SCA Name: Filipo De Sancto Martino aka That Guy Phil

SCA title: Meastro, Most Honorable Order of the Pelican

Years in the SCA: 18 years (I was told there would be no math on the Who is Who Questionaire)

Where did you start, what was your first event? Ice Dragon 1998 at the Batavia Downs. Drove through an ice Storm with THL Henry Wooldsway Fell in love with the SCA that day.

What is your persona? Sicilian, Legitimate Business man. Gin Importer, exporter and mixer of said gin into libations

Why did you pick this persona?

I’m proud of my Sicilian heritage so it seemed like an easy expression of myself. I can’t say I have chosen a persona per say. Most of the people that were my mentors when I started in the SCA didn’t have one, so I only had one for one reason; my persona is me as portrayed in the SCA.

Do you have any group or household affiliations?

I have membership in the Household Tygersguard and the Fighting Company Woodland Watch. I will often say that my family and I are the Casa de Martino. I am a proud member of the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael.

Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.

My family is a huge part of my life. The kids are affiliated with Scouting and both Colleen and I help out. I am an Assistant Scout leader. I was barely a Cub Scout for a year so I’m surprised to have the position. I have done cosplay for fun and charity. I look forward to Philip and I strapping on the Ghostbuster gear again. We enjoy traveling, camping, gardening and cooking. I love to be surrounded by friends having a good time. I love decorating for Halloween and Christmas. There is just not enough time for everything.

What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?

I have fenced, fought heavy weapons, autocrated events, told and wrote stories, heralded, taught, Chronicled. MC’d, helped out where ever I could and once opened for Clan Tinker.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.).

The first task I was ever asked do was to run a Royalty Room at Ice Dragon with Colleen by Maestro Edmund. He mentored us and it went well. My first office was Demo Coordinator. I was approached by Master Branderic to take on that office. I held that office for six years. I was a deputy Knight Marshall. I was Hael Chronicler and the Kingdom Chronicler. I’ve autocrated events and helped out where ever it was needed. I’ve had a chance to Herald people into court and Crown Lists. I’ve been able to tell stories, MC and kill time when it was required.

When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?

No goals.. just wanted to do it. Fell in love with it and wanted to seek out as much of it as possible.

What are your goals now? Still want to just do it. From time to time I had goals and achieved them but they were never quite as important as “do it” and “love it”.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the next year, what would it be?

I would like to form a Mummers Group and perform at events.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?

I say this often to new people. “Welcome to the most elaborate costume party you will ever attend. Be social. Find something fun. Do as much or as little as you like. Now for someone who says they like it a lot and wants more advice “Buy the ticket, Take the ride”! Chase your passions, follow your dreams, seek out the magic and go with it! But above all remember that you are no better and no worse than anyone else here. Neither let the bastards get you down nor you become one of those bastards yourself. Be a fountain of joy, enthusiasm and inspiration. Do not be a d*ck!” If you need a sounding board, help, advice or different spin on things I’m glad to help. If I don’t know the answer I will get you to someone who does.

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?

In the SCA and in real life I wish I could play an instrument well enough to entertain people.

Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?

I have received many Baronial honors. I fenced for little over a year when i first started. I won a Summers End Tournament and a Best Death at Masked Ball. I have won a Heavy Weapons Ice Dragon tournament with my Partner, Knight and great friend Duke Maynard. That is a day I will never forget. I have won two William Black Fox awards a Hael Chronicler. I’m very proud to have been Baronial Champion in Heavy Weapons and Bardic. I’m even prouder to say I won the Seven Pearls tournaments in both for our Barony. I have been lucky and blessed and for now, not overly wanting. However, someday I hope there is a Grant Level award for Public Performance. I’ve always just enjoyed making people smile and hearing people laugh, but if I got to choose an award or honor I have not garnered, that would be the one.

Please add additional comments as you see fit.

I’m a lucky bastard, a jack ass and overly blessed . This activity and the people I have had a chance to meet along the way have enriched my life and brought me much joy. I have had one of the best seats for the grandest performance of them all. There are so many awesome moments. There is so much magic here in the SCA. Don’t short change it and mar it with bad energy and horrible behavior. Its an opportunity to make the impossible possible and the improbable common place. Much love my friends. Please keep on keeping on. Thank you for your friendships and sharing my journey Hope you all find joy in this crazy thing.

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