Ken Chan
While he has been acting for a decade now, Ken Chan still gets bouts of self-doubt—especially when he’s about to embark on a new venture or pursue a project he has yet to try.
The 29-year-old actor is currently working on his first solo movie, “Papa Mascot.” Its director, Louie Ignacio, plans to submit it to an international film festival and Ken couldn’t be more nervous. But knowing that there are people around him who believe in his talent gives him much-needed reassurance.
“I will be honest: As an actor, I often feel daunted by the projects I do. I doubt myself. I question myself. Until now, I question my capabilities. I find myself wondering if I deserve the opportunities I’m getting. But whenever my directors and other people tell me that I can do this, that I can win awards, that gives me strength,” he told the Inquirer at a recent press conference.
Drama
Ken couldn’t disclose details of the plot yet, but let on that it’s a drama about a single father who dons mascot costumes for his child’s birthday every year. Ignacio believes that the role could potentially earn Ken an international award or recognition. “Nakakakilig. But there’s pressure at the same time,” he said of his director’s kind words. “In this industry, or any field for that matter, crab mentality can’t be avoided. So it feels good to have people who encourage you and lift up your spirits. They inspire me to do my job right and improve my craft.”
After all, it’s not fame he’s really after. “Kuya Germs (the late German Moreno, his discoverer and mentor) told me that if your main goal is to be famous, then stop acting. It won’t make you successful. But if your target is to make people happy, you will succeed, no matter how difficult the journey is,” he related.
The movie will be produced by Wide International, a distribution, wellness and real estate company that has recently ventured into entertainment. Aside from film and content production, the group also plans to enter the digital space and launch its own video streaming platform called Wide TV.
Ken Chan
New platforms
“So many people lost jobs because of the pandemic. I’m glad there are new platforms that will help create more jobs and give us opportunities to showcase our talents,” he said.
The GMA 7 actor’s previous projects like the series “Ang Dalawang Ikaw” and “One of the Baes,” and the movie “Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw” were coheadlined with his former screen partner Rita Daniela. These days, however, Ken’s home station appears to have carved a new path for the actor, who’s now focused on solo projects and working with different actresses.
“I’m not closing any door to another possible love team. I was glad to be part of a love team because it made me feel young. But there comes a time… we’re not getting any younger. We mature and so will the roles we do. I have to do roles that fit me,” he said.
“The network has been giving me roles that don’t involve being in a love team and I understand that… if that’s the path they see for me.”
The “RitKen” tandem with Rita was a happy experience. But Ken also looks forward to collaborating with other artists. “I aim to explore and work with different people,” said Ken who will also star in an upcoming television adaptation of the 1987 Vilma Santos movie “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig?”
Outside acting, Ken operates food businesses and plans to get into movie production. If there’s one thing the pandemic taught it’s that an actor should always have a Plan B. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to GMA 7, because they found ways to do shows and provide jobs during the pandemic,” he said.
“However, what I realized is that you can’t just stick to one thing. I’m blessed to have mentors like Gloria Romero who always reminds me that it’s important to have a fallback. I’m thankful,” he added.