KaladKaren (Facebook)

It's time to focus on different projects such as acting and to think outside the box for KaladKaren, the first Filipino transgender woman to receive an acting award at Metro Manila Film Festival.

During an interview for the morning show "Headstart" on ANC last April 13, KaladKaren was asked by her "sister" award-winning television host Karen Davila about her decision to become an actor.

"Kailangan ko ng gawin because I don't want to be boxed," said KaladKaren, whose real name is Jervi Li.

KaladKaren added: "Of course, I am so grateful sa'yo na ako ang impersonator mo (referring to Karen Davila). But I want people to know that I can do more than that, more than impersonating. I don't want as your impersonator only.

(Facebook)

"I like people to realize that I can do something else. I can act, I can dance, I can do this. I can write. I can produce. Huwag mo na akong pakantahin dito KD. Diyos ko Lord!

"As an artist, you need to get out of your comfort zone. You have to think outside the box or else," she also said.

Last April 11, KaladKaren made history when she won best supporting actress for the movie "Here Comes The Groom" at the 1st Summer MMFF held at the New Frontier Theater in Araneta City. It was the first time a transgender woman received an acting award in the popular filmfest.

"I was really surprised. I wasn't expecting anything," said KaladKaren when her name was announced as winner.

KaladKaren (right) and Hollywood star Dolly De Leon (Facebook)

She also said that her British fiancé' Luke Wrightson was very happy about her acting recognition. "Tuwang tuwa siya and I also thanked him in my speech. For 11 years, he made me feel that I am more than enough." Her partner is also supportive of her career, she said.

Asked about her upcoming wedding with Wrightson, KaladKaren told Davila: "Secret pa. Pero malalaman mo kasi ninang ka di ba?"

Following her victory, KaladKaren is confident that there are roles or opportunities for a transgender woman like her in local cinema.

KaladKaren accepts the award for best suppporting actress (Juan Carlo De Vela)

"I think yes. Why not? That's my answer. The possibilities are endless. Puwede akong maging kontrabida. I'm doing a lot of projects right now na hindi na rin ako reporter. Kasi dati 'o, kailangan ng reporter si Kaladkaren yan! Kailangan ng isang host, si Kaladkaren yan.'

"But now they give me roles na kontrabida, inaapi-api, mga ganern. Kaya ka n ga aktor kasi kailangan mong panindigan yung character na yun. So now I'm really happy na yung Philippine cinema like the producers, the writers, the directors are also open in giving people like me roles that are award-winning, award-worthy," she said.

In honing her skills, Kaladkaren said she took acting lessons.

"Seriously, I take acting classes, I talk to directors. I graduated in broadcast communications from the University of the Philippines Diliman. But all of my electives were theater. I also do the writing. I write my own materials. In the process, I think matututo ka rin. Sa every project meron kang littles something na mababaon mo or madadala mo roon sa susunod," she added.

KaladKaren and fiance' Luke Wrightson (Facebook)

So what's next for KaladKaren after her historic win at the MMFF?

"I have a lot of projects coming. With this recognition, I hope mabigyan ako ng maraming opportunities namakatanggap ako ng iba't ibang roles and stuff like that. This door has already been opened. I hope and I pray that this paves the way to a lot of transgender women in Philippine cinema and the mainstream television. Why not? Gusto ko ngang sabihin sa speech ko na magagaling naman po kami kailangan lang namin ng pagkakataon. You just have to give us the opportunity," she added.