Paintball Saturday

The thing about working with an all-boys team is that you often find yourself taking extreme shots and saying yes to risky, crazy ball games. In a word: paintball.

 

As always, adrenaline was high in the office as we were in the middle of mounting two big events. Our calendar was jam-packed, the march of deadlines unstoppable. For me, the more sensible thing to do would have been to double time, juggle or dance the tango. But, as I have discovered and come to respect, boys have a different way of fighting deadlines and stress.  That’s why, I suppose, with too many balls flying in the air, one of the boys finally shot out an email and yelled, “Paintball!”

As they would tell you, paintball is the perfect way to relieve stress and shoot the blues away without actually killing each other. Hmm, I had my doubts about that. They got me, however, when they said it’s a great exercise to strategize and focus the mind. Practice for teamwork. Why not? It was the perfect time. Nothing like backbites and catfights, yeah? Bring it on!  

So one hot Saturday afternoon, 7 adrenaline junkies assembled at the WEBOSS Extreme Grounds, a relatively new 1,000 square meter paintball facility in Tarona Compound Holy Family Village 1 in Banilad. They cater to 6 -10 players per game. For P350/head, you have free use of the gears and free 50 balls each with a maximum 4-hour play.

Of course, being a practical girl, I just had to spend the whole previous night reading paintball stories on the net, researching the dos and don’ts of the game and finding out what I was really getting into. Like you, or any first-time paintball player, I needed to resolve some questions in my mind. 

What is Paintball?

Paintball, just like airsoft, is an extreme sport. The rules are simple - shoot without getting shot. The players divide themselves into teams. The main objective is to mark and eliminate members of the other team from the game. In reality, when you shoot, you kill. But here you use only paintball markers and colored pellets, which could sting upon skin contact, but are basically safe, if you wear the proper gear and clothing.

What do you need?

Before we were released into the field, the Weboss guide/referee conducted a brief session on safety measures and how to properly use the paintball basics. Paintballs are the gelatin-filled capsules that look innocently like colored gums, but which you use to mark and eliminate an opponent. Then there’s the paintball gun or marker set to propel paintballs at 280 feet per second. For safety, it’s secured with barrel locks, which you depress only when in the field to prevent unexpected firing. A non-transparent loader, shaped like an almond, is secured on top of the gun to hold the paintballs and feed the gun for firing. Finally, you have the safety gear – a vest and a mask that covers the whole face – which you are required to wear at all times while the game is on.

What to wear?

Girls, keep your tank tops, walking shorts and favorite dresses at home. Be ready to get dirty and covered in paint so choose clothes that are protective and that you can afford to dispose of. When you’re out on the field shooting somebody, worrying about clothes should be the last thing on your mind. If you don’t want that pampered skin bruised, wear long sleeves and long pants to cover as much of yourself as possible. Besides, a shot on bare skin would hurt much more, as common sense would tell us. Depending on the weather, layer up or wear light clothing, but be sure you can run or crouch with ease. Rubber shoes, not boots, are your best friend. Camouflage is also a good consideration. This is not your moment to stand out, so forget about bright colors for awhile.  Most importantly, always be sure to wear your vest and protective mask. A hat or hair cover and gloves are a plus.

Can you remove paintball paint on clothing?

Yes, it’s removable. As the Weboss guide assured us, getting paintball paint out of clothing usually requires nothing more than a normal wash in the laundry. Just wash your clothes as soon as possible, and if it does not wash out immediately, add a stain remover. That should do the trick.

   

Is Paintball Safe?

Shooting each other for fun- is it really safe? Well, if you follow the basic rules and wear your mask at all times, it is. Even safer than riding a bike on the highway or playing any contact sport, I believe. During the game, an opponent got lucky and hit me dead center on the face. Red paint like blood splattered on the left side of my goggles. I didn’t even feel a thing. Serious injury could happen, though, when people take off their mask and get hit on the eye. So, without common sense, don’t play paintball. Other risks are sprains, bruises, sunburn or tripping on roots and rocks. But if you’ve had a regular childhood, these are nothing new.

Does It Hurt to Get Hit by a Paintball?

Well, a bit, sometimes. I’m not gonna lie here. If you don’t follow safety rules, don’t dress appropriately and you’re shot near enough-- it could cause welts and bruises depending on the speed of the ball. But it’s the kind of pain that slightly stings and quickly fades away. Nothing like heartbreak, mind you. I had the unfortunate incident of being hit by an opponent’s paintball squarely on my left uncovered palm. It stung (more ego than palm, actually) and reddened a bit.  It faded fast enough though– chased away by a pint of ice cream and the sweet kiss of victory.

