Ken Chan (Facebook)

Kapuso actor Ken Chan landed another challenging role in his upcoming film "Papa Mascot" whose character is smelly and filthy.

During a media conference for the announcement of his latest movie at Café Claus in Tandang Sora, Quezon City recently, Ken admitted he was having second thoughts about accepting the role.

"Noong unang nabasa ko ang script, sabi ko kinakabahan ako dahil ang layo sa mga ginagawa ko noon. Ang bigat nito. Sabi ko hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung paano ko bubuuhin ang character ko bilang Papa Mascot," said Ken.

(When I first read the script, I said I was nervous because it was far from what I was doing before. It was heavy. I said I didn't know what I was going to do, how I was going to develop my character as 'Papa Mascot.')

He added: "Isa sa mga ginagawa ko bago ako sumabak sa pelikula, nanood po ako ng mga pelikula. Ni replay ko yung mga teleserye na ginawa ko tulad ng 'Special Tatay' at mga father and son; or father and daughter movies. Pinanood ko rin yung 'I Am Sam,' 'Doll House' ni kuya Baron Geisler; at nakatulong din sa akin yung mga location namin kung saan ako matutulog at magpe-pedicab."

(One of the things I did before I got into movies, I watched other films. I watched again my past teleseryes like 'Special Tatay' and movies on father-and-son; or father-and-daughter. I've also seen 'I Am Sam,' and Baron Geisler's 'Doll House.' Our locations where I can sleep and drive the pedicab also helped me.)

Ken Chan in 'Papa Mascot'

Award-winning director Louie Ignacio said that he broke the glamour boy image of Ken in "Papa Mascot," which, incidentally is his first solo film.

"Sinira ko talaga ang pagka glamor boy ni Ken dito. Tuwang tuwa naman ako sa na-achieve ko. Nakagawa ako ng something out-of-the-box para sa kanya. Soap opera star siya pero film actor siya rito," Louie said.

(I really broke Ken's glamor boy (image) here. I'm very happy with what I achieved. I did something out-of-the-box for him. He's a soap opera star but he's a film actor here.)

Louie also said: "Ginawa ang story na ito for Ken. Sabi ko kay Ken wala pa siyang solo movie, puro may ka loveteam. Eh ang galing niyang aktor. So sabi ko gawa tayo. Yung mga producers ko naman nagustuhan nila yung project."

(This story was made for Ken. I told him he doesn't have a solo movie. He always has a love team. He's a great actor, so I said let's do it. My producers liked it.)

Louie said that he was impressed with Ken's professionalism and dedication to this movie.

"Doon ako na impress kay Ken kasi pag nag di-direk ako ng artista ayoko ng maarte. Tinest ko sya. Eh nakakita ako ng putik. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na tatlong beses pala siya maligo in one day. Pero wala pala talaga siyang kaarte-arte sa katawan."

(I was impressed with Ken because when I direct a star, I didn't want someone who is choosy or demanding. So I tested him. I saw mud. I just found out that he bathes three times in one day. But he wasn't demanding in this movie.)

Ken, 30, admitted that he really loves taking a shower three times a day.

"Honestly, tatlong beses ako naliligo sa isang araw. Pagnaliligo ako tumatagal ako ng dalawang oras sa banyo. Kasi hilig ko talaga maligo at 'uzi' ako sa gamit ko.

(Honestly, I shower three times a day. I spend two hours in the bathroom when I shower. I really enjoy taking showers.)

"Noong first day ko sa pelikula, may putik doon at sabi ni direk, patingin ng kamay mo at paa. Kulang pa. Ibabad mo yung paa mo sa putik. Kailangan madumi ka at natural. Mahirap sa akin yun pero para majustify ko yung role ko, sinunod ko s'ya.

(On my first day in the movie, there was mud there and the director said, look at your hands and feet. It's not enough. Soak your feet in the mud. You have to be dirty and natural. It was difficult for me. But I just followed him so that I could justify the role.)

"Wala ng ligo ligo noong nag-shoot ako. Kailangan pagdating ko sa location, mabaho at marumi na ako. Wala ng make-up. Minsan yung putik hindi ko na talaga hinuhugasan pagmatutulog na ako," Ken said, when he talked about immersion for the character.

(I didn't take a bath when I was shooting. When I got to the location, I was smelly and dirty. I didn't have make-up on. Sometimes I don't really wash off the mud when I go to bed.)

Produced by Wide International, also joining Ken in  "Papa Mascot" are Miles Ocampo, Gabby Eigenmann, Liza Dino, and Erin Rose Espiritu. It will be shown in cinemas on April 26.