Editor’s Note: Now in its 80th year and going strong, the Beng Kiam Athletic Club is the oldest kung-fu kwoon in the Philippines. The following essay was written in 1971 by the late sigung Tan Ka Hong. It appeared in the souvenir program of Beng Kiam’s goodwill mission to the People’s Republic of China. Tan was the son of the late sigung Tan Kiong Beng, one of the “Ngo Cho 10 Tigers” or direct disciples of Ngo Cho Kun’s founder, Chua Giok Beng. Today Beng Kiam is headed by Tan’s son, Benito Tan, and directed by Sifu Alexander Lim Co. Co is responsible for promoting the art worldwide in his writings in the 1970s and 1980s, and is the sifu of Dr. Mark Wiley, who runs the club’s international associations, Beng Hong.

I remember that it was in 1935 when I traveled south to the Philippines to organize the Beng Kiam Club. It happened one early spring morning 36 years ago. The flowers were blooming in the spring sunlight of our garden. I was practicing my kung-fu on that early morning when my father [1] sent someone to call me to meet him in our living room. He then told me:

“Some of my old students from the Philippines have repeatedly sent telegrams, asking me to go there again to teach kung-fu. But I am already old, and have passed my prime. Besides, I hope to spend my remaining days enjoying my home instead of traveling to foreign lands. But my students are persistent and I must propagate the art of Ngo Cho Kun. So, I think it is better that you go in my place.”

Beng Kiam Dragon Dance 1950's

 

Upon hearing my father’s request, I felt at once confused and excited because I knew that I was still young and in my kung-fu prime. But, the thought of leaving my father and going south to be someone else’s teacher frightened me. Although I was afraid that I might not be qualified, I could not disobey my father’s order. So, I packed my bags, which consisted of one broadsword and one plum flower spear, and in March I bought a ticket and sailed to the Philippines.

Upon reaching the port of Manila, I recognized only three people. During my welcoming party that evening, through Sijuk Chang Hun Chiong and Sihing So Bun Ching, I was introduced to Lim Tian Suy, Uy Sun Ki, and other sihing (kung-fu brothers). At once, we organized a committee to plan the formation of an association and discussed an appropriate name and place for it. As a result of being a student of Sijo Chua Giok Beng, Chang Hun Chiong was the kung-fu brother of my father. He was not only an educated scholar, but an expert in kung-fu. In 1919, Chang became the principal of the Philippine Tiong Se Academy, and later assumed the post of secretary of the Overseas Chinese Education Bureau. Chang Hun Chiong suggested that since our style belongs to the famous Sijo Chua Giok Beng, we should name the association Philippine Beng Kiam Ju-Jutsu Association.[2] After deciding on the name, we set out to find a location to house the association. Lim Tian Suy offered his place, a cigarette factory on Asuncion Street, as a temporary site. Lim Tian Say was elected as the first chairman, with Chang Hun Chiong as the honorary chairman. Later, we borrowed the old Philippine-Chinese High School for our training grounds.

Tan Tiong Gong was unanimously elected as the second chairman of the association because of his dedication to it. Soon thereafter the Sino-Japanese War began. All of the members then felt that the name Beng Kiam Ju-Jutsu Association sounded too Japanese, and suggested a change to the Beng Kiam Kok Sut Association. It later came to be known as the Beng Kiam Association under the leadership of Tan Tiong Gong, with the help of Tiu Heng Ying, Tiu Pieng Hong, Lim Tian Suy, Uy Sun Ki, and others. The association prospered rapidly as additional students joined. The association then moved the Su Kong Academy to Nueva Street, where it was more accessible to the students. As a result, student enrollment jumped to 400 members. We then began importing weapons from China, including the spear, broadsword, and halberd. In order to promote camaraderie within the kung-fu circle, we suggested the organization of a joint kung-fu exhibition with the different clubs. The exhibition was held at the Manila YMCA, marking the first-ever joint exhibition of this sort in the Philippines. The association became even more successful as a result. Later, it was moved again, this time to the old Su Kong Academy address on Soler Street. During the Sino-Japanese War, whenever there was a “grand meeting” of the overseas Chinese, our association was always invited to give kung-fu demonstrations. This is one contribution for which the association stands proud among the Chinese community.

In 1941, Japan invaded the Philippines. Officially, the Association was closed and stopped its activities, with most of its members scattering into the mountains to escape the ravages of war. In actuality, however, many of its members joined the guerrilla forces to fight the invading Japanese. This is another proud contribution of the Association.

After the war, Beng Kiam was rebuilt. In February of 1945, Manila was liberated, but left in shambles. I initiated a campaign to rebuild the Beng Kiam Association by contacting the remaining members. Under the leadership of Tan Tiong Gong, the Association was able to construct its own place on Nueva Street in October of 1946. After the war, aside from kung-fu, the Association also promoted other sports such as badminton. The Association’s badminton team has won many championships throughout the years.

Ching Kiat Hwa, assuming the post of the 18th chairman of the Association, devoted his time and money to further expanding its activities by organizing dragon- and lion-dance groups. He even led the group on a tour to the central Philippine island of Cebu to give exhibitions. The Beng Kiam Association then started to open relations beyond the Chinese community, promoting friendship with the Filipinos. The association also constructed a third-floor, in-door badminton court to promote this sport among the youth, developing future champions. To this day, Beng Kiam still holds the title of Philippines champion in badminton.

Ever since the establishment of the association I have always adhered to the principles of respect, humility of character, morality, and pulchritude, according to the association’s creed of conduct. Throughout the years, the members of the club have always treated one another with respect and brotherhood, living in harmony as an extended family. This I cherish deeply. Time passes so fast. In the blink of an eye, 36 years have already elapsed. Through these nearly four decades, the survival and achievements of Beng Kiam are due to the collective contributions and sacrifices of all its members and officers. Taking advantage of the celebration of Independence Day in 1971, our Association specially organized this Goodwill Mission, and published this souvenir annual. I am just an uneducated kung-fu practitioner, my educational attainment is not of a sufficient standard, but I rely on my devotion. I dared try to write a simple history to let the members have a better understanding of our association.

 

Notes:

1. Tan Ka Hong’s father was Tan Kiong Beng, one of the original students of Ngo Cho founder Chua Giok Beng. Tan Kiong Beng was one of the “10 Tigers of Ngo Cho.”
    
2. During the early 1900s, just after the Boxer Rebellion, the Chinese people had a negative impression of kung-fu. At that time, kung-fu was called kok sut, an abbreviation of Tiong kok bu sut (Chinese martial arts). People tended to identify kung-fu practitioners as kun-hui (fist bandits). This may also explain why Yu Chiok San titled his book Tiong Hua Yu Sut Tai Tsuan (Chinese Ju-Jutsu Complete). This is also why Beng Kiam first adopted the term ju-jutsu, instead of kok sut, as its name. The Beng Kiam Ju-Jutsu Association later changed its name, however, to the Beng Kiam Kok Sut Association. During those times, there was no direct translation for the term kok sut, so many kung-fu associations proceeded to simply identify their clubs as athletic associations. As a result, Beng Kiam is now officially known as the Beng Kiam Athletic Association.