MANILA, Philippines - Richard Quan is thankful. 2010 was a remarkable year.
He ended the year with two hit movies during the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival in Dalaw where he was the abusive husband of Kris Aquino and in Isla Engkanto, the Topel Lee directed episode in Shake, Rattle and Roll.
He also had two distinctive film projects, the first being Jay Altarejos’ Laruang Lalake, which showed the audiences the creative and production processes that happen during the making of an “indie gay film.” Quan’s portrayal earned him positive nods.
Clickthecity.com’s resident film critic Philbert Ortiz Dy said, “Richard Quan is given the chance to stretch and he makes something out of it,” while in the widely read makemeblush.blogspot.co, the comment is: “Richard Quan gives Laruang Lalake a degree of pertinence.” Another film reviewer Oggs Cruz remarked: “Quan, (and Mon Confiado,) are believable in their respective parts.”
His other film, Third World Happy directed by EJ Salcedo, was one of the contenders in the Cinema One Festival.
“Hopefully, Third World Happy inspired many and that in a way helped them re-assess their lives. The film was about self-discovery. It is about appreciating the sacrifices of the people who love you.”
2011 just started and Richard is optimistic that this is going to be a banner year for him. He wishes that come awards time, his performances in either of the two films get him a nomination.
“I will not deny that a nomination will be exciting,” Quan says. “However, more than the winning or the nomination, what’s stimulating for me as actor is the whole process of creating a character, giving life to it, the collaboration you have with your co-actors, director, down to the staff and crew. The whole artistic and creative undertaking is what I enjoy the most, and in itself, I already consider that aspect a reward already.”
He ends, “I’m happy that quality projects are coming my way. It’s cool, because having them, whether the production is for mainstream cinema, independent film, TV or the stage, further ignites my passion to act. I am passionate about my craft. I will continue to explore new roles. I will keep on learning from my directors and co-actors as well. I will carry on with this love affair with acting for as long as I can.”