Wu Jia Chuan (a.k.a. Ng Ga Kuen) Five Family/Five Animal System

[elcuervo]

Wu Jia Chuan / Ng Ga Kuen

For those interested in knowing more about the Five Family System as Taught by GrandMaster Ark Y. Wong.. Here is a thread for you..

[elcuervo]

Good morning everyone, let me introduce my self my name is Sergio Rod. but everyone in the five family system just refers to me as "El Cuervo". Here is a good article on what GM Wong taught his disciples.

Here is a great article contributed by Alex Holub you will recognize Richard Vera in the pictures with Alex.

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/Articulos/FiveAnimalsOfKungFu/Article%201%2002.jpg

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/Articulos/FiveAnimalsOfKungFu/Article%201%2003.jpg

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/Articulos/FiveAnimalsOfKungFu/Article%201%2004.jpg

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/Articulos/FiveAnimalsOfKungFu/Article%201%2005.jpg

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/Articulos/FiveAnimalsOfKungFu/Article%201%2006.jpg

[elcuervo]

Here is a short clip of Sifu Ayala of the Five Family system:

http://www.internalmind.com/videos/tito.wmv

[elcuervo]

Ark Yuey Wong doing the Quan Dow... Enjoy...

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/GMArkWong/GmWongQuonDowmv.WMV

[osprey3883]

El Cuervo,
I haven't had a chance to look through these yet, but thank you for starting this thread.
We are always excited to learn more about the wide world of Chinese martial arts.

Regards,
Matt

[elcuervo]

Oeprey, it's my pleasure.. Hey I noticed you are located in Chandler, AZ.. I travel down to AZ quiet often.. I am actually thinking about moving their.

Thanks for the interest in Wu Jia Chuan (a.k.a. Ng Ga Kuen) it's a great art, what system do you practice?

El Cuervo

[elcuervo]

Here is a brief summary on who was GM Ark Y. Wong, written by a close friend of mine Steven Perez:

Grandmaster Ark Yuey Wong
January 11, 1900 - January 11, 1987





Grandmaster Ark Yuey Wong (Wong Ark-Yuey) was born in the large village of Toysun Tien Sum Chien, Canton, Southern China, in
1899/1900 into a moderately wealthy family. Early on, he was exposed to the ancient fighting arts as a need to defend himself from
articulated or actual threats of harm. In those days bandits roamed the countryside and Wong's grandfather made all males in the Wong
family study kung fu, if they were to receive any inheritance. A younger jealous brother, in order to weaken the older man and obtain his
wealth, attacked his great-grandfather. Upon recovering from the attack, the old man decreed that all his male descendants were obligated to
learn Kung Fu when they started school at the age of seven.

It was at that age that Ark Wong began his training under 14 masters within a Shao Lin Temple (Sifu Wong explained that the Cantonese
pronunciation of "Siu Lam", sometimes seen as Sil Lum is the same as the more popular term Shao Lin). His first Shifu was the well-
respected master, Lam Ark Fun. Master Lam was rather old at this time but still highly revered as a great teacher of the art of Choy Li Fut.
At the age of twelve, Ark Wong was taught the art of Chinese Herbal Medicine, a skill that he would employ extensively later in life from
Master Lam. Ark Wong studied under another well-respected master, Ho Ark Yeng from whom he learned Mawk Gar Kung Fu. Both
Master Lam and Master Ho were hired by a representative of the great-grandfather to teach the Wong family exclusively. In his later teens,
Ark Wong went to college and gave private Kung-fu lessons in Canton. It was during this time that he met Pung/Pang, the chief monk of the
Canton area and one of the greatest Kung-fu fighters in China. He studied under this master for a year and a half. Previously, all of Wong's
training was of the external aspects of Kung Fu. It was from Pung that he began to learn the internal aspects. Master Pung invited Wong to
his ascetic quarters and told him to place a lighted candle at the end of the room. According to Wong, Pung was able to chop the candle in
half from yards away, merely with a flick of the finger. “I had heard of power like that, but I had never seen it demonstrated”, Wong recalled
years ago. When civil unrest occurred in Canton, Wong returned to his village.

