Eian Rances shares how streaming has changed his life
MANILA, Philippines — Eian Rances never imagined he would become a streamer for feeling less than confident talking for hours on end like other live streamers do. But he turned out to be so good at it, Eian is now one of the top Kumu streamers in the country.
“I did not expect to receive an offer like that, Tito Boy. It took me two months to decide whether to accept it or not,” Eian said during our conversation for Batalk Channel’s The Interviewer Presents on YouTube.
The actor shared that he was supposed to start working on an acting project after signing a management contract with Star Magic in January of 2019. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and put a halt to film and TV productions. Hence, many film industry workers were left without work, including Eian.
“So, I had no choice but to wait. And since there’s no work in Manila, I decided to go home to Lucena. I got stuck in the province and while there, I was thinking of what to do to still be productive until the offer from Star Magic came for me to become a streamer.
“I was hesitant at first because I know that streamers talk spontaneously on screen and I am not confident with my impromptu speaking skills. Sabi ko, anong gagawin ko diyan?”
Two months had already passed and still without work, Eian gathered all his guts and began his stint on the popular streaming app. In the first few days, he would ask his friends to join him to avoid having dead air. “But my friend suggested that I should do it on my own, kailangan daw magpakilala ako. Kaya ginawa ko, nag-solo stream ako at sa awa ng Diyos doon rin ako nakapag-establish ng pangalan. I was also able to build my core family inside and outside of the stream.”
Eian has also gained Filipino supporters from all over the world collectively known as EKIS (Eian Kumu International Squad). His popularity on Kumu led him to represent Filipino streamers in Pinoy Big Brother’s (PBB) Kumunity Season 10. Eian was introduced in the reality show as the “Striving Streamer ng Quezon.”
While inside the PBB house, Eian said he had no idea regarding rumors that circulated about him, Brenda Mage and Alexa Ilacad. He didn’t know that his response to Brenda’s alleged inappropriate joke became sensational.
It can also be recalled that PBB fans kept a close watch on Eian and Alexa for their closeness.
“I had no idea that people were talking about us, na parang may love triangle pa kami, pero hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung pinag-uusapan sa labas ng bahay ni kuya, na ganun pala ‘yung dating. Pero close naman kami lahat sa loob,” declared Eian, who maintains close friendships with former housemates Samantha Bernardo and Alyssa Valdez.
Life after PBB has become rosier for Eian who, apart from being a Kumu streamer, also hosts Pienalo Pinoy Games from Mondays to Saturdays at 6 p.m. on Pie Channel.
Eian also appeared in the music video of It’s Okay Not To be Okay, composed by Jonathan Manalo and Angela Ken.
Below are excerpts of our interview.
When is it okay not to be okay?
“May mga oras na nasasaktan tayo sa mga binabato sa atin, but it’s okay because those things can make us stronger. That’s why, it’s okay for me not to feel okay sometimes.”
How did Kumu change your life?
“Before I entered PBB, I was able to purchase a piece of land for my parents. Malaking bagay ‘yun para sa akin at ang sarap ng pakiramdam ko na nagawa ko ‘yun bago ako lumuwas ng Manila.”
Your family is also involved in business even before you got into showbiz.
“Yes, Tito Boy. We have a glass and aluminum business in Lucena which sustains our family, especially when we were younger. Now that we are all grown-ups, kaming apat na magkakapatid, all the earnings of that business are for our parents.”
You are the younger brother of actress Jenny Miller and then, you have two other siblings?
“Yes, our eldest is a fireman and then, our other sibling, the third one, is also into glass and aluminum business, nag-franchise s’ya ng negosyo namin.”
Kumu was the reason why you were able to enter PBB.
“Yes, PBB opened its door to streamers and I was lucky to be chosen as a housemate. I still do live streaming, plus I have another show, QMK (Quiz Mo Ko), also on Kumu every 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday.”
What do you consider as memorable moments in your PBB journey?
“One of them is my friendship with Samantha and Alyssa. We’ve truly become closer after PBB.”
Nakikita rin namin dati na sa loob ng bahay, you were very close with Brenda and Alexa. Do you still see them after PBB?
“Yes, Tito Boy. Actually, Brenda guested in our show.”
What do you remember about Alexa? You became good friends at akala namin nagkakamabutihan kayo.
“Nasabi ko dati na crush ko s’ya. Nakita po ‘yun na nagkaroon kami ng mutual understanding. But since we were together every day inside the (PBB) house, it wasn’t easy. Nakikita agad namin ang ugali ng isa’t isa and she does not possess all the qualities I’ve been looking for in a girl. At ganun rin ako hindi lahat na sa akin. So, it was challenging for us to have a hundred percent connection.”
When you joined PBB, did you plan to win?
“Actually, no, Tito Boy because there were so many who wanted to be in PBB so I already considered myself a winner the moment I was chosen to be part of it.”
(To watch the full interview, visit the Boy Abunda Talk Channel on YouTube.)
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