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Thursday, January 26, 2012

VTM Official Report on HKB Indonesia trip 2011 December 8 to 18

2011 December 8 to 18
Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong trip
Report by: Curator Benny Meng


Approximately 3 years ago - in 2008, I came upon the Fukien Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun system and began to investigate it. Not long into my research, I realized this was one of the missing cornerstones that connected my research together.

About a year into my research into the HKB system, I classified my research into Wing Chun into five major periods and released a report on my findings. HKB appears to fall into the first major period of Wing Chun's evolution.

The five major periods of Wing Chun's evolution are:
1) Shaolin (mid 1600s)
2) Secret Societies (late 1600s)
3) Opera (early 1700s)
4) Public (mid 1800s)
5) International (mid 1900s)

On this trip to Indonesia in December of 2011, I had the opportunity to interview and collect additional information on the HKB system from many different perspectives and dimensions, including personal interview, shared artifacts, and hands-on experience with multiple senior generation instructors and Grand Masters.

What follows is the information collected in several key areas of the Shaolin Hek Ki Boen system: The Nature of the Art/System, Training & Teaching Methodologies, and Key People within the Lineage.


The Nature of the Art/System

When it comes to researching the nature of a martial art or martial system, many factors need to be considered, factors such as the overall training attitude and culture, the technical details of the system, the core concepts and principles, and the axioms that form the basis of the art or system itself. An axiom is a fundamental assumption that is held as true, simply because it is - either because it is self-evident, or because it is required to be true for all other assumptions built at a higher level of logic (aka the system) to also be true.

In the case of Hek Ki Boen, the key axiom of the system is the study and attainment of something called Maximum Efficiency, which is the point or state where no thing can be added or subtracted without losing efficiency. The study of Wing Chun itself is the study of efficiency - something all lineages of Wing Chun can agree upon at the most fundamental layer of the system, if they agree on nothing else. In the case of this axiom, Maximum Efficiency often is assumed to be true by beginners and eventually seen as self-evident at the advanced levels.

When the essential axiom of Maximum Efficiency is removed from the consciousness of the system's devotees and practitioners, the essential study of the system itself disappears; what remains on a technical level is an empty, shell - a solidly build, systematic, well-thought-out machine. With some of the technical information missing, what remained was shaped, changed, molded and evolved by individual, talented martial artists who expressed their unique genius through the many lineages we know today. In effect, the artist's personalities and/or unique skills became the core axioms of the system, which is then further modified by the artist's students.

In researching the HKB system, I have discovered a system with the fundamental axiom of Maximum Efficiency still in place, expressed through a specific methodology, supported by principles, concepts, and unique body methods. Also within the HKB system is a methodology, supported by principles and concepts that connect to the Three Treasures of Shaolin, namely: Chan, Health/Fitness/Healing, and Self-Defense/Combat skills. Also within the HKB system are methods, mechanics/forms, drills and techniques that are fundamental to many systems that originated in the Southern Shaolin Temple, or were strongly influenced by that temple, such as Okinawan Karate, Five Ancestor Fist, White Crane, Bak Mei, Dragon, Wing Chun, and multiple Southern Chinese family systems of kung fu.

The system was known as 'Kun Tao' when the first instructor, Cia Fun Tjiao) arrived in the early 1900s in Indonesia. 'Kun Tao' was a common term used to refer to most Southern Chinese martial arts and became a generic phrase used to describe the system for many generations because the practitioners in those eras didn't really care about the specific name of the system or the system's history. The teachers at that time were loath to share details of the system, and instead focused on developing the skill of the students, reserving key details only for insiders in each generation. It was not until recent times that the full name of the system came out to the public. The missing history and name is not all that unreasonable - today's Wing Chun lineage still do not have agreement on the origins of the system's name as Wing (meaning Praise) or Weng (meaning Everlasting).

Today, we have the full name of the HKB system: "Shaolin Fukien Black Flag Branch 18 Lohan Hands Wing Chun Fist," that used to be called Hok Kian Eng Chun Kok Sut Cia (Fukien Wing Chun Kungfu Family), as stated by Grand Master The Kang Hay. In the past, it was sometimes just referred to as "Fukien Kun Tao" or as a martial art system coming from Fukien. Kun Tao is basically a generic word for martial arts (literally "fist way" in English, Chuan Dao in Mandarin, or Kuen Do in Cantonese, or Kenpo in Japanese).

The full name of the system is long because it covers the nature of the entire system:

(1: Shaolin) It is from Shaolin (because it contains the three treasures of Shaolin: Chan, Health/Fitness/Healing, and Self-Defense/Combat)

(2: Fukien) At the original location of the Southern Shaolin Temple (in Fukien)

(3: Black Flag Branch) A secretive system (because it came from the Black Flag lodge of the Anti-Qing secret societies, one of the original 5 lodges, and the lodge responsible for dealing with traitors within the secret societies themselves.)

(4: 18 Lohan Hands) Based on the 18 Lohan Hand system which was the nucleus of Southern Shaolin - not to be confused with the 18 Lohan Fist system of the North (the 18 Lohan Hand system was the genesis, what gave birth to the later choreographed forms of the system, but is - in itself - a collection of loose hand techniques and drills on the surface, but beneath the surface look are the core concepts and principles that make the current system unique)

(5: Wing/Weng Chun) It is Wing Chun (some people call it Praise Spring [Wing] or Eternal Spring [Weng] - in Fukien, it's called "Eng Chun" but definitely the logic of the system connects it to the more widely known lineages of Wing Chun - at the heart of the system, all Wing Chun is the study and application of efficiency to fighting and to living. Wing Chun came from one source but has been adapted, changed, and modified throughout many centuries. This lineage of Wing Chun does not represent one famous master's personal interpretation, or style of fighting. Instead, the system is focused on achieving the skill of Maximum Efficiency in time, space, and energy.)

(6) It is a fighting system (Definitely the purpose of the system is coming from Shaolin, which means the training is a method to harmonize with reality. The reality of the time when the system was developed was that the Chinese people - the Han - were fighting against the Manchu invaders. The system was a tool to quickly control, disable, disarm, or destroy an opponent in the shortest period of time possible.)

Based on the broad reach of the HKB system and the depth of knowledge contained within the system itself, it is possible that this system was developed close to the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple, and formed a sort of proto-Southern Kung Fu, shaped and morphed to the specific needs of the devotees and practitioners in various regions. As such, this system would have acted as a progenitor, or seed, to many of the great martial art families of today.

To expand on this idea:
If HKB contains the same core essence (the axiom of Maximum Efficiency) as Wing Chun, does that make HKB Wing Chun or proto-Wing Chun? If the HKB system contains the same essential training exercise/form of San Chian, an essential training exercise/form shared with Okinawan Karate's Sanchin, does that make HKB Karate, or proto-Karate? The essential concepts, principles, training methods, and forms of HKB connect to many different arts, yet has its own unique signatures, too - such as detachment and special training methodology for training the tendons. By way of analogy, HKB appears to be at the root of many of today's modern systems and families, with the modern system and families as branches and flowers all sharing the same roots. HKB not only contains the Sam Chien, a core form to many Southern Kung Fu systems and Okinawan Karate, but also contains the core concepts and choreography of modern Wing Chun, such as the SNT, CK, BJ, MYJ, Pole, Double Knives.

However, do not misunderstand or misrepresent the intention of this report. The VTM in NO WAY is suggesting - or should be interpreted to state by implication or inference - that HKB is superior, older, more authentic, or better than any other martial art family, lineage, or system. Instead, and sharing in the original attitude of the Shaolin disciples, I urge each reader and practitioner to gain experience with the system and come to their own conclusions.

In my interviews with HKB practitioners - from beginners to Grand Masters - and to a one, they didn't care what label people put on the system. The general consensus could be summed up as, "The name in front doesn't make the system any less or any more." The full name of the system, "Shaolin Fukien Black Flag Branch 18 Lohan Hands Wing Chun Fist" is appropriate because the art can have many labels. However, the knowledge, skill, and methodology of the system stands on its own - not using a label in an attempt to prove the system's worth.

As the VTM Curator, and as a life-long, dedicated martial artist, allow me to caution you - people that are adamant about names and lineages, titles, hierarchy and position, or alleged purity of the system are chasing irrelevant things. Researching Wing Chun and finding what connects all Wing Chun together is one thing - and all true researchers should be willing, able and happy to share their reasoning with you. However, and ultimately, a genuine student of the martial arts will not stay with a lineage or a Sifu unless the student feels he or she is receiving something of value - and won't stay simply because of the name, lineage, title, hierarchy, position, or alleged purity.

In all things related to the martial arts, and as a disciple in the traditions of Shaolin - I encourage you to experience things for yourself, and make your own conclusion.

