As El Paso celebrates Chinese New Year, local temple mourns loss of leader

EL PASO, Texas -- As the Borderland celebrated the Chinese New Year on Saturday, the Tien Shan Tzi Temple is mourning the loss of their leader.

"He was always here helping people," said Joy Lozano, the temple's new sifu (master). "He wanted everyone to learn."

The temple's late sifu, Beto Briseno, was a leader in the Tai Chi movement for more than 30 years, Lozano said.

"It's some big shoes I'm going to have to fill, but I'm willing to take on the role and be there for the people as he was there for everyone else," Lozano told ABC-7.

Briseno served in the Tien Shan Tzi Temple for more than 23 years.

"This is like a second home for a lot of us," Lozano said.