particular playing area.<span style=""> </span>In bigger sites, several different playing areas may be designated, with a couple of simultaneous games running.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Scenarios</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Game scenarios are dependent on the terrain of a particular playing site and the creativity of the game organizers.<span style=""> </span>Players are usually divided into two sides.<span style=""> </span>To recognize which side one is on, marshals will designate a “banded” team (with a colored cloth band or colored tape around one of the arms) while the other side is the “unbanded” team.<span style=""> </span>More well off sites will have 2 sets of bands (red and yellow, or red and blue, etc.) with a refundable fee for the band charged to the players.<span style=""> </span>Marshals will try to distribute players to make sure both sides are of equal numbers as possible, though through the course of the day one side can get outnumbered as players leave or one whole team joins one side (teams usually do not like being separated into different sides unless they’re a big team).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the start of the game day, it is usual to begin with a couple of short warm up skirmish games involving a simple head-on collision between both sides.<span style=""> </span>After that, it’s pretty much up to the organizers’ imagination.<span style=""> </span>Games can range from rescue the pilot/hostage, capture the flag or Alamo-type last stands.<span style=""> </span>Some games even have player respawn, meaning you just go back to your side’s base instead of the safe area and either touch the flag or wait a few minutes before joining the game again.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Games typically last between 15 to 30 minutes.<span style=""> </span>Longer games are possible, but not too common because newly arrived players or “dead” players don’t like to be kept waiting too long before the next game starts.<span style=""> </span>However, occasionally some teams host overnight games, commonly called bivouacs, in big sites.<span style=""> </span>There, the game starts and ends with a fixed time (e.g. 6 p.m. today until 8 a.m. the next day) so that combat are continuous. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bivouacs are part camping trip, part airsoft games.<span style=""> </span>It’s usually a chance for friends to live it up for a few hours with long range patrols into enemy territory, or to simply kick back and enjoy a few barbecues under the night sky.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Guns</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the attractions of airsoft is that the guns are 1:1 scale replicas of real firearms.<span style=""> </span>Many airsoft players try to inject a form of realism into the game, by dressing up to look like a soldier and of course having a gun that looks like its real world counterpart.<span style=""> </span>It’s difficult to dress up with a paintball gun since it’s very obvious that it looks nothing like what a real soldier would use.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">When airsoft first started, the guns were simple cock-and-shoots, where you had to charge the spring before being able to fire.<span style=""> </span>For shotguns, that meant pumping a round each time you fire, or for rifles, it meant pulling the charging handle every time.<span style=""> </span>After that, gas guns were developed, though it was a bit awkward carrying a small gas cylinder with a tube running to your gun.<span style=""> </span>It used to remind me of firemen or flamethrowers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the 90s, Tokyo Marui of Japan revolutionized airsoft by introducing the Automatic Electric Gun (AEG).<span style=""> </span>These types of airsoft guns housed rechargeable batteries powering an electric motor.<span style=""> </span>This electric motor would cycle a piston to expel compressed air and this compressed air would in turn propel the BB pellet outward.<span style=""> </span>With the miniaturization of working parts, later model AEGs became sleeker and more real looking.<span style=""> </span>Tokyo Marui also introduced the concept of high capacity magazines (commonly called “hi caps” for short), hundreds of BBs stored in a single magazine, instead of the stacked rounds of regular mags.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nowadays, it’s usually only pistols that use gas.<span style=""> </span>Some pistols have their slides retract during firing, to mimic the loading action of a real pistol.<span style=""> </span>These are called Gas Blow Backs (GBBs).<span style=""> </span>Other models just simply shoot without the slide retracting, thus they are called Non Blow Backs (NBB).<span style=""> </span>NBBs are generally sturdier than GBBs, but GBBs are still popular because of the realism of the moving slide.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some people convert air rifles to fire airsoft BBs.<span style=""> </span>However, more and more sites are banning the use of air rifle conversions because of the extremely high FPS generated by these conversions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Purchasing airsoft guns used to be quite expensive because Tokyo Marui (TM for short) dominated the airsoft market.<span style=""> </span>All this changed with the advent of ACM (All China Made) airsoft guns.<span style=""> </span>Getting into airsoft and getting the parts are now much cheaper.<span style=""> </span>Therefore, some guys get to accumulate a virtual armory of airsoft guns.<span style=""> </span>Some people buy airsoft guns according to their use (i.e. they have a CQB gun, a field gun, a “friendly” gun and a dress up gun), while others collect guns because they like that particular model or series.<span style=""> </span>It all depends on how much money you can spare for airsoft.