Training & Teaching Methodologies

In a general sense, the martial arts can be broken into two major categories: martial sports and martial arts. The martial sports include activities such as Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jujitsu, Judo, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Mixed Martial Arts. While each of these sports tends to focus on a specific set of skills or ranges, there are several commonalities in the approach to training, which is referred to as Live Training Methods, including:

1) An emphasis on free sparring and live drills early in the training
2) An emphasis on making contact and receiving contact early in the training
3) An emphasis on conditioning

In the martial arts community, not all families focus on the above training methods. Instead, the focus tends to be on fixed drills, lots of technical requirements, memorization of drills and fixed patterns, and repetition of technical knowledge.

In the Wing Chun community, the majority of the teachers promote the martial arts side of training over the martial sport side of training. As an example: in the majority of the Wing Chun community, Chi Sau is a fixed drill with a fixed and specific set of techniques within a specific range, which consists of ~80% of the training emphasis. As a result, in live combat applications, the result is that Wing Chun practitioners to not tend to fare well. This is not an issue with the system itself; it's an issue with the teaching and training methods. To be prepared for a live combat situation, live methods should be used.

In my research to date with the Wing Chun community, the majority of instructors are focused on fixed training and drills, while a minority actually tests the system out for themselves. Those instructors that are focused on the fixed training and drills tend to make excuses for their lack of live methods, saying things like "this isn't for sport; in a real fight, there are no rules, I'll kick your knee in or poke your eye out!" In my researched opinion, it is this type of attitude that is the downfall in the development of effective skill in the martial arts community and creates friction and politics between the martial art and martial sport communities.

I am pleased to report, in my experience with the martial art lineage of Shaolin HKB - the system has forms and fixed drills but the majority of time is spent in skill challenges involving live methods. In the Shaolin HKB lineage, the tools and techniques are very comprehensive, covering all four skill sets and all four ranges.

The key to skill in this lineage is the use of live format training, such as Sparring, while maintaining the life-and-death lethal applications. On this research trip, I had the rare privilege to train privately with Grand Master Yoe Seng Lian (nicknamed: Xing Yen), who took me through details in the technical knowledge, forms, and drills of the system. We then explored the system through live skill challenges. I went through my repertoire of tools from long range kicks and strikes, to medium range clinches and joint controls, to close range takedowns and the Grand Master, who is in his late 50s, was more than happy, willing and able to play in all ranges and free spar with any skill set and more than hold his own. Rather than be disappointed in my own skill, I was impressed and motivated by his accomplishments.

In my research, I've had the privilege of working with many other instructors in the martial arts who actively discouraged students from live training and skill challenges for a variety of reasons including: "it is against the insurance policy", "our techniques are too dangerous," "we don't spar or fight, but I'll teach you the forms and you'll appreciate the beauty of our pure system," or "we have a superior, pure, authentic system and I'm the direct successor so you should do what I tell you to do." Unfortunately, in the martial arts world - many instructors can teach even without actually having the skill they profess to have. I know of several situations where a self-professed expert was placed in a live, challenging situation and was completely dominated by a supposedly "impure" art or "inferior" instructor. As I've discovered many times, talking the talk is not the same as walking the walk. What is required is not just good theory or live methods; skill also comes from mastering the body through intense training.

Within the Shaolin HKB lineage, students are encouraged to train at a very high level of physical conditioning - but not by the leaders pushing the students; instead, the leaders pull the students to a higher level by their own example. For example, I witnessed a Grand Master in his mid 60s demonstrate his horse stance by having a student in his 20s stand on the Grand Master's thighs. At the advanced level, simply training the forms is an intense workout, straining the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of your body.

Based on my own research and experience, coupled with the collective experience of the Grand Masters and leaders of Shaolin HKB, there are two phrases that capture the essence of developing skill with the system:

1) Live Drills
2) Hardcore Training

These two phrases sum up the training methods to understanding and developing skill in reality - to be used for martial arts, or for martial sports.

As a life-long martial artist, I encourage all readers of this report to examine their own training and find ways to make the training less fixed and livelier, and to find ways to achieve a higher standard in their physical conditioning.

Key People within the Lineage

In working with the Inner Circle Elders of the Shaolin HKB lineage, I found them all to possess several characteristics, they were all:

1) Very open and approachable

2) Were willing and able to answer every question with grace, humor, and a genuine desire to communicate the system - rather than saying "you're not at that level yet," or "you're an outsider," or "this used to be a secret art; you're not qualified to ask as an outsider"

3) Not only willing to answer, but also willing to demonstrate and allow you to do hands-on exchanges to literally feel the point they were making

4) Very consistent in their answers as a group, rather than one person claiming to have all the answers, or be the most favorite student of the previous generations, or they were the secret student, etc. This is quite different than some videos that are online portraying one individual as the sole inheritor of the system, placed online by another individual who is known to be a collector of videos rather than having gone through the hardcore investigation of the systems he purports to teach such as by meeting and training with multiple HKB elders.

There were many other Grand Masters than those listed below in attendance. I have listed only the ones that I had the time, privilege and honor to interview, discuss, and train with. The whole group, combined, was very consistent about the Who's Who of the lineage - insiders, outsiders, and generation placement. So the following family tree speaks their mind as a whole. All the interviews were documented on camera.

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Mid 1600s
Creation of the Secret Society and the Five Lodges after the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple
Many generations within the Black Flag, active against the Manchu


Early 1900s
First Generation
Last Chief Instructor GM Cia Fun Tjiao left China for Indonesia, HKB Eng Chun (Hok Kian Eng Chun Kok Sut Tjia) took root in Indonesia.


Second Generation
Grand Master Kwee King Yang (also The King Yang)


Third Generation
1. Grand Master Hok Jin (one of the early 5 pupils of Kwee Kang Yang) {deceased}
a. GM Po Lin
b. GM Hok Sing
c. GM Hok Jin
d GM Tiao Jiang
e. GM Hu Liang
2. Grand Master The Kang Hay (Indonesian: Rahmansyah Tejo Cahyono)
3. Grand Master Ban Bi Sun {deceased}
4. Grand Master Liem Bie Kong
5. Grand Master Yoe Seng Lian (Xing Yen) (Indonesian: Yenda Awara) (3rd & 4th) -
trained under Grand Masters Hok Jin, The Kang Hay, Kwee King Yang)
6. Grand Master Un Hauw (Indonesian: Dr. Alexander HS)
7. Grand Master Tan Swie Hoo (Indonesian: Sony Tan)


Fourth Generation
1. Grand Master The Sik Yen (under GM Ban Bi Sun, deceased)
2. Grand Master Yoe Seng Lian (Xing Yen) (Indonesian: Yenda Awara) (3rd & 4th) -
trained under Grand Masters Hok Jin, The Kang Hay, Kwee King Yang)
3. Grand Master Pen Hwa (Under GM Tan Swie Hoo)
4. Grand Master Kenneth Lin Xiang Fuk (Indonesian: Kenneth Salim)


Fifth Generation
1. Grand Master Tek Siu (under GM The Sik Yen; older kung fu brother to GM Tio Tek Kwie)
2. Grand Master Tio Tek Kwie (under GM The Sik Yen) (Indonesian: Tedja Wirardi Soetiono)
3. Grand Master Benny Meng
4. Master John Hackmeyer
5. Master Andrew Wonpat
6. Master Benjamin Blalock
7. Master Gordon Pollard


Sixth Generation
Suhu Brad Ryan
Suhu John Lambert
Suhu Alex Magnos
Suhu Missy Pruden
Suhu Sajid Ahmed


Seventh Generation
Suhu Xan Smith
Suhu Kevin Foster (inactive)

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The inner circle elders that are still alive included:

3rd Generation Grand Master The Kang Hay (July 23, 1946) started his training at 12 years of age in 1958, and is a grandson of Kwee King Yang. At age 19 (around 1965), he took over the teaching at Kwee King Yang Bukoan as the main chief instructor until Age 27, when he got married promoted his student, GM Xing Yen, to take over the role on daily teaching, while GM The Kang Hay still supervised everything on a weekly basis.

3rd Generation Grand Master Tan Swie Hoo (4/30/1946) started his training at 13 years old in 1963, and is a grandson of Kwee King Yang.

3rd Generation Grand Master Dr. Alexander H.S. (6/25/1940) started his training around 19 years old in 1959, and is very active in the martial arts community, serving as chairman in Chinese kung fu federation and in the Korean martial arts community. His former school was called the White Dragon school.

3rd Generation Grand Master Liem Bie Kong (2/14/1943) started his training at 9 years old in 1952, and was teacher to many of the later generation teachers.

4th Generation Grand Master Yoe Seng Lian (nickname: Xing Yen) (1/13/1955) started his training in 1969 and is one of the youngest grand masters who is considered to be a part of the inner circle elders. In his younger days, he was a fighter and his fame and skill were comparable with that of Grand Master Wong Shun Leung of the Ip Man lineage. He is a direct disciple of Grand Master The King Hay but also had the privilege of learning directly from his Sigung, who was Kwee King Yang.

4th Generation Grand Master Kenneth Lin Xiang Fuk (5/5/1975), Started his training in 1985 under Grand Master The Kang Hay. He is leader and founder of the Shaolin Hek Ki Boen organization and representative of the lineage to the world. Grand Master Lin is very unique in the sense that he actually had the privilege to learn from many of his seniors and elders from several different generations. He is also unique in his methodology due to his experience of bringing this art out to the public. The results speak for themselves: since the beginning of Grand Master Lin's efforts to share the system with the world - the system is growing quantitatively but still maintains a high standard of knowledge and skill qualitatively.

