Kelvin Miranda believes the right girl will come

MANILA, Philippines — Kelvin Miranda wishes and aspires to portray and pursue varied roles and stories, as he expressed in a previous interview with this paper. His web designer-gamer-cosplay geek character named Norman is another answer to that.Now streaming on Netflix, the film Missed Connections sees Kelvin’s Norman as someone who falls in love with a “grocery girl” and is loved by another “grocery girl,” also known as “gingerhead.” It’s in stark contrast to his Ralph, a friend and admirer of the human clone Hope, in the Afternoon Prime series, Unica Hija, which concluded last March.

“Yung pagkatao niya is very awkward (He has a very awkward personality) and he is an NBSB (no girlfriend since birth),” described Kelvin of Norman in a recent virtual one-on-one with The STAR. “An introvert, who only talks about things he is interested in and has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). That perhaps explains why he is a perfectionist when it comes to finding the (right) someone (girl) for him. Kung sino talaga yung gusto niya, yun talaga ang gusto niya (He only falls for someone he truly loves).”

Norman has made a special connection at varying levels with the artist-entrepreneur Mae and social media influencer Julia, played by Miles Ocampo and Chie Filomeno, respectively. The website-forum called “Missed Connections” plays a role in this contemporary tale about love triangle.

Based on Kelvin’s recollections, after taping his weekly scenes for Unica Hija, he would report for work on the set of Missed Connections. The young actor found his schedule at that time challenging, but he delivered the goods, as one may put it. He had to be in the shoes of privileged Ralph in Unica Hija and entered the world of young professional Norman in Missed Connections.

“It was challenging and enjoyable for me because I got to learn how to show the differences (between the characters) and of the projects I was doing,” said Kelvin, “but the entire process was fun.”

With the show touching on the “Love-in-the-time-of-social-media-apps” idea, the Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent said he acknowledged the uses of social media platforms and face-to-face as formal and valid ways for people to meet up and get to know each other.

“It’s still up to the persons how they will talk (or start the conversations and move forward from there),” added he. “Nagkakaroon lang ng missed connections kapag hindi kayo nagkaintindihan (Missed connections happen when both parties don’t understand one another or misread the signals). I’m not favoring the online or face-to-face way (or I’m not thinking that one is better than the other).”

Kelvin furthered the discussion by saying that people usually have some expectations in creating connections. He also shared that they have the gift to choose “like whatever you want (in life) or whoever you want to be with.”

Asked about the qualities he is looking for in a girl, Kelvin had this to say: “I don’t believe in (having an) ideal girl or ideal woman. For me, as long as na totoo (she is true to herself)… hindi siya hinahanap talaga, kumbaga darating siya kung para sa’yo talaga (The right one is not someone you look for. That person will come (in the right place, at the right time in your life).”

Following his line of thought, one could say that Kelvin believes in making real connections — and a relationship is a work in progress.

“There are people who have been together (for a long time), but they fall out of love,” said he, who worked with Miles for the first time and considered the experience a good one. “She’s professional and loves her craft. She’s collaborative,” added Kelvin.

As for Miles’ character, he said that Mae is a hopeless romantic. “Kung ano yung pinanghahawakan niya sa pag-mamahal, sa pag-ibig (Whatever she holds on to love), parang kahit ilang beses pa siyang masaktan, kahit ilang beses pa siyang mabalewala (and no matter how many times she has gotten hurt or ignored), for as long as she sees a chance, she will take the opportunity. She is also jolly.”

With his Norman, Kelvin likes the fact that the character knows what he wants in love and life and never gives up easily to chase it.

How does it feel that his film is being showcased on the most popular streaming platform?

“Nanumbalik yung feeling sa akin na sobrang saya at nakaka-proud (I had the same feelings of happiness and pride) dahil siyempre nakikilala yung pelikulang Pilipino sa buong mundo (because another Filipino film gets to be introduced to the world),” answered Kelvin, whose happy memories about the time when his 2019 movie, Dead Kids, premiered on Netflix, came rushing back. These happened when he saw again its logo with the letter “N” and heard the signature sound. “This is a big thing to me and I feel so happy to be part of the film.”

From the streaming platform, Kelvin is also seen on TV via the GMA action-comedy series, Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis, where he plays the diligent student Gary, who idolizes Police Major Bartolome, portrayed by Sen. Bong Revilla Jr.

With that, Kelvin’s talent and visibility are showcased and felt on both traditional and new media platforms.