Here in Lin Chuan Yuan, Putien County, he opened a Kung Fu school for his family and the younger children of the area. One New Year's,
as was the custom, all the Kung Fu schools gathered to put on the "Lion Dancing" demonstration. On the basis of these demonstrations by
the different schools the masters were chosen. Only the best demonstrators would receive the title "Master." At the remarkable age, of
nineteen, Wong Ark Yuey was made Master.

Master Wong immigrated to the United States in his early twenties, around 1921. His uncle taught him Chinese herbal healing and
acupuncture. At that time, kung fu was taught among Chinese and mostly in Chinese tongs and associations. Since Chinese have many
festivities and cultural beliefs, the art of lion and dragon dance were taught to accommodate the celebration ritual. Many Chinese benefited
from Wong's martial art lessons during the 40's and 50's when he stayed in San Francisco, Stockton and Oakland. This was the birth of Ng
Ga Kin and Ng Ying Ga in the United States. In 1929, he moved to the Los Angeles area, where he taught exclusively for the Wong family
the first two years. He then opened his Chinese Herb shop and Kung Fu school, called War Que (War Kyu) or Overseas Chinese Martial
Arts Association. In 1931, Wong went to china to instruct the Wong family in the Martial Arts. In 1934, he returned to Los Angeles and
resumed his teaching. At the young age of 31, Master Wong was given the title of Grandmaster. In 1965, Wong opened his doors to the
public, to any sincere student who wanted to learn from a Master. Previously, as mentioned, all Chinese Kung Fu was taught to Chinese
only, as it was kept a secret. He taught the Five Family styles of Cho Li, Fut, Mok, and Hung and the five animals of the Tiger, Dragon,
Crane, Leopard and Snake. Master Wong taught Tai Chi Chuan, five element fist, natural fist and the Hop Gar Lama fist. He also taught the
18 traditional Shao Lin weapons, Lion and Dragon dancing, Chinese Acupuncture, Massage, and Herbal medicine. During his last 30 years
profession, many people entered the school. Especially during and after the Bruce Lee kung fu movie era. But only very few had completed
the entire course.

Master Wong was also a traditional Chinese herb doctor and helped many people with arthritis because of his special herb liniment called
Dit Da Jow, a special Shao Lin temple recipe handed down to only those students who were loyal and sincere.

Master Wong was in the original pilot movie of the television series "Kung Fu", with the actor David Carridine, who played the part of
"Kuai Chang Caine", (Grasshopper). Master Wong was the greatest Master of our century and the true "Pioneer" of Chinese Kung Fu in
America. Master Wong was on the front cover of the 1965 issue of "Black Belt Magazine" and has had numerous articles about him in the
"Inside Kung Fu Magazine". Combining all the styles he had learned, Wong counted among his students Bruce Lee, David Carradine and
Jimmy H. Woo.

Master Wong passed away on his birthday in January of 1987 at the age of 88 (1986 age 89). Up until his death, Wong’s speed and agility
continued to impress students one-third his age. In demonstrating the tiger form, Wong, in his late 80’s, included a dragon drop “so fast, he
was down in the floor and back up in a split second”, Holub notes. He was always helping people and devoted his whole life to Kung Fu
and Chinese medicine. He was the last of the old Masters but his legacy and his Association is still being carried on today. Grandmaster
Wong had achieved many accomplishments including being pioneer kung fu instructor to America and contributed to society with his
Chinese medicine. Because of his efforts, the Five Family/Animal Style has prospered worldwide. His grandson Seming Ma is now
continuing the tradition.