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the real world, your specialty and mission determines the type of gun you would use.<span style=""> </span>For example, for hostage rescue, police SWAT would use MP-5s or M4s.<span style=""> </span>A sniper would use a Barrett 50 or some other bolt action rifle, and a designated marksman would use an M14 or accurized M16.<span style=""> </span>However for airsoft, beyond the external looks, all airsoft guns are fundamentally the same inside.<span style=""> </span>Differences in barrel length will dictate the maximum effective range, same as in the real world, but the difference is not that dramatic for airsoft.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In airsoft, one’s choice of guns is pretty much dependent on one’s taste and theme.<span style=""> </span>Some teams, for example, like to go with the M16 theme.<span style=""> </span>Others go for the SWAT look hence they use mostly MP5s.<span style=""> </span>Others like the AK47 better than the M16.<span style=""> </span>It’s all a matter of preference.<span style=""> </span>Terrain will still dictate the most efficient gun to use.<span style=""> </span>MP5s and M4s are better for CQB, while M14s and full size M16s are better for field games.<span style=""> </span>But don’t let these choices take precedence over what you really want to use.<span style=""> </span>I’ve seen guys with MP5s doing well in the field.<span style=""> </span>The important thing is that you’re happy and comfortable with your choice of airsoft gun.<span style=""> </span>If your gun fits your style of play then that will go a long way in letting you enjoy the game day regardless of what type of gun you use.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Gear</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Airsoft is as much a game of dress up as it is a type of war game, though some people go for the casual and rebel look.<span style=""> </span>However, the one NON-NEGOTIABLE item for airsoft is eye protection.<span style=""> </span>A hit to the arm can be painful but it’ll heal.<span style=""> </span>However, a hit to the eye, even from a cheap cock and shoot pistol, can still blind or at least damage the eye severely.<span style=""> </span>This is why all playing sites have the “no eye protection, no play” policy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The most common form of eye protection is the mesh goggles.<span style=""> </span>These are cheap and are available at any airsoft shop or seller.<span style=""> </span>As the name implies, it’s made usually of an aluminum or high impact plastic mesh covering the eyes, enclosed within a plastic frame or body.<span style=""> </span>Mesh goggles also usually come with a lower face plastic protector.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Standard goggles are also available.<span style=""> </span>They are slightly more expensive than mesh goggles but offer better protection because the eyes are fully encased.<span style=""> </span>With mesh goggles, high speed BBs can disintegrate when they hit the mesh, propelling small plastic fragments through the spaces in the mesh and into the eyes.<span style=""> </span>Goggles also provide better vision, especially in low light conditions. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">For those who can afford it, there are also milspec goggles available.<span style=""> </span>This is my preferred form of eye protection.<span style=""> </span>The price of one pair can already buy you one AEG, but between the price of the goggles and the cost of eye surgery in case the eyes get injured, the choice is clear for me.<span style=""> </span>Personally, I use <a href="http://www.essgoggles.com/">ESS Land Ops goggles</a>, which are in use with the US military.<span style=""> </span>It’s rated to stop shotgun pellets from at least 30 feet away, so definitely it’s more than enough for airsoft.<span style=""> </span>I just wash the lenses with hand soap every few games to prevent heavy fogging.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As to other protection for the head, it’s pretty much dependent on the player.<span style=""> </span>Some players go for the full head protection provided by paintball headgear while others simply use Oakley wraparound eye protection and leave the rest of the face bare.<span style=""> </span>It’s all a matter of style or preference.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For body wear, most people use BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform), usually patterned after their favorite military organization (e.g. MARPAT of the US Marines, flecktarn of the German Bundeswehr, etc.).<span style=""> </span>Again, it all depends on the theme that you or your team wants to project.<span style=""> </span>Some people simply wear a combat vest over civvies in order to replicate the PMC (Private Military Contractor) look.<span style=""> </span>But I prefer using BDUs because for one, they serve to camouflage me better and they offer more protection.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other protective gear include vests, neck guards, groin guards (a must for men, I believe), gloves, elbow and knee pads (useful in rocky terrain, believe me) and other tidbits that you may prefer.<span style=""> </span>Whether you’re willing to go the full monty, or advocate a minimalist approach to gear, it’s all a matter of how much weight you’re willing to carry or scars you’re willing to risk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Beyond the protective gear, some people carry radios, while others have a water bladder (e.g. Camelbak) with them.<span style=""> </span>Hydration is one thing many people underestimate, so for me you should be bringing as much water as you can.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One other item that is frequently overlooked is footwear.<span style=""> </span>When your feet are “killing you” then it’s hard to think of anything else except to rest.<span style=""> </span>That’s not a good thing when you’re out in the field playing.