Pong Lai Begins 1st Annual Cultural Exchange

by Darryl Dziedzic with Shrfu John Scalaro

Most kungfu practitioners treasure the opportunity to visit and train in China. However many do not realize the gem found in a small country to the south. Taiwan has been the home to many kungfu masters ever since the Mainland's treacherous Communist and submissive Cultural revolutions. One such master is Shr Jeng Jong, a native of Taiwan and recipient of the teachings of those masters who fled destruction. He has studied with over 30 teachers from all parts of China. Before these times, one would have to travel across China, through all of its provinces, to find great masters -- a nearly impossible task. Immigration to a place such as Taiwan allowed one to travel only a short distance to study a multitude of arts representative of almost every Chinese Province. Until recently, Master Shr Jeng Jong was head coach for the Taiwan Chinese Taipei National Martial Arts Team (10), and is particularly known for his mastery of various Northern Praying Mantis styles. He encompasses and instructs the complete mantis systems of 7 Star, Plum Flower, Secret Door, and Tai Chi, as well as teachings of 8 Step. He is clearly documented in the annals of Praying Mantis history, having studied under famous masters such as Li Hong Jie (who studied under the famous Plum Flower master Li Kun Shan), Chang De Kwai (Secret Door), Luan Shing Fu (Plum Flower), Wang Shaio Tang (Eight Step), and Chiao Tsu Tsi (Tai Chi Mantis). It can be noted that Master Shr never left Taiwan to establish his own identity or success, but continued to study with his teachers until their respective deaths. In many instances he was the only one at bedside during their last moments. This complete devotion to his teachers is clearly reflected in his training and teaching regimens.

Tainan City Hall Taiwan and USA Pong Lai pose for press photos after Tainan City Exhibition. Front center: Grandmaster Shr Zheng Zhong, to Grandmaster Shr's Left: Shrfu John Scolaro, behind and right od Shrfu John: Nashville Shrfu Jim Smyer.

Conditioning drills at Taina. Pong Lai USA working conditioning drills with Taiwan Kung Fu Cousins.

Bow Shan Yu Tang. Pong Lai USA students training and learning new material at a Tainan County Temple (Bow Shan Yu) with Master Shr.

Six harmony two person staff at Tainan city hall Shrfu Kevin Brazier demonstrating Six Harmony Two Person Staff with his senior student at the Tainan City Hall Exhibition.

Ali-shan. Pong Lai USA, Shrfu Smyer and students taking in the sceneries at Ali Shan resort

Kuosho federation director. Pong Lai USA Shrfu Scolaro presenting a gift by Pong Lai (Nashville branch scjhool) to Taiwan Kuoshu Director Yang Ray Feng.

Lee Hong Jiay painting explained by shrfu Scolaro. Shrfu Scolaro explaining a caligraphy painted by Grandmaster Lee for the occassion. States that a successful Martial artist also possesses values and education. Master Shr is standing in the middle.

Shr Zheng Zhong teaching at Pong Lai Taiwan school. Master Shr leading the Pong lai USA students on their first full day in Taiwan. photo taken at the Pong lai Tainan City branch school. All photos taken by Luciana Schlater.

What makes Shr unique is not only his understanding but his ability to train students in the applications and methodologies of praying mantis theories. Now Master Shr, with the assistance of his senior disciple, Shrfu John Scalaro, is bringing his knowledge to America. Last year he came to Tampa, Florida to share his knowledge with the newly established American branch school, Pong Lai Martial Arts Training Center, USA. Shrfu Scalaro also has a branch school in Nashville, TN, directed by Shrfu Jim Smyer.

Shrfu John, head of the Tampa-based Pong Lai USA headquarters, spent 9 years training with Master Shr in Taiwan, and he continues his training with several trips to Taiwan each year. Wanting his students to see firsthand the quality of Master Shr's training, as well as expose them to Taiwanese culture, he took them along on a recent trip. Needless to say, the group was impressed.