Due to the history, including the destruction of the Temple and all of its artist, to the highly selective process in which only a small handful
of students in a generation actually inherit a system with its complete information. It is a fact that Grandmaster Wong was the only man in
this country with the entire Five Family Fist Southern Shao Lin system. After the destruction of the temple only a few survived and
migrated to Hong Kong and are now deceased. It is an unfortunate fact that this system almost died with the destruction of the temple and
its martial artist in 1927. Were it not for Grandmaster Wong Ark-Yueh the system would probably not exist today. Fortunately for
Southern Shao Lin advocates the complete system is still alive today in the surviving two inheritors of Ma Se Ming and Richard Vera.
Because Master Wong was very frugal about time and believed in using time and not measuring it; he did not waste his time with people
who were not truly dedicated. This is why only a handful of students would learn the real secrets and go on to become masters. Students
were (and still are) divided into two major catagories. The first category is the public students. These students were the general public who
came to learn kung fu for health and self-defense. These students would learn basic fundamentals including forms, stances, hand movements,
and basic weapons, which would empower them enough to be considered very formidable in a personal combat situation. The second
category of students was the secret or advanced students. These select few students are chosen from the public students who exhibited
exceptional behavioral attributes, timely tuition payments, and consistent attendance of classes. These students would be shown advanced
skills based upon their individual achievements. From these were chosen the inheritors and direct inheritors of the system .

[osprey3883]

Hello El Cuervo,
I am a student of Sifu Richard Lowenhagen, and I study Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun. How often are you in AZ? I moved here about 9 years ago, and found it a great place to live. If you would ever like to get together for a friendly comparing of notes on Chinese martial arts, send me a PM when you are in town.

Matt

[elcuervo]

I travel to Chandler, about every three months to visit relatives. I will send you a message when I am visiting again. Cool.

[elcuervo]

Here is a another video by Sifu Tito Ayala:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krV4N2_pmyg

[osprey3883]

Hello,
thank you for sharing. Is this a 5 ancestors form?

Matt

[elcuervo]

It's a stick form from the Five Family System.

Fut - Hung - Choy - Lee - Mok

[elcuervo]

Here is a video of Master Seming Ma, Grandson of Great GrandMaster Ark Y. Wong performing the combination form of the five family system:

http://www.kungfu5family.com/SemingCombination.wmv

[elcuervo]

http://148.244.242.100/fivefamilies/dennisbrown.jpg
From left to right: El Cuervo, Master Dennis Brown and Master Richard Vera at the first ever Walt Disney Martial Arts Festival held this year in Disneyland.

[elcuervo]

Here is a cool video I found on the net: It is not Wu Jia Chuan, but I felt everyone would enjoy it anyway:

http://www.zippyvideos.com/9536506392625156/173088_976aa/

[elcuervo]

Hey thought you might like this video of a good friend of mine who practices northern:

Here is Hector V. in action:

http://www.internalmind.com/videos/tantuihector.wmv

[elcuervo]

Our first test run and a special thanks to my daughters who spent the whole day with us recording (Luv Ya):

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=3067fe3845dfa679164ed2c829b04121.833818&fr=yvmtf

El Cuervo

[osprey3883]

Nice video, thank you for sharing.

Matt

[elcuervo]

Here is another video I would like to share with all:

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=3067fe3845dfa679164ed2c829b04121.956608

[osprey3883]

El Cuervo,
That was fun. Thank you for sharing.

Matt

[elcuervo]

I don't remember if I shared this with you guys, but here it goes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8msqDmdW8GU

[Cang Long]

elcuervo,

That was really good I enjoyed watching I really did. Keep 'em coming.

[elcuervo]

Hey guys, I have some more very soon. Thanks for the positive feed back.

[elcuervo]

Ng Ga 2006 Reunion video.
Enjoy!

http://www.kungfu5family.com/NgGaReunion2006Wmv.wmv

[osprey3883]

Looks like a good time was had by all, thank you for sharing.

Matt

[Cang Long]

Excellent!
Who teaches the lion dancing they did an tremendous job of displaying their talents for appearing to be so young. Many kudos.
Thanks for the video.

[elcuervo]

That was Jeff Chan's troup, he is the head of the well reknown 8 Immortals lion/Dragon dance troup. They are the main attraction every chinese new year and have been seen in more movies than I can mention.

El Cuervo

[elcuervo]

Just want to share a second installment of the 2006 Masters Expo. in Lakewood, California. Hosted by Richard Mieir-King.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=3067fe3845dfa679164ed2c829b04121.1073034

[ChangHFYWC]

Thanks alot El Cuervo,

Ive always have been interested and enjoy watching the Ng Ga Kuen.

Thanks alot for the vids.