I conducted a personal video interview with each* and afterwards, we held the official ceremony for the inauguration of the Shaolin Hek Ki Boen organization: a formal certificate was signed by all the Grand Masters in attendance, photos were taken, and everyone got together to train in celebration. It was a rare sight to see the Grand Masters all smiling and training with each other and the other participants/witnesses.

As a researcher of martial arts, it personally made me very happy to see the Grand Masters training because it demonstrated in the most powerful and direct way possible that the skill and power with the system truly does increase with age. Some of the elders generated more power that I would have believed possible before I started to learn this great system.

This gathering not only marked the historical event - but it was also an opportunity to Clarify some of the false claims on the internet (see Sidebar, below). First, the solidarity of this kung fu family is definitely present. It was clear as to who were considered to be part of the lineage's inner circle, and who is leading. Everyone had an open discussion, and all spoke up on video.

As a matter of fact, there were more Grand Masters that came the day prior that weren't there the day I got there - and more showed up after the day's activities started to show their support, too.

Questions asked and answered included:
1) Is this system Wing Chun or not? What is your opinion?
2) What is the uniqueness of the system?
3) What was your training experience in the past?
4) What was your experience learning from Kwee King Yang?
5) Who are the direct students of Kwee King Yang?

Out of close to 10 Grand Masters and elders, the one thing that is for sure - they were all consistent in what they had to say. One of the issues today in the martial art community is that after a Grand Master passes away, some people attempt to claim discipleship or a special, direct relationship or even representative status- but this is very easy to prove or disprove- just go to the elders and if 10 out of 10 all say the don't know the person in question, or never saw him around- and he has no photos beyond social events, it's quite easy to come to your own conclusion about the truth. As VTM Curator, I witnessed this many times within the Ip Man system. As the Ip Man name continues to grow, there are people coming out of the woodwork to claim they took special private lessons, or were a favorite student, or were even the last, chosen successor. It's all marketing, or worse.

All the original inner group elders show up during this three days event. As a matter of fact, at this gathering - I saw no politics within this inner circle of kung fu family. Instead, I witnessed only unity, fellowship, and acting in harmony with one heart, one mind. The bonus was that I have never seen so many elders sitting in one room that had such a high level of skill and were ready, willing, and able to demonstrate it.

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Sidebar:
One of the most vocal critics on the internet about HKB Eng Chun / Black Flag Wing Chun is Sergio Iadarola, a former student of Grand Master Kenneth Lin Xiang Fuk. Mr. Iadarola has spend considerable time and money establishing himself as some form of "authority" on the internet - and has also established and then quickly broken relationships with many lineages and families within the Wing/Weng Chun community.

After his training relationship with Grand Master Lin ended, Mr. Iadarola established a relationship with an instructor active in Indonesia, Suhu Tio Tek Kwie. Using the information shared by Suhu Tio, Mr. Iadarola has attempted to discredit and misinform the general martial arts community about this lineage. Mr. Iadarola went so far as to post a photograph featuring many of the Grand Masters listed above as part of the inner circle, but misidentified their true generations and relationships. Mr. Iadarola also has stated online that people should visit Indonesia and speak with the elders of the lineage directly, which I did in December of 2011.

Having spoken with, interviewed, and trained with many of the elders of the lineage directly - and filmed the conversations and interviews- I discovered that Suhu Tio is considered to be in the 5th Generation, and that many of the elders do not consider Suhu Tio to be a direct student of Grand Master Kwee King Yang, and - as a group training from the 1950s to the 1960s attest - they do not recall him training or as an active participant in those years. Furthermore, the elders do not consider Mr. Iadarola to be anything other than an outsider to the lineage, and - since he has no formal relationship with them - he cannot represent the martial art family of Kwee King Yang, or use photos of Kwee King Yang to promote himself.

I know for a fact in the case of the HKB Eng Chun / Black Flag Wing Chun lineage, that Mr. Iadarola is using information shared with him by Suhu Tio to make claims about the entire lineage, while having no relationship with the actual lineage Mr. Iadarola claims to represent. In this case, Mr. Iadarola is relying on one source for his information, an instructor who is three generations below Grand Master Kwee King Yang, and two generations below the majority of the inner circle elders. This places all information purported to be "research" in a very dubious light. By comparison, I collected interviews from multiple inner circle elders, cross-referenced those interviews for common points of reference, and personally interacted and experienced their teaching and training methods first-hand, providing a broad sample of knowledge, experience and skill on which to base my conclusions and share my research.
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To summarize this report:

The elders of the Shaolin HKB lineage have come together unanimously to express the unity of the system and to recognize Suhu Lin as the leader of Shaolin HKB, serving as the Grand Master to take this art onward and outward to the international martial arts community.

After discussion with the elders of the lineage, Grand Master Lin was universally recognized as the most qualified to represent the system:

1. The Nature of the Art/System
Suhu Lin not only knows and has mastered the technical elements of the system, he also lives is personal life based on Buddhist and Taoist principles.

2. Training & Teaching Methodologies
With an open mind and hard work, Suhu Lin and his team have designed and created a modern-day method considered 'traditional-progressive' - the method maintains the traditional culture and skill but is tailored to today's more progressive learning and training methods.

3. Key People within the Lineage
Suhu Lin has had personal training and interaction with all the key elders within the lineage, giving him a unique perspective on the lineage and each elder's personal kung fu. This gives Suhu Lin a lens to more clearly see what is the system and what is each elder's personal knowledge and skill. In essence, Suhu Lin can see the system and many styles of Shaolin HKB.

*Note: Grand Masters The Kang Hay and Kenneth Lin Xiang Fuk have both personally requested that the VTM does not release the video interviews openly to the martial arts community at this time because the interviews contain sensitive information that may impact the reputation of certain individuals. The videos will still be shown to members, if necessary, only for the purpose of clarifying confusion due to false clams.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Black Flag/HKB is Wing Chun

Black Flag / HKB is Wing Chun


OUR RESEARCH & FAQ

1. The origin of the Black Flag Wing Chun Name
Eng Chun or Wing Chun was simply a combat system that was created during the revolution of Anti-Qing China to train Secret society members (Tian Di Hui) for the purpose of overthrowing the Qing government and restoring the Ming government.
The Tian Di Hui, had many lodges represented by flags of different colors. One of these is the Black Flag Lodge. The Black Flag Lodge’s main role was one of internal affairs and the rooting out of traitors. Black Flag Lodge members were taught special skills to be able to succeed in their role.

The origin of HKB Eng Chun came from GGM Kwee King Yang who studied under Cia Fun Tjiao, the last chief instructor of the Black Flag Lodge. Based on this origin and considering that Wing Chun was already an established name to represent the combat system that once came from secret societies, we decided to call our system Black Flag Wing Chun, to differentiate our Wing Chun from others. To clarify, the name of Black Flag Wing Chun is new as there was never a style in the past known as Black Flag Wing Chun.

2. Legitimation of Black Flag Wing Chun system
Is this a legitimate system and original? Of course yes. This system came from the Black Flag lodge.

Martial Arts skills can never be manipulated, as many people around the world who have already had a direct experience with HKB Eng Chun can testify. HKB Eng Chun has been proven to improve skills and maximize potential through our unique training method.

3. Is it true about the rumor that Black Flag Wing Chun is fake?
Of course not, from the very beginning of our research we stated that the origin of our system came from Cia Fun Tjiao, the last chief instructor of Black Flag Lodge.

If we were trying to claim that our system originated from Yip Man Wing Chun for example, it would be a lie. We don’t call it Yip Man Wing Chun because what we teach did not come from Yip Man. We don’t call it Foshan Wing Chun, because what we teach did not come from Foshan. Again, our system came from Cia Fun Tjiao who is the last chief instructor of Black Flag. That’s why we call it Black Flag Wing Chun.


4. Can Black Flag be called Wing/Eng Chun?
We believe it can. In the past, the system did not even have a name, it was simply an essence of Southern Shaolin system taught to secret society members (Tian Di Hui). Within Tian Di Hui, there are 5 flags. The Black Flag Lodge being from Fujian.
The essence of Southern Shaolin Combat System, that links back to Muscle Tendon Change and Bone Marrow Washing, was been passed down to Black Flag Lodge members. The combat system from the Black Flag is not as widely known as many other lineages of Wing Chun.


5. Why are some forms and the engine, including the power generation method of Black Flag , very different from the common ‘Mainstream Wing Chun’ ?
Of Course it is different, because ours originated from Black Flag Lodge. Today’s accepted standard as mainstream Wing Chun came from a different Tian Di Hui and lineages.