<span style=""> </span>Aside from the physical health of your feet, if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings then that’s the easiest way to get tagged.<span style=""> </span>So save yourself a few trips to the safe zone and invest in good footwear.<span style=""> </span>Hiking shoes are the best, because they’re good for almost all types of rough terrain.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Airsoft in the Philippines</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Airsoft made its way to the Philippines in the mid-1980s, pioneered by such groups as Action Games League (AGL) and Team Nemesis.<span style=""> </span>The hobby has largely been an underground activity mainly due to some legal impediments, particularly Letter of Instruction (LOI) 1264 that bans the importation, sale and public display of replica firearms.<span style=""> </span>However, owning an airsoft gun is not banned, so this impacts more on importers and sellers.<span style=""> </span>Still, there have been some cases where airsoft players were accosted by police because the airsoft guns were mistaken for real firearms, though the players are usually let go with a simple reminder to keep the guns well hidden to avoid attracting attention.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Interest in airsoft has waxed and waned over the years, but the hobby has proven very resilient and in fact experienced an upsurge in players due to the introduction of cheaper airsoft guns made in China sometime in 2004, commonly referred to as ACM (All China Made) airsoft guns.<span style=""> </span>Furthermore, the increase in the airsoft population meant that people with some influence have managed to join the hobby.<span style=""> </span>Thus, there are now moves spearheaded by these people in the community to provide a measure of protection to airsoft players via the PNP Implementing Rules and Regulations, which as of this writing will soon be approved.<span style=""> </span>Through this measure, it is hoped that airsoft can become a more open hobby for people to enjoy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another benefit of the increase in the airsoft community is the increasing awareness of the hobby and thus psychological acceptance among non-players.<span style=""> </span>Now, instead of automatically assuming that any group of “armed” individuals roaming an empty lot are either a robbery gang or rogue military personnel, people tend to take a second look first instead of immediately calling the police.<span style=""> </span>Airsoft has also been increasingly featured in media such as in several investigative television news shows and in newspapers and magazines.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is my sincere hope, and most likely the hope of the rest of the community as well, that airsoft would become so accepted in the Philippines that direct manufacturers (such as Classic Army of Hong Kong or Tokyo Marui of Japan) can even set up a store in the mall, and that there can be more airsoft shops opened so that the guns and parts will be easier to acquire and the prices even further lowered.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">On Enjoying Airsoft</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For me, airsoft is one of the few activities that have something for everyone.<span style=""> </span>Many people have different reasons for playing airsoft.<span style=""> </span>Some are milsim (military simulation) nuts that require as much accuracy to real world gear and tactics as possible (including the use of regular mags instead of hi caps to reduce noise signature when moving).<span style=""> </span>Some are casual players who are just in it because of their friends, or just to get the exercise.<span style=""> </span>Others buy airsoft guns just for collection purposes, while others are diehard techies who tinker endlessly with their guns or dress up their guns.<span style=""> </span>Some people like to get into a team, while others prefer to go the lone wolf route.<span style=""> </span>Whatever your main purpose for getting into airsoft, there’s a niche for you.</p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >One advice though, try to be sensitive to your co-players because differing philosophies can result in conflict during discussions.<span style=""> </span>I’ve witnessed, for example, a case within a team where there was a group of milsim fanatics who wanted to really train in tactics and movement, while another group within the same team was under the casual player category and questioned the need for training.<span style=""> </span>This created a lot of conflict and led to the break up of the team.<span style=""> </span>So make sure you understand your own reasons for playing, but don’t necessarily impose your own reasons on others.<span style=""> </span>In any case, the most important thing is that whatever your reasons for going into airsoft, you’re an honest player.<span style=""> </span>That way, everyone gets to enjoy the day.</span>ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-30081685598133184052007-04-10T13:51:00.000+08:002007-04-11T11:30:18.671+08:00"Holy Week" or "holy week!"?Our house is located right at the border of our village. Beyond the border are squatters' homes and other low-income households. I remember when I was a kid, even 2 weeks before Holy Week we would hear the singsong sounds of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Pabasa</span> over a couple of loudspeakers. It was sometimes irritating, because the mournful sounds would go on all through the night, but most of the time it was just a background reminder that another long weekend was coming. In the time before the Internet, it also served as a distraction from the monotony of waiting through the Holy Week.