I wish you the best in your training.






take care,
zach

[elcuervo]

Just want to take this moment to remind everyone that the Second Annual Disney Martial Arts Festival will be held February 3 & 4, 2007. Please support our Kung Fu brothers in this wonderful event and if possible make it a point to participate in the events. I attended last year as a judge and it was great!

Peace,
El Cuervo

[Jonathan_AZ]

Thanks! Do you have more information and/or give a link to the event?

Jonathan

[elcuervo]

Here it is Jonathan, hey I own a second home in Chandler, Arizona. Where are you located, maybe I can stop by next time I'm in town.

Don't miss the 2nd Annual 2007 Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival.

A special Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival package is being offered

A special price of $99 until January 15th, 2007 which includes:
1.) One After 4 pm or six hours which ever is earlier admission to either Disneyland® Park or Disney's California Adventure® Park.
2). A Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival T-shirt.
3.) Competition entry to 3 divisions (in a single Discipline).

Disneyland® Resort Annual Passholder package is $65 and does not include the Theme Park ticket mentioned above in item 1.


A Discipline at Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival is defined as follows:
(covering only the disciplines listed on this site, many others are available)

- Open Karate
- Chinese Martial Arts (includes Wushu, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi)

Examples: In Open Karate you pay $99 and you can pick any three divisions, such as (1) Open hand form, (2) Weapon form, (3) sparring. In Chinese Martial Arts you could choose (1) Wushu Open Hand Form, (2) Traditional Kung Fu Weapon Forms, (3) Tai Chi Forms. Another example would be (1) Trad Kung Fu Southern Forms, (2) Trad Kung Fu Short Weapon (3) Trad Kung Fu Long Weapon.

Disneyland® Resort Theme Park tickets are valid only on the Thursday before the event and 14 days after the event. Each day this Ticket is used at any Theme Park constitutes one use. 2007 Sports specially-priced theme park ticket prices are tax inclusive. Some activities/events may be separately priced. Advanced purchase is required for all specially-price ticket offers listed above. Tickets are non-refundable.http://whippingwillow.org/DA07/event_banner.jpg http://whippingwillow.org/DA07/event_banner.jpg

[Cang Long]

TIGER CLAW and DISNEY SPORTS ATTRACTIONS have come together to create a new martial arts championship to see who is the best of the best. Throughout 2007, qualifying tournaments will take place across the United States. Winners of qualifying tournaments will be eligible to advance to the TIGER CLAW ELITE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP as part of DISNEY'S MARTIAL ARTS FESTIVAL at DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS® Complex in WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, near Orlando, Florida on October 26th 2007. TIGER CLAW and DISNEY SPORTS ATTRACTIONS started this championship so marital arts competitors from different circuits, organizations and schools can come together and compete.

2007 begins at
Tiger Claw Elite Championship Qualifier
Disneyland® Martial Arts Festival
Disneyland® Hotel
located at Disneyland® Resort, Anaheim, CA
February 3-4, 2007


2007 ends at
Tiger Claw Elite Championship
as part of
Disney Martial Arts Festival
Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex,
located at Walt Disney World® Resort, near Orlando, Florida
October 26-28, 2007

Tiger Claw Elite Championships (http://www.tournament.info/elite/index.html)

Elcuervo our school is in tempe near chandler why not come visit us all

[elcuervo]

Thanks, I will make it a point to visit when I get into town. Should be their in Mid. January. Will you be attending the Disney event, if so, hope to shake your hand my brother.


El Cuervo

[Cang Long]

elcuervo,
The Disney events are excellent showcases watched some of the events on Espn. Looking forward to watching more on TV if not in person. Will you be participating in any way this year?
Can't say 100% that I'll be there but for myself yes I will try and make it down we can talk about it more when we see you in January.

[elcuervo]

Actually, got a call from Antwion Alferos one of the organizers and hopefully will be serving as a judge.

Really, hope you can make it.

[elcuervo]

This is a one in a life time opportunity to train with two Great Masters in Southern California. Master Gary Steuer comes straight from Thailand to offer this great seminar on Southern 5 Kung Fu and is a first Generation disciple of the Late Great Grand Master Ark Y. Wong.

