Ken Chan
In his new single, “Quaranfling,” Ken Chan sings about the unexpected love stories that blossomed online amid the pandemic.
“We wanted to come up with a relatable song … Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people were still able to form romantic relationships. Even though our situation has been sad, there were also some positives. People found loved ones, started families and found happiness. In spite of everything, good things can still happen in our lives,” he said in a recent virtual conference.
Because in-person interactions were limited during the height of the pandemic and lockdowns, many people relied on the internet for some semblance of a social life. And Ken did get his share of messages from people trying to capture his attention and initiate a “quaranfling.”
“Some can be persistent … But I become friends with them. Instead of rejecting them, I try to befriend them. And the relationship becomes better, and the result is usually positive,” he said.
Ken admitted that he isn’t personally one to involve himself in flings. Some relationships that he has had with that thought would be only fleeting, turned out to be the opposite. “All of the ‘flings’ I had ended up being long-term relationships,” the Kapuso actor said, adding that he enters into a relationship with someone with the goal of settling down.
“‘Sana siya na. Sana siya na,’ That’s my mindset. I don’t think of relationships as something you get into to pass time. Once I’m in, I think about marriage and sharing my life with that person. Should someone new come into my life, I will still have that mindset,” he said.
Something more serious
However, he does have friends who had “quaranflings” during the pandemic that developed into something more serious. “I have some friends who found love and who are now married,” said Ken, whose online interactions the past two years have been mostly with family and friends.
Rita Daniela, his former love team, is one of those close friends he continues to communicate with. “We talk to each other, we message each other. We’re okay,” he said.
Ken’s affirmation of his friendship with Rita effectively dispelled recent rumors that his cryptic tweets about backstabbing was for the actress. “It’s not about Rita or any family members,” he stressed. “In life, you will encounter people who will try to bring you down. But my parents always told me to ignore those people. Those who get pushed down are lifted up by the Lord—that’s what they tell me.”
Making new music
While he didn’t disclose to whom his tweets pertained to do, Ken said he’s not one to hold grudges. “I don’t hold onto anger, and that’s one thing I’m thankful for. I’m not saying I don’t get angry, but I don’t really harbor ill feelings. I can easily forgive people,” he said.
With that issue out of the way, Ken expressed desire to work with Rita again in the future, despite their management’s decision to end the RitKen love team—at least for the time being.
“I look forward to collaborating with her again in the future. It was explained to us that love teams can run their course … Ours was an accident, and we’re just blessed that people supported it,” he said. “Our next project may not come this year or the next, but it’s also good to be able to work with other actresses. It’s healthy being able to mingle with other artists and production teams.”
Ken is the lead star of the series “Mano Po Legacy: My Big Boss,” which he topbills with Bianca Umali. “She’s one of the actresses I have always wanted to work with. And I’m so I’m thankful it happened here,” said Ken, who also wants to work with Glaiza de Castro, Julie Anne San Jose and Gabbi Garcia.
The 29-year-old actor is still unsure what his next project would be after “Mano Po.” But while waiting for his next offer, Ken plans to continue recording new music. “I would love to continue singing. I miss doing shows here and abroad. Things still aren’t how they were prior to the pandemic, but the world is starting to open up,” said Ken, who has a self-titled album that was released in 2014.