<br /><br />Now, I don't hear the <span style="font-style: italic;">Pabasa</span> at all. Instead, loud music comes from boom boxes in different households, or sometimes just the normal sounds of the metropolis. Perhaps the neighborhood has changed, or most likely the people in them have changed. It's a bit disconcerting that a predominantly Catholic country like ours would find one of its holiest days relegated to something as simple as an extended weekend.<br /><br />I remember the admonitions that one shouldn't eat meat, shouldn't take a bath on Good Friday, and countless other restrictions that do not seem to be followed by the majority nowadays. Now, it's more common to head over to the beach or hang out at home than participate in religious activities.<br /><br />Just this past Holy Week my wife and I went back to her hometown of Lucena and I was surprised that even in a provincial city, there were a couple of eateries and establishments that were open even on a Good Friday. There was a time that even in Manila, Holy Week would make the streets a ghost town and too bad for you if you didn't have enough groceries to last the distance.<br /><br />Is this really the price for progress and modernity? Admittedly, I'm also a victim of the times and I'm certainly no devout parishoner. However, all the religious activities during Holy Week are part and parcel of our history and our identity as a people and I can't help but feel some small concern that we are losing a part of ourselves as we get more enamored of "modern" pleasures.<br /><br />Perhaps it's the stress of living that we all feel for most part of the year. So that even a few days off would be golden before going back to the <span style="font-style: italic;">penitensya</span> of ordinary life and work. I guess it really is ironic that everyday life would be considered a burden, so that the commemoration of Christ's crucifixion, death and most importantly, His resurrection becomes a footnote in our minds. But when I watched <span style="font-style: italic;">The Passion of the Christ</span>, I could not help but wonder what <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> the value of our whole droll existence when compared to what Christ went through? And what would it say of us that such a sacrifice was paid back by a few days of frolicking in the beach, drinking beer and eating <span style="font-style: italic;">sisig</span> like crazy?<br /><br />I guess we would know if our transformation would be complete if Maundy Thursday and Good Friday would not be considered holidays anymore (just like in the U.S.). In any case, dark as it may seem, it's really something to think on for the rest of the year.ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-32977120096884407982007-03-30T23:30:00.000+08:002008-01-15T10:01:52.697+08:00Exploring Arnis Rapado<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7618/borba3ht5.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7618/borba3ht5.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">There are many styles of Filipino martial arts, running the gamut from spears and swords, all the way to grappling and empty hand techniques. The differences usually lie on the emphasis of techniques. These differences are usually apparent from region to region, but more often than not, styles can evolve among different instructors depending on their personal interpretation of the art, even among those who studied under the same master. This is not necessarily a bad thing because it shows that the art is adaptive and vibrant, but it can make identifying a style particularly confusing.<br /><br />Right now, I'm going to focus on one particular style called <i>Arnis Rapado</i>, developed by Guro Limuel "Maning" Bonsa. Guro Bonsa was born in Albay in the Bicol region. He studied under several arnis masters in Bicol before moving to Manila in 1974, hence Arnis Rapado is heavily influenced by Bicol arnis. In fact, <i>rapado</i> is a Bicolano word meaning “to hit.” Aside from teaching, Guro Bonsa expanded his repertoire by studying other arnis styles under several grandmasters like Ernesto Presas (Kombatan / Modern Arnis), Jose Mena (<i>Arnis Doblete Raperon</i> and <i>Arka</i>) and Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo (<i>Kali Ilustrisimo</i>).<br /><br />All in all, Guro Bonsa has more than 30 solid years of experience in the martial arts. These are experiences gained not only in the training hall, but in the street as well. In the provinces, it is not uncommon that when one is learned in arnis, one would receive challenges from gangs (either singly or as one whole group) or from other <i>arnisadors</i>.<br /><br />Guro Bonsa did not limit himself to just arnis, but has also mastered Karate, Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan. All of his experiences were distilled into his expression of the art, called Arnis Rapado.<br /><br />Arnis Rapado is more of traditional, as opposed to tournament, arnis. Techniques are simple and direct to the point, emphasizing the quickest and most efficient way to defend oneself, because what may work in the tournament does not necessarily translate into the street. Like other styles, Arnis Rapado teaches students to use one or two sticks for self defense. However, Arnis Rapado emphasizes ambidextrous familiarity with each technique, meaning a practitioner should be able to execute a particular technique either with the left or the right hand. Guro Bonsa says this is important because one never knows if one will need to use the "off hand" in a fight. It will also help to mentally prepare the student to face any opponent regardless of whether the opponent is left-handed or right-handed.<br /><br />Like other styles of traditional arnis, Arnis Rapado also teaches blade work, such as single sword, sword and dagger, and single dagger techniques. Guro Bonsa is also one of the few masters that include balisong (butterfly knife) and knife throwing in his training methodology. All in all, Arnis Rapado contributes to the wealth of Filipino martial arts available to us by preserving the original intent of the art while introducing innovations that train the student to handle different self-defense situations.