6. Why does Black Flag have some similarity with other Fujian or Southern system such as the lohan hand system?
Wing Chun was not created by one person. It came from an evolution of long martial arts history that was put together around 400 years ago from the essence of many southern styles. Of course it may contain some common foundation of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts. Specifically, for the Black Flag Lodge member’s combat system, its foundation came from the Southern Shaolin system based on the Chan concept of detachment. Therefore, labeling our system as Southern Shaolin is not wrong.

Moreover, even the mainstream Wing Chun also share similarities with many traditional Chinese Martial Arts. This is understandable. For example, there are some similarities with the forward motion of Hsing Yi, Stickiness of Taichi push hand, similar movement from Fujian White Crane, Tai Zu, Bak Mei, Southern Praying Mantis, Ngo Chor [Five Ancestor Fist], and many others.

7. What if there are some groups/associations who criticize our having Wing Chun in our name?
From the very beginning, we stated that Black Flag Wing Chun is a combat system that came from the Black Flag lodge of the Secret Society (Which we discovered as Tian Di Hui though our historical research).

We simply wanted to introduce this is the combat system from the Black Flag Lodge Origin…..to be known as Black Flag Wing Chun.

Moreover, even the name of Wing Chun to represent the standard accepted name for representing the mainstream wing chun, is also a new name. Prior to 1850, there was no mention of Wing Chun name as a Martial Arts style in any history. No one owns the Wing Chun / Eng Chun name.




HISTORICAL SIMILARITY ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENTATION ON TIAN DI HUI

The following is taken from the preface of a work entitled, Thian Ti Hwui: the Hung-League, or Heaven-Earth-League, by the late Gustave Schlegel(1):

“In the spring of the year 1863, a lot of books were, very accidentally, found by the police in the house of a Chinaman suspected of theft at Padang (Sumatra), which proved the existence of a secret society at that place, numbering about 200 members. These books, containing the laws, statues, oath, mysteries of initiation, catechism, description of flags, symbols and secret signs ect., etc., were placed officially into my hands for translation. Most of these books were, at the time, quite unintelligible to me and, as the case pressed, I had no leisure to study them more thoroughly. I requested, however, the Government to return these books to me after the decision of the case, and to place all Chinese and foreign documents relating to Chinese secret societies in the N. I. Archipelago at my disposal, as I hoped to be enabled, in that way, to find out the secrets of those societies. Government acceded liberally to this request, and ordered all such books, if found, to be delivered to me. In this way we got, besides the books found in Padang, a Chinese book full of drawings, found in 1851 at Japara (Java), with the statues of the Shautung-branch; a memorial concerning seven friendly societies found in Palembang (Sumatra) and a copy of Dr. Milne’s account of the Triad-society.

The most valuable contributions, however, were two Chinese manuscripts prescuted to the Batavin Society of Arts and Sciences by Mr. Teysman, of Buitenzorg, containing the whole Catechism, History, description of the rites, lodges, flags, secret signs and implements, enriched with a series of drawings; both which books were kindly place at my disposal by the above named society.”

Not only was this information found in Indonesia(2), where HKB legend states KongCo [Great great grand master] Tjia Fun Jiao brought the art from China, but, furthermore, Schlegel’s work has been expanded upon in various academic circles and published material exist today that cite Schlegel to support their arguments. However, Schlegel’s interpretation of the manuscripts, although interesting, are not of practical importance; rather my arguments will be based off of the pure evidence from which he draws his conclusions.

The slanders claim that HKBECP is related to traitors in the 1930’s, this is because the traitors also went under the name of “Black Flag”, but then why not relate us to Liu Yongfu, the Chinese sword for hire, who, with his Black Flag Army, fought against the French in Vietnam during the 1870s and 1880s? Why not HKBECP be associated with this black flag group? – Who, I might add, is more easily discovered through the ‘public documents available’ – This is a valid question, but the answer is obvious – Liu Yongfu was remembered as a patriot, not a murderous traitor, and so the propaganda wouldn’t have the desired effect. It is my intention, however, to show our relationship to another, completely unrelated, society; that of the Hong Men [Hung Moon], the society from which Schlegel’s manuscripts originate. HKB legend states that our system originated from the Southern Shaolin temple; similarly, questions 33-36 of the societies’ Catechism(3) is recorded as follows:

Q. 33. How did you obtain your knowledge of military art?
A. I learned it at the convent Shao-lin
Q. 34. What did you learn firstly?
A. I firstly learned the art of boxing of the Hung-brethern.
Q. 35. How can you prove that?
A. I can prove it by a verse
Q. 36. How does this verse run?
A. The fist of the brave and valiant Hungs are known through
all the world;
Since the Shao-lin-convent it has been transmitted.
Under the whole expanse of heaven we all are called Hung;
Afterwards we will assist the prince of the house of
Ming.(4)

After the Shaolin temple’s destruction at the hands of the Qing [Tsing] dynasty forces, HKB legend goes on to declare that there were five survivors who splintered off and created five separate lodges, each designated by a different colored flag, to combat the Qing. Schlegel relates that after their escape, “The confederates now dispersed themselves over all the provinces of China in order to gather troops and money.” Schlegel continues:

The five monks of the Shao-lin-convent were made heads of the five
principal lodges […] Thsai-the-chung went to the province of Fuh-
kien where he erected the first lodge, which he named: “The blue-
lotus Hall.” […]
Fang-ta-hung went to the province of Canton where he erected the
second lodge, which he named the “Hall of obedience to Hung.” […]
Ma-chao-hing went to the province of Yun-nan where he erected the
third lodge, which he named “The Hall of our queen” […]
Hu-the-ti went to the province of Hu-nan where he erected the fourth
lodge, which he named the “Blended-with-Heaven Hall.” […]
Li-sih-khai went to the province of Cheh-kiang where he erected the
fifth lodge, which he named the “Extensive-conversion Hall.”

Furthermore, Volume I of Triad Societies: Western Accounts of the History, Sociology, and Linguistics of Chinese Secret Societies describes the actual ceremonial flags used in the societies’ rituals:

The Flags of the “Five Ancestors,” which are triangular; each
containing the surname of one of the five priest, […] and the name
of the province, - Fuh-kien, Kwangtung, Yunnan, Hu-Kwang, or
Chekiang, in which each priest founded a Lodge

On these Flags, are inscribed in abbreviated characters, the
mottoes, “Obey Heaven, Walk righteously,” and “Exterminate the
Chheng,” or, “Overturn the Chheng, restore the Beng. ”(5)

The flags are, Black, Red, Yellow or Carnation colour, White, and
Green, (or Azure blue); all have a pennon with suitable inscription,
and before inserting each in the Tau, the Sien Seng recites an
appropriate verse. – e. g.

The first, or Black Flag of Hok-Kien.
“The black flag of Hok-Kien has the precedence.”
“In Kam-Siok (Kan-Suh) they also associated together, and laid a
foundation.”

“The “Beng” conferred on the Lodge, the title of “Blue Lotus Hall.”
“So the whole 13 provinces shall guard the Imperial domains.”(6)

All of this evidence correlates with HKB legend, but We also realize, however, that the correlation may be perceived as sprung from mere coincidence – “there is, it seems, an association between HKB legend and the legends presented in these manuscripts, but is a relation between these legends and the system of HKB itself extant?”, you may ask – and thusly we are obliged to answer.


Firstly, it must be understood, during the time of its conception, the Wing Chun [Eng Chun] system was without a name; it would not adorn its title till much later, when adherents of the societies would refer to it by alluding to its original birth place – ie: Eng Chun Dim, or Eternal Springtime Hall, of the southern Shaolin temple. In fact, before our system was called Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai in the United States, it was referred to as Hokkian Eng Chun Kok Sut Cia, meaning that the system [Eng Chun system] originated in Hokkian or Fuh-kien province, and that it is derived from the “18 lohan hands” [Lohan Cap (10) Pwe (8) Jiu (Open hand )(7)] techniques that originated from Shaolin.

Interestingly enough, the twentieth question of the Catechism is as follows:

Q. 20. Which abilities do you posses that you dare enter the army?
A. I am fully acquainted with the eighteen military arts.

Furthermore, within the HKB legend it is recorded that in the ruins of the Shaolin temple, a mysterious sword materialized from the ground; its blade bore the inscriptions Sang Liong Jo Cu, or Two dragons fighting over a pearl, and Bhiat Ceng Hok Beng, or Overthrow Ceng (Qing), restore Beng (Ming). These two saying became the mottos of the secret societies, and they are represented physically in the opening of salute of HKB system, and the formerly mentioned term is actually represented in the principal movement of said form. The HKB legend is precious, but it is hard to believe a sword sudden sprung forth from the earth, it is most likely of symbolic importance; however, the sword does exist, and it is mentioned in Volume IV of Triad Societies: Western Accounts of the History, Sociology, and Linguistics of Chinese Secret Societies; in relating the intricacies of the initiation to the Hung Society, the volume records the catechism between master and vanguard thusly:

Master – Have you anything else?
Vanguard – I have a sword.
Master – What is on that sword?
Vanguard – Certain characters.
Master – What are they?
Vanguard – On one side are two dragons disputing over a pearl,
and on the other “Overthrow Ts’ing and restore Ming.”(8)

I hope it is now truly apparent the origins of our art. It is true – there are still some historical concerns that remain unaccounted for, but their discovery will have to await further evidence. Still, it is regrettable this article ever had to be written, and that we had to dirty our hands with the stench of petty politics; the Hek Ki Boen system is a true jewel, and shouldn’t have to be defended, but it would be foolish to forsake the manure that fertilizes strong trees. HKBECP was established in the United States from Indonesia in 2005, and has only recently been introduced to the wider international community; the response of these slanderers is a sad thing, but even diamonds don’t shimmer until they have been dug up, retrieved from their earthy abyss, and are illuminated by the warm light of the sun. And so we hope that in the future we may be received by the warmth and the light of many open minded martial artists.

