Khai Flores to immediately get busy in 2023

Director Danny Ugali’s dramatic film, Sugat sa Dugo (Wounded Blood), the maiden offering of Dragon Entertainment Productions, had its theatrical release last September. The young cast, led by promising newcomer Khai Flores, simply thought that after the showing, their jobs were done.

“I thought that after the film, nothing else will happen with Sugat sa Dugo,” disclosed Khai, who is one of the artists in Dragon Talents Management. “But I was so surprised that our job continued even months later. We really talked about what needed to be done.”

The young actor successfully auditioned for his role with the film’s director. However, Khai was surprised that when AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Awareness and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) month happened this December, interest about the film was rekindled.

Khai did the rounds of schools in Laguna, Bulacan, Zambales, La Union and in Manila to spread awareness about AIDS. He was so surprised that in the places they visited, especially Zambales, there were still so many people who were not aware about how AIDS will spread to become a communicable disease.

“People in Zambales, after they watched our movie, they learned so much about AIDS,” shared Khai, whose real name is Ezekiel Khairo Schofield Jarlos. “They were willing to be tested for HIV. They even volunteered.”

Most of those who watched the screening of Sugat sa Dugo were teenage students, 13 and above.

In his personal experience, Khai learned a lot after doing this film. “We need to be careful,” he said. “We need to use protection and focus on ourselves. We have to love our family, especially there are a lot of young people who take a big gamble on certain things they want to do. At the end of the day, those young people run to their family.”

The first-time producers of Sugat sa Dugo are planning to exhibit the film in Japan in March 2023, with Khai, Janice de Belen and Shira Tweg. The stars have done so much in spreading AIDS awareness especially this December.

In 2021, Janice even bagged her first international acting award as Best Actress in the International Film Festival Manhattan Autumn 2021 for her portrayal of a mom of an AIDS victim in Sugat sa Dugo.

The dramatic film also took home the Independent Film Award for Producing for first-time producers Bambbi Fuentes (executive producer) and Cristine Areola (associate producer) of Dragon Entertainment Productions, who bankrolled their maiden project.

The role of Jack was really serious for Khai. “It took me a long time to shed off the character of Jack from my system,” Khai admitted. “One month nakakabit sa akin ang role. Iba ako. Mabigat ang role. I cry for no reason at all.

“From the make-up, parang what happened to the role of Batman’s Joker. Nababaliw or namamatay. That was what happened to me when I played Jack, that’s why I understood my character. True-to-life ‘yung role ko.

“Not all actors were immediately given that serious role early on in their careers. I am very thankful that I experienced that kind of role.”

Khai immediately embraced the challenging role in Sugat sa Dugo, his big-screen debut. In 2020, Khai played the best friend of Joshua Garcia in the horror thriller, Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan, directed by Chito Roño. The film has yet to be shown.

Khai also played a deaf mute in Huling Hibla, directed by Mel Magno. The film has yet to be screened locally.

Playing challenging roles challenge Khai undoubtedly. He expressed his desire to play mentally challenged characters, like what Gerald Anderson did in the ABS-CBN teleserye, Budoy (2011) or Ken Chan in GMA 7’s My Special Tatay (2018).

“I really want to be an actor,” asserted Khai. “I want to be constantly challenged in the roles that I play. I started with a real, heavy role. Tutuloy-tuluyin ko na ‘yun.”

For the first quarter of 2023, Khai is slated to wrap up three films – two horror flicks and a suspense-thriller. He will do mainstream with Regal Films and he is looking forward to that experience.

“My dream is to do something like Aga Muhlach in (Lino Brocka’s) Miguelito: Batang Rebelde (1985),” offered Khai, who turned 20 last October. “I want to do something as challenging as Miguelito.”

Among the performers whom Khai idolizes are John Arcilla, Alden Richards, Joshua Garcia and Kelvin Miranda. Meanwhile, when it comes to the ladies, Khai wants to work with Bianca Umali, Ylona Garcia and Maris Racal.

Khai is set to finish his Business Management course at FEU (Far Eastern University) in the next two years. He also plans to enroll in a culinary course.

“I love cooking pasta, tuna pesto or chicken pesto,” Khai beamed. “I can also cook menudo and caldereta. I simply learned how to cook on YouTube and also from my (paternal) grandma.”