Meet The Masters
Grandmaster Dennis "Dino" Salvatera
Dennis Salvatera, known in the martial world as “Dino", is the third-generation master of the American Hung Sing Kwoon. This school represents the Hung Sing branch of the Choy Lee Fut Gung Fu system, which was among the first to publicly share its martial arts knowledge. Through Dino’s teachings and personal journey, he offers a vibrant and insightful perspective into the rich traditions and evolution of this revered martial lineage.
Grandmaster Wong Yew-Ching
Y.C. Wong spent over a decade living and training in Hong Kong under the renowned Hung Gar Grandmaster Lum Jo. As a closed-door disciple, Yew-Ching was given access not only to the fighting techniques of Hung Gar, but also to the healing arts passed down through generations.
After immigrating to the United States, Yew-Ching settled in San Francisco, where—with the support of other masters—he helped introduce and promote traditional Kung Fu to a new audience. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the vibrant martial arts community that thrives in the city today.
Grandmaster Michael Lau
Michael Lau is a first-generation student of Grandmaster Wong Cheung, founder of the Yau Kung Moon Kung Fu & Lion Dance Club. Michael came of age in the vibrant, often rough-and-tumble streets of Chinatown during the late 1960s and 1970s — a time when martial arts weren’t just a discipline but a way of survival and identity. He shares stories from those rowdy early days, when Chinatown was a tight-knit yet turbulent community.
Master Rick "Bucky" Wing
Rick “Bucky” Wing is a direct lineage holder of the Northern Shaolin style under the legendary Grandmaster Wong Jack Man. As the current head of the Jing Mo Athletic Association and the Gung Fu Ambassador of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Bucky plays a pivotal role in preserving traditional Chinese martial arts. Respected and admired throughout the martial arts community, his passion for this documentary is deeply personal. He shares a common mission: to preserve and pass on the rich history, philosophy, and cultural legacy of our martial traditions before they are lost to time.
Master Simmone Kuo
Simmone Kuo is the wife of legendary Tai Chi Chuan Grandmaster Kuo Lien-Ying. For many years, she has shared her husband’s art of Tai Chi at San Francisco State University and at the Lien-Ying Tai Chi Academy in Chinatown. Unlike the majority of Chinese immigrants to San Francisco who came from Southern China, Simmone immigrated from Taiwan. As a result, she brings a unique perspective on martial culture in Chinatown, shaped by her distinct cultural background and experiences.
Sifu William Dere
William Dere is a lifelong martial artist whose journey began under the tutelage of the Grandmaster Wong Jack Man, a renowned figure in traditional Chinese martial arts. At the heart of this story lies the Bak Sil Lum Gung Fu system—also known as Northern Shaolin—a style known for its explosive power, dynamic kicking techniques, and deep connection to classical Chinese martial traditions.
William began his training at 880 Pacific Avenue, the address of Wong Jack Man's famed school nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Wong Gar Hung Kuen
Aaron (right), Tony (center), and Darryl Wong (left) are brothers who embarked on their martial arts journey together from a young age. Under the careful guidance of Grandmaster Y.C. Wong, they trained rigorously in traditional Gung Fu, embracing the discipline, philosophy, and techniques passed down through generations. Each brother has since risen to become a master in his own right, carrying forward the legacy of their esteemed teacher.
Dedicated not only to their own mastery, Aaron, Tony, and Darryl now devote themselves to teaching and promoting traditional Chinese martial arts. Through their combined efforts, they continue to uphold the rich heritage of Gung Fu, inspiring new generations to discover the physical and spiritual benefits of this ancient practice.
Sifu Raymond Wong
Raymond Wong, the son of Grandmaster Y.C. Wong, is a dedicated practitioner of his father's martial art, Hung Gar Kung Fu. Now that Grandmaster Y.C. Wong is semi-retired at the age of 92, Raymond continues to teach and operate the Y.C. Wong Kung Fu Studio in Chinatown. Most importantly, he served as our translator during the interview with his father.