Bibliography(9):
Bolton, Kingsley, and Christopher Hutton, . Triad Societies. Western Accounts of the History, Sociology and Linguistics of Chinese Secret Societies. Vol. I. VI vols. London: Routledge, 2000.
Musashi, Miyamoto. "The Earth Scroll." In The Book of Five Rings, by Miyamoto Musashi, translated by Thomas Cleary, 10. Boston: Shambhala, 1993/1643.
Schlegel, Gustave. Thian Ti Hwui: The Hung-League, or Heaven-Earth-League, a Secret Society with the Chinese in China and India. . Batavia: Lange, 1866.
Ward, J. S. M., and W. G. Stirling. Triad Societies. Western Accounts of the History, Sociology and Linguistics of Chinese Secret Societies. Edited by Kingsley Bolton and Christopher Hutton. Vol. IV. VI vols. London: Routledge, 2000.




FALSE ACCUSATION TOWARD OUR KUNGFU FAMILY NAME


In the practice of every way of life and every kind of work, there is a state of mind called that of the deviant.” Regrettable is the truth of this statement – more regrettable still, is its relevance in politics! There are those deviants(10), who, in hopes of rousing fear and fury, shamelessly produce falsehood for public consumption. We are all well aware of this fact; at its mere mention history reminds us of her examples. Those hideous shameful ones! – Without reason and conscience do they slander, from all walks of life do they march, and, unfortunately, we in the martial arts community have yet to rid ourselves of their stench. Regrettable, indeed, is the situation – if only this madness would confine itself to politicians, with its inevitable spree taking place every four years.

In the recent month, multiple media has been circulated across the internet that defiles our art and slanders our members and leaders; these deviants, with their fragile arguments, have accused the Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai [HKBECP] system with many slanders arguments that contradicted to each other. For example:

• Being associated with traitorous bandits who allied themselves with the Japanese during the invasion of Manchuria in 1931 – they even went so far as to claim a relationship between HKBECP and the Nanjing Massacre (1937), with a healthy amount of unpleasant imagery to accent their fear mongering.
The slanders claim that HKBECP is related to traitors in the 1930’s, this is because the traitors also went under the name of “Black Flag”, but then why not relate us to Liu Yongfu, the Chinese sword for hire, who, with his Black Flag Army, fought against the French in Vietnam during the 1870s and 1880s? Why not HKBECP be associated with this man black flag group? – Who, I might add, is more easily discovered through the ‘public documents available’ – This is a valid question, but the answer is obvious – Liu Yongfu was remembered as a patriot, not a murderous traitor, and so the propaganda wouldn’t have the desired effect. It is my intention, however, to show our relationship to another, completely unrelated, society; that of the Hong Men [Hung Moon], the society from which Schlegel’s manuscripts originate

• These slanderers have yet to make any criticism on the actual system of HKBECP; instead, they attack the existential qualities of its origin. They have claimed that we, HKBECP as an organization, have changed our history multiple times for the purpose of propaganda, and yet they show themselves as the true propagandists – propagandists who are naïve to the idea that historical interpretations of century old oral legends might inherently contain certain difficulties. Their ignorance begets their disgraceful behavior – it seems when they cannot attack the art, they will attack the artist – and so they let loose their ad hominem arguments. (11) They have attempted to disgrace my Suhu [Sifu/Master] by such lowly tactics; as stated in a Youtube video, posted under the pseudonym of wcwatchdog, “it is not right this Chinese bastard in the United States spread nonsense, hypocrisy and pain.” Wcwatchdog claims to quote this from a Mr. Zhao Yuan, a Chinese citizen who contributed an article to a newspaper.
• The original attack tried to relate us to Lohan Fist system,
[Every HKB Eng Chun Practitioner knows there is a big different between Lohan Fist system and HKB Eng Chun]
• Then their next attacks changed to relate us as Five Ancestor Fist and Vikoga Wing Chun, simply because Sifu Lin had a chance to study other style such as Tai Zu, Hsing Yi, Ngo Chor(Five ancestor), Tai Chi and Vikoga Wing Chun to expand his horizon.
• Then their next attacks changed to accuse Sifu Benny Meng to integrate Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun, into the HKB system. [This slanders can be proven as not true by every HKB practicioner who had Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun experience. It is very clear that HKB doesn’t share the same concept, movement and formula]
• Then the attack changed to relate us to 18 Lohan Hands [Shi Ba Luo Han Shuo] now.
[It is also not true. For the last 5000 years Martial History, there was no such thing as 18 Lohan Hand Style [Shi Ba Luo Han Shou]. However, there is 18 Lohan fist system [Shi Ba Luo Han Quan] which totally have different shape, form, movements, engine, etc from HKB Eng Chun]



----------------
REFERENCES
----------------
(1)While writing this volume, Gustave Schlegel was working as “the interpreter for the Chinese language to the government of the Netherlands-India, and a member of both the Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences, and of the Royal Institute for the Philology, Geography, and Ethnology of Netherlands-India.” (see Schlegel’s title page)
(2)The Hek Ki Boen family still has schools in Indonesia, in the past the style original name was known as Hokkian Eng Cun Kok Sut Jia. Moreover, there have been many of HKB members from USA, have been to them, and have met multiple Grand Masters; there are pictures, AND videos to document this, it is entirely preposterous to conclude that our Sifu, Lin Xiang Fuk, fabricated our entire legend.
(3)A question and answer method of expressing the beliefs and regulations of the society. In this case, it appears in the ritual initiation of new members.
(4)Schlegel, Pg. 65
(5)Chheng and Beng, here, are different ways of spelling Qing and Ming respectively.
(6)Pg. 7
(7)As opposed to a closed fist [18 Lohan Fist].
(8)Pg. 59
(9)The information presented here would not have been available if it wasn’t for my Su-Te, Larry Brayboy, who originally discovered most of it.
(10)Musashi, Miyamoto.
(11)Latin: To the man; a common term for the logical fallacy of determining the validity of a proposition by the merits of its advocates

Friday, October 14, 2011

Official Statement from GM The Kang Hay:

I really don’t want to do this, but I have been commanded by my Sifu, GM The Kang Hay to release his official statement to clarify a statement made by GM Tio Tek Kwie.


Official Statement from GM The Kang Hay:

1. I, The Kang Hay is asking all of our HKB Eng Chun members to continue to focus on their training and developing their skill and character.

2. Please do not listen to words from a liar. If the other party lies before, and now saying he is not a liar and a man of honor is therefore the biggest lie itself. When the mouth can no longer be trusted, the eyes are even worse.

3. I, The Kang Hay, strongly want to make it clear for the record that the Kwee King Yang system is Eng Chun which is in the Hokian dialect[Fukienese], the Cantonese dialect would be Wing/Weng Chun.

4. There is no such thing as 18 Lohan Hand Style. It doesn’t even exist in the history. You can ask any martial arts historian to validate this. In Kwee King Yang’s teaching, the knowledge of 18 Lohan Hands are actually 18 hand techniques/movements that is a part of the 18 Lohan Fist system. If the other party doesn’t know Chinese culture and martial arts history, please don’t make such irresponsible misleading statements in labeling my Sifu Kwee King Yang’s system.

5. The other party mentioned to contact the grandson of Kwee King Yang, however, he did not include his contact information. Please ask the other party to provide the contact information of the grandson of Kwee King Yang so that the public can verify. GM Tan Swie Ho / Sony [One of the grandsons] also wanted to state he is waiting for the phone call as he cannot wait to bring the truth out. There is also Mr. Yoppie [Another grandson of Kwee King Yang, who lives at Kwee King Yang’s house in Klimbungan] is waiting to be contacted.

**** ADDED BY SIFU LIN XIANG FUK: GM Tan Swie Ho speaks English but it’s not perfect. He doesn’t need a translator. For Mr. Yoppie, if you contact him, please make sure you use an independent Interpreter.******* End.

One way or another, please either contact one of the grandsons for further verification or please participate in our annual banquet at the end of the year. You will meet all the grandsons of Kwee King Yang and the rest of the Grandmaster Elders and Myself, The Kang Hay.

Unless you have communicated with us directly, I am asking everyone not to participate in the politics of slandering our Kungfu family name and my Sifu, Kwee King Yang’s name.


Sincerely,

The Kang Hay.