</p>ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-24831001987619193532007-03-29T23:49:00.000+08:002007-04-09T13:01:03.850+08:00The white, white sands of Boracay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/182/dscn0155qj6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/182/dscn0155qj6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My wife and I got married on December 2006, but we decided to defer our honeymoon to Valentine's Day. Valentine's is a bit significant for us because that's also when I proposed to her (okay, not exactly on Valentine's Day, but it was our Valentine's dinner so it's practically the same). We decided to to have our honeymoon in Boracay, primarily because we hadn't been there yet.<br /><br />At first it sounded so cliche to go to Boracay. After all, EVERYONE was going or has gone to Boracay. It's one of the most advertised beaches in the Philippines (in Pinoy terms, <span style="font-style: italic;">gasgas na siya</span>). Not to mention which, I've also heard the stories about how Boracay was becoming overdeveloped and overcrowded. However, we had to try it at least once, so the decision was set.<br /><br />Boy, I'm sure glad we went to Boracay, because we really enjoyed our stay there. Although our guide mentioned that it wasn't as rustic and peaceful as it used to be, being new to the area, Boracay was still charming enough that we want to go back.<br /><br />It all started with a search in the Internet for honeymoon packages for Boracay. I wasn't familiar with the place and I was a bit pressed for time because I was in the middle of wedding preparations then. This wasn't the most cost efficient way to go about it, but it was the best I could do at the time. Luckily, I was able to find one such package and <a href="http://www.cebupacificair.com/">Cebu Pacific</a> had this great promo ticket price. So I made the reservations, paid the bills and all we had to do was wait for the day itself.<br /><br />Boracay Island is located at the northwestern tip of Panay Island, in the province of Aklan. According to our guide, a Japanese survey team discovered that Boracay island itself is just perched on top of the ocean shelf. Well, we better hope there's no strong sideways earthquake that will dislodge the island.<br /><br />There are actually two ways to get to Boracay, either by sea or by air. I would have preferred the sea route because it's more relaxed and scenic, but we only had a few days, so we had to fly in. One can either fly to Kalibo or arrive at Caticlan which is closer to Boracay Island. However, Caticlan Airport is small, so only propeller planes can service the area. I've heard how riding in a propeller plane can be like riding a roller coaster. Not feeling like a bronco on rodeo day, we chose to fly to the much farther Kalibo Airport. For me, an Airbus beats a prop plane any time of the day.<br /><br />Upon arriving at Kalibo, we took a 1-1/2 hour bus ride to the port of Caticlan. There wasn't much traffic and the route was scenic enough, so the travel time was worthwhile. After a short boat ride, we were finally there, in Boracay!<br /><br />After checking in at Club Manila East, we basically went around the shops to explore the place. We ate a late lunch at a nice seafood place called Paradiso Grill. We bought a few trinkets and after that basically rested until it was time for dinner.<br /><br />Come night time, the beach front changes face. All the nice lights come out and the music starts playing. One thing I liked was that the restaurants would set up tables and chairs, so that one can have dinner just a few feet from the surf. Others even had matting and pillows so that one can really lounge on the ground while having a few beers with friends. All in all, it was a very comfy setting.<br /><br />We finally decided to eat at this Mexican-themed restaurant (the name of which I unfortunately forgot), primarily because there weren't many people plus there was some nice music playing. I liked the ambience and it would be a perfect place for a Valentine's dinner. We ordered some burritos (big servings, these) and whiled the night away.<br /><br />Admittedly, the beachfront places were a bit pricey, though not exhorbitant. There are cheaper eating places further into the interior, but we had to experience the beachfront food places at least once.<br /><br />One thing I have to say is that although it was technically the peak season, the beaches weren't that crowded. There were enough people for the beach not to feel isolated or empty, but not so much that one would feel crowded. I preferred it this way, because a few years ago I had experienced going to Puerto Galera during Holy Week and navigating the beach there felt like going through Divisoria.<br /><br />On our second day at Boracay, we went on an island-hopping tour. It was an additional cost, but we might as well see as much of the area as we could. We first went to this fish feeding area. It reminded me of feeding fish in our aquarium back home, but the sea spray and rocking boat really made the home experience rather drab by comparison. Next we went to Crystal Cove island to visit some nice caves. After that we had to cut the trip short because the waves were a bit strong and my wife was getting nervous, but it was still a nice experience. <br /><br />After the island-hopping experience, we had lunch at this place called La Isla Bonita. They had rooms and cottages but they also had a small restaurant that served affordable but sumptuous food. I practically gorged myself there (to the horror of my wife). Most of the time we were pretty much just soaking in the sights.<br /><br />The place really holds a lot of potential. One can just spend all day soaking it up on the beach, or if that's no one's fancy, visiting the various shops or restaurants in the area. I really believe that Boracay has a little something for everyone.