Here's a thread that I posted on the
www.filairsoft.com board.
have been attending this almost every year. What made this year unique was the apperance of Filipino reenactors.
This is the first time I attended on a Sunday. I watched the usual openning parade of the participants. And then this group caught my eye. The Spanish-American War reenactors. I've seen them before but this was the first time I saw a Katipunero. Here's the picture of them during the parade. On the far left is the Katipunero carrying the black flag.
As the parade progressed. I checked out the Bataan Reenactors. Lo and behold, there's another Filipino. He is right smack in the middle. I know this guy during my 6th scale collecting period. His name is Philip Garcia.
After the parade, the first reenactment demonstration was the Spanish-American War. In this reenactment, the US Rough Riders are up against the Spanish and the Filipinos. Here are the 'bad guys'.
Here's the lone Katipunero on top of the hill, awaiting the onslaught.
Here are the attacking group, definitely outclassing the defenders.
After the Spanish-American War reenactment, I made my way to look for Philip Garcia. On my way there, I encountered some excellent impressions. Here they are:
A World War II French Legionaire
A World War II Luftwaffe Officer
And some Iwo Jima reenactors
Finally, I caught up with Philip. Here he is with the Philippine flag. Great picture. Note in the background, his customized 6th Scale Figures. Philip is known to customize the Dragon figures into Philippine themed historical figures.
Philip then took me to the Spanish-American War reenactor's camp and introduced me to the other Filipino reenactors. Here they are, left to right: Philip Garcia, Frank Lopez and Teddy Ortega.
She was in a group with these other cuties doing a photo op with a vintage jeep.
But my favorite was this brunette. She's quite stunning.
Ahem....anyway, back to the Filipino reenactors. I later chanced upon a real Filipino hero in the form of Retired Brigadier General Antonio Ortega. Who, in World War II received a Silver Star commissioned by General Douglas MacArthur. Here's a poster detailing the other awards he received.
And here he is in the flesh with one of his reenactor sons, left to right: Ray Ortega, Antonio Ortega and Philip Garcia.
We later had them pose with an artillery piece in the background while carrying their colors.
Here's a great reenactment photo op. General Douglas MacArthur decorating the retired Brigadier General.
And here's the proud warrior.
We later got to pose with Gunny R Lee Ermey. The other Filipino reenactor wearing shorts is the other son of Brigadier Gen Ortega, Manny Ortega.
Before I left the event, I got introduced to another Filipino reenactor who flew all the way from Tacoma Washington to participate in the Fort MacArthur Days. His name is Arturo Garcia who can trace his lineage to the time of Katipuneros.
All in all, it was very encouraging for me to meet the Filipino reenactors. I can wear a uniform that I can say is part of my history. I hope I can join them later.