10/15/2011 1:15 PM

Surabaya, Indonesia

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Sergio Iadarola Lies, GM Tio Tek Kwie is not a direct student of Kwee King Yang

Just to be clear, GM Tio never once ever claim to be direct student of Kwee King Yang to Sifu Lin. It's all Sergio Made up a  "His"-Story, fabricating lie.
This is not to expose GM Tio as there nothing to expose. GM Tio had been honest and humble. He would never claim such a lie to be a direct student of Kwee King Yang.
This video is to expose and debunk sergio made up "His"-story. GM Tio Tek Kwie name was being tarnished by Sergio Iadarola Lies!
Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk gives GM Tio Tek Kwie full support by exposing this.


Sergio's Lie # 3.
He stated that GM Tio Tek Kwie is one of the closest disciples of Kwee King Yang.
Here is his original statement:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/sergio%20lie.PNG

Fact: This is a pure LIE and manipulation that he did to salvage his collapsing organization by fabricating a story of GM Tio Tek Kwie to be one of the closest students of Kwee King Yang. The truth is GM Tio Tek Kwie is not even a direct student of Kwee King Yang.

GM Tio Tek Kwie's real sifu is GM The Sik Yen, who is a student of GM Ban Bi Sun. GM Ban Bi Sun is a direct student of Kwee King Yang. So if counting from Cia Fun Tjiao, the last chief instructor of Black Flag, a direct Student of Sifu Lin would be a 5th Generation Black Flag disciple. A direct student of Sergio would be 7th Generation Black Flag student. Sergio tried to make all of this lies as it's not good for his business. Where is his moral etiquette?

Proof:
a. Old Picture of GM Tio Tek Kwie(Standing up on right) along with his Suheng[Sihing] Tik Siu[Standing next to GM Tio] with his direct sifu, GM The Sik Yen (Sitting next to GM Kwee King Yang). Both Tik Siu and GM Tio are student of GM The Sik Yen.

Source: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/tekkwiewithsikyen.jpg
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.206960826001595.53188.100000630387185&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=206960846001593&set=a.206960826001595.53188.100000630387185&type=3&theater


b. Video explanation by the real successor of Kwee King Yang, GM The Kang Hay. Translated by GM Tio Tek Kwie's own Nephew; Royce M.
During this video, GM The Kang Hay no longer wanted to cover up for all of those lies from Sergio's side in regards to GM Tio Tek Kwie's Lineage Generation

Video can be viewed here;
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH8wFX3TSRQ
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu5XwDlT9ns
We decided not to release part 1 and 2 yet, which is even MORE POWERFUL than part 3 & 4. Unless Sergio keep pushing his Lies....

Next Page to see more of Sergio Lies -->
http://blackflagwingchun.blogspot.com/2011/10/official-clarification-statement-in.html

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Official Clarification Statement in response to Sergio’s Lies and Marketing Propaganda.

Official Clarification Statement in response to Sergio’s Lies, Marketing Propaganda, and Internet Attacks

[In case Sergio try to take the site down]

 
After long consideration, cultivation, many endless discussions with HKB Grandmaster elders in Indonesia, especially GM The Kang Hay, considering many people who have been cheated by Sergio as his victim as well as the future of our kungfu family, we have decided today to release and expose the truth along with some evidence. We made this decision based on the following reasons:
1.      We have discovered some information from several leaders that used to be in his organization before they left him. They had to pay either 1250 Euro per hour [version 1] or per day [version 2] with a minimum of 3 days to learn our Black Flag Wing Chun that he stole from us. The most ridiculous part is that this is happening after he started attacking us on the internet. We understand his organization is already falling apart as this year 2011 he lost every school in Germany except one and all of his schools in Italy except 4-6 schools out of 25, more or less. We don’t want more innocent people to become  victim of his fraudulent money hunger.  We also understand this was one of the reasons they left him.
2.      All the lies that he made regarding 18 lohan hand.
3.      His manipulation of our history.
4.      His manipulation of one of our teachers, GM Tio Tek Kwie by putting words in his mouth.

The clarification and truth, exposing his lies:

1. Sergio’s Lie # 1.
Lies: He stated in his mass slander email:
“During our training together in Kowloon park  we met an original student of Kwee King Yang we have spend lots of time with him and through that know now all the history and facts”
Fact: After he discovered that he was about to be kicked out from our Shaolin HKB Eng Chun Pai Family, he went to Indonesia trying to recruit and manipulate GM Tio in Probolinggo to support his marketing propaganda. He knew exactly where to turn because he was aware there was an internal issue between GM Tio and the rest of the elders and was trying to take advantage of it.
We were already aware of the first day he went to Indonesia as GM Tio stopped by at Depot Sari (GM The Kang Hay’s restaurant) before he went to the airport to pick him up. GM The Kang Hay asked GM Tio Tek Kwie’s driver and found out about Sergio coming. We were all prepared and anticipated his movement thanks to GM The Kang Hay.

Here is a copy of the original email that was sent:

Conclusion: His so called ‘student of kwee king yang in Kowloon’ park is completely a big lie and he tried to hide his betrayal.


2. Sergio’s Lie # 2.
Sergio made a statement that HKB/Black Flag is not Wing Chun, instead it was 18 lohan hands as he claimed to be stated by GM Tio Tek Kwie.

Fact: GM Tio Tek Kwie himself already stated 2 years before Sergio even began his HKB training with us that this is Black Flag Wing Chun in many video interviews and even in the official interview by National Newspaper Jawa Pos by Muhamad Fahmi(Jawa Pos Newspaper’s Reporter) that took place in GM Tio Tek Kwie’s house on Saturday, Janurary 17, 2009. Sifu Lin was not even aware of this article and contacted the reporter, Muhamad Fahmi, who stated that he was actually contacted by GM Tio Tek Kwie’s own daughter Zhang Li Lian to interview her father and to promote his name. On top of that, during several seminars/workshop that GM Tio did, GM Tio himself released a seminar certificate that clearly stated he is a grandmaster of Hokkian Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai (Black Flag Wing Chun).

** Proof of Newspaper (Look at paragraph 13):
a.                    PDF Version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/Jawapos-full.pdf
b.                    Html archive version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/jawapos.htm
c.                     Our Translation version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/newspaper.pdf

** Proof of Video Interview with GM Tio Tek Kwie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uhaq35jN00

** Proof of Certificate:
a.            From GM Tio Tek Kwie Seminar on March 28, 2010
b.            From GM Tio Tek Kwie Seminar on November 7, 2008

Note:
1.            This is just an example of the certificate given to one of the attendees by GM Tio Tek Kwie. There are also many more HKB Eng Chun Pai certificates GM Tio Tek Kwie issued, not to mention all the attendees can also testify to this.
2.            The newspaper and certificate can also be found at this link:


3. Sergio’s Lie # 3.
Lies: Sergio stated that GM Tio Tek Kwie is one of the closest disciples of Kwee King Yang. Here was Sergio's original statement:

Fact: This is a pure LIE and manipulation that Sergio did to salvage his collapsing organization by fabricating a story of GM Tio Tek Kwie as one of the closest students of Kwee King Yang. The truth is GM Tio Tek Kwie is not even a direct student of Kwee King Yang.

GM Tio Tek Kwie’s real sifu is GM The Sik Yen, who is a student of GM Ban Bi Sun. GM Ban Bi Sun is a direct student of Kwee King Yang. So if counting from Cia Fun Tjiao, the last chief instructor of Black Flag, a direct Student of Sifu Lin would be a 5th Generation Black Flag disciple. A direct student of Sergio would be 7th Generation Black Flag student. He(Sergio) tried to make this up as it’s not good for his business. Where is his moral etiquette?

Again, let us make it clear, it is not GM Tio who lied, but Sergio is the one who created all of this lies for his marketing scam.

Proof:
a.            Old Picture of GM Tio Tek Kwie(Standing up on right) along with his Suheng[Sihing] Tik Siu[Standing next to GM Tio] with his direct sifu, GM The Sik Yen (Sitting next to GM Kwee King Yang). Both Tik Siu and GM Tio are student of GM The Sik Yen.
Or


b.            Video explanation by the real successor of Kwee King Yang, GM The Kang Hay. Translated by GM Tio Tek Kwie’s own Nephew; Royce M.
During this video, GM The Kang Hay no longer wanted to cover up for all of those lies from Sergio’s side in regards to GM Tio Tek Kwie’s Lineage Generation
We decided not to release part 1 and 2 yet, which is even MORE POWERFUL than part 3 & 4.


4. Sergio Lie # 4;
Lies: Sergio stated that Sifu Lin created Siauw Lim Dou(Siu Lian Tao), Tim Kiao(Chum Kiu) and Piauw Ki(Biu Ji).

Fact: Sifu Lin learned two of these forms from his sifu, GM Tio Tek kwie.
It is clear evidence in this video that Tim Kiao and Piauw Ki is from GM Tio Tek Kwie in which he explained the purpose and a bit of technical of these two forms. Note: There was also a video interview prior to this that GM Tio explained Siauw Lim Dou, however, we cannot locate that part yet.
  
