The “Ides of Marvember” Florida State Championship 2020 was my first “big” match and two unexpected things happened to me during those two days. The first was a disappointing one (and is documented in my video of the match) but the second was a fun one.
I had never been to a SASS-related banquet, but had a general idea that I needed to dress up a little bit so I scrounged around my closet and Amazon Prime to piece together an outfit that vaguely coordinated and seemed appropriate for the theme. As I walked in to the Elks Lodge, I was asked by several friends whether I was planning to enter the costume contest. I was not aware of this contest or how it worked — let alone planning to participate — but was eventually convinced to get in line for it.
As we waited, I marveled at the quality and detail of the other contestants' ensembles. I became self-conscious of my relatively simple outfit, then began to wonder what exactly this line was for and why it was taking longer than I expected for [what I thought was] a brief costume viewing and judging. Realtree — who ended up in line behind me, handsomely dressed to the nines as expected — then informed me that the judging process not only evaluated your outfit, but the “story” behind it. I asked, “Wait, you’re supposed to have a story?!?” to which he calmly replied, “Don’t worry about it. Just tell them that this is your first time and everything will be fine. Unless, of course, you want to think of a story right now or something.”
At this point, it was almost my turn and I had only a few moments to come up with something. I’m glad that Realtree warned me though because I had just finished concocting a background story as the door opened and I was called in for my judging. Let me tell you: That process was almost about as stressful as any school/job interview or board licensure examination that I’ve experienced so far! Anyway, I told the judges my story, thanked them for their time, then made my way to join everyone for dinner.
Fast forward to the awards ceremony: I was caught off-guard when my alias was called for the “Town Gent” Costume Contest award. I honestly did not expect to win especially when compared to the other contestants’ exquisite outfits, but apparently the judges liked my story.
Realtree requested that I share the “Town Gent Story” in a blog (and it’s the least I can do in return for his extremely helpful tip 😜) so here is what I had come up with:
They call me the Santa Rosa Slinger. I come from the Philippines where I was a physician in a small, quiet provincial town that I decided to settle in after obtaining my education overseas. We didn’t have much there, but we did have a wonderful community of people who worked hard and made simple, honest livings for themselves and their families.
However, everything changed when the revolution broke out. It devastated our town and forced me from my job, my home, and my family. I thought about seeking refuge back in Spain, but feared that I would be viewed as a “rebel” upon my arrival. I tried finding a new home elsewhere in the islands, but was met with suspicion and hostility as if I was a “loyalist” because of my ties abroad. With no other option, I got on the first ship out that would accept me. It brought me to San Francisco, where I started a new life with the few belongings that I could bring with me.
Gradually, I found work doing odd jobs until I could afford to buy respectable enough clothes to begin marketing myself as a physician again. Though my clothes did not always fit or even match, it was enough for me to gain the trust of the community and the confidence in myself to return to my profession.
Though I am settling into my new life here in America, every day I am reminded of my family and my former life with these cufflinks (*shows shirt sleeves*) that were given to me by my grandmother when I first returned and began my practice in that small town. Though I had to leave behind so much in my homeland, I knew I had to save at least these cufflinks to remind me of where I came from, who I am, and what I want to become.
P.S. This story, though fictional, came to me easily because it was loosely based on actual events. My own grandmother really did give me these cufflinks after I graduated from medical school... and I just so happened to be wearing them at the banquet because they're the only ones I currently own! 😅 My grandmother was also a physician in the Philippines but she and her family (including my mother, who was just a young girl at the time) had to emigrate due to political unrest during the Marcos regime. They first arrived and lived in San Francisco before eventually relocating to the east coast where I was born. And yes, my grandmother is aware of my cowboy shenanigans and the role she ended up having in this story! 🤠
Excellent story!! Congratulations! I was Chosen to my surprise as the western town lady with my vaquero style ladies right outfit. My store was not as clever as yours, but I filled in many blanks with recent and past events in my life🤠 Love Cowboy Action Shooting, but love the costuming!!
Thank you, and congratulations as well! I agree: I knew I would love the shooting aspect of our game... but the costuming and the people (and the friendships we form with them) make CAS simply extraordinary!
I was one of the judges, and I was impressed. The story of the Philippine Insurrection and General Funston’s betrayal of Aguinaldo and his Patriots is a part of American history that is largely ignored and forgotten. I am glad you are around in SASS to keep that chapter alive in our memories. ... View MoreI was one of the judges, and I was impressed. The story of the Philippine Insurrection and General Funston’s betrayal of Aguinaldo and his Patriots is a part of American history that is largely ignored and forgotten. I am glad you are around in SASS to keep that chapter alive in our memories. Most people only know of the part of the Philippine Insurrection, sometimes called the Philippine-American War, where the .45 caliber M-1911 played a critical role. But by then the issues of self-government had been settled with the Rebels, and the new enemy emerged in the form of the Moros, who attacked both Filipinos and Americans.
Thank you for the kind words, Captain Blaster! I think we may have only shot together once or twice prior to me seeing you as a judge at the Ides, but it was a pleasant surprise to see you there in that capacity.
The history of the Philippine Revolution and the subsequent events around the turn of ... View MoreThank you for the kind words, Captain Blaster! I think we may have only shot together once or twice prior to me seeing you as a judge at the Ides, but it was a pleasant surprise to see you there in that capacity.
The history of the Philippine Revolution and the subsequent events around the turn of the 20th century are of personal interest to me since my one of my ancestors, Julian Felipe, was a contemporary of Aguinaldo and the Katipunan. He was commissioned by Aguinaldo to compose an official military march for the independence movement to use, and that music was later used as the basis of the current Philippine national anthem "Lupang Hinirang." I enjoyed the opportunity to pay some homage to various bits of relevant family history through my SASS character and story!
While my interest in the Philippine Insurrection is much less personal, I started researching it when I started getting involved with Wild Bunch shooting. I wanted to know the history of the M-1911, not only because I was developing a costume for Wild Bunch, but because I carried one for most of m... View MoreWhile my interest in the Philippine Insurrection is much less personal, I started researching it when I started getting involved with Wild Bunch shooting. I wanted to know the history of the M-1911, not only because I was developing a costume for Wild Bunch, but because I carried one for most of my military career. I was chagrined to learn how Funston betrayed Aguinaldo, but came to understand why the MacArthurs were such revered figures in the R.P.
