On October 10, Kapuso actor Ken Chan emphasized the value of having a ‘plan B’ for artists.
At the media conference for the launch of WIDE International Film Productions with the press, including LionhearTV, Chan recounted the struggles he and GMA Network faced amid the pandemic.
“Very, very important talaga. Noong pandemya, sabi ng–lahat, alam naman nating lahat na sinabi ng GMA Network na mag-stop muna ‘yung mga shows.
“Pero at the end of the day, nagpapasalamat pa rin ako sa GMA dahil nakagawa pa rin sila ng pagkakataon or way para maipalabas ‘yung shows namin kahit na nasa kusina lang kami ng bahay. Nasa sala lang kami, pinapalabas pa rin ng GMA ‘yun sa mga tao, para lang mabigyan kami ng trabaho. Talagang napakalaking utang na loob namin sa GMA Network, because hindi kami pinabayaan.”
He then talked about his realizations about having a backup plan, all thanks to senior actors who guided him before the pandemic.
“Pero, you know, hindi kasi, hindi pwedeng ‘yun lang ang gawin mo. Hindi pwedeng naka-focus ka lang doon. Pina-realize sa akin ng COVID-19 at ng pandemya na you really have to have a plan B and buti na lang po, nakinig ako sa mga mentors ko, nakinig ako sa mga nakakatanda sa akin, naalala ko sila, Miss Gloria Romero, kapag nakakausap ko po sila, lagi po nilang sinasabi na, ‘Anak, kailangan mag plante ka,’ kasi ‘yun ang ginawa nila.
“And, ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na pinabaunan nila ako ng mga salita na ayon ang mga ginawa ko. Hindi mahirap kung paano hanapin ‘yun plan B na ‘yun, kasi ang daming pwedeng gawin, pero I’m just so blessed and thankful na nakita ko agad ‘yun plan B na ‘yun through Aromagicare, and through WIDE International.”
He then thanked Aromagicare and WIDE International Film Productions for their help with his career during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa kumpanyang ito, ang laki ng itinulong sa akin nito. May mga pagkakataon nga noong pandemya–sabi ko nga kila Miss April and Miss Pauline, ‘Miss April, Miss Pauline, help naman.’ Hanggang ngayon, handa silang tumulong, nandiyan ang kamay nila hindi lang para sa akin, kung di para sa mga distributors, para sa mga tao na nasa loob ng kumpanyang ito. And witness po ako, kung gaano kabait ang ating CEO and President. And I’m just so happy blessed and thankful.”
Chan began his acting career in 2011, wherein he appeared in Tween Academy: Class of 2012, Just One Summer, and My Kontrabida Girl. He then starred in the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival Entry Huling Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw, under the direction of Ignacio.
Aside from his acting career, he also recently opened a Christmas-themed restaurant amid the pandemic named Cafe Claus.
He also became one of the celebrity partners of Aromagicare and WIDE International Film Productions.