The small group of 7 left in late March for a ten-day tour (3 days airtime), with hopes of making this an annual cultural exchange. The tour consisted of daily training with Master Shr, visiting national parks and hot springs, and -- the best part -- dining on native cuisine. It was a non-stop adventure that, oddly enough, included achieving superstardom as nationally recognized celebrities.

MAKING THE TRIP
Once arriving in Kaoshung around Midnight local time, we went to Tainan to set up camp. At his invitation, we visited Master Shr at his home for tea and stories before retiring around 3 am in preparation or an 8 am wakeup call.

The first day was spent preparing for a performance at Tainan city hall. We were introduced to our Taiwan kungfu uncles, aunts and cousins (one of whom is Kungfu Online forum's "Tainan Mantis"). Most of the participants of KFOL Northern Mantis Forum will know him as the intellectual Mantis, an encyclopedic resource for Mantis kungfu information. We were very grateful that this was a light practice session to allow us to get into the swing of things and recover from jet lag. The practice was more of a welcoming exchange, with an exhibition by Master Shr's students and some instruction by Master Shr in "Pong Lai." After this session it was off to the first of many great dining experiences. The meals were often the highlight of our many excursions and were a veritable potpourri of vegetables, meats, and fruits. That evening's dinner was hosted by our kungfu relatives and prepared by one of our Grand Masters. It was hospitality at its best! No one left the table hungry.

Day 2:
After an early rise, we readied ourselves for the demonstration. Then it was off to Tainan City Hall to perform in front of various dignitaries. Shrfu Scalaro had prearranged an exhibition at City Hall that included the mayor, legislators, and the head of the Kuoshu Federation, as well as numerous TV and newspaper reporters. Interestingly, Tainan is the sister city of Orlando, Florida.

Day 3-4:
This day we headed to the mountains and Ali Shan National Park. Shrfu Scalaro was able to borrow a friend's cabin in the mountains so we could stay overnight. First it was the usual early to rise for a morning training session, then it was off to another last minute media event. This particular demonstration impressed us immensely. Not only did our group perform, but we witnessed some rare demonstrations of iron body, testicle retracting kungfu, as well as some standard fighting sets.

The next morning, after workout, we headed for Ali Shan National Park. The hike into the park was a workout in and of itself. After lunch and much trekking around the park, it was time to be put through the paces. As usual, many people stopped to watch a group of Americans being drilled by Shr Jeng Jong. Even in the less populated mountains, stardom could not be escaped as many locals pointed to us and said, "American kungfu guys from TV."

Day 5-6:
These days commenced with the usual training and involved more sight seeing. We visited a gigantic multi-religious temple where we worked out on the balcony against a classic mountain scene. It was definitely moviesque. We then spent time relaxing in a natural hot spring.

Day 7:
Unfortunately, this was the day for departure and the group awoke early to catch the 20 plus hour flight back to the States.

FINAL THOUGHTS
What impressed our group most was seeing firsthand the similarity and consistency of the training methods of Pong Lai Martial Arts. As evidenced by Shrfu Scalaro, Master Shr teaches that, under the right instruction, anyone can become skilled at kungfu if he chooses to put the effort into training. He does not proclaim to be some magical master bestowed with special kungfu skills that others can only dream of possessing. Respect is mutual, and if you meet him halfway, he will place you under his wing of guidance. Master Shr, though very serious during instruction and training, afterwards would sing, drink, and talk endlessly about Mantis kungfu. He even tried to set some of us up with a Taiwanese wife.

Now, with the help of Shrfu John Scalaro and the Pong Lai Martial Arts Training Center, Master Shr hopes to share his Praying Mantis knowledge and skill with kungfu practioners of the United States.

About Darryl Dziedzic with Shrfu John Scalaro:
Darryl Dziedzic is an Orlando-based Martial Artist and continues to study Mantis kungfu under the guidance of Shrfu Scalaro. For Pong Lai instruction or the coming 2003 Taiwan Kungfu touring information, please contact Shrufu John Scalaro at phone: 813-872-6113 or email: PongLai@hotmail.com