Kelvin Miranda

By Jemuel Cainglet Salterio

Kelvin Miranda has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Philippine entertainment industry, but his latest role in “Chances Are, You and I,” now streaming on Netflix, tested his limits like never before.

Filmed in the freezing winter of Seoul in February 2022, “Chances Are, You and I” challenged not only his acting skills but also his physical endurance as he and the rest of the cast and crew braved temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius.

Despite the freezing conditions, he couldn’t help but appreciate the stunning results captured on screen. “Maganda naman visually ang turnout sa movie.” Even in those icy moments, once they heard “Action,” everyone was instantly focused and ready to work.

Kelvin shared how the temperature would immediately make itself felt once the director called “cut.” “When we heard ‘Cut,’ we would feel cold again,” he explained, highlighting how the crew quickly moved in to provide blankets and warm the cast up with fires. “They would give us blankets even when we were already wearing three kinds of clothes already.”

While the environment was tough, Kelvin embraced the experience with gratitude. Initially scheduled to shoot for just seven days, the production was extended to eleven, giving the team a few rest days. He praised the Korean crew for their discipline and precision. “The Koreans were very strict with the time and very meticulous with the schedule. When they tell you the bus would leave at 6 a.m., it would leave on time. If you are late, they would leave you behind.”

Kelvin made it a point to wake up at 4 a.m. each day. This routine gave him time to work out and get his makeup done in advance, allowing him to relax with a cup of coffee while waiting for the team to depart for the set. “I don’t want to be in a hurry all the time,” he revealed. “I become tense when that happens. I get rattled in the preparation.”

The production schedule was demanding, with filming often lasting for 14 to 16 hours. Yet, Kelvin admired the professionalism and kindness of the Korean crew, noting how they adjusted to the needs of the Filipino team. “They adjusted to us. They were very helpful.”

In “Chances Are, You and I,”  Kelvin takes on the role of Sol, a man grappling with a life-threatening illness. The film, which tells the story of two young people facing their mortality, is emotionally gripping. “Mixed emotions when you read the script. May lungkot, mayroon din saya,” Kelvin reflected on the screenplay, written by Ellis Catrina Camarillo. He praised the script for its powerful narrative, noting that no major changes were made from the first draft. “Maganda talaga ang script.”

Playing Sol allowed Kelvin to confront deep personal fears about life and death. “My character, Sol, he was very brave. He already accepted his fate that he was dying. It helped that you should not fear death, and I’ve accepted that. I believe in the saying that when one door closes, another one opens.”

In addition to the emotional weight of the role, Kelvin also had to physically prepare for intense scenes involving motocross. A fan of the sport since he was 16, Kelvin had to retrain for the film’s stunt sequences. “The motocross precautions are different when you are shooting a movie,” he explained, stressing the importance of precise timing to avoid accidents. “A lot of things can happen. You can get into an accident and hurt yourself.”

Despite the challenges, the film was a family affair for Pocket Media Productions, Inc. Director Catherine “CC” O. Camarillo, in her directorial debut, led the project alongside her family, who handled roles such as executive producer, finance, and catering.

The hard work and dedication paid off, as “Chances Are, You and I”  premiered globally on Netflix on September 19, 2024. The film has already garnered international recognition, with Kelvin receiving the ‘Most Prolific Dramatic Actor’ award at the Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival in Japan earlier this year.

This latest achievement marks yet another milestone in Kelvin’s impressive career, which has spanned seven years. But he’s far from slowing down. Next, fans can expect to see Kelvin take on the role of Adamus, the “Tagapangalaga ng Brilyante ng Tubig,” in the highly anticipated fantasy series “Sang’gre: The Encantadia Chronicles.” This new project will further showcase Kelvin’s versatility as an actor, solidifying his place as one of the most promising talents in Philippine television and film.