In our first event in the Philippines since 2009, the RATRATAN 2018 aims to start anew the relations between Popular Airsoft and the Philippine Airsoft Community one of the biggest and oldest in the world. Our growth was without a doubt also helped by this community as it provided some of our earliest stories and news and established our international network of contributors.

Thus, last 15 December 2018, we held the RATRATAN 2018 event. Organised together LZ Delta Airsoft Game Site in Las Piñas City and supported by 6mm TV and Spartan X Airsoft Store, this is a mix of the usual skirmish and some milsim-style components just to have both veterans and new players enjoy yhe game. It was a good thing that we were able to avoid some of the traffic on the way to the game site as it is situated in one busiest thoroughfares in South Metro Manila.

It was a quick setup, given that the game management led by Mike Ponce, already got that patted down. As soon as we have an initial number of players in, we started the registration and chrono. By 0900H, players were all ready to go and start the hostilities so after a brief introduction, we started a warm up game of attack and defend. It was a quick one though that the laid down the mood for the day.

The second game came and it can be exhausting as the attackers need to eliminate the defenders of several buildings to achieve their objective. With the defenders well entrenched that they were hard to be dislodged. After a grueling game, the players were left exhausted and drenched in sweat that we decided to have an early launched to have them rested and rehydrated as the next scenario was even more exacting on their capabilities.

By 1300H we started the highlight of the day which was another exfil scenario for “Elias Morales” who was the HVT in the Ratratan series. “Elias Morales” was played by the same character, Maximus Pola of Hammerheads and Red Wing Milsim group. He had to escape protected by close-in security but had to go through several waypoints before reaching his exfil and escaping. But along the way there were shooters at each waypoint and there was a fast moving pursuit team behind. Even with such an overwhelming opposing force, “Elias” managed to escape in good time even if the firefights along the route were vicious.

At 1500H, a modified capture the flag scenario was executed by the LZ crew, which proved to be as exhausting as the other scenarios. There were roaming blocking forces to prevent the retrieval teams from getting their flags, and just to get the flags, they were guarded tightly indoors and thus, the teams had to do some close quarters fighting.

By 1600H, it was masks up for everyone. We asked the players if they still wanted to do another scenario, but instead they said they were ready for the raffle draw. So we allowed them some time to stow their gear away before 1700H, we started the raffle draw.

Each player got to win a raffle prize, be it a morale patch, a sticker, caps, small items, and more swag that came from regular Popular Airsoft supporters. Some players won more than one item as there was something for everyone.

By 1730H, we started a small fellowship. The LZ hosts put out some liquor and food to share to those who remained at the site. As I had to wait until the traffic in the area got to moderate levels, which meant that I had to go later than the rest, I stayed and shared stories with the LZ Delta crew and other players who remained as well.

By 2000H, I decided that the traffic was manageable for my trip back, which I expected to be two hours given that it’s traffic all over the Metropolis as Christmas shoppers do their late night shopping. I was right, I arrived home by 2200H.

Ratratan 2018 was a smaller version of the original series in which there were hundreds of players joining in the game. We expected it to be such and happy that a good number of players showed up. The game scenarios executed by the LZ Delta crew made the players sweat thoroughly. We are planning that for the next Ratratan, we’ll have it done on a bigger scale. As they say, small steps at a time.

Many thanks to LZ Delta Airsoft Game Site, 6mmTV and Spartan X for their support. Also thanks to Kevin Venzuela Octa of PMC and Cary Regaspi of Regaspi Tactical. Photos of the event can now be viewed on the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.