Celebrating acting with heart and smiles

MANILA, Philippines - In an emotionally intense TV scene, the actor sits inside a taxi cab, shoulder seemingly heavy, and his face forlorn. He gazes at the mirror as tears fall from his left eye, ending it to almost a wail, in disbelief of his fate — a widower left to care four children — all girls at that.

As you switch the channel, you see the actor in another TV drama, this time, he exchanges in a heated argument with his lovely daughter. The incident is absorbing, consuming, so intense with the actress who plays his distraught wife acting as a silent witness to a verbal tirade unfolding.

The actor figuring in both scenes is Richard Quan. His “inside-the-taxi-breakdown scene” in NET 25’s Five Girls and a Dad, hits you like an arrow, the impact sudden, one can really feel his bewilderment and longing.

In the second dramatic outburst, Richard spews vitriol against Heart Evangelista, adoptive daughter Diana on GMA 7’s Legacy with Jackie Lou Blanco, playing the role of the martyr mediator. The actor’s rage is so palpable, one senses the anger comes from his gut.

Richard is one of the very few actors who can work in any network — breathing life to his lead and supporting roles, with passion and commitment.

“It’s easier for me to portray a character that I am passionate about,” he says. “These characters that I do now, I have a better understanding of and I am excited to portray.  In the cases of Enzo and Lucio, they are fine examples of characters that I love portraying.

“I’m very happy with what I am doing,” says the actor. “I don’t look at my characters simply, yun bang if they are good or bad. I discover their humanity as much possible, men who are capable of anything and every thing given their situations.

“Parang bumalik yung sigla ko. Parang bumalik yung confidence ko sa sarili. My roles are getting more exciting and challenging. It feels good that I think I have finally earned the trust of my peers.

“Inspired ako sa mga directors ko. I give credit to my directors now, Jay Altarejos in  Legacy and Lorenzo “Enzo” Legaspi in Five Girls and a Dad.”

 “When I do a role, I give 100 percent of myself to the character and I rely so much on my directors. What I like about working with the two is that they push me to give even more. Sinigurado nila na nauunawaan ko yung gusto nilang mangyari. Knowing that most of my scenes in both drama are emotionally daunting, masarap sa pakiramdam na they are there para siguraduhin na kaya ko.”

He also gives credit to his co-actors, “My hats off to Jackie Lou, I just need to look at her eyes, and alam ko na ang gusto niyang iparating.  Also to Leo Martinez in Five Girls, all our scenes together, he is a revelation so kailangan galingan ko talaga.”

His next acting challenge is an independent film  titled Potpot with Ray-Ann Dulay, also another independent actor  who’s taking this time the director’s chair.

“When I read the script, ang ganda!” says Richard. “Potpot is about a father, a pedicab driver and his relationship with his son, a pandesal vendor. It’s a very interesting concept because it gives a different perspective about the life of urban settlers.”

The actor concludes with a wide smile, “My attitude towards my craft remains the same, it doesn’t matter kung maliit ang role, what is important is that you feel better after giving life to the character. I want to be given more opportunities to work with other directors and really, good actors. Mas gusto ko yung ganun, heaven! Nothing beats working and collaborating with dedicated and professional artists.”