On December 12th, 2009, Master Tat-Mau Wong honored three of his top students with the title of ‘SIFU’.  Below are some thoughts of inspiration from the three new Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy Sifus; Sifu Daniel Ostrow, Sifu Meng Wong and Sifu Maritza Gray

Becoming a Sifu
By Sifu Daniel H. Ostrow

What does it mean to be a Sifu? And what does it feel like to reach that level? On December 12, 2009, Master Tat-Mau Wong bestowed the title on three of his students, Maritza Gray, Meng Wong, and me.  The ceremony consisted of a small, intimate ritual at the Academy and a public celebration during a banquet in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

We three Sifus-in-waiting have been training for years, so we were all a bit nervous about what was coming, but mainly excited to receive this great honor. We know that we are accepting a greater level of responsibility, and that more will be asked of us, but we are eager to tackle the job! Master Wong has taught us to embrace every challenge, to never let fear or doubt stand in our way.

Beyond excitement and nerves and anticipation, I was filled with a powerful sense of humility. That Master Wong has chosen us to help carry on the Choy Lay Fut lineage fills me with awe, and a deep feeling of connection to him, and through him to his Master Lee Koon-Hung, our Great Grandmaster Poon Sing, his master and father Poon Dik, all the way back through time to our founder, Chan Heung. Now we Sifus are charged with carrying on that noble tradition. I also feel humbled by the great Kung Fu skills of my fellow Sifu candidates. And having bestowed Black Belts on my own students, I can imagine the pride that Master Wong must feel!

The ceremony at the Academy was quiet and deeply moving. Surrounded by my Senior Instructors (Sijehs and Sihings) from my Connecticut School, other instructors and Sifus from the San Francisco Bay Area academies, and a small crowd of Black Belts, we gathered at the Kung Fu altar and recited our Sifu oath, or Bai Si. I will not reveal the details of this ritual, but our oath was essentially a renewal of vows I have already made in my heart, vows of loyalty and respect to our Master, our fellow students, and our Academy. We were now official Sifus!

After the brief ritual, and posing for photographs, we all rushed off to prepare for the Banquet at the Four Seas Restaurant. In addition to our graduation, the Academy was also celebrating its 26th year of Kung Fu excellence, so the place was packed. After an incredible Lion Dance and several delicious courses, the formalities began. Sifu Susan Farrar explained to the crowd the meaning of the tea ceremony, during which each Sifu serves Master Wong and receives a few private words of instruction, guidance and inspiration. Master Wong and seven of his Sifus were arranged on stage, with three empty chairs for us. We were given gifts (Kung Fu weapons, symbolizing the power to lead) and gave the traditional red envelope (lysee) to Master Wong as a gift of respect. Each Sifu gave a speech, full of joy, gratitude, and awe at the meaning of the event. Then we took our places on stage: what a sight! Master Wong and all ten of his Sifus (in the USA), an incredible collection of Kung Fu skills and dedication. I felt again proud and humbled to be seated with them.

I have been riding a wave of excitement ever since, especially since my Connecticut instructors threw another great banquet for me when I returned. But underneath it all is a grave sense of responsibility to my students and instructors, my Kung Fu ancestors, and of course to the great Master Wong who makes this all possible. I have been a Sifu many more years in spirit, but not in actual fact. To receive the actual title brings a great sense of fulfillment beyond any rank promotion. Back in my school now for two months I have found, as I knew I would, that my dedication to our art and our style remains unchanged. I am determined to surpass my own meager talents, to train hard, to demand the best of my students, and to live the Kung Fu way in all things. Sometimes, reaching a goal brings a sense of letdown, but not in Kung Fu. We know that medals and promotions and honor are just signposts and crossroads on the endless journey. The key is to keep moving forward and enjoy the ride!

SIFU MARITZA GRAY

 Master Tat Mau Wong, who I consider to be my mentor and who I hold in the highest regard, honored me as his long time student with the promotion of "Sifu"; a level I never dreamed I would achieve because his standards are so high in passing his knowledge on to his disciples. Kung Fu has always been my foundation in everything I do, the principles can be applied to anything whether it be an obstacle or a challenge. Practice makes perfect and then when you think your perfect your teacher shows you how much more you still have to learn. I always felt the more I can endure the better I would become as a Martial Artist, something shown to me from my Sifu, to not be weak and do my best in everything. His example helped me to be a good student, teacher and parent and I love him for that always.
In 1985, at the age of 5, I began learning from Master Wong and then in 2009 my daughter began training under his school at the age of 3 years old. I feel so proud of my teacher; Master Wong’s accomplishments in running a successful Martial Arts school for 26 years with a lot of amazing people that came from it. Many of Master Wong's students learned Kung Fu and how to run a school and were able to go off and eventually open their own schools and really make a career out of what he passed down to us; I am really grateful for that. I am very proud to be part of the Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy and to have been able to have the opportunity to work with so many gifted students and to have learned with some of the best Instructors in the industry. Thank you for this honor to be able to teach others and to still be taught... 
With all my love and Gratitude,
Sifu Maritza Gray

SIFU MENG WONG

Now that I'm Sifu, I seemed to reflect more on my past. How far I've come from a teenager to an adult. How hard I had to work. The steps I had to take. The journey brought blood, sweat and tears. With great teaching from my fellow instructors and Master Wong, I've learned to over come them and the 14 years have gone by so fast.

Kung fu will always be part of my life. It has been a blessing and kept me in great shape. It has taught me not just self-defense, but how to be mentally strong.

Now a new journey begins. This time I am more ready to take on that challenge. I will pass on the traditions that have been passed down to me. I've learned that there are no short cuts in life and that one needs to be self -motivated to be the best at what they do.

P.S.         Pure Sifu Awesomeness

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