KEN CHAN first captured our attention when he played the young Freddie Webb in the indie film, “First Ko si 3rd”, where his star presence was so palpable on screen. After doing lead roles in “Destiny Rose” and “Meant to Be” on TV, he now plays his first lead role in a mainstream movie in “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” as the playful Tristan, who broke Barbie Forteza’s heart as Erica, not just once but twice. They’re directed by ace filmmaker Joel Lamangan for the first time. How is it? “Sobrang kinabahan ako when I learned siyang magdidirek sa’min kasi dati ko na siyang naririnig na sobrang istrikto at naninigaw,” he says. “But it turned out okay siyang katrabaho at sweet nga kasi binibigyan pa kami ng favorite niyang baon, kamote. It’s really an honor and I’m proud na finally, nakatrabaho ko na siya. Malaki ang tulong niya sa’min ni Barbie kasi yung story, tumakbo for several years, mula noong college students pa kami hanggang sa nagtatrabaho na kami na nag-meet kami uli. Galing kami sa ‘Meant to Be’ na very light. Dito, mas madrama and Direk Joel guided us well in interpreting our roles through the years.”
He’s also happy that Barbie is his leading lady in his first big movie. “Seven years na kaming magkaibigan since ‘Tween Hearts’ pa sa GMA-7. All these years, we’re able to keep that friendship. So okay na kami sa ganun. Baka masira pa ang friendship kung magiging iba ang level ng relationship namin. As friends, for life na itong pagiging magkaibigan namin. Ayaw naming lokohin ang tao just for the promo of our movie.”
He claims to be a fan of Barbie from way back. “Actually, hindi pa man ako nag-aartista, kapag nagi-imagine akong gumagawa ako ng music video, si Barbie yung nakikita kong kapareha ko, so dream come true ito for me. Barbie is my best friend na babae. Kahit hindi kami boyfriend-girlfriend, mararamdaman mo yung pagiging sweet and caring niya bilang leading lady mo. At alam naman ng fans na may kanya-kanya kaming buhay at tanggap nila yun.”
How is “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” different from other romcoms? “Mas madrama nga itong movie namin. It’s about not just giving a second chance kundi even third chance. I broke Barbie’s heart twice tapos bumabalik uli ako sa kanya and she says ‘dalawang beses mo na kong pinaiyak, ang tanga ko naman kung bibigyan pa kita ng pangatlong chance na paiyakin ako.’ So dun pa lang, makikita na nyo ang kaibhan nito sa usual romcoms dahil mas serious ito, mas may tama sa puso.”
