Betans and the Exciting World of Practical Shooting
by Shan Buyco

Many adventurous Betans are taking a deep interest in the exciting world of practical shooting.

My entry point to the shooting world was the “classic category.” In May 2015, a kind businessman taught me how to use his classic Kimber 45 caliber single stock. The experience compelled me to apply for the government-required License to Own and Possess Firearms or LTOPF.

I encourage anyone who wants to own a firearm to do this tedious step. It will test your patience. It will provide important insights on how you may act once in possession of a gun. Some individuals turn brave or temperamental all of a sudden once they own a gun. For me, I became more relaxed and patient. I decided that I wanted to be a sports shooter.

The first gun I owned is a Czechoslovakian pistol, CZ SP01 Shadow 9mm. This belongs to the “Production” category of the Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA) and under the “Double Action/Striker Fired” category if competing in matches organized by the Philippine Shooters and Match Officers Confederation (PSMOC). Unlike other sports, there are no handicaps in shooting competitions. You go toe-to-toe with beginners, intermediate and world champions.

I stayed with the Production category for one and a half years, this time alternating with my other pistol, a Tanfoglio Stock III Extreme. Then, I discovered the mini-rifle (MR) category also referred to as Practical Rimfire Rifle (PRR). For a while I competed in two categories, handgun (production) and mini-rifle. I finally settled with the latter for a few months.

All of a sudden, a new category was again introduced in the international shooting world: the Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC). It means the competitor shoots using a rifle with a caliber originally intended for pistol and in my case, a 9mm. Once again, I moved to this category using a Beretta CX4 and stayed with it for almost a year. This development allowed me to join 2-Gun competitions. Endorphins abound.

The last few months, I have gone back and participated in the category where I first competed: Pistol (Production). But then a friend asked me to try his shotgun. I find that it pumps more testosterone and so I may shift yet again to another category in the next few months — but more importantly, this will allow me to join 3-Gun National competitions in the future.

Several Beta Sigmans joined the Malmon Cup Fun Shoot on September 30, 2018. My hope is that Betans can create a team or a squad and compete with the best. There are numerous entry points to shooting competitions. You may use, like I did, the pistol route (with several sub-divisions e.g. classic, standard, open, production); others entered through revolvers, high powered rifles, mini-rifles, pistol caliber and other divisions.

Awards are given according to categories: civilians, senior citizens, juniors, ladies. Regardless which division and category you choose, the bottom-line is safety. I was not an athlete during my university days. I do not have what people call a naturally athletic physique. But if I can get into this sport, then anyone can -- especially so for a Betan.

PNP General Brod Picoy Cascolan and Brod Shan Buyco at the Malmon Cup Fun Shoot.

"Sometimes I get lucky."

Shan R. Buyco is batch 1993-B Kapit Bisig, UP Visayas. He regularly joins local and international competitions.

2018 Awards as of September

- Jan 2018: Champion (Mini-Rifle Std) - NEPSA Founders’ Cup

- Jan 2018: Champion (Mini-Rifle Std) - Director Tapayan’s Cup

- Jul 2018: 2nd (PCC - Std) - 1st Demolay National Master Counselor 2018

- Aug 2018: 2nd (PCC - Std) - Philippine Army Cup

- Sep 2018: Champion (PCC - Std) - Drin’s Challenge Cup

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Addendum, 11/18/2018:

From: Erwin Castillo
Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2018 10:44 PM
To: Norman Bituin
Cc: Melchor Rosales; Sandy Daza; Cris Michelena
Subject: BETA SIGMA PRACTICAL SHOOTERS

Dear Brod Norman: Congratulations to Brod Shan Buyco and all who participated in the recent Malmon Shooting Cup tournament. There were a few Beta Sigmans right there at the founding of the Philippine Practical Shooting Association. Among the early competitors were Brods Celebrity Chef Sandy Daza, Torch Manalang and myself. Later, I was president of the San Miguel practical shooting club of the PPSA, while Brod Mel Rosales was president of the Philippine Air Force club. The attached picture is from a 2011 Beta Sigma shooting competition held at Camp Crame. Brod Cris Michelena and late Brod Dolf Pinlac attended with us. Maybe the young brods can invite us old fogeys when they hold another shooting tournament?

PS: I remember we had a Vet Med brod from Pampanga, who was a revolver target shooter, when the two of us worked for Winthrop-Stearns in the late 1960s.

From: Norman Bituin
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2018 12:19 AM
To: Erwin Castillo
Cc: Melchor Rosales; Sandy Daza; Cris Michelena
Subject: Reply / Re: BETA SIGMA PRACTICAL SHOOTERS

Hi Erwin,

Close to midnight here in LA and just got to bed when I saw the cellfon light up! So nice to hear from you after all these years from our Winthrop-Stearns work days in the late 60’s.

The Vet Med brod you were referring to is Orly Nicdao’53, who was the Diliman GP in 1957, I think. (He looked to me like PBA center Alberto "Big Boy" Reynoso the first time we met). At the time, he was working for Bristol-Myers in his home province of Pampanga. He looked after me like an older brother. Orly sure was a good shot as he displayed to us shooting at targets in the farm in Angeles City which we visited where LB brod Gran Acuña was living.

I will pass your message to the shooting brods. In fact, more easily I would like to put your note and the “vintage” picture with the late Dolf Pinlac, etc. as an addendum to Shan Buyco’s article.

Hope to see you in RP next time I visit. Best regards Erwin.

Cheers,
Norman
 

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