Kelvin Miranda: A Good Kid

What a way to end the year and start the decade. Opportunities have been coming in and out, but for Kelvin Miranda, opportunities lingered on the edges until he finally felt ready for the long haul. Just turned 21, Kelvin’s career is skyrocketing faster than you can say “2020, la”.

For someone who initially didn’t plan on joining showbiz, Kelvin has managed to capture our hearts with his boy-next-door looks and mischievous charm. With everything laid out on the table, he shows that he has a pure heart and an old soul. Charged with youthful hopes and simple dreams, this breakthrough actor may still have a lot to prove. But he’s definitely a good kid to look out for.

A Shaky Start

“Dati kasi, ayoko talaga mag artista.”

When you’re stuck doing something you have zero interest in, work becomes a burden. For Kelvin, he always wanted to act but actual show business was a bit daunting. He has shown potential even when his heart wasn’t completely in it, but the people around him continued to show their support.

“Sinubukan talaga ako ng manager ko. Pinakilala lang ako ng ate ko sa kanya hanggang sa tri-ny ko mag-audition sa ganito, sa ganyan, sa ibang network. At nakukuha naman ako sa mga auditions. Pero ‘di ko sila pinupuntahan kasi wala pa akong kumpyansa ‘gaya ngayon na kapag may proyekto, go lang ako,” he says sheepishly.

A New Leaf

“Noong mga panahong ‘yon talagang natatakot ako kasi ayoko sa kritisismo. Medyo ayaw ko mapag-usapan kaya ayaw ko sa showbiz.”

Starting out, Kelvin realized his new environment affected him more than he expected. But now that he’s gotten used to with the workings of the industry, he’s driven to strive and to become better at his craft. His turning point? It was when he realized acting and getting projects made him genuinely happy.

“Itong trabaho ko ang nagpapasaya sa ‘kin. Kasi parang ‘di ako napapagod everytime na ginagawa ko siya. Masaya lang ako. Kahit sobrang puyat, talagang okay lang, go pa rin. Minsan kapag may pahinga ako na araw, hinahanap ko ‘yung pagod ng galing sa ginagawa ko,” he exclaims. “Nagkaroon na ako ng lakas ng loob. Nakikita ko naman kasi na kaya ko pala dito sa loob ng industry,” he adds.

A Long-Term Plan

“Gusto ko maging aktor at gusto ko mag-explore kung ano ‘yung mga puwede ko pang maranasan sa ibang role. Na-aapply ko kasi siya sa tunay na buhay.”
No one knows what’s in store, but it is reliable to invest for the future. Kelvin believes he’d be acting in the years to come, but he makes sure he’ll gain from it all. He sees himself continuously doing what he loves.

“Siguro in ten years, mas focused ako sa business or family matters,” he shares. “Wala naman kasi akong gusto ‘kundi magkaroon ako ng bahay, maayos at kumpleto na pamilya, maayos na anak, maayos na business. ‘Yung tipong di mo na kailangan mangamba ‘pag gigising sa umaga. Kasi wala ka nang dapat pang isipin. Ang kailangan mo na lang ingatan ay ‘yung pamilya mo,” he says while smiling at the possibilities.

A Dream Come True

“Umikot-ikot ako sa bahay namin as in sobrang gulong talaga.”

Kelvin has been in the scene since 2016. He’d been calm and steady, and has even bagged a couple of awards and nominations. But his claim to fame came unexpectedly. As a matter of fact, it came to a great surprise — it was in the form of Dead Kids, a must-do Netflix and chill.

When asked about the moment he learned about their movie being the first Filipino Netflix-backed show, he literally rolled over.

“Ayaw sabihin sa akin ni Direk! Kinukulit ko kasi sila alam na nila. Surprise daw! Hanggang sa nalaman ko, ‘di ako mapakali. Sinabi nila sakin nung nag-bonding kami nila direk. Nadulas lang siya. Aksidente ko pang nalaman!” he says laughing out loud.

A Story To Tell

“Si Direk Mik, made-describe ko siya in one word: Solid.”

Kelvin has a lot of actors he’d like to share a scene with. But aside from them, he also has a list of directors he’d like to work with one day. He’s proud that he’s slowly checking off his list. One of those people he’d finally been able to work with is the multi-awarded director, Mikhael Red. Kelvin has nothing but praise for him:

“Di siya marunong magalit, sobra. Napaka kalmado niyang tao. Nase-stressed na siya, pero ang galing niya mag-control ng situation. At sa sobrang collaborative at hands-on niya, ‘di siya natatakot alalayan ka or mag-spoon feed sayo, dahil sa kagustuhan niyang pagandahin ‘yung kalalabasan ‘nung pelikula. Sobrang mapagbigay siya sa kaalaman. One of the coolest directors!”

Always A Good Kid

“Gusto lang namin ma-realize ng tao ‘yung tema ng Dead Kids.”

A good movie, apart from the entertainment, is one that mixes real life well with fiction. With Dead Kids, it’s a mix of humor, thrill, and truth about teenagers in this day and age. And as part of the youth the show intends to reach, Kelvin says the movie opened his eyes with an even relatable context.

“Gumising ako sa katotohanan na ‘di lahat ng may kapangyarihan is yung dapat na mamamayagpag. Dapat mas pahalagahan pa natin yung mga taong totoo. Kasi sa ngayon, life is unfair talaga,” he sighs. “Sana magbigay linaw sa ‘tin kung anong dapat gawin sa mundong ginagalawan natin ngayon, sa sistema, sa pakikisalamuha sa mga tao. ‘Di lang sa isa, ‘di lang sa dalawa. Siyempre sa lahat,” he ends on a hopeful note.

The new decade brings in a lot of good things for this good kid: a budding career, a steaming filmography, and (finally) a Twitter account that he can use to reach out to his peers and fans. Who ever said Kelvin’s a dead kid? After the runaway success he’d gone through, we’re hoping he’s on a roll.