<br /><br />At least I now know about how to make the trip more affordable. There's nothing like actually being there to find out. This way, we can spend more days there and do a lot more activities. For first timers, I also recommend getting a simple guide book like Boracay: The Island Guide (available at any National Bookstore). It contains a lot of information from hotels (arranged according to room rates), to eating places and trivia about the island.<br /><br />Here's looking forward to our next trip to Boracay!ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-27704994182217499472007-03-27T20:49:00.000+08:002007-03-27T21:55:41.592+08:00How I met my wife through FriendsterIt's amazing what the Internet can do these days. From a simple means to exchange information, it has become almost as indispensible as the telephone. Along with Napster, Bit Torrent, Yahoo and several pioneering concepts, Friendster probably ranks among them for its impact on the Internet and people's lives.<br /><br />I've already heard of people touching base via chat or via dating sites, with some people ending up on the altar because of that. But I never thought much about Friendster and why people were so crazy about it. I eventually joined because my friends were pestering me about it (and how many months of pestering that was), but I thought it was all a fad, until I actually met my wife through Friendster.<br /><br />It wasn't as anonymous as it sounds. We were already introduced a couple of years ago by a common friend. My date was from the province, but was working in Manila. Normally, I'm skeptical of blind dates due to some past unfavorable experiences with the process. Thankfully, this one turned out fine but I was too busy with work and wasn't ready for a relationship yet, so nothing really happened after two dates and we lost touch.<br /><br />Fast forward to the middle of 2005. I don't know for what particular reason, but I felt that I was "ready" to get into a serious commitment. At least, I felt I was as ready as anyone could be for something that could lead to the life changing status called marriage. The problem, of course, was who I was going to share my life with.<br /><br />My thoughts turned back to that blind date I had a few years ago. Unfortunately, I had lost my notebook of contacts (sorry, no Palm Pilot for me) , where I had written her contact details. Even the common friend who introduced us lost her contact details. After hitting myself on the head about the seeming hopelessness of it all, I came upon a shot in the dark idea: Friendster.<br /><br />I reasoned that since many people were into Friendster, chances were high that she would have a Friendster account herself. The only challenge was to find her profile. So I tried to remember every detail I could about her like where she studied, her hometown, her age, etc. Luckily, Friendster could conduct searches based on those parameters. <br /><br />After 3 days of diligent cross-searching, I noticed that one profile kept coming up. At first I wasn't sure it was her because all the pictures in her profile were that of a Korean actress (a case against not posting your real picture in Friendster). But, there was nothing to lose, so I sent a private message anyway. After one day, she replied and it was indeed her! It turns out she had returned to the province, but she still goes to Manila occassionally. Soon after that first contact, we would go out during her trips to Manila and chat a lot during the times she was in the province.<br /><br />Pretty soon, we officially became a couple and a little over a year later, we got happily married. I never thought I'd be part of a unique story such as this, but there it is, all because of Friendster. It really does help you to reconnect with old friends! How's that for a product that delivers?<br /><br />I'm still not as hardcore into Friendster as other people are, but neither do I think that it's a pointless fad anymore. Sometimes you get something out of the most unexpected places, and my experience with Friendster proves it. Just like what Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get."ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-64568147121342284292007-03-24T22:44:00.000+08:002007-03-27T22:09:44.038+08:00300 and the Battle of ThermopylaeWhoever coined the term "gratuitous violence" must have had a premonition of the movie 300. And you certainly get your money's worth watching the film. I'm sure all the girls (and gays) were ecstatic over the ripped abs and muscles of the Spartans ("Yummy!" as one of my girl friends exclaimed), and makes us guys wish we spent more time in the gym. The excellent cinematography and slow motion /stop frames during key fight scenes also make one feel as if one is watching a graphic novel come to life.<br /><br />But beyond the beefcake and the special effects, how closely does the movie emulate the historical Battle of Thermopylae? For sure the monsters and deformed entities in the movie weren't there in the real battle, but what else was historical and what else is creative license?<br /><br />Well, I'll try to list and compare them here but I would advise you to watch the movie first to avoid any spoilers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Xerxes' demands</span><br /><br />The first part of the movie shows a Persian messenger barging into the city of Sparta demanding "earth and water" as a sign of obeisance to Xerxes, with King Leonidas and his men later kicking the messenger and his escort into a deep well.<br /><br />The demand of giving "earth and water" was an actual Persian custom when calling for the submission of subject peoples or about-to-be-attacked kingdoms. As to the Persian messenger being kicked into the well, according to Herodotus' <a href="http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodotus/logoi.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Histories</span></a>, such incidents did occur but not in the same context as portrayed in the movie. Apparently, Darius (Xerxes' father) had sent messengers to Athens and Sparta 11 years prior to the Battle of Thermopylae demanding earth and water. In both Athens and Sparta, the messengers were hurled into pits, with the implicit message that if the Persian ruler wanted earth and water, the messengers could get them in the pits. Therefore, by the time of Xerxes, he had sent similar demands of earth and water to the other Greek towns and cities but not to Athens and Sparta, who had made their positions clear during the reign of Darius.