Have you ever taken some time to think about how and when you're going to die? It may seem like a distant event in the future but the truth is, nobody really knows when and how we will leave this world.
Our Kenjutsu sensei passed away two years ago. The details of his death still remain bleak to us. Nevertheless, the Cebu Kenjutsu community quickly organized and gathered a tribute kenjutsu practice in Camp Marina Grounds.
I immediately looked for my bokuto and asked my kenjutsu friends to meet at IT Park before going to Camp Marina Grounds. Sensei Batayola would have loved to witness his students reunited after such a long time as a tribute to his contributions to the practice. There was an ounce of hesitation about whether or not I should go, but there really is a nudging force that compels me to go and do things that will honor the dearly departed.
Back in my time, college freshmen were required to complete physical education (PE) units. There was one semester when the girls and boys were to be in different classes. Girls were to be taught socializing activities: organizing parties, wall climbing, arnis while the boys did archery, arnis and more. They were all fun and good but they didn't interest me. For one, I didn't see the point of separating the class according to gender and two, there was another option that sounded way cooler to me then - kenjutsu.
The senseis and senpais looked intimidating but sensei Batayola didn't even give off the slightest whiff of intimidation. He was jolly, welcoming and he made us feel that anybody can do the sport. Even when we found out that kenjutsu can get bloody, he still smiled as if it was not a big deal.
I was a complete kenjutsu noob when I joined, I still am the kenjutsu noob now. I made a lot of mistakes in form and my wrist wasn't used to holding the bokuto anymore. It felt embarassing and my ego was a little hurt. But I kept reminding myself that I was doing this for Sensei Batayola - to honor the life that he lived and the impact that he had made to the community.
A friend then asked me if I would be willing to come practice with them again, I said "Kenjutsu is challenging. I'll have to see later on."
The senseis proceeded to teach us two routines which we gladly practiced. We had to recall all the basic techniques that served as our foundation for the craft. My muscle memory had not cooperated then, but it was still good sweat. Revisiting the reason why I joined in the first place, as self-defense, feels a bit different that sensei Batayola was not there to watch us train.
It was great seeing people I have not seen in such a long time and meeting new people I have not met before. The energy was different as you could feel that while everyone enjoyed the workout, an undertone of sadness still filled the air.
Rest in peace, Sensei Batayola. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of the students that you have trained.
Images are from Sensei Kat Layno and were used with permission.
She is on a mission to become better than who she was yesterday. A candidate for Masters in Business Administration and a Financial Advisor, she hopes to give value to this space as a motivated individual. She found the perfect marriage between what she wants to do in life and her mission in financial advising. She balances her work and life in the comforts of her home, co-working spaces, and cafes. She loves to meet like-minded people and live her life to the fullest. Watch this space for tales of self-improvement and self-acceptance, per Mark Manson, "the philosophical tightrope."
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