This event is Hosted by the Legendary Marvin Quon.

The cost of the seminar(s) will be on a donation basis. You know what you pay and get for other seminars, and you know what you will get here (fantastic), so please donate what your conscience and pocketbook can afford. Donations are for traveling costs. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please feel free to email Jay Goodman, if you have any questions. jaybgood51@yahoo.com or you may contact our Host directly. And you can also visit Sergio "El Cuervo's" website for more information aswell: http://elcuervo1.proboards75.com/

See you there.

[elcuervo]

Guadalajara, MX, March 19, 2007 - This past January was indeed a great moment for the "El Cuervo" Kung Fu forum. It only took two years to finally arrange for the gathering that would set the stage for many others to come.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_uMIOgDLaCkM/Rf8CsVRBhUI/AAAAAAAAAAo/HyX4M6WiE2o/s320/gdl3.jpg

The first day of arrival was "Fantastic" to say the least. Sifu Hector V. who is an avid Kung Fu practitioner and one of our administrators on the forum was there to greet us on our arrival to GDL airport. Hector wasted no time in making us feel at home and quickly drove us away to the hotel and then to meet the others at "El Gaucho" a great Argentinian Restaurant. The restaurant was very nice; and soon we were joined by Master Guadalupe Balderrama, his son and Sifu Enrique Ayala (Quique). We conversed all night long and went thru many stories, including those of why Dragon Rojo had disintegrated.

http://bp1.blogger.com/_uMIOgDLaCkM/Rf8Ff1RBhVI/AAAAAAAAAAw/gmRIfE8ZRfg/s200/gdl.jpg


The Following day went without any complications, we gathered at the hotel and went to breakfast in the company of Enrique Ayala, who introduced us to a wonderful local restaurant that served traditional Mexican dishes. We then proceeded to Dragon de Fuego, which is owned and operated by Sigung Carlos Casas in the Historic Guadalajara district. One-by-One the attendees began to arrive and joined in the exercises that went from the simplest applications to the more complicated. We had some fantastic company, and were impressed by the dedication that we found in the students.. Kudos to the young ladies that attended the seminar, they really showed alot of spirit and good training.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_uMIOgDLaCkM/Rf8IBFRBhXI/AAAAAAAAABA/yYAKiANPj0I/s200/gdl2.jpg


The following day was no exception, we gathered at the "Colomos" a wonderful park in the next city over and began our training.. Lookily for everyone, it was an overcast day. Master Rick Zanotti led the warm-up with some basic exercises in Southern Kung Fu and I did the closing with some questions and answers. All-in-All, it was a fantastic moment for all us and I am sure that this will not be the last.. See you all in December....


Sergio "El Cuervo" Rodriguez
Freelance Kung Fu Practitioner

[osprey3883]

El Cuervo,

Thank you for sharing, I hope you and your kung fu family have many such events.
Regards,
Matt

[elcuervo]

Thanks Matt, I know I don't come on often, but whenever something positive comes my way, I like to share it with others. Thanks for the positive note my friend.

[elcuervo]

Hello everyone, it's been a long time since I have been on, but finishing up my bachelors and busy at work, just doesn't give me enough time for much else lately.. Well good to be back and getting ready for the Disney Tournament in February of 2009. Good to see you all..

[Cang Long]

Ni hao ma
El Cuervo
Welcome back may you do well in your studies,work, training and the upcoming tournament season. Always a pleasure to hear from you no matter how long the time in between. Please as always keep us up to date with all new and relevant info regarding you your family your training and the tournament.

Xie Xie

[elcuervo]

It's good to be back and thank you for the welcome. I will keep you all posted.

[Cang Long]

It's good to be back and thank you for the welcome. I will keep you all posted.


Good to have you back...oh and that is a cool pic great work.

[elcuervo]

I don't know if I ever shared this video with you guys, but if not here it is..

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/81504/833818

[elcuervo]

Here is Sigung Richard Vera with the Tiger Fork in Atascadero California 2006:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MwYvEF-piE

It is important to note, that this tiger fork weighs over 18 lbs and is not wushu steel.

He is one of the last disciples of GM Ark Y. Wong.