Ken Chan levels up by heading 'special' soap
Published Sep 1, 2018 04:18 am
Though single, Ken Chan is fond of children almost like he knows what it’s like to have ones of his own.
Ken Chan (Photo by Lester Ramos)
This works for him as he heads GMA’s “My Special Tatay.” Ken plays Boyet, a man with mild autism spectrum disorder, who eventually becomes a father.
In a recent interview, the young man admitted that it’s his most challening role to date, especially since the show tackles a “sensitive topic.” Aside from doing immersion by spending time with people who has the condition, the actor did his own research on the subject. It included watching the 2001 American drama film “I Am Sam” and the 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film “Forrest Gump;” as well as the 2014 local television drama series “Niño.”
Asked how different his soap is from those that tackled other mental conditions, Ken pointed out his character’s condition isn’t so severe.
“And that made it harder to play because the nuance is more delicate. Like it’s there but not quite as apparent as other types of conditions,” the actor said.
Ken hopes “My Special Tatay” would serve instrumental in raising awareness about the needs of people with that condition.
He is grateful GMA-7 entrusted him this extraordinary project.
“My Special Tatay” director LA Madridejos, whom Ken worked with before, praised the actor for his ability to adjust to different genres and roles. And because they’ve worked before that’s why he immediately agreed when GMA-7 executives suggested Ken should lead the show.
“The one who should take on the character should be an actor who can handle complexities. And I don’t have anyone in mind for that except Ken,” the director said.
LA admitted he can relate to Boyet, as back in time, he, himself used to be bullied. On the series, the lead character gets ostracized.
Co-stars
Cast member Rita Daniela revives the Vina Morales-song “Kahit Man Lang Sa Pangarap” as theme song of the show.
Written by Vehnee Saturno, she finds the track is “full of of emotion and heart.”
On the series, Rita plays Audrey Palomares, a childhood friend of Boyet.
The cast of ‘My Special Tatay’
Rounding up the cast are Jestoni Alarcon as Edgar Villaroman, the rich father of Boyet; Teresa Loyzaga as Olivia Salcedo-Villaroman, the domineering wife of Edgar; Carmen Soriano as Soledad Villaroman, the conservative yet empowered mother of Edgar and grandmother of Boyet; Lilet as Isay, the caring mother of Boyet; and Candy Pangilinan as Chona Mariano, the cousin of Isay.
Candy, whose son Quentin has been diagnosed with autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), said she’s grateful that the topic is being tackled on TV for people to understand their situation.
Also featured in special guest roles are Matt Evans as young Edgar; Empress Schuck as young Isay; Valeen Montenegro as young Olivia; and Ashley Rivera as young Chona.
Joining them in this endearing project are multi-talented artists: Jillian Ward as Odette Villaroman, the daughter of Edgar and Olivia; Bruno Gabriel as Orville Villaroman, the son of Edgar and Olivia; JK Giducos as Dekdek, the best friend of Boyet; and Arra San Agustin as Carol Flores, the best friend of Boyet.
This is the second time Arra and Ken are working on a teleserye after the drama thriller “The Cure.” Asked if she feels pressure to be Ken’s leading lady once more, the newbie actress simply said Ken is easy to get along with being such a “gentleman.”
Ken Chan (Photo by Lester Ramos)
This works for him as he heads GMA’s “My Special Tatay.” Ken plays Boyet, a man with mild autism spectrum disorder, who eventually becomes a father.
In a recent interview, the young man admitted that it’s his most challening role to date, especially since the show tackles a “sensitive topic.” Aside from doing immersion by spending time with people who has the condition, the actor did his own research on the subject. It included watching the 2001 American drama film “I Am Sam” and the 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film “Forrest Gump;” as well as the 2014 local television drama series “Niño.”
Asked how different his soap is from those that tackled other mental conditions, Ken pointed out his character’s condition isn’t so severe.
“And that made it harder to play because the nuance is more delicate. Like it’s there but not quite as apparent as other types of conditions,” the actor said.
Ken hopes “My Special Tatay” would serve instrumental in raising awareness about the needs of people with that condition.
He is grateful GMA-7 entrusted him this extraordinary project.
“My Special Tatay” director LA Madridejos, whom Ken worked with before, praised the actor for his ability to adjust to different genres and roles. And because they’ve worked before that’s why he immediately agreed when GMA-7 executives suggested Ken should lead the show.
“The one who should take on the character should be an actor who can handle complexities. And I don’t have anyone in mind for that except Ken,” the director said.
LA admitted he can relate to Boyet, as back in time, he, himself used to be bullied. On the series, the lead character gets ostracized.
Co-stars
Cast member Rita Daniela revives the Vina Morales-song “Kahit Man Lang Sa Pangarap” as theme song of the show.
Written by Vehnee Saturno, she finds the track is “full of of emotion and heart.”
On the series, Rita plays Audrey Palomares, a childhood friend of Boyet.
The cast of ‘My Special Tatay’
Rounding up the cast are Jestoni Alarcon as Edgar Villaroman, the rich father of Boyet; Teresa Loyzaga as Olivia Salcedo-Villaroman, the domineering wife of Edgar; Carmen Soriano as Soledad Villaroman, the conservative yet empowered mother of Edgar and grandmother of Boyet; Lilet as Isay, the caring mother of Boyet; and Candy Pangilinan as Chona Mariano, the cousin of Isay.
Candy, whose son Quentin has been diagnosed with autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), said she’s grateful that the topic is being tackled on TV for people to understand their situation.
Also featured in special guest roles are Matt Evans as young Edgar; Empress Schuck as young Isay; Valeen Montenegro as young Olivia; and Ashley Rivera as young Chona.
Joining them in this endearing project are multi-talented artists: Jillian Ward as Odette Villaroman, the daughter of Edgar and Olivia; Bruno Gabriel as Orville Villaroman, the son of Edgar and Olivia; JK Giducos as Dekdek, the best friend of Boyet; and Arra San Agustin as Carol Flores, the best friend of Boyet.
This is the second time Arra and Ken are working on a teleserye after the drama thriller “The Cure.” Asked if she feels pressure to be Ken’s leading lady once more, the newbie actress simply said Ken is easy to get along with being such a “gentleman.”