CinemaBravo

Kapuso leading man Ken Chan is making significant strides not only in the restaurant industry but also in film production. During the opening celebration of his new restaurant in Timog, where CinemaBravo was invited, he revealed details about two highly anticipated feature films which he is co-producing.

One film stars Jillian Ward, fresh from their successful tandem in the long-running television series “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap.” The other brings together the beloved duo of Rhian Ramos and Glaiza De Castro first time on the big screen. These projects showcase Ken’s expanding horizons in the entertainment industry, alongside his successful business ventures.

Ken Chan’s first film pairing with Jillian Ward

Ken Chan and Jillian Ward, who have captivated audiences with their chemistry in “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap” as Doc Lyndon and Doc Analyn, are set to star in a new film directed by Louie Ignacio, who also helmed Ken-starrer ‘Papa Mascot’.

Ken related the challenges of scheduling with Jillian due to her busy commitments with the said soap.

“Ngayon, dahil sobrang busy ni Jillian Ward sa ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,’ talagang challenging para sa ‘min na hanapan siya ng schedules. Pero nakapag-usap naman yung Wide International Film at saka yung management ni Jillian — GMA Network at Sparkle.”

(“Now, because Jillian Ward is very busy with ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,’ it’s really challenging for us to find schedules for her. But Wide International Film and Jillian’s management — GMA Network and Sparkle — have talked.”)

“This is also directed by Direk Louie Ignacio, siya pa rin yung magshu-shoot ng pelikula namin sa Taiwan. So lilipad kami, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, August kami magshu-shoot na sa Taiwan. Medyo na-delay lang. Dapat… two months ago pa. Kaya lang, hirap talaga kami humanap ng schedule. But this time, tuloy na tuloy na.”

(“This is also directed by Direk Louie Ignacio, who will still shoot our film in Taiwan. So we will fly, if I’m not mistaken, in August to shoot in Taiwan. It was slightly delayed. It was supposed to be two months ago. But it was really hard to find a schedule. But this time, it’s definitely happening.”)

Here are some snaps from the Deer Claus-Timog’s opening celebration.

Rastro’s reunion project — this time on the big screen

Another exciting project is the film featuring Rhian Ramos and Glaiza De Castro. Ken discussed the plans and possible locations for the shoot, as well as the importance of finding the right theme song.

“Yung [kina] Rhian at Glaiza, of course, ishu-shoot din namin siya dito. Kung hindi kami nagkakamali, gusto talaga ng mga co-producer ko na i-shoot din ito sa ibang bansa. Pero kung mahirap din yung time [nina] Rhian at Glaiza na lumabas ng bansa, we can shoot it here dito sa Pilipinas.”

(“Regarding Rhian and Glaiza, of course, we will also shoot it here. If I’m not mistaken, my co-producers really want to shoot this abroad. But if it’s difficult for Rhian and Glaiza to find time to go abroad, we can shoot it here in the Philippines.”)

“Pero naghahanap talaga kami ng theme song para sa kanilang dalawa, kung ano ba talaga yung bagay, kasi mahalaga talaga sa ‘min yung theme song e! So, we’re looking for some OPM songs na ’90s, yun kasi yung bagay sa istorya nung [kina] Rhian at Glaiza.”

(“But we are really looking for a theme song for them, something that fits because the theme song is really important to us! So, we’re looking for some ’90s OPM songs, which fit the story of Rhian and Glaiza.”)

Rhian and Glaiza, much like their initial collaboration on television, are slated to portray two women in love with each other.

Ken continued, “I’m really excited do’n sa girls’ love story, sa GL na gagawin nilang dalawa, because alam naman natin na nag-click yung tandem nila sa ‘The Rich Man’s Daughter.’ Maraming mga fan ang nakaka-miss sa Rastro… Wala kaming ibang naisip na artista kundi silang dalawa talaga.”

(“I’m really excited about their girls’ love story because we know their tandem clicked in ‘The Rich Man’s Daughter.’ Many fans miss Rastro… We couldn’t think of any other actresses but them.”)

This upcoming GL film will be directed by the award-winning Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (‘Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita,’ ‘Kita Kita’).

Although the story concept is still under wraps, Ken hinted at its development.

“Hindi ako muna pwedeng magsalita. Hanggang ngayon kasi [in the works] pa yung istorya, pero may konsepto na… para sa kanilang dalawa.”

(“I can’t speak about it yet. Until now, the story is still in the works, but there is already a concept… for the two of them.”)

Ken’s latest restaurant venture

In addition to his film projects, Ken has opened his second restaurant, the Timog branch of Deer Claus Steakhouse & Restaurant, located at Scout Limbaga Street, corner 11th Jamboree Street in Quezon City. This new venture adds to his growing list of successful businesses, which includes a gas station!