<br /><br />The actual history is about the Greek city-states, led by Athens and Sparta, banding together in order to stop the Persian invasion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Thermopylae</span><br /><br />There is such a place as Thermopylae and the topography as depicted in the movie more or less corresponds to the real thing. The pass at Themopylae was an east-west track so narrow that chariots could only pass one at a time. It was a natural chokepoint on which to establish a defensive line.<br /><br />There were three natural chokepoints along the track called "gates" or <span style="font-style: italic;">pylai</span> with the center gate having a wall constructed a century prior to the Battle of Thermopylae. To the north would be the sea, to the south would be cliffs and mountains. The Persians were coming from the west, so from the perspective of the Spartan soldiers, the sea would be to their right and the cliffs to their left, as was depicted in the movie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. King Leonidas</span><br /><br />King Leonidas was actually one of two hereditary kings of Sparta. Yes, Sparta practiced dual kingship, but since this is not a thesis about Spartan society, I'm not going to go into that in detail here.<br /><br />Leonidas believed he was going to his doom, thus for his picked bodyguard of 300 Spartans, he only chose those who had fathered children, ensuring that their legacies lived on despite their deaths (depicted in the movie). It is said that Leonidas' actions were due to a prophecy by the Oracle, saying that Sparta must sacrifice one of its two kings else Sparta would burn to the ground.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. The defenders of the pass</span><br /><br />Although the 300 Spartans did in fact play a big role in the defense of Thermopylae, they did not do it entirely alone. As mentioned earlier, the forces opposing the Persian armies were a collection of Greek city-states. Thus other cities contributed small numbers of soldiers (not just the Arcadians depicted in the movie) for a total between 7,000 to 10,000 men defending the pass. According to accounts, the battle happened during the time of the Olympic games, that's why the different cities could not send their full strength of warriors to Thermopylae (an interesting set of priorities, if you ask me).<br /><br />It is said that Leonidas assigned troops to the front line in relays so that there were always fresh troops facing the enemy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Size of the Persian army</span><br /><br />Xerxes invaded Greece in order to punish the Athenians, Naxians and Eretrians for interfering in the Ionian revolt and the Persian defeat at the Battle of Marathon, which cost the Persian Empire a big chunk of territory. Therefore, Xerxes stacked the odds in his favor by building the largest army that he could muster.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eretria" title="Eretria"></a><br /><br />Historians still debate the exact number of Persian troops, but numbers between 2 million to 5 million have been thrown about. The Immortals were also an actual unit, and they were the personal bodyguard of the Persian emperor. They numbered 10,000 men and it is said that casualties in the ranks are immediately replaced, hence the number of troops always remains the same (giving rise to the thought that the warriors must be immortal in order to retain their numbered strength). Whatever the actual number of Persian troops may have been, it was definitely enough to make the Greeks worried and make Leonidas foresee his doom. Enough said.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. The Battle</span><br /><br />As was graphically portrayed in the movie, waves and waves of frontal assaults failed to budge the Greek line. The Greek hoplites with their heavier arms and armor and fighting in phalanx formation (the premiere tactical formation of that era) kept throwing the Persian soldiers back. Even the Immortals could not break them. They could probably have held on indefinitely if not for the betrayal of Ephialtes (see below).<br /><br />I must say, totally contrary to the eye candy portrayed in the movie, the Greeks did not all fight bare-chested. During the time of the Greco-Persian war, the fighting equipment of a typical Greek hoplite consisted of a spear and sword, plus a helm, greaves, a large round shield called an<span style="font-style: italic;"> aspis</span>, and torso armor called the <span style="font-style: italic;">linothorax</span> (it was a cuirass made of layers of linen glued together).<br /><br />Of course, graphical attraction is a huge staple for the success of a movie, hence it's understandable that the movie would portray the Spartans as ripped and proud to show it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Betrayal of Ephialtes</span><br /><br />After 2 days of continuous combat, Xerxes was at wits end on how to break through the pass. At this point, a local Greek named Ephialtes revealed the existence of a path through the mountains that would lead to the encirclement of the Greeks. Ephialtes was motivated by the promise of wealth, and this was aptly portrayed in the movie. Today, the name Ephialtes is synonymous with "traitor" in Greek. This was alluded to in the movie when Leonidas told Ephialtes, "May you live forever", meaning may his name be remembered forever in infamy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. The Last Stand</span><br /><br />After learning that the Immortals were about to encircle them, Leonidas dismissed most of the army except for his 300 Spartans. What the movie does not show is that 700 Thespians elected to stay as well, including about 1,000 to 2,000 Helots (Spartan slaves) and a handful of Thebans held against their will.