5. Sergio Lie #5;
Lies: Sergio tried making up some lie to discredit GM The Kang Hay during his visit for his HKB Seminar in USA on May 2011. Sergio claimed that GM The Kang Hay was just #4 in seniority.

Fact: GM The Kang Hay is the current leader and most respected Grandmaster within HKB Grandmaster elders in Indonesia, not to mention he is the Grand Nephew of Kwee King Yang and the one the was appointed directly by Kwee King Yang to replace him teaching at Kwee King Yang’s Bukoan from age 18 to 27.
Everyone can contact any Grandmaster elders in Indonesia to verify this fact. Sergio was trying too hard to sabotage our HKB seminar and failed miserably.
This was GM The Kang Hay’s response in his own words:

Original:
“Ini adah pesan langsung dari GM The Kang Hay.
Subyek: Mengenai pernyataan dari Sergio
Kepada: Sergio, GM Tio and semua yang berkepentingan.
1. Mengenai pernyataan Sergio yang menuturkan bahwa saya adalah urutan 4 dalam senioritas adalah salah. Malah justru ke 10 jika perlu
2. Terimakasih atas sanjungannya utk menempatkan saya urutan ke 4, walaupun itu terlalu tinggi bagi saya. Sepertinya kamu lebih mengetahui Tiokong saya dan keluarga saya bahkan melebihi saya sendiri dalam mengenal beliau walau waktu singkat mulai dari umur 18 Saya diangkat oleh Mpek King Yang sebegai pelatih di klimbungan sampai umur 27, dikawinkan. Setelah itu proses mengajar di klimbungan saya serahkan kepada murid saya, GM Xing Yen.
Lebih dari itu, sepertinya anda seakan lebih mengetahui tentang riwayat hidup saya lebih daripada saya sendiri yang menjalani. GM The Kang Hay”

Translation:
“This is a message directly from GM The Kang Hay
Subject: Regarding Sergio’s recent statement
To: Sergio, GM Tio and whomever it may concern.
#1 In regards to Sergio’s statement saying I, GM The Kang Hay, is #4 in reference to seniority. Not only is this statement extremely wrong, more than that to be accurate I am #10 in seniority not #4.

#2 Thank you for the compliment that put me at #4 in seniority. It is too high for me, however I thank you. It appears you know my grandfather and our family more than I do. Because after all I only knew him for a short time, since I was 18 until now at the age of 65. And by the way, GM Kwee King Yang arranged my marriage. When I was 18 I became his assistant teaching the students in Klimbungan until I turned 27 when he arranged my marriage. At that time the teaching process was replaced with my student who is GM Xing Yen.

It looks like you know the whole history of my life more than I do and…I am the one living it - GM The Kang Hay”

This documentation can be found at:

6. Clarification on Sergio Betrayal and Manipulation
Lies: Sergio claimed that he left HKB because he discovered this and that.

Fact: From the very beginning learning HKB under Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk, Sergio
broke one of the most critical requirements in HKB as an Instructor Candidate, which is that he was not supposed to teach HKB yet, until he was certified.

However, almost every time he was doing his seminar, he taught HKB even though he was not qualified to and didn’t receive permission. Sifu Lin’s concern is trying to make sure every ICP met the skill requirement for teaching HKB. In the end, Sifu Lin made a decision to kick Sergio out of HKB based on this point and by the advice of Grandmaster elders in Indonesia. However, while Sifu Lin was trying to salvage the good people from the bad ones, Sergio discovered this and made a slick move to recruit and manipulate GM Tio Tek Kwie in Indonesia and fabricate some lies.
Not to mention there was a time that he tried to change HKB Logo by making up some story that he paid $10,000 to design it. Turned out it’s the plug-n-play version of his old IWKA logo+HKB.
Here is the evidence of all the betrayal.
a.            During his recorded interview, he stated that he want to sincerely learn HKB and only teach HKB. Fact: Wing Chun Chop Sue; http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/IMG_0002.PNG
b.            This is one of the HKB Instructor Candidate from Sergio who only had couple lesson from 2 meeting with Sifu Lin. Yet, was told by Sergio to teach HKB. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/IMG_0004.PNG and http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/IMG_0008.PNG
And how some of his crew support this act of pirate
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/IMG_0005.PNG
c.             His un-authorized HKB Seminar in UK
d.            He never received permission to teach, yet, claiming in Facebook about to teach HKB Instructor Candidates
e.             Another un-authorized HKB seminar in Italy
f.              Un-authorized Teaching HKB Unique concept of Heaven, Earth and Man
g.            Un-authorized teaching HKB bridging hand
h.            Another un-authorized HKB teaching in Germany
i.              An email of sincere opinion and testimony about Sergio disrespectful behavior toward Sifu Lin in March 2011, written by Percival Rico from Philippine.
j.              And also We just found out recently, during Sergio first introduction lesson to HKB by Sifu Lin in July 2010, he went straight to Belo Horizonte-Brazil and start un-authorized teaching them what he just learned from Sifu Lin. Sadly, we also just found out these guys in Brazil actually paid Sergio 9000 Euro on that visit for 3 days learning, 3 hours each. The rest of the day, they said Sergio just sleep in his hotel. Now we understand why Sergio tried to offer us to take over his Brazilian group as they no longer have any money. We ended up still accept them and adjust their instructor tuition as they ask for financial aid (After their money is being robbed by their Sifu).
k.            On top of that, after about 1-2 months after he first learned from Sifu Lin in USA, he already started teaching HKB in his school in Amsterdam, UN-AUTHORIZEDLY and without Sifu Lin’s permission. Public can contact their regular student at his school to prove this statement. There are many of them want to stand up actually to testify.
**All of these are some example why he was about to be kicked out of the HKB.

7. Clarification on Sergio HKB Skill
Lies: Sergio positioned himself as an expert in the HKB system, that he propagated as 18 lohan hands.
Fact: Sifu Lin admitted his progression was fast, but not enough mileage/experience in HKB and he didn’t meet the requirement to represent the real teaching of Kwee King Yang. Sergio only took a couple lessons out of the five meetings he had with Sifu Lin which was in August 2010 (USA), September/October 2010(Hong Kong), November 2010(USA), December 2010(USA) and March 2011(Hong Kong-Amsterdam). Everyone who learns HKB knows for a fact that HKB requires hard training, not instant! Five meetings is not enough!
Even now, he claims to learn under GM Tio Tek Kwie that he manipulated, but has only had a couple meetings. Everyone that experiences learning under GM Tio Tek Kwie knows how traditional his teaching is and there is no way to develop skill within a few meetings. In our opinion, there is no way GM Tio Tek Kwie would certify anyone to teach after just a couple of meetings. GM Tio Tek Kwie’s skill is good, so if you want to learn GM Tio’s teaching; go directly to GM Tio, instead of a fraudulent middleman. GM Tio is humble and open and would accept anyone wanting to learn. Please contact Sifu Lin to get his contact info. In conclusion, we want to clarify that around 5-7 meetings in HKB is still beginner student level and Sergio is not qualified to teach or represent the teaching of Kwee King Yang.

8. Clarification on Sifu Lin’s study.
Lies: Sergio claimed that Sifu Lin learned HKB from GM Tio and The Kang Hay in 2003.

Fact: It is true Sifu Lin did not start with GM Tio Tek Kwie in 1985, why? Because Sifu Lin did not start learning HKB under GM Tio. His first and main Sifu was GM The Kang Hay. Sifu Lin was introduced to GM The Kang Hay in 1985 by his own father (Who was also a student at Kwee King Yang Bukoan, taught also by GM The Kang Hay). Sifu Lin’s parent’s house was very close to GM The Kang Hay’s. Whenever time permitted, he always went there by walking or riding a bicycle. Look how close his house was to GM The Kang Hay’s Bukoan;

9. Clarification on Sifu Lin’s stay in Japan
Lies: Sergio claimed that Sifu Lin was in Japan teaching HKB calling it something else.

Fact: It is true that Sifu Lin went to Japan during the economic recession in Indonesia. His family (parents) suffered financial hardship. He told his parent’s he went to a different city to work, but in fact went to Japan to support his family. Sifu Lin did not tell his family as he didn’t want them to be worried. This is the reason why he kept this part of his life private. He never told his family until recently. Moreover, it is true that Sifu Lin taught a small group in Japan just to keep up with his martial arts training. However, he never taught HKB back then as he had not received permission from any of his Sifu to teach this yet. What he taught were some styles that he had collected during his teenage time, 8 years after he first learned HKB. Sifu Lin never denied he studied other styles as he stated on his website blackflagwingchun.com. It’s unfortunate that Sergio tried to blackmail Suhu Lin’s private life.

10. Clarification on HKB Grandmaster Elders
Lies: Sergio claimed to be supported by the HKB elders in Indonesia.
Fact: This is also not true, because Sergio is not welcome in the HKB Eng Chun (Hokkian Eng Chun Kok Sut Cia) family in Indonesia, whose leader is, GM The Kang Hay. GM The Kang Hay had stated clearly to Sifu Tio Tek Kwie that Sergio is and will never be part of the family. We only accept students with a good character. So, Sergio: Which elders? name their name please.