Among the celebrities who attended the grand opening were fellow Kapuso stars Jillian Ward, Glaiza De Castro, and real-life partners Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali. Ken’s partners in Wide International Film Productions — April Martin and Pauline Publico — also graced the event.

Continuing in our recent interview, Ken ga his vision behind the rebranding of his former Cafe Claus.

“Gusto ko talaga na i-rebrand yung Cafe Claus, at gusto namin na maging steakhouse siya. Kasi kapag cafe, nalilimitahan yung menu, so gusto namin siya maging full restaurant. Nag-focus kami sa steak, kasi I love steak. Yung mga business partners ko rin, gusto nila ng steak. My family loves steak… We have classic and premium steaks.”

(“I really wanted to rebrand Cafe Claus and turn it into a steakhouse. As a cafe, the menu was limited, so we wanted it to be a full restaurant. We focused on steak because I love steak. My business partners also love steak. My family loves steak… We have classic and premium steaks.”)

Ken elaborated on the menu and concept of the new restaurant.

“May mga menu before sa Cafe Claus na inilagay pa rin, ini-retain pa rin natin siya sa Deer Claus, pero ngayon sa steakhouse and restaurant, it’s a fusion. Pinagsama-sama namin yung mga Filipino food, pagkatapos meron din tayong Western food.“

(“Some of the menu items from Cafe Claus are still there, retained at Deer Claus, but now as a steakhouse and restaurant, it’s a fusion. We combined Filipino food with Western food.”)

“Talagang front ng house yung steak natin na galing pa ng Australia. Proud talaga kami sa steaks namin. Yung quality ng steaks, at saka yung lasa na gusto namin, nakuha namin. Yung alat, yung linamnam… talagang mabusising pinag-aralan ng mga chef namin. Kasi, marami na ring steakhouse ngayon dito sa Metro Manila, sa buong Pilipinas, so gusto natin na maging, kahit papaano, l-um-evel doon sa mga kilalang steakhouse dito sa Maynila.”

(“Our steaks, which are from Australia, are the highlight. We are really proud of our steaks. The quality and taste we wanted, we achieved. The saltiness, the savoriness… our chefs meticulously studied it. Because there are already many steakhouses in Metro Manila and the whole Philippines, we want to level up to those well-known steakhouses in Manila.”)

Ken mentioned that he finds joy and fulfillment in seeing the satisfaction of his patrons.

“Pag marami kang napapasaya na mga tao. Nagiging kaibigan mo na rin. Hindi lang basta customer. Nagiging second home nila. Kaya yung hitsura niya, talagang ni-retain namin yung homey feel.”

(“When you make a lot of people happy, they become your friends, not just customers. It becomes their second home. That’s why we retained the homey feel.”)

The name “Deer Claus” reflects a festive theme, as Ken explained.

“It’s called ‘Claus’ because of Santa Claus; ‘Deer’ because we want to maintain the feel of Christmas. Yung family ko, gusto nila ng Pasko. As well as my business partners, Ms. April and Ms. Pauline. Yan yung hindi namin aalisin. We Filipinos love Christmas — one whole year.”

(“It’s called ‘Claus’ because of Santa Claus; ‘Deer’ because we want to maintain the feel of Christmas. My family loves Christmas, as do my business partners, Ms. April and Ms. Pauline. That’s something we won’t remove. We Filipinos love Christmas — one whole year.”)

Lessons in business

Ken also shared the valuable lessons he has learned from venturing into various businesses, alongside managing his time to pursue all his passions.

“Isa sa mga natutunan ko pagdating sa business, walang shortcut, wala talaga pala. Kasi, no’ng una, akala ko may shortcut e… Kailangan mo pagdaanan talaga yung hirap.”

(“One of the things I learned about business is that there are no shortcuts, none at all. Because at first, I thought there were shortcuts… You really have to go through the hardships.”)

He added that there will be moments when you feel down, and destiny will challenge you financially and with the people around you. However, he emphasized that you will overcome everything.

Invitation to Deer Claus

In conclusion, Ken invites everyone to visit the branches of his new restaurant.

“Guys, iniimbitahan ko kayo na bisitahin n’yo ang Deer Claus dito sa Timog Ave. branch namin. Para sa mga nasa Balanga, Bataan; nasa Siargao; nasa Lipa, Batangas City; and Pasig City, meron din tayong mga branch diyan ng Deer Claus… Dalhin n’yo yung families n’yo… mga kaibigan n’yo, mga mahal n’yo sa buhay.”

(“Guys, I invite you to visit Deer Claus here at our Timog Ave. branch. For those in Balanga, Bataan; Siargao; Lipa, Batangas City; and Pasig City, we also have branches there… Bring your families… your friends, your loved ones.”)