KELVIN MIRANDA EXPLAINS ‘FEELINGS’ FOR KIRA BALINGER

After almost two years in the freezer and finding the right playdate for the movie, Chances Are You and I will finally be shown in theaters this month.

At the media conference for the long-awaited movie, lead actor Kelvin Miranda spoke about the buzz linking him with leading lady Kira Balinger.

“Ang masasabi ko lang napakahirap maging isang artista, hindi lang kakabisaduhin mo ang lines, yung blockings ng director. Hindi ka naman puppet dito eh; ikaw ang magbibigay kulay sa canvas na binigay sa iyo ng director. Bigyan mo ng buhay yung character, yung script na binigay sa iyo. Sino ba naman ang hindi makakaramdam kung devoted ka (All I can say is that it is very difficult to be an actor. You not only have to know your lines, the director’s blockings. You’re not a puppet here — you are the one who gives life to a character, from the script given to you. Who can help but feel that devotion)?” he said.

The Kapuso actor admits that his preparation and internalization for his character went too far. 

“Yes, na-confuse ako sa reality kung totoo ba talaga lahat ng nararamdaman ko or confused lang ako with my character. Pero isa lang ang gusto ko linisin sa issue na ito. Alam ito ni Kira — hindi po naging kami; wala pong ligawan na nangyari. Yun lang po ang lilinawin namin dito para di na rin kayo mag-isip (Yes, I got confused about whether what I was feeling was real or I was confusing myself with my character. But there is one thing I would like to clarify about this issue. Kira knows this — we were never an item, there was no courtship that happened. That is the only thing I would like to clear up),” he added

Kelvin plays Soleil Sikat or “Sol,” who is convinced that death is inevitable and we are all bound to perish. He is a pessimist. He realizes, however, that no matter what circumstances he is in, he will be the one to determine his future. There’s no escaping responsibility.

Kira is Gabriel Sinag or the bubbly “Gab,” who believes life has a perfect ending. She has a bright personality and does not entertain pessimism. An optimist, she reminds herself that life is beautiful and bad experiences make us appreciate the good ones. She also leams that suppressing pain is not healthy. The only way to deal with pain is to accept it.

Both diagnosed with brain tumor, they meet in the hospital where they are both confined and get intrigued with each other. They set an adventure decided on with the flip of a coin. They may be poles apart, but deep inside, the two have one thing in common: they are looking for something missing in their lives. Their journey finds them at all odds even if their friendship continues to grow.

Kelvin revealed that when he prepares for a role, he lives the character and gives life to his portrayal. 

“Yes, yung naramdaman ko noon totoo. Nag-exist siya sa akin. Inamin ko na totoo ang naramdaman ko noong ginagawa namin ang movie. Kahit sino pa ang magtanong. Nagpakatotoo ako sa character ko — binigyan ko ng buhay, binigyan ko ng pakiramdam (Yes, what I felt was real. It existed inside of me. I admit that what I felt was real when we were filming the movie. No matter who asks, I was living true to my character — I gave it life, I gave it emotion),” he said

Kelvin is a passionate actor, but clears out that everything is done as part of the job. 

“Siguro dahil yan sa pagmamahal ko sa ginagawa ko at respeto ko sa direktor ko sa writer at syempre tiwala ko sa co-actor ko. Totoo po na-close kami sa isa’t isa, pinagkakatiwalaan namin ang isa’t isa and then nangyari na yung magic. Pero hindi kami natuloy at wala kami naging relasyon or whatsoever, kung ano man ang iniisip n’yo (Maybe it has something to do with my love for the craft, my respect for the director and writer, and of course my trust for my co-actor. It’s true, we became close, we trusted each other and the magic happened. But we didn’t take it forward. We never got into a relationship or whatever you may be thinking),” he added.

Chances Are, You and I was chosen as one of the Spotlight Entries this 25 to 26 May at the Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival, where Kelvin and Kira will showcase the film to Filipinos in Japan.

The film’s soundtrack, “Demonyo,” is by Juan Karlos ‘JK’ Labajo, “Mapa” by SB19 and “Anghel” by Brando Bal.

It opens local cinemas nationwide on 29 May and will have a premiere night at SM Megamall the night before. The film is produced by Pocket Media Productions, Inc. in partnership with Happy Infinite Productions Inc. and Pocket Media Films. The film will be distributed by Regal Entertainment Inc.