|
"You
can't change anyone with fists," Jerry
Liau says,
quoting the consummate kungfu star Bruce Lee. "Martial arts
are about respect, not attack."
Born
and raised in New York, the 20-year-old Chinese-American made his
first trip to China last September as a contestant on The
Disciple, a TV show backed by Jackie Chan to find young kungfu
hopefuls and promote Chinese martial arts to the world.
Liau
is one of the nearly 100,000 candidates attracted to kungfu
stardom and a possible role in one of Chan's upcoming movies,
according to Beijing TV Station (BTV), one of the organizers.
"I
love performing. It would be great (starring in Chan's movies),"
Liau says, "but it's also exciting to see real Chinese
growing and living in the motherland."
There
was culture shock, at first, when he was offered animals he
doesn't normally eat at the dinner table.
"But
my sifu
(master) told
me never fear to try," he says.
Liau
knew little about Chinese culture until, aged 10, he started to
learn kungfu from his master,
Henry
Moy,
to whom he was introduced by a friend. After two years, Liau
became one of Moy's 60 disciples.
When
he was 16, Liau's parents separated. The relationship with his
master, he says, was like that of a father and son.
"There
is a period in every boy's life when he is tempted to do something
wrong, but my sifu kept me on the right path and taught me what it
takes to be a real person."
Liau
says his greatest influences are his parents, siblings and master.
"You get support from them and you give back your support."
At
kungfu school they looked up to Guangong, an ancient Chinese
general. Moy also told him that martial arts are not about the
strong beating the weak, but respect and patience.
"Kungfu
also means time in Chinese. You have to train a lot before you
gain," Liau says.
|
Innovations Inc.