PUCHONG, Selangor: He is a bakuteh chef holding a claypot and ladle during the day, and a wedding etiquette guide (da jin xiong) holding a microphone at night.

His job duty is not limited to hosting wedding ceremonies but is also required to entertain the guests by singing and dancing on the stage, a far cry from what he does during the day.

Nevertheless, he enjoys such a switch of roles, as it meets his cheerful characters and strong desire to perform. In addition, he is also making extra money for his children as future savings.

He is 59-year-old Liao Hua who is selling bakuteh at Bukit Kuchai, Puchong. He and his better-half, who is also a wedding etiquette guide, have a pair of children. His eldest daughter is a pharmacist while his younger son is still schooling.

Liao has been running his bakuteh business for 25 years. He told Sin Chew Daily in a recent interview that this business was his main livelihood for the family, while being a wedding etiquette guide cum entertainer at night satisfied his acting passion besides enriching his life.

Perfect match on stage

Liao said he met Gui Jie, an experienced da jin jie, at Serdang Senior Citizens' Club several years ago. Due to his poor financial conditions at that time, he tried to engage himself in this field with the purpose of making some supplementary income.

Since then, Gui Jie has become the instructor for both Liao and his wife.

As far as Liao knows, there are only about two or three male wedding etiquette guides locally.

Due to his cheerful characters as well as a passsion for acting and singing, Liao has overcome the fear of performing on the stage as well as public perception of him being a da jin xiong. He has been able to master the skill promptly having shed the psychological barrier.

Liao said he had spent three months learning the auspicious words and traditional Chinese customs which a professional etiquette guide is required to know. He has since paired up with his wife to perform on the stage and this has proven immensely popular among the people.

A sudden life-changing thought

Liao is engrossed with his bakuteh business from six to three, after which he would get himself ready for the show at the wedding dinner, if any.

Having two jobs at one time is never a problem for Liao, as he has rich experiences handling his bakuteh business of 25 years. As for wedding etiquette guide, Liow is assisted by his wife, who also boasts two years of experience in this field.

Liao is fully booked through next February.

A sudden thought of change two years ago has led him to a more exciting life and better incomes! (Translated by LIM LIY EE/Sin Chew Daily)