CLF.

You know, every now and then, I would receive messages asking for videos of this style or that style…

Well folks, as much as I would like to oblige every time, I have constrains.

My video collections, some from as far back as 30 – 40 years ago, are either gifts or purchased commercial releases.

These last few years, I added quite a bit through my own shooting of course.

Even then, I am usually told not to broadcast, in full, by the original owners or performers for personal reasons.

This is why I tend to upload only partial forms and sequences.

Got to respect their requests …….

With some of the masters, we are talking to them about commercially releasing their art forms and towards that, we have 8 titles slated to be launched very soon.

And I want to take this opportunity here to thank all the Sifus and elders who have graciously given me valuable materials for my study.

Over time, I wish to share these with all of you.

This next clip comes from a package of VCDs/DVDs that were given to me by GM Chai Yan Soon – the current “Jeong Mun” of Singapore Hong Seng Koon Choy Li Fut. 

Brilliantly executed form….in full…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting down to business!

I mentioned this, briefly, in my earlier entries; some of the projects that we are embarking this year…

Well, it starting to look like I will be in the US in the spring; visiting some schools , students and  to work with folks in the business of MA books/videos etc..

My pet project is the White Crane book that my partner, Tina, has been forever, egging me to start.

Only reason that it is taking so long is because I want to ensure that I am as exact as possible when it comes to history, lineages etc… So I am continuously checking and rechecking the notes left by my Sifus and elders – consulting my Sihing to make sure that I got it all nailed down right.

The other key project this year is to launch a book documenting the Chinese and Chinese culture in Sarawak.

Not a simple book to do considering that the subject matter covers such a wide scope. So to facilitate this, I am currently working with anthropologists from a local university here – need their expertise when it comes to the historical aspects. We also got historians/demographers/sociologists to talk to – just reading those professions out loud is tongue-twisting enough!

Then there is the photography that needs to carry the story properly, detailing Chinese lifestyles then and now. Just shooting the ever changing façade of Kuching is already a painstaking enough undertaking.

We spent the last 2 days with Sifu Lew Joon Miew, Hakka Praying Mantis, for a dry run; capturing him in his daily routine and arranging for him to go to the Chinese Friendship Garden for some Kung Fu shots.

Luckily, the weather was perfect for the outdoor shoot and we were able to visualize the kind of pictorial layout we want with the pics taken….

Pics above show Sifu Lew in the Chinese Friendship Garden, Kuching.