The passion that drives Richard Quan

MANILA, Philippines - The dictionary defines passion as an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. This is the force that drives character actor Richard Quan.  Since his first appearance as the other man in the Reyna Films’ classic Saan Ka Man Naroon? that starred the phenomenal love team of Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta, Quan continues his love affair with show business with a burning passion that fuels him to offer the finest in all the roles he portrays.

Film aficionados were most impressed with his performance as the tahong vendor father of JM de Guzman, in the Cinemalaya 2012 favorite Intoy Siyokoy.

Quan’s remarkable moment – caught his wife playing fire with another, he backed away quietly from the on-going transgression, crushed and disillusioned, this accidental discovery led to his plummet, a most tragic death that left his son Intoy orphaned. 

This July, Richard is part of another Cinemalaya entry, “The Liars,” written by Senedy Que with multi-awarded film master Gil Portes as director.

The film is based on a real-life sports scandal that presents the incredible rise and the humiliating fall of an unprivileged Filipino baseball team of young boys in an international baseball competition in the 1990s.

“I play one of the fathers of the kids na part of the team who has no conscience,” Quan says. “Wala siyang pakialam sa mga consequences of his actions.  All he wanted was the glory and the fame, and of course, the money that comes with it.”

“When the offered it to me, I was immediately attracted to the character because portraying a person who, as they say, belongs to the dark side is always challenging,” the actor says. “Pag kinaiinisan at bwisit na bwisit ang mga audiences with my portrayal, it feels good. It is more fun and fulfilling, honestly.”

Richard adds, “I am very choosy with the films that I do, I always want them to say something, to impart lessons or at least, make people think, reflect. Dapat they inspire people to change.”

Other cast members are Jan Harley Hicana, Jim Rocky Tangco, John Michael Bonapos as the kids, with Alessandra de Rossi, Cris Villanueva, Victor Basa, and Arnold Reyes.

Another very important project that he involved with is “Ang Sugo,” the bio-film about Ka Felix Manalo, the founder and patriarch of Iglesia ni Cristo.

“It is work and a very big responsibility, that is how I see this project,” Richard states with a smile “I am very proud of this film. The whole process of creating a film, there is really no sure formula, kahit may ganoon ka kagandang script, mahusay ang artistic and production staff mo, the outcome, naiiba pa rin.  So, I’m hoping lang na everything will fall into place at magiging one of the best if not the best ang movie na ito and that the public watches it.”

“In the nearest future I plan to produce. Whether it is a TV show or a film, my motivation is, it’s not na pagkakakitaan ko lang siya but because if it is socially relevant, it is saying something. It is challenging the status quo. Dapat from the script pa lang, it will stir the passion. Up to this day, that passion in me, is my guide, it drives me to be part of good films and TV projects ”

“Liars,” under the direction of Gil Portes, is part of CINEMALAYA 2013,  July 26 to August 4, 2013 in CCP theaters, Trinoma, Greenbelt, and Alabang Town Center Cinemas