INTERNATIONAL

SHAOLIN KENPO ASSOCIATION

News and Special Announcements

April 10, 1999 - GRAND MASTER ROB CASTRO'S INDUCTION CEREMONY

Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro's son, Professor R. Robert "Rob" Castro, who has held the 9th Degree Black Belt since 1992, has been promoted to the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt by his teacher, his father, and was conveyed the title "Grand Master." Announcement of this was made by Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro at the conclusion of the Annual Promotion & Awards Ceremony, on December 12, 1998.

Promotion to 10th Degree Black Belt is a very rare event in the history of martial arts. In Shaolin Kenpo this happened only once before -- when 9th Degree Black Belt, Professor Ralph Castro, became the Grand Master of Shaolin Kenpo, upon the death of his teacher, the late Great Grandmaster William Kwai Sun Chow.

Through his promotion Grand Master Rob Castro was also designated as the next in line to continue the legacy and leadership of Shaolin Kenpo from his father. Over the next few months and years he will gradually assume the duties and authority over the International Shaolin Kenpo Association, passed from father to son.

The International Shaolin Kenpo Association held a special banquet with the International Shaolin Kenpo Association Black Belt Society, and honored guests who are the leaders of other martial arts systems, and special friends. Celebrating his promotion in this event, held at Shaolin Kenpo headquarters in Daly City, Grand Master Rob Castro's 10th degree Black Belt was presented to him in the ceremony.

The inside of the program, words composed by Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro with the help of his Daughter, Professor May Castro-Manner, has been converted to HTML format and is shown on the next page below.

-Webmaster

a destiny fulfilled ...

 

I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for sharing this very special and momentous evening with us.

Not long ago I embarked upon my own journey, which unaware to me at that time, would become a lifelong endeavor. Now I experience a father’s dream, a son following in his footsteps. I am proud and honored to bestow upon my son and friend the title of Grand Master and the successor to my Shaolin Kenpo system. I have every confidence that he will continue for future generations the Shaolin Kenpo that has been my life and love.

I hope you will all continue to support and encourage him as he takes Shaolin Kenpo into the next millennium.

May God richly bless you and your families.

Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro

 

Program of Events
Social Hour: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Te Mau Tamari’ i A Tiare
Na Kamali’ i A Kiele

I. Welcoming Address

II. Introduction of Black Belts and Honored Guests

III. Induction Ceremony & Performance by Grand Master Rob Castro

IV. Remarks

V. Conclusion

... a reflection from the past ...

... a new era begins.

SPECIAL BLACKBELT CLASS
WEDNESDAYS 8PM

with
 Great Grandmaster
Ralph Castro

 [Shaolin Kenpo]

To all masters, instructors and fellow blackbelts,

Greetings. My name is Sibok Brannon Beliso. I am taking this opportunity to personally invite you to attend this special blackbelt class with Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro. When he first invited me to attend this class, I realized in my thirty years of trainging in Kenpo I never had the honor of studying with Great Grandmaster Castro. In the short time I've gotten to truly know and study with him, I am amazed by his humility, knowledge and genuine love for the martial arts. I consider it a great privilege and gift to be able to share learning and time with him. He insists I extend this class to all blackbelts free of charge. His only desire is to give away the gift God has given him, the art of Shaolin Kenpo. So, I offer it to you free of charge but ask you to consider my proposal. I ask of you a ten dollar per class donation. Simply, pay as you drop in and attend this one of a kind class. If not, you are welcome to join us anyway.

I hope to see all of you every Wednesday at 8pm at Ralph Castro's Shaolin Kenpo, 69 Washington St. Daly City (650) 755-8996.

Respectfully,
Sibok Brannon Beliso

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