“Performing as a recreational activity was acceptable, but as a profession, it was a no-no! For them, it wasn’t a real job, and it just doesn’t fit the mold of a typical Chinoy.”
There is always a misconception about career and success, and it is somewhat offensive that people have standards before they consider you successful. If you’re Chinese, especially if you’re a man, and you’re given the option of starting a business or going into the arts, your family will expect you to go into business.
One of our panelists for the 9.9 webinar has spent a lot of time thinking about his career. He has even reached the point where people look down on him because of his chosen career path. But what he didn’t realize was that only a few people could make a living out of their voices, and you must be confident if you want to pursue this career.
Making Our Choice in the Road Less Traveled, after reading the webinar title, this is what he thought of, “The first thing that came to my mind when I read the title of this webinar was that times have changed, which is great! When I started, my career was looked down upon in general by the Chinoy community. It was a job that was considered “cheap” since I was merely seen as an “entertainer.”
The man behind this story is none other than Max Tiu, a voice of the Chinoys, whom many people idolize, and who has made significant contributions to the industry.
Max Tiu has established himself as a host, singer, event director, voice talent, and actor in the event industry. He has been able to lend his services to various events for affluent Filipino and Chinese families, celebrities, and corporate and government events because of him being multilingual.
It was a long journey for Max before he discovered that he could make a living through his voice, and before he turned out to be this kind of person before people knew him, everything was entirely unexpected. “Well, for one, I never thought that I would last this long. Since I was going against the grain, I distinctly remember telling myself that I’ll just dip my toes into it. If I don’t like it, then I’ll stop. But, at least I tried it, and there wouldn’t be any “what ifs.” After years of experience as a professional events host in the Philippines, I can safely say no regrets whatsoever. I absolutely love what I do!”
In terms of a career, if you think about it, you’ll realize that if you want to be someone you’ve always wanted to be, it’s all up to you. It will always be based on your decisions, not the decisions of others. Max offered some advice to those who are unsure about which career path to pursue or what to do with their lives, particularly now that the pandemic is widespread. “Just follow your heart. Sometimes it takes a while for us to discover what we want to do in life. So go ahead and explore! If this is truly what you want to do, then go for it. Do not force yourself into something you’re not passionate about, for life is too short of having regrets. This pandemic made me realize what matters in life: we have to spend every waking moment doing what we love. “
Ahead of the webinar, you might wonder about the mission of Chinoy Podcast Network. One is to spark growth and about that, Max Tiu has a short message, “Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled. You can always stop and make a U-turn if it is not for you. Besides, how else can you see the sights if you have never been there? And when you do decide to jump in, go all the way in. Do not be afraid to fail because it is a crucial part of every journey. 俗話說: 失敗為成功之母 (As the old saying goes: failure is the stepping stone to success).
On September 9, 2021, at 4:00-5:30 pm, catch Max Tiu and learn more about how he made a living with his voice in The Power of Our Voice: Making Our Choice in the Road Less Traveled. You can also visit his website www.maxtiu.com for more information about him and future events.
