1998 will leave an indelible mark on the memories of anyone affiliated with the Cepeda-Abueg Martial Arts studio.  We mourned the passing of one of our own - Sifu Maestro Rick Miyahara.  He made an impact on each and every Cepeda-Abueg student he came into contact with.  Over the years, his involvement with the studio helped define the upper limits of achievement, training, and friendship.  His memory will forever shine bright . . . 

1998 will also be remembered for the year that the studio started a "pee-wee" Jr. Kenpo class on Saturdays.  This class was geared toward the development of children ages 4 - 7 through a customized workout regimen.  Sifu Maestro Frank Marino must be acknowledged for his role in keeping this group motivated throughout the year.  We have witnessed many of these students achieve a level of development unsurpassed in our history for that age group.  Thanks Frank.

In February of 1998, Cepeda-Abueg participated in a "Dinner and Demo" honoring Chief Al Tejero.  Guro Dan Cepeda came down from Las Vegas to lead the Cepeda-Abueg contingent.  Sifu Frank is still recovering from the marks left by Sifu Joe's arnis exhibition.  Other guests included Sijo Adriano Emperado, Professor Dechi Emperado, Guro Narrie Babao, Professor Generalao, Sigung Alan Abad, Sensei Nestor Morejon, Professor Emile Bautista, Alohe Master Sol Kawiwalu, Sigung Batis Kahrrazian, Sifu Lou Faralan, Sensei Ted Tabura, Sifu Dwight Love, Sifu George Lim, and Sifu Pete Salas.  Music was provided by Willie K and Amy Gilliam.

In April, Master George Mique celebrated 25 years of Kenpo instruction and the Cepeda Brothers honored him with a demo at his celebration.  Master Mique has been supportive of the studio throughout the years and is a regular attendee at our black belt tests.

On February 13 (Friday the 13th), Guro Dan Cepeda went to his doctor and was diagnosed with a heart condition.  By Tuesday, he was on the operating table for surgery to bypass four clogged arteries.  "My conditioning throughout my martial arts career the last 30 years and being aware of my diet were the reasons that I didn't have a fatal heart attack before this operation.  I will always think of Friday the 13th as a blessing."

In August, the Cepeda Bros. studio (over 150 students, family, and friends) attended the 2nd Annual Las vegas Reunion held at the Sahara Hotel and Casino.  The Jr. Kenpo students spent an afternoon at the Las Vegas waterpark.  This event was followed the next month by the Annual Cepeda-Abueg Picnic conducted at Tidelands Park in Coronado.

Summer of 1998 also marked the studio partitioning in reducing the size of from 3,000 to 2,000 square feet.  The workout area remained the same so as to not impact the quality of training at the studio.  1998 also marked the year the studio started long-range planning for the 25th Anniversary Celebration.  A refridgerator refreshment slush fund was established to defray costs for studio sponsored events.  Also, a dedicated group of parents started cooking lunches as a fund raiser for the 25th celebration.  Over the later part of the year, we had an opportunity to sample Lisa LaBorce and Toni Padilla's chorizo con huevos burritos and nachos.  Mar Concepcion cooked up some of her world famous pancit and fried rice.  And Mary Jo Tydinco served up some gourmet quality lasagna.  Thank you to all the parents that helped with your culinary talents.

If you happen to watch the early morning news, you might have caught Sifu Joe, Sifu Fred, and Sifu Rudy on the Rod Luck show as a preview to the Chinese New Year demo.  Rod found out the hard way that there are no tricks to breaking.  Yes, that was real blood from a cut on his forehead caused by his attempt to break a brick. 
Later in the year, Sifu Rudy was involved in a serious work accident in which he suffered several broken ribs.  Thankfully, he recovered and made a guest appearance at the annual Christmas holiday party.

When you reflect back on this past year, you come to realize that Cepeda-Abueg can pack a lifetime of memories into a singular year.  Contrast the cold, blistery, rainy night of Chief Al's celebration to the hot, torrid sun of a Las Vegas summer - and Cepeda-Abueg was there.  Factor in the gastronomic treats of an 80 pound roast pig to a freshly made chorizo con huevo burrito and you must have eaten at Cepeda Brothers this year.  Calculate 52 weeks of action packed training and chart the development you have witnessed in the students.  You come to realize firsthand the link between hard work and personal growth.

Yes, 1998 brought with it many memories for those affiliated with the Cepeda-Abueg Martial Arts studio.  Memories are what make us who we are.  The one undying truth has been the time and training one must dedicate to shape and develop their martial arts skills.  Add 25 years to this and you can appreciate the significance of our upcoming 25th Anniversary celebration.  Very few of us have been there for all 25 years, but each one of us has contributed in some small way to the legacy of the Cepeda-Abueg studio.  1998 will be a year forever etched into the collective memories of all of us.