 
During this opportunity, GM The Kang Hay and Sifu Lin would like to extend an invitation to everyone. Please join us during our HKB December Banquet this year in Indonesia. You will get the direct opportunity to meet with all the active Grandmaster Elders to verify and validate every statement of this. Also feel free to bring your own translator (Before Sergio says anything). We are pretty sure that Sergio will try really hard to sabotage this, however, your attendance can be confidential upon your request and they can arrange a day and time to meet. Sergio in this case is also welcome to meet face to face with the elders in Indonesia.

11. Clarification on names of Sifu Lin
Lies: Sergio claim Sifu Lin had multiple identities
Fact: In Indonesia, between 1960-2000, the usage of a Chinese name was prohibited by the Indonesian government. Every Chinese person that was born during this time were all given an official Indonesian name and unofficially a Chinese name passed down by their parents. For example, GM Tio Tek Kwie, his official Indonesian name is Tedja Wirardi Soetiono, but this doesn’t mean he uses multiple identities. In this case, for Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk, his official Indonesian name is Kenneth Salim, but in the U.S., since there is no restriction, he decided to use his Chinese name. There is nothing wrong with that.

12. Clarification on the Sergio’s lies of his ‘claimed 20,000 members”
Fact: This is a portion of written email sent to me by one of his leader within iwka who left him along with big group of people because they are tired of his lies. I don’t want to release any name without his consent because I respect his privacy.

Sergio goes around to the inexperience Wing Chun enthusiast and tries to impress them with lies, EX: 20,000 members, 90 plus school, WC researcher expert……, and get them into his IWKA with false hope and promises. He teaches multiply Wing Chun and Weng Chun program in his school. The Yip Man lineage is his base program, and he will up sale his students to the Chi Sim Weng Chun saying that it’s a better system. Now he is using HKB concepts in his Weng Chun without giving credit back. His approach shows his character, which is nothing short of dishonor and abuse of all the lineages.

Now he has less than 2500, because whole Spain, a part of Italy and 99% of Germany are left him. Together we are bigger than the whole IWKA  . That is the truth!!”
The thing is, Sergio always say, that he has 20.000 members, but the truth is, he has not more than 2.500. I know this, because I had the xxxxxxx [Censored]   and I was his xxxxxx[censored] student. He told me everything."

“ Im only a simple man, who want peace and harmony. Im happy now, that lot of things clear for me now. I was a very loyal and one of Sergio xxxxxxx[censored] student. For me, always honest is very important. Sergio lied to me in the last year so many times, took my student from me (xxxxxxxxxx[censored], you met him in the xxxxxx[censored]) and talked bad about me with him. Now my relationship with xxxxxxxxxx[censored] is good again and I wish him the best with Sergio”

13. Clarification on the Sergio’s lies
Lies: “"c. We have talked on the phone with GM The Kang Hay together with GM Tio and we are very welcome, GM Tio Tek Kwie has been friends and kung fu brothers for many decades, its a sad attempt to ruin that and put a wall between them."
Fact: As Sifu Lin was writing this, he was currently on the phone with GM The Kang Hay on phone. GM The Kang Hay directed Sifu Lin to state Sergio is FULL OF LIE. GM The Kang Hay never speak with Sergio in his entire life and doesn't welcome him into the family.  Again, GM The Kang Hay doesn't talk with Sergio on the phone. This is one of the biggest lie made by Sergio. And being documented already. More over, if GM Tio as claimed by Sergio to have said this, then GM The Kang Hay had requested him[GM Tio] to swear [Sumpah Mati] by the kungfu family brotherhood name.


14. UPDATED NEW INFORMATION on Sergio's New LiesLies:  Between October 11 to 12 of 2011, Sergio tried to manipulate GM Tio to release a statement saying that GM Tio made some lies about Black Flag Wing Chun in order to support Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk.

Fact: This is totally doesn't make sense, because:
How could a Sifu be dictated by his own student not only to say certain thing but even change the kungfu family name and history. Does it even make sense to you? This is the most unbelieveable lies again coming from Sergio. GM Tio is a man with principle and integrity. Why would he do stuff like that? Again, another attempt of Sergio to diverse the attention from him.


Perhaps, public should then question sergio, even if what Sergio claimed was true that GM Tio made up Black Flag Wing Chun to support Sifu Lin, Then what's stopping him now not to lie again with 18 lohan campaign to support sergio this time. If GM did lie before about Black Flag Wing Chun, the this Sergio's 18 Lohan Hands MUST BE ANOTHER LIE!But of course, this can not be true. My Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk stated that, GM Tio Tek Kwie is a man with honor, principle, honesty, loyalty, compassion and integrity. He would do such un-honourable behaviour. Public can see it clearly that Sergio is trying really hard to divert the attention from public about all of his lies by framing GM Tio now.
Final Word:
Again, During this opportunity, GM The Kang Hay and Sifu Lin would like to extend an invitation to everyone. Please join us during our HKB December Banquet this year in Indonesia. You will get the direct opportunity to meet with all the active Grandmaster Elders to verify and validate every statement of this. Also feel free to bring your own translator (Before Sergio says anything). We are pretty sure that Sergio will try really hard to sabotage this event, however, your attendance can be confidential upon your request and they can arrange a day and time to meet. Sergio in this case is also welcome to meet face to face with the elders in Indonesia.

 
***Note: Sifu Lin has hesitated for about almost one year, but finally for the greater good and for fraud prevention; he has agreed to release some of the evidence regarding the Sergio Iadarola case. Sifu Lin has discussed this Sergio situation with HKB Grandmaster elders in Indonesia by phone in the last several months as well as in person when Sifu Lin was called by his Sifu to come down in May 2011. Finally as of October 10, 2011, he was advised by his Sifu, GM The Kang Hay to make this official statement.

We already anticipate that exposing this truth might provoke Sergio’s true character to more aggressively slander Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk, Sifu Benny Meng and the HKB Eng Chun Family and we may soon be receiving attack-hate mail after our first official statement we published this morning.
We have been receiving so many emails from people giving their positive support dealing with this attack from Sergio.
Some of them even apologized for not knowing earlier about the truth. We can understand this as well. No need to apologize as they didn’t know the truth at that time as we didn't want to share the evidence yet to avoid politics.

From the bottom of our heart, for everyone who has exchanged emails with us and finally know the truth, we want to let all of you know that this means a lot.

The only hate mail we received so far are two, both from Sergio’s group which include:
1. Name calling
2. Making a threat to destroy Sifu Lin’s/Meng’s reputation and character as he had done it many times to other well known Sifus.

This indicates that we were on the right track by exposing and revealing the truth here. Even if it was a mistake to reveal this, we are willing to take the risk of being wrong with our point of view.

We received several warning letters from people betrayed by Sergio, prior to him coming on board with HKB. At that time we were defending him, but now it turned out that every word they said was true. (Some are documented here: http://mengsmartialarts.com/forum/index.php/topic,1112.0.html). It’s a learning experience, but we have moved forward.

On the behalf of Shaolin HKB Eng Chun Pai Family, and Hokian Eng Chun Kok Sut family in Indonesia, we would like to thank you for your time reading this. We apologize if there’s any part of this statement that may offend anyone in some way. To all IWKA Leaders under Sergio, we also apologize if this may cause some disturbance in your business. We had no other choice because your Sifu, Sergio keep pushing us.
To Sergio, we are very sorry to tell you things like this, but the truth is the truth and the truth should be protected at all costs. We hope you find your happiness one day and become a good person.

If you have any further questions, please send an email directly to Sifu Lin or Sifu Meng. They don’t reply to anonymous or hate mail though J

Sincerely,

Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk and Sifu Benny Meng


Important Links;
1..  YouTube Video


4. Statement from other Sifu(s) around the world who had been a victim or have something to say about Sergio's Lies, Fraud, Scam and Manipulation.
  1. GM Leung Ting
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/GM%20Leung%20Ting.pdf
  2. GM Kernspecht
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/Keith%20R%20Kernspecht.pdf
  3. GM Andreas Hoffman of International Chi Sim Weng Chun Family
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/andreas%20hoffman.pdf
  4. Sifu Tam Yiu Ming from England (United Kingdom)
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/From%20Sifu%20Tam%20from%20England.pdf
  5. Sifu Christopher Collins
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/Sifu%20Christopher%20Collins.pdf
  6. Sifu Benny Meng
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/benny%20meng.pdf
  7. Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk and Sifu Benny Meng [This Document]
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/HKB%20Truth%20FINAL.pdf
  8. Sifu Frank Schäfer from Netherland
    1. Part 1[Final Official Statement]: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/part1%20Sifu%20Frank.pdf
    2. Part 2: http://www.nwto.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=222&catid=49&Itemid=124&lang=de
    3. Part 3: http://www.nwto.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=246&catid=49&Itemid=124&lang=de
    4. Backup Documents: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44930001/FrankSch%C3%A4fer.pdf