How do you keep the game safe?

Before going to the playing field, it pays to read the safety rules mounted on the base.  There are simple things to do to keep paintball fun and injury-free. One, safety first – keep the vest on. Do not ever remove your mask while in the firing zone. Don’t shoot people from less than 20 feet away. Don’t be too proud to surrender if you’ve been hit or ran out of paintballs or ask the referee if you need help. No blind firing or overshooting players. One shot is enough. Wear proper clothing. Don’t drink and play – paintball and alcohol don’t mix. More importantly, use common sense. Most problems could be avoided if we just practice common sense. With this, let me just say it again – don’t remove your mask while the game is still on! Finally, have fun. 

Ready to play paintball? Up next, I’ll tell you how I survived my first paintball game. Stay tuned!    

-- SunStar Weekend, November 17, 2012

One Short Day in Ilocos Norte

When you travel way up north in the Philippines, two things will strike you: the unbelievable hotness of the region, and the tangible presence of a dead president.

We were on a rented car from Vigan, headed to Laoag to take our direct flight home to Cebu later that night. The day was young and our driver/guide cheerfully offered to tour us around Ilocos Norte before takeoff. We had just realized that, when in Ilocos, driving around in an air-conditioned car isn’t such a bad idea since the world outside always seems to be a few degrees hotter than we’re used to. And so, what normally would take just an hour and a half drive stretched to a short day as we explored popular hot spots along the way.   

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac City

Here, you will find the preserved body of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, still not buried.  Slowly, I walked around the dim, solemn and almost creepy mausoleum, each step prodded by curiosity. I grew up learning about the atrocities during Marcos’ reign, associating his name with ‘Martial Law’, ‘greed’ and ‘dictator’.  But upon finally looking at the wax-like body of this larger than life historical figure of a man, laid out like a saint, my first and only thought was: he’s shorter than I imagined.

The rest of the museum showcases memorabilia of the late president, from his stint in the armed forces down to his presidency. Walking around, reading his brilliant letters and looking at old cultural pieces and iconic photographs -- you can feel the love and loyalty of the people for him and his family. What does it say about Marcos – a man who’s lost a nation’s trust, denied a hero’s burial, and yet still revered in his hometown? It was strange. This was not a world I knew.

Paoay Church

Under the relentless heat of the sun, we proceeded to Paoay, Ilocos Norte where the familiar postcard-perfect San Agustin Church, also known as the Paoay Church, stands in all its centuries-old Spanish-era glory. This beautiful structure is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. I could hear wedding bells all the way across the dry sprawling grounds. Accompanied by my apprehensive afternoon shadow, I walked then stopped in the middle of the brick pathway, staring up at this massive church and wondering if dreams of forever could be burned by the sun.

Malacañang of the North

For a welcome glimpse of clear blue waters, we drove along the legendary Paoay Lake. Along its lazy shores, you’ll find the official residence-turned-museum of the late President Marcos.  The Malacañang of the North, or what the Ilokanos endearingly call Malacañang ti Amianan, is said to be a "birthday gift" of then First Lady Imelda Marcos to her husband on his 60th birthday. I fell in love with its timeless architecture -- wide open spaces, hard wooden floors, grand balcony and long capiz-windowed hallways overlooking the lake. From its elegant rooms to Spanish inspired furniture and grand spiral staircase – everything is a work of art.  I went around feeling like a brush stroke in a beautiful painting.

Museo Ilocos Norte & The Sinking Bell Tower in Laoag

The memorabilia in Museo Ilocos Norte and the town’s progress in the face of its Sinking Bell Tower are testaments to the Ilokanos’ resilience and hard work. The Museo in Laoag is rich with lessons from the past – how the people persevered and turned dry lands to their advantage, toiling despite the beating of the sun, and perhaps, political controversy. It’s admirable how they have survived and seem to have remained unified under one leadership.  

At the wall of Marcos Museum in Batac, you will find this prayer, which reads in part:

“Cleanse us of our anger, our bitterness, and our recriminations of the past; spare us the doubts and anxieties of the present; and purify us for our sacrifice so that we may raise a people who will be their own strength today, and their own warranty against the future.” (by Ferdinand E. Marcos, 1917-1989)

Having visited Ilocos Norte, I realize that how we look at people and the past will always be colored by our present. Somehow, in between shades of gray, we find our own version of the truth. I don’t know about you, but like the photographs I’ve taken, my memories of Ilocos Norte will always be in sepia.

 xoxoxo

- Sunstar Weekend, October 27, 2012