<br /><br />It is said that during this last stand, the Greeks sallied and assaulted the Persian line in order to take as many of the enemy as they could before they died. King Leonidas died in this assault (as opposed to the movie that showed him as the last man standing). The remaining Greeks retreated to a hill, ferociously defending Leonidas' body until they were finally felled by ranks and ranks of Persian archers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Battle of Plataea</span><br /><br />There were many concurrent and subsequent battles during and after the Battle of Thermopylae. But as mentioned in the movie, at the Battle of Plataea the remainder of the Persian army was defeated by a full force Spartan army at the head of a pan-Greek army. This battle effectively ended the Greco-Persian war.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Other interesting points</span><br /><br />a. In the movie, the Spartan Stelios says, "Good, then we shall fight under the shade" in response to a Persian boast that their arrows would blot out the sun. The actual name of that Spartan is Dienekes, said to be the bravest of the 300 Spartans in Thermopylae.<br /><br />b. Also in the movie, David Wenham portrays a Spartan who has lost an eye and is thus dismissed by Leonidas in order to tell their story. What actually happened is that Aristodemus and a fellow Spartan named Eurytus both developed eye infections, leading Leonidas to dismiss them and send them back. However, Eurytus went back and though blind, charged the enemy and met his end at Thermopylae.<br /><br />Due to this, Aristodemus was regarded as a coward for returning alive and was shunned by his compatriots. At the Battle of Plataea, Aristodemus fought viciously (this is the final scene in the movie), thus redeeming himself in the eyes of the Spartans. But he was not awarded any special honors because he fought with suicidal recklessness instead of fighting with the will to live, which the Spartans accorded more honor (huh, so what was Thermopylae, then?).<br /><br />c. Aside from Aristodemus, another Spartan named Pantites survived Thermopylae. Leonidas sent him as an embassy to Thessaly but Pantites failed to return to Thermopylae in time for the battle. Due to this he was disgraced in Sparta and thus hanged himself.<br /><br />David Wenham's character seems to have combined the missions of Aristodemus and Pantites (sent away due to eye injury and as ambassador to the council). It would give the movie a bad ending if the disgrace of being a survivor was portrayed, so it's understandable that there's a different ending for that movie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusion</span><br /><br />All in all, though there are differences with the actual history, the point of the movie is to entertain, which it does excellently. Still, it's sometimes interesting to see the differences between the history and the movie portrayal. Which reminds me, I better sign up for some melee combat lessons while I'm at it!ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130640287308873916.post-64016081868142069642007-03-12T15:44:00.000+08:002007-03-12T16:11:21.222+08:00How I got into BloggingI did it for the simplest of reasons...everyone else was doing it. Now, I know the adage about "Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't make it a good thing" and the warnings against fads. But with thousands of blogs being created everyday, blogging has graduated into something that's a big part of our daily lives. That may sound strange coming from someone who got into blogging as "late" as I have, but you could also say that's how big the impact of blogging has become that it would convince someone like me to get into it.<br /><br />Being the introvert that I am, I found it weird that people would share sometimes their innermost thoughts publicly, something like an online voyeur with the world as audience. But eventually, I saw that blogging was a healthy way for people to vent off steam or offer a venue to display their writing talents or share their interests with a much wider audience. Of course, sometimes blogging can get you into trouble (in the United States, there were several cases of employees getting fired for blogging stuff about their employers) but overall, blogging has managed to offer the everyday person a means to express oneself without needing to be a public speaker or journalist. How's that for kicking off your plans of world domination, eh?<br /><br />So how did blogging emerge from nowhere to become the biggest mania since Michael Jackson? Well, it didn't exactly come from "nowhere". Just like everything about the Internet, the "blog" started out as the simple web log, a means of sharing information and links with a small community or group. Pretty handy when technicians are located thousands of miles apart yet need to work together on a project.<br /><br />However, towards the late 90s, blogs slowly transformed themselves into personal means of expression. With the explosion of the Web, these online journals became more accessible. And with the creation of blog sites that allow even non-technical people to create and maintain their own blogs, the dam broke and now almost anyone has a blog.<br /><br />This reminds me of the progress of the cellphone market in the Philippines. As far as the late 90s, cellphones were for the priveleged few who were assigned a unit at work or had enough money to buy their own cellphone. And then Globe introduced text messaging and from then on the cost of cellphones had steadily dropped and cheap pre-paid and post-paid plans sprung up until millions of Filipinos now own at least one cellphone. Now, one would almost feel naked without it. I shudder to think of the day when people feel withdrawal symptoms if they don't get to blog. Hmm...moderation is the key!ShrapNelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10201474239138305656noreply@blogger.com0