One of the most awaited events in the Philippine airsoft scene is back. Megaball is an annual event in which Philippine-based airsoft players just loosen up and have plain fun. This is not a usual airsoft event in which it is not only about skirmishes and gears, but it's also where players get together exchange stories, meet the faces behind those avatars and callsigns in airsoft fora online. It's much much more!

Megaball 2009 didn't happen as it was cancelled due to the floodings brought about by Typhoon Ketsana (Philippine Designation "Ondoy") which was the deadliest typhoon that struck the islands that year. Flooding reached to a record of 20 feet in some areas, and Metro Manila and some outlying provinces were badly hit.

This year, the organisers, Pointblank Inc. and Semper Fidelis, are revving up again to definitely push through with the event, which is sorely missed by airsoft players all over the country. Held in the former US Military Airbase, Clark Airbase, in the province of Pampanga, Megaball offers a venue which is huge, with MOUT areas and accommodations that cab adequately handle an event larger than Glastonbury. First class accommodations, Casinos, party places, an hour's drive by car from Metro Manila, and of course an international airport which is just 5 minutes away from the main event area, makes it one of the most ideal locations to hold airsoft events in the world. Clark Airbase was the largest US Air Force base outside of the USA during the Cold War.

The event will be on the 13th to 14th of November with players expected to register and check-in the Villas in Clark. The Villas are well-stocked areas which can accommodate an airsoft team. Miltary vehicles will be on display, especially the World War II military jeeps, as the Philippines has some of the finest restorers of jeeps. A tug-of-war event also happens in the morning where 7-man teams compete to win the trophy. Pimped guns get submitted for judging by the players and get displayed for everyone to gawk at.

After everyone has checked-in, team leaders get briefed on the scenario games in the afternoon. Which basically are short airsoft games over a two and a half-hour time span. Skirmishes are not the biggest part of the first daty as it aims players to chill-out and have fun. But of course, there are players with itchy trigger fingers, so airsoft shootouts are still part of the fare.

By nightfall comes the most enjoyable part of the event, the Fellowship night, as it is usually held at the Mimosa Casino Basement Restaurant where players get entertained by live bands, parlour games, and of course the Megababe 2010 Contest(sorry folks, we've got not photos of the contestants). Booze will be flowing, and we won't be surprised if players get up late the next day nursing nasty hangovers.

Morning of the next day will be mainly skirmishes and scenario-based games and time for the geardos to step up their game. You will see players in their meanest and wackiets outfits as they start to impress the players. The rest of the day will be more skirmish games with everyone checking out their stuff out of their hotel rooms and villas.

By late afternoon, the BDU show starts, where the geardos get their runway portion and players get to vote of who wins the best get-up. In 2008, the best get-up was actually the most primitive, but the impressionn was just fantastic.

The Megaball weekend ends with awarding of appreciation and trophies in the following categories:

• Largest Team Contingent
• Farthest Team Contingent
• Largest Team Alliance
• Tug O’ War Champion
• Punisher Award
• Loyalty Awards
• Best Squad/Team

This event always leave great memories to players and many have been coming back to this event every year (except 2009), wanting for more. The camaraderie of airsoft players, wherever they are, is electrifying. If you think airsoft players in the Philippines take airsoft so seriously, attend this event, and you will discover that they're one of the most fun loving players in the game.

If you're from outside of the Philippines and wanting to experience the Megaball experience, there are budget airlines operating from Clark and originating from South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand (Indonesians can fly via Kuala Lumpur). It's just right outside of the airport. I guess for a budget of US$200-500, or a little bit more depending on where you will be coming from, you will experience that great airsoft weekend in the Philippines.

To know more on how to join this event, you can check the Megaball 2010 thread at the Filairsoft Forums.