Sifu Tenny Lee
Tenny Lee is a student of Professor Jew Leong, the second-generation master of the American Hung Sing Kwoon. As one of Professor Jew Leong’s later students, Tenny offers a unique perspective on learning Gung Fu at the school’s headquarters, located at 38 Spofford Alley in San Francisco's Chinatown. His experiences reflect both the tradition of the art and the evolving legacy of the Hung Sing lineage in America.
Master Richard Ow
Richard Ow is a student of Grandmaster Lok Sang Lee, a Gung Fu brother of Yau Kung Moon Grandmaster Michael Lau. Richard has been actively promoting not only martial arts at the Yau Kung Moon Tak Fung Kwoon Kung Fu Association, but also Chinese Gung Fu as a whole. His efforts aim to preserve and revitalize traditional martial culture within Chinatown.
Contributors
Warren W. Chan
Warren Chan began studying Sil Lum Kung Fu under Professor Wong Tim Yuen in the early 1960s. Although the Kin Mon Sil Lum Kung Fu club no longer exists, Warren has preserved a vast amount of knowledge about the system. Today, he continues to share his deep understanding of the art with others.
Randy Wong
Randy Wong brings a rare and deeply informed perspective to the world of Chinese martial arts. With extensive training in both traditional systems and modern hybrids, he offers a comprehensive understanding of martial philosophies and techniques spanning regions and eras.
Randy's journey began with Northern Bak Pai Sil Lum, where he immersed himself in the dynamic forms and fluid movement of Northern Chinese Gung Fu. He further deepened his expertise through training in Southern Hung Sing Choy Lee Fut, gaining firsthand experience in one of the most influential southern styles. His martial foundation was further enriched by Shaolin Kenpo—a Chinese-influenced hybrid system that bridges classical techniques with contemporary adaptability.
A lifelong admirer of Bruce Lee, Randy’s passion for martial arts history led him to found and operate the World of Bruce Lee Museum. Dedicated to preserving Lee’s legacy, the museum promotes martial arts culture and education to a global audience.
Jeff Chinn
Jeff Chinn is a renowned Bruce Lee superfan and collector whose lifelong dedication to the legendary martial artist has been instrumental in preserving and promoting Lee’s legacy. His extensive archive of Bruce Lee memorabilia serves as a centerpiece of the We Are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family exhibit at the Chinese Historical Society of America, located in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Currently, Jeff is leading an ambitious initiative to install a bronze statue of Bruce Lee in Chinatown — a tribute to Lee’s enduring influence on culture, film, and the global martial arts community.
Charles Chan
Charlie Chan is a skilled martial artist and the grandson of the late Hop Gar Grandmaster Ng Yim Ming (also known as Harry Ng), a revered figure who taught in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Growing up in the rough-and-tumble environment of Chinatown during the late 1960s, Charlie was introduced to Hop Gar Kung Fu not as a sport, but as a means of survival. Under the strict and watchful guidance of his grandfather, Charlie was trained in the fighting techniques of Hop Gar—a no-nonsense, street-effective martial art rooted in the combative traditions of Tibetan Lama Pai and Southern Chinese boxing.
Dr. Richard Lee
Dr. Richard Lee was among the last group of students personally mentored by Professor Wong Tim Yuen in the traditional art of Sil Lum Kung Fu at the Kin Mon Physical Culture Studio during the 1970s in San Francisco Chinatown, shortly before Professor Wong's retirement from active teaching.
Leo Gong
Leo Gong is a professional photographer, filmmaker, and martial artist whose creative journey is deeply rooted in cultural heritage and personal passion. His introduction to martial arts came during Chinese New Year festivities as a young boy—an experience that left a lasting impression and sparked a lifelong pursuit.
As the early history of Gung Fu in America risks fading from memory, Leo felt a powerful calling: to preserve the legacy of the living masters who brought these traditions to life. Through his lens and storytelling, he seeks to document and share their journeys, philosophies, and contributions with future generations, ensuring that the spirit of martial arts continues to inspire.