Born June 7, 1948 - Salvador Anthony De la Rosa, III was my first martial arts teacher.
I first met Sifu Sal in 1986 at the Unlimited Thought Bookstore when it was located on Blanco near Fulton street.
I had just finished school and was searching for a form of exercise that would challenge both mind and body. I swam competitively for Central Catholic H.S. and knew if I didn't find something engaging I would slack off from any physical exercise.
I'd read about a free Tai Chi demo and class at the Unlimited Thought bookstore being given by a TCC instructor who called himself "Yaqui". After the demo and introductory class Yaqui introduced Sifu Sal who gave a brief talk and mentioned that in addition to Yang Style TCC he also taught the Eighteen Lo-han Hands exercises...just the exotic sounding name of the
Eighteen Lo-han Hands was enough to arouse my interest and I began my martial arts journey with Sifu Sal.
Sifu Sal really was a gatekeeper for my martial journey. He introduced me to Filipino Martial Arts when he taught me the heaven six sinawali drill and gave me a copy of Dan Inosanto's, now out of print, book on Filipino Martial Arts.
It was thru Sifu Sal that I met Sifu Kirk Woller and began my journey into Shuai Chiao Kung Fu.
Sal was passionate about martial arts. Tai Chi Chuan "The Grand or Supreme Ultimate Fist" was his love but he kept learning and training. Even when he was battling cancer he was training in Brazilian Jujitsu.
Sal was a warrior thru and thru. A veteran of the "Brown Water Navy" patrolling on PBRs in the maze-like waterways of Vietnam. Whenever we corresponded I affectionately gave him the call sign "PBR Street Gang". Sal was a gun and knife enthusiast. Whenever we would meet up we usually ended up at gunshow.
He set my feet upon the path and pushed me foward.
Sal is never far from my thoughts. My journey began with him at San Pedro Park which is where I currently teach - I've come full circle.
Sifu Sal passed away September 3, 2011 in his home surrounded by family and friends.
Farewell my friend.
Some of Sifu Sal's accomplishments:
Sal had won numerous gold and silver medals in International, National and Regional tournaments. At the Tai Chi Legacy 2001, he won four gold medals competing in Chen solo forms, Broad sword, Straight sword and Other Tai Chi, and a silver medal in Long weapons. In the Tai Chi Legacy 2000, he won four gold medals competing in Chen solo forms, Other Tai Chi (Cannon Fist), Tai Chi sword, and Saber. In '98 he was awarded two gold and four silver medals in forms and weapons. In '97 at the United-World Kung Fu Wu Shu Championships, Orlando, Florida. Awarded one gold, two silver and one bronze medal for forms and weapons divisions. He was active in competitions since 1991, and up until his passing. Sal was a certified judge in the A.A.U.'s Chinese martial arts division. He also taught an accredited course in Tai chi at Northwest Vista College. He had been instructing Tai Chi through the Continuing Education Dept. of N.E.I.S.D. since 1988. He also taught at the Baptist Hospital System's Health Link Center, and at NorthRidge Park.
